Ethan “Spade” Crowne (2010 Corps!)
A Corps! figure? Really? Yes, what can I say–Ive been inspired by Joe knock-offs/wanna-bes lately.
Lanard’s Corps! (don’t forget the exclamation point) have been around since Joe’s heyday in the 80’s, and continue to be produced today. The series has always been kind of like a less refined cousin of Joe, and if you squint the old 80’s versions looked pretty similar. Corps! figures are almost always guaranteed to show up in older Joe lots at yard sales, secondhand stores and eBay. Discount stores have been their biggest supporter; in fact I can’t recall seeing Corps! merchandise in a store like Toys R Us, at least not since the 90’s.
When the Joe line’s style took a turn to a new direction in 2002, the Corps! followed suit. The o-ring construction gave way to a t-crotch (a horrible term if I’ve ever heard one) and continues to the standard for the line. In 2010, Lanard released several new molds, and have gone in an interesting direction with more specialized looks for the characters.
Spade is part of an air based sub-group in the line, called the Flying Force. The figure is remarkable for its stylish look, something that’s been missing from the Corps! line of late. The high-collared buttoned up waist jacket and eye patch lend the figure a dashing, roguish look befitting a pilot. Proportions tend toward the cartoonish, with broad shoulders, narrow waist and large hands, feet and heads. This newest series also has molded in holsters for knives and guns, a really nice touch for a budget line.
The figure certainly doesn’t fit into the modern Joe style as well as his Corps! predecessors blended with vintage Joes, but it’s an interesting figure none the less. It’s always nice to see a me-too series get creative from time to time.
I have this figure. I like the look of him, I wish he had modern era Joe articulation/proportions.
I love all Corps! but this newest wave is especially detailed and awesome! Nice job showing Corps! love!
I’d love to cover some Remco stuff too, if I could get it at a decent condition and price.
I think the Corps would gain a bigger following if they would return to the O-ring.
I miss the o-ring Corps too.
It must be hard being a pilot while wearing an eye patch, but Major Bludd pulled it off in the Sunbow cartoon. This guy reminds me more of Nick Fury. I miss the o-ring era figures and wish Lanard would transition out of the t-crotch and bad proportions into 25th Anniversary or Star Wars territory. Thanks for posting those pics of the Missouri blowout today, btw. Wish I’d been there to pick up some o-ring era Mission Vehicles!
Dude has some interesting “Airship Pirates” thing going on there. Rather like the detail level, but minus several points for the complete lack of articulation. Still might be useful fodder-wise, though.
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