Operation: Intruder Defense (Adv. of GI Joe 2010)

In space, no one can hear you repurpose old parts.

When I first started delving into the Adventures 2010 series, it seemed to have a real world oriented, yet futuristic and coloful tone. It was a bit more fanciful than the Real American Hero series, being set at what was then ten years into the future. Most of the sets I had seen dealt with Joe taking on terrorists or criminals, so I was taken aback when I discovered this set, with its full-on science fiction theme of Joe battling an alien menace.

This set borrows heavily from a few modern figures, notably the space helmet, which had made a couple of appearances, one of which was the odd Apollo 13 tie-in. The gloves came from the Apollo 11 Buzz Aldrin, and while they look better than the old fabric or foil Joe astronaut mittens, they render the hands unable to grasp effectively. The chest armor, though a simple clip-on piece, functions well enough and helps pull the look together. The wildly patterned camo spacesuit is par for the 2010 course, yet somewhat subdued compared to other outfits in the line. While the set overall isn’t too bad, I would have much preferred seeing the amazingly well done Action Man spacesuit from earlier in the 90’s.

It wouldn’t be a 2010 set without some kind of strange weapon, and so we get Hall of Fame Rock & Roll’s gatling gun, with barrel and missile cast in a fantastic ectoplasmic translucent green. It’s an effective choice considering the sci-fi subject matter.

Unfortunately, no alien creature was included in the set. That would have to wait for the modern Adventure Team Planet Xenome set of 2003. Nevertheless, it’s not the first time a 12 inch Joe has had to make do without an enemy. Speaking of which, I wonder if the name Intruder Defense was a deliberate reference to the old 70’s enemy? I was hoping so at first, but a look at the back of the package depicts a burrowing scorpion-like creature rather than bearded diminutive alien strongman.