The Dreadnoks were an impressive addition to the Cobra ranks to a kid in the 80s. With an edgy design amalgam of punk and the Road Warrior, they were a threatening force of destruction. Ripper is one of the original Dreadnoks, and as such, is equipped with an amazing melee weapon along with an unexpected implement of destruction — the
Read moreWhat can I say about old chrome-head that hasn’t been said before? Well, that he’s never been quite so adorable–next to a crocheted version, of course. Destro was only available in Kreon form as part of the Arashikage Dojo set, the largest and most expensive GI Joe Kre-O building kit available until the more recent Terrordrome. I will be honest
Read moreAt yesterday’s Assembly Required, I was talking to Steve, one of the Code Name Iowa organizers, about how the blog has been branching out into covering GI Joe merchandising, when he excused himself for a second and returned with a large figure case. Inside was the strangest collection of 80s GI Joe merchandise I’ve seen: four costume masks. “Do an
Read moreby KansasBrawler Part of what I find myself enjoying about the GIJCC’s con sets is that they are able to include great concepts into sets that might not necessarily be successful at retail by virtue of orienting their product towards older collectors like me. A prime example of this is the Cobra Lab-Rat from the 2014 Zombie Initiative set. Cobra’s
Read moreI went totally ape feces for the new sculpt viper mold. From the first funky red number, to this one and the subsequent classic inspired repaints, I’ve got a veritable army. Can I explain why? The only thing I can think of these days is that I wanted to make up for the fact that I didn’t have much of
Read moreIt’s good that someone got Stormy out of his ninja pajamas. Don’t get me wrong, I love the classic 1984 figure and the traditional 80s ninja in media, but variety adds spice. Not to mention, film often dictates a change in design that is less fanciful. A well-designed costume can even become a character unto itself. This tailored outfit is
Read moreThe Cobra Night Watch has been one of the more interesting additions to the Enemy forces since the days of the Real American Hero line. While other new troop types like the CLAWS just didn’t seem to stick as time went on, the Night Watch has had its time in the spotlight (no pun intended) since the days of this
Read moreThe Cobra CLAWS mold was quite well traveled from 2002 to 2004. It seems like whenever a fill-in troop builder or driver was needed, the CLAWS was there to fit the bill. This particular flavor was the driver of the Venom Striker, a crimson-hued redeco/remold of the Joe team’s assualt quad from earlier in the relaunch era. Back when this
Read moreWhat better monster to cover on Halloweek than…a mega monster? And a Pay-Doh flinging one at that? It’s the Monstro-Viper!
Read moreSome toys are I think unfairly ridiculed. I’ve always been a fan of the underdog and the misfit, and GI Joe has had its share of goofballs and weirdos. I dig them all. I really dig Crystal Ball. As a horror fan, how could I not? He looks straight out of Hollywood’s version of Transylvania. What’s so bad about Crystal
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