Action Figure Review: Mole Rat [Stage 2] from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   I'm over halfway through the last series of G.I. Joe: Classified Series releases (only the Night-Viper remains) and many international fans already have the latest series in hand with Airtight and Overkill. Hey, I'm not the fastest and I'm OK with that. Today I'm checking out a "repaint" from the most recent series, though it's a figure that offers a bit more than the original release did: The Cobra Mole Rat. The Mole Rat was originally released in 2023 as a Walmart exclusive and he was one of the highlights of that year for me. Hasbro has included a Mole Rat [Stage 2] in this series and he's just as impressive as the first figure. Sure, the body is mostly a repaint, but there are some cool new deco designs and a brand new portrait, now giving this troop builder three different head sculpts. I know repaints used to be the bane of many collectors' existences back in the day but it's hard to get too worked up about them in the Classified Series since figures are no longer sold in waves or cases by any e-tailers I'm aware of (in the past you often had to purchase full cases to guarantee a set), they're rarely included with multipacks (ala the 25th Anniversary Joe line and so many multipacks from the late 1990s through the mid 2000s), and Hasbro's Joe team seems to put some solid though into these. The Mole Rat isn't a cheap figure these days, either, so the Stage 2 variant is a pretty welcome addition. What happens when you leave a Mole Rat infected by Dark Energon to fester? He really starts to mutate, turning into something that seems even beyond a zombie. Let's check this spooky fellow out after the break...

Action Figure Review: Cowboypool from Marvel Legends Series: Deadpool & Wolverine by Hasbro

 

   I've been a sucker for Deadpool figures ever since I was a kid and received the original Toy Biz Deadpool figure for Christmas in 1992. I'm not snapping up every figure from Hasbro Marvel Legends Deadpool & Wolverine line but there are definitely a couple that have really intrigued me. I recently received Cowboypool and X-23 as gifts and I'm pretty excited to have them. Cowboypool is a cowboy themed Deadpool; what's cooler than that? Voiced by Matthew McConaughey in the movie, Cowboypool is part of the Deadpool Corp that was formerly banished to the void. Need some more Deadpool figures to battle your standard Deadpool and Wolverine? Here's another one! Let's check out Cowboypool after the break...

Action Figure Review: Edwin "Lifeline" Steen from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

    More G.I. Joe: Classified Series reviews? You know it! Today I'm looking at Edwin "Lifeline" Steen, the first rescue trooper for the G.I. Joe team. While Doc was the original medic for the team, I've always seen Doc as the skilled doctor and surgeon while Lifeline is more of a field medic who does have to engage in combat from time to time. With his brightly colored outfit he also seems like someone who may even be used by the Joe team in emergency situations where civilians and other responders are involved. He's definitely not going to be embedded with a covert team all decked out in camouflage. Lifeline is one of my favorite vintage A Real American Hero figures and I had high hopes for this guy. Lifeline had a couple really good figures over the years, especially the 2011 30th Anniversary release, and I was hoping the Classified Series figure would live up to that figures pedigree of excellence. There are some great things about this Lifeline but there are also quite a few elements that are inferior to a now 15 year old figure in a smaller scale. That's a real surprise, right? Let's take a look at Lifeline after the break and see how he measures up...

Action Figure Review: Sanji (Romance Dawn) from S.H. Figuarts: One Piece by Bandai/ Tamashi Nations

 

   Ready for coolness personified in the One Piece universe? Well, the S.H. Figuarts Romance Dawn version of Tony Tony Chopper isn't out yet but I do have the newly released Sanji, so let's check him out today. I actually really like Sanji and he might be my third favorite of the Straw Hats. He's an interesting character; so often cool, composed, and chivalrous, yet he often totally loses it and lays it on too thick around women. A solid fighter with a kind heart and a chef who will never deny anyone a meal. I didn't import Sanji, so he's available right now in the US, though some places seem to be sold out of him already. Bandai has really been delivering the S.H. Figuarts One Piece releases lately and it's nice to see how quickly we're assembling a cohesive team of Straw Hats. I believe Jinbei has been leaked, but who do you think will be the next pre-time skip member of the crew? It surely has to be Nico Robin, right? I wouldn't be surprised to see Nefertari Vivi soon, either, especially with her prominence in season 2 of the live action show. Sanji definitely wants more ladies on the shelf! If you're only a fan of the live action show and don't care for the anime and manga designs, there's a version based on Taz Skylar's Sanji coming out later this year, but I think most folks probably prefer the anime and manga depictions, right? Let's take a look at Sanji, the cook of the Straw Hat pirates. Join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Brent "Hit & Run" Scott from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   Wow! I didn't realize that it has been about a month and a 1/2 since I reviewed Big Lob, the first figure I looked at in this most recent series of G.I. Joe: Classified Series action figures. I'm going to be checking out the rest of the lineup over the next week or two and today I've got Hit & Run on my desk. While the characters themselves aren't as memorable, I still hold to the belief that 1988 through 1990 were the best years for A Real American Hero in terms of design and engineering. Hit & Run was one of my favorites from 1988 and still holds up as one of the best G.I. Joe figures from the A Real American Hero era. He's just an incredibly designed figure and it's cool to finally have him in the Classified Series. I've always loved his cool, tactical feel: A guy who gets in quickly, gets out quickly, overcomes any obstacles, and largely does it unseen. He's a nice update of the vintage toy though I do have a couple issues with him. Nothing huge, but they're worth mentioning. Ready to check out Hit & Run? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Juri from Revoltech: Amazing Yamaguchi: Street Fighter 6 by Kaiyodo

 

   Today I'm reviewing the first figure from Kayodo's Revoltech: Amazing Yamaguchi line that've I've ever owned. Well, at least so far as I can recall. I've never reviewed anything from Kaiyodo and I can't recall ever having purchased any Revoltech figures previously. If I have, it's been a long time and I just don't remember it. Today, though, I'm reviewing the first of two Revoltech: Amazing Yamaguchi figures I received recently: Juri from Street Fighter 6. While I really hope Jada Toys eventually gets to later games in the series and widens the cast of characters in their Street Fighter line, I'm not sure how optimistic I am that they'll eventually get to Street Fighter 4 and so on. Who knows? Maybe they'll surprise us? I like Juri Han (apparently she's now the third most popular Street Fighter character) and I was excited to add her to my collection. I picked up the Storm Collectibles Juri from Street Fighter V a couple years ago but she is way larger than the Jada figures. A cool figure but just too large. How's the Revoltech: Amazing Yamaguchi version? She's closer in size, though still smaller, kind of like figures from Figma or Tamashi Nations. She's rather pricey, too, though that's an issue with importing almost everything these days. Ready to check out Juri from Street Fighter 6? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Usopp (Romance Dawn) from S.H. Figuarts: One Piece by Bandai/ Tamashi Nations

 

   

   Who is ready for a review of the brave captain Usopp? Then let's get to it! Bandai/ Tamashi Nations is really doing a nice job with their One Piece S.H. Figuarts line lately and they've been steadily covering the main crew pre-time skip. Sanji is shipping soon, too, but as of right now Usopp is the newest widely available member of the Straw Hat Pirates. I received him back in February from Nin-Nin Game but he's now available in the United States at most retailers who sell S.H. Figuarts release. There is a version based on Jacob Gibson's portrayal of Usopp from the live action show scheduled for release later this year as well, though while I love the live action show and the casting, I prefer to collect the figures inspired by the manga and anime. Ready to set sail with the brave captain Usopp, clearly the greatest and most inspiring action figure to ever grace your shelf? Probably an action figure that has already defeated Darth Vader, Cobra Commander, Skeletor, and Thanos single handedly, no doubt. Then let's check out this brave warrior of the sea (who has absolutely no connection to Sniper King/ Sogeking) after the break....