Action Figure Review: Footloose from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   After reviewing four Cobra agents in a row (and M. Bison, who did show up as a villain in the vintage G.I. Joe line) it's time for a hero. A Real American Hero. Let's take a look at Footloose from the G.I. Joe: Classified Series. Part of the 1985 series of vintage G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero figures, Footloose is currently the second to last 1985 single carded character we need to finish that year in the Classified Series (we just need Airtight now). An infantry trooper, Footloose had a rather basic specialty compared to other Joes. I wonder what led to him being placed on the Joe team, anyway? Footloose had an interesting file card that portrays him as an Eagle Scout and valedictorian who drops out of college, moves to California, and "became quite weird for about three years." Eventually he reaches a point where he questions the meaning of his existence (or lack thereof) and joins the army. Interestingly, Larry Hama originally suggested that figure should have just been an update of Grunt rather than a new character, but Hasbro apparently disagree and we have a somewhat far out, though presumably competent soldier who once told a kid playing football "Nice catch blanco nino, but too bad your ass got saaaacked." And then he tackled the kid after he was down. Seriously, besides the figure and file card, this is the thing I remember most clearly about Footloose. Avoid a similar fate as that kid by joining me after the break...

Action Figure Review: M. Bison (Deluxe Player 2 Exclusive) from Ultra Street Fighter 2: The New Challengers by Jada Toys

 

   A week or two ago I reviewed the Deluxe Player 2 Exclusive Dhalsim that was one of the two Jada Toys SDCC exclusives for the Ultra Street Fighter 2: The New Challengers line and now I'm reviewing the other exclusive: The Deluxe Player 2 Exclusive M. Bison. This is the third version of Bison Jada has released in this line, after the original release and the BBTS exclusive Player 2 M. Bison, and they've all had different colored outfits. This new variant comes with a lot of new extras though, including new portraits for both himself and the original Bison figure, the Psycho Crusher effects, and the blue fiery figure representing when other World Warriors get hit by Bison's Psycho attacks. There's a lot of new stuff here and this is definitely a fully loaded set! Ready to check out another version of the big boss of Shadaloo? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Cobra Viper (Retro) from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   I'm on a bit of a Cobra spree right now, aren't I? Today I'm checking out a retro take on one of the Cobra troops who has seen the most use and reuse in Hasbro's G.I. Joe: Classified Series: The Cobra Viper. The Cobra Viper first came out in the Classified Series in early 2021 in the Target exclusive Cobra Island subset. That was (and still is) an excellent figure and it's been the basis for a handful of variants over the past five years: The Cobra Viper Officer and Vipers set, the Python Patrol Cobra Viper, and the Crimson Viper. Now we have a Cobra Viper from the nostalgia infused Retro Series line and while you might initially just think this guy is a brighter repaint, it turns out he is almost completely different from the other Vipers. The 1986 Viper was one of my favorite figures as a kid and has always been a top G.I. Joe figure for me. While I usually prefer the designs of the modern, updated Classified Series to Retro releases, the Cobra Viper doesn't really feel much less modern than the Cobra Island Viper. Just different with more accessories. Yes, Hasbro could have just recolored the earlier figure, but they really increased the value of the figure this time as this guy has lots of nice extra including two rifles, six swappable hands, and a display stand. Let's check out a new (old) take on the Cobra Viper after the break...

Action Figure Review: Wild Weasel from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   Wild Weasel Incoming! 

   Included with the base package of the Haslab Rattler, Wild Weasel is definitely a figure that I'm guessing most collectors wanted in their collection. His presence actually completes the 1984 Cobra lineup in the Classified Series, which is a pretty impressive feat! The vintage Wild Weasel also came with the Rattler, making him a popular figure, but the first thing I always think about when I think of Wild Weasel is his appearance in G.I. Joe #34 when he went against Ace in a dogfight. It's a good issue and a cool story that shows Wild Weasel as a highly competent enemy worth of some respect. This is the first version of Wild Weasel to come with a removable helmet, so we get a chance to become even a bit more attached to the character. Ready to take to the sky? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Cobra Rattler Gunner from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   It's going to be tough to beat the Rattler pilot version of the Baroness that I just reviewed, but that doesn't mean the Cobra Rattler Gunner isn't still a pretty solid figure and a great addition to the Rattler setup. As I mentioned in the Baroness review, I'm not planning to review the Rattler itself but I do intend to review all three of the figures from the Haslab campaign. The Cobra Rattler Gunner was the second stretch goal (after a set of patches) and was unlocked once the Rattler hit 14,000 backers. There have been Cobra gunners before but I don't recall any specifically for aircraft, so this guy is a new concept for the line. Ready to check out the generic troop builder figure that you won't be able to get any way except with the massive Rattler? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Baroness (Rattler Pilot) from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   I think I've mentioned in another post or two, but I did pick up the Haslab Cobra Rattler. I didn't actually fund it through Hasbro Pulse, though. Last year I decided to hold off on the Rattler, thinking that maybe I could get a good deal when folks started getting it in hand and realized how large it actually was. I just held onto the money in one of my savings accounts. On the morning of July 4th, shortly after the Rattler started shipping, I found someone on Facebook Marketplace an hour or two away from me who was selling their Rattler for just a bit over cost. I jumped on it, took a little bit of a road (my daughter had friends over from the night before so while my wife stayed home with them I went on a G.I. Joe road trip with my parents. A G.I. Joe road trip with Mom and Dad and a little Geocaching on the side? That was a pretty memorable time and I was home in the late afternoon/ early evening for festivities with my wife and daughter. I also ended up getting my Rattler well over a month before so many others who actually ordered them through Pulse, which was kind of wild. 

   So... what does that have to do with the Baroness? Not much, really. It's just a memorable story of how I acquired last year's Haslab set. The Rattler is massive but I found an excellent, wife-approved spot to display it in the living room on top of our game shelf (I had to move a few other items to my hobby room to make space). It's so big and I'm just not going to be reviewing it at this time. The figures, though? I'm definitely reviewing them as they're some really fine G.I. Joe: Classified Series releases. While Wild Weasel is definitely a popular Cobra operative who most folks will want to complete their Cobra rosters, the Baroness is the clear winner from the set, I think. One: It's the Baroness. Two: It's hard to say if she's ever looked better as an action figure than she does here. We've had four other Baroness figures in the Classified Series so far (the first release with the C.O.I.L., the Retro Series release, the Snake Eyes movie/ Ursula Corbero figure, and the Crimson Strike Team version) and this one tops them all, I think. She's wearing some very cool aviator gear and has multiple display options. Are you in for a version of the Baroness who flies high? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Jean Grey (X-Factor) Marvel Legends Retro Collection by Hasbro

 

   Today I'm excited to check out another Jean Grey action figure from Hasbro's Marvel Legends line, this time a Retro Collection Target exclusive: Jean Grey in her X-Factor costume. Jean Grey has one of the greatest storylines in comic history, though also one of the most convoluted. So, who is the X-Factor Jean Grey? This is the original Jean Grey herself who was found by the Avengers and the Fantastic Four in a Phoenix Egg, a cocoon-like life pod, at the bottom of Jamaica Bay. Years prior, Jean was believed to have died and been resurrected by the Phoenix Force. Instead, the Phoenix Force had actually placed Jean in the Phoenix Egg life pod and takes the form of Jean Grey, even coming to believe it is Jean Grey. When the real Jean is located, she has no memories of the Phoenix or of Madeline Pryor, a clone created by Mr. Sinister. She's just classic Jean Grey. Jean joins the other original team members as part of X-Factor, a team that pretends they're mutant hunters but really are working to help identify and support mutants who have gained the attention and (often) the ire of the public. Ready to check out the latest X-Factor team member Hasbro has given us? Then join me after the break...