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...

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

 

   Jada Toys is still on a slow but steady pace with their Ultra Street Fighter 2: The New Challengers line and even their deluxe releases of Player 2 variants are well worth your time and cash. For SDCC 2025 Jada had two deluxe exclusive sets available: Dhalsim and M. Bison. Today I'm checking out Dhalsim since I received him in the mail first and he was actually one of the Player 2 variants I was most looking forward to. Most of the World Warrior variants simply have different colored outfits and gear, which makes sense, but Dhalsim stood out as he had different skin tones. Well, a few others had slightly different skin tones, and Blanka changed, too, Dhalsim's P2 variants really seemed different. Why is he purple? It turns out that Dhalsim might have been intended to look like his body was covered in ash, a practice among Sadhus, or Hindu holy men. The ash is called vibhuti can be made from burnt wood, cremated human remains, or even burnt cow dung. That's an interesting detail that makes Dhalsim seem a bit more grounded and less like Street Fighter 2's version of Faker (and not a fakir). Not only is this a variant of Dhalsim, but it also contains some pieces for the standard Dhalsim and a second figure: The fiery sprite used for characters hit by fire attacks (like Dhalsim's Yoga Flame). Let's check out Dhalsim (Deluxe Player 2 Exclusive) after the break...

Action Figure Review: Frag-Viper from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   More Cobra troopers incoming! 

   Thanks for those who have checked in on me since I have been absent for a couple weeks now. Nothing's wrong; just a mix of work and church duties, back to school time for my daughter, becoming obsessed with the video game Blue Prince, and spending time with our new rescue dog, Krypto. Oh, and I've been working behind the scenes on reviews for this year's 31 Days of Toy Terror. Can't forget that! 

   Anyways, how about we check out another G.I. Joe: Classified Series review. The line might have been a bit slower during the first half of 2025 but the second half seems to be absolutely loaded with new figures. I've already looked at Blowtorch and Darklon from this series/ wave so now it's time to check out the Frag-Viper. He's another 1989 offering, which is very welcome in my book. I really think 1988 to 1990 might have been the best years for the G.I. Joe: A Real American line in terms of designs, accessories, and engineering. Yeah, the characters might not be as iconic or used as often as the earlier years, but the figures were absolutely just straight fire. The Frag-Vipers were just one of the many excellent Viper specialists from 1989 and the Classified team did an incredible job of updating and expanding them. Ready to check out the new and improved Frag-Viper? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Sagat from Ultra Street Fighter II: The New Challengers by Jada Toys

 

   I'm not sure any character pissed me off when they beat me as much as Sagat. Besides just being way taller than everyone else, the way he just crossed his arms and laughed was infuriating! One of the original "bosses" in Street Fighter II, Sagat also was the final boss of the original 1987 Street Fighter arcade game. He's long been Ryu's rival, a story element carried over into most games in the series. Known as the Emperor of Muay Tahi, Sagat is one of the world's top fighters. Sagat is a big guy (seven feet tall) so it makes sense that he's been released as a deluxe figure in Jada's Ultra Street Fighter II: The New Challengers line. Like with Blanka, I originally preordered him through BBTS when he was listed for $30 dollars but he eventually went up to $35 due to tariffs, inflation, and such. BBTS still honored the original price, which was pretty darn classy. Ready to check out this tribute to the original Tiger King? Then join me after the break...