Action Figure Review: Rafael "Zap" Melendez from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   It's usually pretty exciting when one of the Original 13 G.I. Joe figures gets made in the Classified Series as those 13 original characters definitely hold a special place in the hearts of many collectors and fans of the comic. I wasn't even born when the first series of A Real American Hero figures was released but I still love that team, particularly due to their excellent characterization by Larry Hama in the early years of the Marvel comics run. Overall, the Classified Series has done a great job of taking that original series of figures, many of whom seemed like they were initially just larger 1/18th scaled articulated versions of the classic little green army men, and turned them into unique modern figures while still maintaining a cohesive feel. It's been rally fun to see how the Original 13 have been updated and modernized while still keeping them recognizable. Unfortunately, Zap doesn't feel different and updated. Maybe it's because Rafael "Zap" Melendez has been released as part of the carded Retro series first rather than in the mainline but he feels like simply a larger version of the vintage figure or the 25th Anniversary version. Unfortunately, that makes him feel a bit generic for this line. He's not a bad figure by any means and I know there are some fans of the line who absolutely want 1/12th scale highly articulated versions of the vintage figures but I'm not usually in that camp. Zap definitely feels outdated to me. Even Short-Fuze, who Zap shares most of his body and belts with, had the modern helmet, updated colors, and a more modern rifle. Let's take a look a Zap after the break...

Action Figure Review: Crimson Guard [Female] (Retro Series) from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   I found two of newest series of Retro carded G.I. Joe: Classified Series on a store shelf a couple months back and then received the third in the mail directly from Hasbro Pulse. This series includes the female Crimson Guard, Zap, and Crazylegs. Let's start checking these out by taking a look at the female version of the Crimson Guard. The first Classified Series version of the Crimson Guard (based more on the vintage toy) and the Retro carded second version (based more on the comic and cartoon) both came out in 2022. I only have the standard Siegie and never grabbed the original Retro card release. I grabbed this version, though, as now we have a female member of the Crimson Guard. The Crimson Guards are elite operatives who spend most of their time in disguise as ordinary citizens with pre-fabricated families just living in America and finding ways to subtly push Cobra's agenda. Of course, they're also absolutely capable of engaging in warfare and that's what you get here. Ready to check out another addition to Cobra's most elite ranks? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Action Soldier (Special Forces) from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   Back in 2024 Hasbro released some action figures of "generic" soldiers in the Classified Series to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the original G.I. Joe. Since then they've released four soldiers (an Action Sailor, Action Marine, Action Pilot, and Action Soldier) along with a firefighter and a police officer. Today I'm checking out the newest figure in this subset, the Action Soldier (Special Forces), a new take on the Action Soldier who was previously released in a more desert themed camo pattern as the Action Soldier (Infantry). This definitely isn't just the same figure with a new paintjob, though; this guy has a lot of new parts, different portraits, and a very different feel. Some collectors are turned off by the higher price points on these figures (they're around $42 dollars each), though they do come with a nice assortment of accessories and two portraits, almost making them feel like a figure with an accessory kit. You could have a full figure to display and some leftovers to add some new parts to a couple of your named G.I. Joe characters. Is this guy worth it? Let's check out the Action Soldier (Special Forces) after the break...

Action Figure Review: Jedi Master Dooku from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase IV by Hasbro

 

   With the release of The Mandalorian and Grogu this week, I am well aware that I don't review many Star Wars: The Black Series figures these days. The main reason is that there just aren't that many releases that interest me. Please bring back some high quality Star Wars Micro Machines and playsets, Hasbro! Still, every now and then a figure comes around like Kyle Katarn or Dash Rendar that captures my attention. That's the case with today's figure, Jedi Master Dooku, a younger version of Count Dooku. I actually haven't watched the 2022 animated series Tales of the Jedi but I'm already sold on the concept of a younger version of Dooku prior to his leaving the Jedi order. I'm a huge Christopher Lee fan, too, so you could also argue use this as a base figure of Lord Summerisle from The Wicker Man or as Francisco Scarmanga. Or, y'know, just a heroic Jedi Master version of Dooku, like the package says. I stumbled upon this guy at GameStop a month or two ago and just picked him up because he looked so cool. Ready to check out Jedi Master Dooku? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Cobra-La Royal Guard from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   I don't believe I haven't reviewed a G.I. Joe: Classified Series figure since last month! It's time to remedy that as I have a few more lined up for review, starting with today's Cobra-La Royal Guard. Cobra-La is definitely getting more respect these days with their inclusion in the Energon Universe comic books by Skybound and the excellent redesigns we're seeing in the Classified Series, which is a far cry from how they were perceived in the past. It feels like people used to hate Cobra-La. So far in the Classified Series we've received Nemesis Immortal/ Enforcer and Pythona, both individual characters, but with the Cobra-La Royal Guard we now have a troop builder for this faction. In the vintage line the Cobra-La Roya Guard came packaged in a 3-pack with Nemesis Enforcer and Golobulus but for the Classified Series the Royal Guard is packed individually, allowing for easier army building. Right? Well, yes, technically, but I do think it's wild how much stuff Hasbro included with this figure. If you have an extra body you could likely make two complete figures and have parts left over. I'm going to discuss this in more depth later on but I do want to point out that this feels like a single packaged figure with enough stuff for at least a two-pack. Ready to check out the Cobra-La Royal Guard? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Michael Myers (Halloween: Resurrection) from Halloween by NECA

 

   NECA is slowly but surely working their way through a different version of Michael Myers from each of the Halloween films and today I'm finally checking out the newest NECA Ultimate: Michael Myers from 2002's Halloween: Resurrection. Yes, the one with Katee Sackhoff where Laurie Strode dies in the first few minutes, Tyra Banks and Busta Rhymes host a "reality" show on Halloween at the Myers house, and Busta Rhymes kicks Michael Myers out a window and at one point saying "Trick or Treat, mother%^&*$%." Yes, that one. It isn't the high point of the Halloween series at all. I think it's fair to say that it's a low point for the series in many ways and, yet, I find it one of the most entertaining. At times it almost approaches being a parody of Halloween and a commentary on the revival of classic slashers post Scream. I actually wouldn't put it at the bottom of my ranking of Halloween films; surprisingly, I think I'd put it probably somewhere in the middle as it is a blast to watch even if you're rolling your eyes and cringing at times. Still, NECA seems to be trying to release at least one Michael for all of the films, so we now have this one covered. Ready to check out Michael Myers from Halloween: Resurrection? Then join me and my fellow members of Dangertainment after the break...

Action Figure Review: Tri-Klops from Masters of the Universe Chronicles by Mattel

 

   Today I'm reviewing the first Masters of the Universe Chronicles figure based on the movie that I picked up: Tri-Klops! Yes, I did review the MOTU Chronicles Scare Glow last month, but he doesn't seem to be based on the film and instead feels more reminiscent of the Masterverse New Eternia subset. This version of Tri-Klops is definitely based on the film coming to theaters next month and features the likeness of actor Kojo Attah. Well, what little you can see from underneath his three-eyed visor, anyway. Still, it's pretty exciting to have an action figure from the movie in hand, especially one that looks as cool as Tri-Klops does. This is a very impressive figure! Mattel is really flexing with the Masters of the Universe Chronicles line. Ready to check out Tri-Klops? Then let's take a look at him after the break...