MP-01: Convoy

I’ve had this incredible toy from Takara since it was first released from Japan and I can say that it was worth every penny. Loaded with gimmicks, multiple points of articulation and a transformation scheme unique from its smaller scaled G1 counterpart this is a must-have for any serious collector of Transformers.

This gallery was on my Flickr page, and until I renew my Pro account, I am hosting the Convoy gallery here. Enjoy!

G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra pt. 5 — Single-Carded (C1 W2-3, C2 W3)

More carded figures from The Rise of Cobra line of G.I. Joe toys. It’s amazing that in a 2-month period, 37 figures spread over 2 collections and 3 waves have been released. I have 34 of them and only missing Wallace “Ripcord” Weems v2 [Reactive Impact Armor], Conrad “Duke” Hauser v3 [Delta-6 Accelerator Suit] and Storm Shadow v3 [Arctic Threat]. This gallery finishes off the remainder of Collection 1 Wave 2, Collection 2 Wave 3 and introduces 4 of the 7 figures available from Collection 1 Wave 3.

Collection 1 Wave 2
• Snake Eyes v2 [Paris Pursuit]
• Storm Shadow v2 [Paris Pursuit]

Collection 1 Wave 3
• Baroness v2 [Paris Pursuit]
• Para-Viper [Cobra Paratrooper]
• Rex “The Doctor” Lewis [Chief Experimental Doctor]
• Snake Eyes v3 [Arctic Assault]

Collection 2 Wave 3
• General Clayton “Hawk” Abernathy [Attack on the G.I. Joe Pit]
• G.I. Joe Pit Commando A [Covert Military Force]
•  G.I. Joe Pit Commando B [Covert Military Force]

Snake Eyes v2 — Carded Front

Snake Eyes v2 — Carded Close Up

Timber [grey] — Carded Close Up

Snake Eyes v2 — Carded Back

Storm Shadow v3 — Carded Front

Storm Shadow v3 — Carded Close Up

Storm Shadow v3 — Carded Back

Baroness v2 — Carded Front

Baroness v2 — Carded Close Up

Baroness v2 — Carded Back

Para-Viper — Carded Front

Para-Viper — Carded Close Up

Para-Viper — Carded Back

Rex “The Doctor” Lewis — Carded Front

Rex “The Doctor” Lewis — Carded Close Up

Rex “The Doctor” Lewis — Carded Back

Snake Eyes v3 — Carded Front

Snake Eyes v3 — Carded Close Up

Snake Eyes v3 — Carded Back

General Clayton “Hawk” Abernathy — Carded Front

General Clayton “Hawk” Abernathy — Carded Close Up

General Clayton “Hawk” Abernathy — Carded Back

G.I. Joe Pit Commando A — Carded Front

G.I. Joe Pit Commando B — Carded Front

G.I. Joe Pit Commando A — Carded Close Up

G.I. Joe Pit Commando B — Carded Close Up

G.I. Joe Pit Commando — Carded Back

G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra pt. 4 — R.H.I.N.O. (Target Exclusive)

This Target exclusive toy is by far and away my favorite vehicle so far. It is massive and rewards you with a high play value and space to hold many figures. Cobra does not stand a chance!

Originally released in the Venom vs. Valor line in darker hues (black and grey), the Rapid Heli-Integrated Neutralizing Offensive vehicle has been recast in blue with gun metal grey accents found mainly on the canopies, doorways and hatches. Basically, it is 2 vehicles in one: a solid ground-based APC unit that houses a detachable helicopter unit with collapsable rotor blades. A number of weapons adorn the R.H.I.N.O. — 2 rocket launchers (that hold 3 rockets each), a single rocket launcher and twin-barrelled machine gun. There are a number of posts on the vehicle that allow you to customize the configuration of these weapons.

The helicopter is deployed by pressing a button on the back of the APC. It rises out of its mooring and can be detached; what’s great is that a panel lifts into the helicopter’s place so there is no visible hole when it is removed.

The vehicle also comes packaged with a driver, Rampage, whose appearance is based on the vintage Heavy Metal (driver of the MBT Mauler). That he should be manning a massive heavily armed vehicle seems fitting. His body construction shows off a nice combination of previously used parts and demonstrates how such reuse can still look good.  Basically, he has the head of Mutt (w10), the torso of a Cobra Viper (w7), the arms and thighs of General Hawk (w9) and legs/feet of Sgt. Flash (w5). Surprisingly, this effective combination has led to high prices for just this figure alone on the secondary market!

This incredible toy sells for $49.99 MSRP. However, you really feel that you are getting your money’s worth.

***** stars out of 5

R.H.I.N.O. — Boxed Front

R.H.I.N.O. — Boxed Back

R.H.I.N.O. — Boxed Close Up (Rampage)

R.H.I.N.O. & Rampage

R.H.I.N.O. — helicopter raised

R.H.I.N.O. — APC & helicopter scale

R.H.I.N.O. — helicopter

R.H.I.N.O. — Rampage

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra pt.3 — Dragonhawk XH1 & Target Exclusives

Here are some carded and boxed shots of the latest vehicle packs to come out.

The Dragonhawk XH1 is a Bravo Class vehicle that includes Wild Bill.

The four carded vehicles are from the first wave of Target exclusive 2-packs. These include:

• Air-Viper Commando / Cobra C.L.A.W. — a repainted A.V.A.C. (Vehicles w2) and Cobra C.L.A.W (Vehicles w3).
• Cobra Eel / Wave Crusher — a repainted Cobra Eel (w11) and vehicle from the 2003 “Spy Troops” sub-line.
• James “Grand Slam” Barney / Air Assault Glider — a repainted Grand Slam (Target Exclusive Vehicles w1) and vehicle from the 2003 “Spy Troops” sub-line.
• Snake Eyes / Arashikage Cycle — a frankenjoe Snake Eyes (top half from DVD w4) and a repainted Ninja Lightning Cycle (from the 2004 “Valor vs. Venom” sub-line).

Dragonhawk XH1 — Boxed Front

Dragonhawk XH1 — Boxed Front (Wild Bill)

Dragonhawk XH1 — Boxed Back

Air-Viper Commando / Cobra C.L.A.W. — Carded Front

Air-Viper Commando / Cobra C.L.A.W. — Carded Close Up

Air-Viper Commando / Cobra C.L.A.W. — Carded Back

Cobra Eel / Wave Crusher — Carded Front

Cobra Eel / Wave Crusher — Carded Close Up

Cobra Eel / Wave Crusher — Carded Back

Grand Slam / Air Assault Glider — Carded Front

Grand Slam / Air Assault Glider — Carded Close Up

Grand Slam / Air Assault Glider — Carded Back

Snake Eyes / Arashikage Cycle — Carded Front

Snake Eyes / Arashikage Cycle — Carded Close Up

Snake Eyes / Arashikage Cycle — Carded Back

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra pt.2 — Single-Carded

Hoo boy. Here is a gallery of more carded RoC toys. These things are popping up like crazy and look great!

Collection 1 Wave 2
• Cobra Commander {no holes in armor}
• Conrad “Duke” Hauser v2 [Reactive Impact Armor]
• Ice-Viper
• Shana “Scarlett” O’Hara v2 [Desert Ambush]

Collection 2 Wave 2
• Heavy Duty v2 [Reactive Impact Armor]
• Elite-Viper [Elite Regiment Officer].

Collection 2 Wave 3
• Agent Helix
• Anthony “Flash” Gambello
• Cobra Eel
• Crimson Neo-Viper.

Toys ‘R Us Headquarters for Heros
• Barbecue.

Heavy Duty v2 — Carded Front

Heavy Duty v2 — Carded Close Up

Heavy Duty v2 — Carded Back

Barbecue — Carded Front

Barbecue — Carded Close Up

Barbecue — Carded Back

Cobra Commander — Carded Front

Cobra Commander — Carded Close Up

Cobra Commander — Carded Back

Conrad “Duke” Hauser v2 — Carded Front

Conrad “Duke” Hauser v2 — Carded Close Up

Conrad “Duke” Hauser v2 — Carded Back

Ice-Viper — Carded Front

Ice-Viper — Carded Close Up

Ice-Viper — Carded Back

Shana “Scarlett” O’Hara v2 — Carded Front

Shana “Scarlett” O’Hara v2 — Carded Close Up

Shana “Scarlett” O’Hara v2 — Carded Back

Elite-Viper — Carded Front

Elite-Viper — Carded Close Up

Elite-Viper — Carded Back

Agent Helix — Carded Front

Agent Helix — Carded Close Up

Agent Helix — Carded Back

Anthony “Flash” Gambello — Carded Front

Anthony “Flash” Gambello — Carded Close Up

Anthony “Flash” Gambello — Carded Back

Cobra Eel — Carded Front

Cobra Eel — Carded Close Up

Cobra Eel — Carded Back

Crimson Neo-Viper — Carded Front

Crimson Neo-Viper — Carded Close Up

Crimson Neo-Viper — Carded Back

G.I. Joe: Assault On / Defense of Cobra Island 7-Packs

Hoo boy! Ever since pictures first surface many months ago the long wait is finally FINALLY over! The latest online exclusive 7-packs have arrived and these are straight from bigbadtoystore.com

These sets are amazing and offer 13 new characters!! The only repeat is a Cobra B.A.T., but who’s complaining? It’s the battle-damaged B.A.T. that initially only was available through the Hall of Heroes subset.

While I prepare a more in-depth review, I offer this gallery of the boxed sets to whet the appetite.

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra Toys

With the upcoming release of the G.I. Joe movie (which, to me, does not look all that great), we get the release of the toyline in advance to drum up interest and support. Initially, upon seeing the figures being discussed on the internet, I was reluctant to buy into the toys because I am a fervent supporter of the 25th Anniversary/Modern Era line and would rather see more updates of classic figures. The movie line of toys effectively killed or put that notion on hold (with the exception of the incredible online exclusive Cobra Island 7-packs coming soon).

And so I was not looking forward to the movie toys and was actually glad that perhaps I could save money this Summer. Boy, was I wrong!

I think my desire for anything new from G.I. Joe was channeled into getting the toys; that and the constant updates and sightings on forums such as Hisstank and The Terrordrome fuelled my excitement.

Overall, I think the figures are successful. The Joes suffer from some bland looks and the Cobra forces look great. They come with many accessories, the most notable (and most unfortunate) are the spring-loaded weapons that are HUGE and ungainly. They DO NOT belong in any toyline! They do provide playability and when I was a kid, I loved spring-loaded weapons. So kids may love ‘em. I do not.

The following gallery is not a complete collection, but they are the ones I bought that I thought looked pretty cool. Enjoy!

G.I. Joe: RoC — Baroness [Attack on the G.I. Joe Pit]

G.I. Joe: RoC — Baroness [Attack on the G.I. Joe Pit] (CU)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Cobra Viper Commando

G.I. Joe: RoC — Cobra Viper Commando (CU)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Courtney “Covergirl” Krieger

G.I. Joe: RoC — Courtney “Covergirl” Krieger (CU)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Destro

G.I. Joe: RoC — Destro (CU)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Duke [Desert Ambush]

G.I. Joe: RoC — Duke [Desert Ambush] (CU)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Heavy Duty

G.I. Joe: RoC — Heavy Duty (CU)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Neo-Viper [Attack on the G.I. Joe Pit]

G.I. Joe: RoC — Neo-Viper [Attack on the G.I. Joe Pit] (CU)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Sgt. Stone

G.I. Joe: RoC — Sgt. Stone (CU)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Shana “Scarlett” O’Hara [Covert Ops]

G.I. Joe: RoC — Shana “Scarlett” O’Hara [Covert Ops] (CU)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Shipwreck

G.I. Joe: RoC — Shipwreck (CU)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Snake Eyes [Ninja Commando]

G.I. Joe: RoC — Snake Eyes [Ninja Commando] (CU)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Storm Shadow [Ninja Mercenary]

G.I. Joe: RoC — Storm Shadow [Ninja Mercenary] (CU)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Night Raven (front)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Air-Viper (CU)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Night Raven (character art)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Night Raven (back)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Snake Trax ATV (front)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Scrap-Iron (CU)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Snake Trax ATV (CU)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Snake Trax ATV (back)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Steel Crusher APV (front)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Nitro-Viper (CU)

G.I. Joe: RoC — Steel Crusher APV (back)

G.I. Joe Hall of Heroes (Update)

Finally, the Storm Shadow I ordered has arrived. Thus my Hall of Heroes collection is complete.

Storm Shadow (HoH:4) uses the same body construction as Storm Shadow (CBP#3); he doesn’t come with his bow, but does come with a grappling hook. 

Hall of Heroes (Complete Set)

HoH:4 — Storm Shadow v2

HoH:4 — Storm Shadow v2 (CU)

G.I. Joe Hall of Heroes

Oh yeah. I resisted these guys when the news 1st broke that these repacks would be coming out. But once again, packaging wins out!

These figures are worth it for the display quality alone, but in addition to the gold foil goodness, each figure has subtle paint improvements and comes with many accessories. I’m glad I gave in to my weakness and ordered this set. Though at this time I am still awaiting the arrival of Storm Shadow (HoH:4).

Hall of Heroes Set

Hall of Heroes — Boxed Back

HoH:1 — Snake Eyes v1 w/Timber

HoH:1 — Snake Eyes v1 (CU)

HoH:1 — Timber (CU)

HoH:2 — Firefly

HoH:2 — Firefly (CU)

HoH:2 — Firefly Accessories (CU)

HoH:3 — Cobra B.A.T.

HoH:3 — Cobra B.A.T. (CU)

HoH:3 — Cobra B.A.T. Accessories (CU)

HoH:5 — Beachhead

HoH:5 — Beachhead (CU)

HoH:6 — Cobra Viper

HoH:6 — Cobra Viper (CU)

HoH:7 — Crimson Guard

HoH:7 — Crimson Guard (CU)

HoH:8 — Flint v1

HoH:8 — Flint v1 (CU)

HoH:9 — Zartan v2

HoH:9 — Zartan v2 (CU)

HoH:10 — Snake Eyes v2

HoH:10 — Snake Eyes v2 (CU)

Me Grimlock, Am Arrive (pt.2: Review)

MP-08 GRIMLOCK — Dinobot Commander

What can I say? The folks at Takara have really outdone themselves this time. The Masterpiece edition of Grimlock impresses on many fronts, looking faithful to the G1 robot and dino-modes with added detailing, employing a satisfying transformation scheme and including several gimmicks and accessories that make this toy fun to play with.