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: 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 Target Exclusive — Ultimate Battle Pack (Loose)

This set rocks on all levels in spite of the plethora of repacks/repaints/re-decos. It’s a lot of value for the cost, plus you get Short-Fuze and the MOBAT. Before I display the loose pics, here’s a quick review:

Cobra Commander: Not much new here except darker shade of blue, silver trim/highlights, and no stripe down the leg. **

Destro: Iron Grenadier mold without the cape, silver and grey highlights instead of gold, and chrome head. **1/2

Cobra Vehicle Gunner: Straight-up repaint of the Cobra Trooper in dark grey with red highlights. ***

Cobra HISS Driver: Silver chestplate with black trim. Still an excellent figure. ***

Sgt. Stalker: Darker green and lighter skin tone, and comes with a JUMP pack and Air Trooper weapon. ***

Short-Fuze: Repainted Doc head on top of Steeler body (Snake Eyes torso and legs, Cobra Trooper Arms, Double Clutch/Steeler boots); mortar stand is loosey-goosey. Slight disappointment in this. **1/2

Ralph ‘Steeler’ Pulaski: Lame code name since it can’t just be Steeler, but a straight-up repaint of the figure that came with the Armadillo, this time in tan hues. Helmet too loose on his head doesn’t stay on. **

Flight Pod: Trouble Bubble in blue. Great update of a classic. ***

HISS Tank: Red color to accompany your basic black and previous blue exclusive. Excellent! ***1/2

MOBAT: Green tank with rubber treads and extendable cannon. Never had this as a kid so it’s a definite plus! ***1/2

Cobra Commander — Cobra Leader

Cobra Commander — Comparison Shot

Destro — Enemy Weapons Supplier

Hall of Destros — Comparison Shot

Cobra H.I.S.S. Driver — Cobra Infantry

Cobra H.I.S.S. Driver — Comparison Shot

Cobra Vehicle Gunner — Cobra Infantry

Cobra Vehicle Gunner — Comparison Shot

Sgt. Stalker — Ranger

Sgt. Stalker — Comparison Shot

Short-Fuze — Mortar Solider

Ralph “Steeler” Pulaski — Tank Commander

Cobra Flight Pod

H.I.S.S. Tank

MOBAT

G.I. Joe Target Exclusive — Ultimate Battle Pack (MIB)

Once news hit the boards that people were able to get the Target Exclusive Ultimate Battle Pack using the DPCI#, I got bit by the bug so hard that I went out and actually used that number to my advantage for the first time. On Wednesday, I used the scanner to check the stock and got a big fat “No!” I went home empty-handed, but relieved that my wallet would not be crying, keeping me up at night.

All that changed today. After work, I visited the same Target and input the DPCI# into the scanner again. This time it was a glorious “YES!” I then did another thing for the first time, and actually approached an employee and asked him to input the DPCI# in hopes he would pull it from the back. And he did. He was so helpful, he even flagged down the department lead (Toys & Electronics wasn’t his department) in order to help me out! Then he called the stockroom and got the stock shelf number and a few minutes later, I was hauling this huge sucker down to the registers!

Anyway, enough blabbing. Here are the pics!

Ultimate Battle Pack Receipt (close-up)

Ultimate Battle Pack (MIB Front)

Ultimate Battle Pack (MIB Front)

Ultimate Battle Pack Size Comparison

Ultimate Battle Pack (MIB Back)

Ultimate Battle Pack (MIB Detail — Cobra)

Ultimate Battle Pack (MIB Detail — H.I.S.S. Tank / Driver)

Ultimate Battle Pack (MIB Detail — Cobra Vehicle Gunner)

Ultimate Battle Pack (MIB Detail — Flight Pod)

Ultimate Battle Pack (MIB Detail — G.I. Joe)

Ultimate Battle Pack (MIB Detail — M.O.B.A.T. / Steeler)

Ultimate Battle Pack (MIB Detail — Short-Fuze / Sgt. Stalker)

H.I.S.S. Tank / H.I.S.S. Driver

Cobra Vehicle Gunner (Close-up)

Destro (Close-up)

Cobra Commander / Flight Pod (Close-up).

Sgt. Stalker w/JUMP Pack (Close-up)

Steeler (Close-up)

M.O.B.A.T.

Short-Fuze (Close-up)

Some notes after the jump.

He’ll Fight For Freedom… (pt.2) — Desert Assault Squad Review

EXTREME CONDITIONS PACK (1 of 2): COBRA DESERT ASSAULT SQUAD

This review covers the first of two online exclusive multipacks both of which have hostile environment themes. The figures are mostly an amalgamation of parts from previously released figures, and many of the combinations are very creative. In my review of these figures, I will break down as much as possible where the re-used parts come from before giving my thoughts on the pros and cons of the figure as a whole.

1) Cobra Trooper — Flamethrower Specialist

• Head: Cobra Viper (w7)
• Body: Barbecue (w9)
• Flamethrower/Gas Tank: Dreadnok Torch (cp w2)
• Rifle: Cobra Officer (w2)

A great looking figure with an imaginative use of accessories. The only flaw is that the flamethrower’s cord makes it difficult to be placed in the figure’s hand, which is molded too wide to begin with so he really can’t get a firm grip on the weapon’s handle. He also looks slightly weird without the Viper’s goggles, but they wouldn’t makes sense here. And finally, he also has difficulty holding onto his rifle; I wonder if Hasbro could have used the Cobra Officer hands instead. ***

… Wherever There’s Trouble… (pt.1)

Cobra Extreme Conditions multipacks have arrived! This is the second set — the Arctic Assault Squad. Figure reviews to come in a follow-up post.

Extreme Conditions Pack (2of 2) — Cobra Arctic Assault (front)

Extreme Conditions Pack (2of 2) — Cobra Arctic Assault Set (back)

Heavy Weapons Trooper — Cobra Viper (art detail)

Heavy Weapons Trooper — Cobra Viper

Polar Assault Officer — Snow Serpent Officer (art detail)

Polar Assault Officer — Snow Serpent Officer

Polar Combat Specialist — Snow Serpent Trooper (art detail)

Polar Combat Specialist — Snow Serpent Trooper

Anti-Armor Specialist — Scrap-Iron (art detail)

Anti-Armor Specialist — Scrap-Iron

Polar Heavy Weapons Specialist — Snow Serpent Trooper (art detail)

Polar Heavy Weapons Specialist — Snow Serpent Trooper

Arctic Trooper — Cobra Viper (art detail)

Arctic Trooper — Cobra Viper

Arctic Communications Specialist — Tele-Viper (art detail)

Arctic Communications Specialist — Tele-Viper

He’ll Fight For Freedom… (pt. 1)

Cobra Extreme Conditions multipacks have arrived! This is the first set — the Desert Assault Squad. Figure reviews to come in a follow-up post!

Extreme Conditions Pack (1 of 2) — Cobra Desert Assault Squad (front)

Extreme Conditions Pack (1 of 2) — Cobra Desert Assault Squad (back)

Desert Infantry — Crimson Guard (art detail)

Desert Infantry — Crimson Guard

Desert Specialist Officer — Cobra Officer (art detail)

Desert Specialist Officer — Cobra Officer

Explosives Specialist — Cobra Trooper (art detail)

Explosives Specialist — Cobra Trooper

Mercenary — Major Bludd (art detail)

Mercenary — Major Bludd

Flamethrower Specialist — Cobra Trooper (art detail)

Flamethrower Specialist — Cobra Trooper

Hostile Environment Specialist — Cobra Trooper (art detail)

Hostile Environment Specialist — Cobra Trooper

Desert Infantry — Crimson Guard (art detail)

Desert Infantry — Crimson Guard

I Can See Those Fighter Planes pt.2

As promised, here are a few pictures of the Target exclusive Conquest X-30 and Cobra Rattler jets.

Conquest X-30

Lt. Slip Stream

Cobra Rattler

Wild Weasel