G.I. Joe 5-Packs (2009) — G.I. Joe #2 & Cobra #3

Just this month the the G.I. Joe and Cobra 5-Packs for 2009 have been released. This marks the 3rd Cobra set and the 2nd G.I. Joe set.

The Cobra set includes Storm Shadow (5-Pack v3), Baroness (5-Pack v2), Cobra Commander (5-Pack v3), Zartan (5-Pack v1) and a Cobra Viper (5-Pack v1). There is some subtle retooling on these figures to improve their overall look and articulation.

1) Storm Shadow (v3) has new sleeveless arms where the wrist articulation is actually at the wrist instead of halfway up the arm wrap. He also comes with some new accessories: a pair of nunchucks and a grappling hook.

2) Baroness (v2) is an all new sculpt with her new head sculpt and the detail of her heeled boots quite exceptional.

3) Cobra Commander (v3) uses the Pyramid of Darkness mold but adds the Comic Pack cape.

4) Zartan is the same mold as Wave 11, but some nice paint apps on the shoulder armor, a clear plastic chest plate painted magenta (as in the cartoon whenever he gets upset), and a paint scheme on the boots that reverses the black and the greys makes this version a must have.

5) Cobra Viper uses the same mold as the Wave 7 version, but with new hands to avoid the “bent wrists” syndrome and a chromed helmet (taken from Cobra Commander (DVDw5)). His rifle is also a metallic grey.

The G.I. Joe set includes Snake Eyes (5-Pack v3) and Timber, Lady Jaye (5-Pack v1), G.I. Joe Hawk (5-Pack v1), Flint (5-Pack v1) and Shipwreck w/Polly (5-Pack v1).

1) Snake Eyes (v3) uses the same mold as the Arise, Serpentor Arise! figure, but with black instead of purple hues. Timber is an all new mold.

2) Lady Jaye sports a new body with the head coming from the Revenge of Cobra DVD set; she also has a new javelin that is easier to hold. The details of the collar and the dagger on her chest are pretty cool.

3) G.I. Joe Hawk is the same figure from Wave 9 but with a lighter brown jacket. Nothing too exciting, but still an excellent figure. He even looks like Dennis Quaid. Hmmm…

4) Flint uses the Wave 8 Tiger Force mold, but in the classic colors. His webgear is all new so that it buckles at the side instead of the front, and his head sculpt is new as well. He also has a new shotgun.

5) Shipwreck has a new head, new right hand (so he can hold things now) and new pants. He also has a harpoon gun instead of the classic pistol. Polly is an all new sculpt.

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 Comic Pack w6 — Scrap-Iron / Wild Bill (Loose)

Just opened up my Scrap-Iron/Wild Bill comic pack, and here are the loose pics for your pleasure.

 1) Wild Bill — Helicopter Pilot

• Body — Wild Bill (w7)
• Helmet — New

Here we have Wild Bill painted to represent his cartoon version, which doesn’t really work for me thought I like it a bit better than his drab olive and green colors. He comes with his signature cowboy hat and six-shooters, but he also comes with a cool new removable helmet (which gets a lot of mileage as it will show up with Scarlett (Pilot) and Destro (Pilot) and most likely some Cobra troop builders). Otherwise, since he’s just a straight up repaint, nothing much more to write about. **

2) Scrap-Iron — Anti-Armor Specialist

• Body — Cobra Trooper (w2)
• Head — Scrap-Iron (xc2)
• Vest — New

Utilizing a different body and webgear construction from the Arctic Assault version, this Scrap-Iron looks like the perfect update of the original. And just like the Arctic Assault version, his visor is removable to reveal some pretty ugly scars. However, I think I prefer the Extreme Conditions version over this one mainly because that came first and all my excitement was used over that one, and the re-used comic-pack Firefly mold was rather genius. Here it’s just a ho-hum Cobra Trooper body; it works, but it’s just not as cool! Anyway, still glad to have Scrap-Iron in his classic colors. ***

Meanwhile, a brief glance at the comic reveals artwork that actually looks pretty good! Usually these comics feel light on story and art, so my expectations are low. The story has Wild Bill chasing after Scrap-Iron, and the novelty comes in the form of a narrative told solely through radio transmissions. It’s a pretty interesting gimmick, along the lines of the silent issue, but still a gimmick. It’s pretty much about what one would expect from the comics of these two-packs, but I’m not buying these for the comics.

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.

G.I. Joe Comic Packs — Wave 6 (pt.1: MOC)

It’s nonstop madness as more Joes have come out this month than in the last year. My savings further dwindle away to nothingness, but here I am bringing you the latest wave of the G.I. Joe comic two-packs. Full review of the figures to follow.

Beachhead / Dataframe (front)

Beachhead / Dataframe (front close-up)

Beachhead / Dataframe (back)

Beachhead (close-up)

Dataframe (close-up)

Hard Master / Snake Eyes (front)

Hard Master / Snake Eyes (front close-up)

Hard Master / Snake Eyes (back)

Hard Master (close-up)

Snake Eyes (close-up)

Scrap-Iron / Wild Bill (front)

Scrap-Iron / Wild Bill (front close-up)

Scrap-Iron / Wild Bill (back)

Scrap-Iron (close-up)

Wild Bill (close-up)