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 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.

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

I Can See Those Fighter Planes

For the past month and a half, I’ve been anticipating the arrival of the new Target exclusive G.I. Joe vehicle assortment of the Rattler and the Conquest. Back in the day I’ve always wanted but never had the Rattler so I was fairly excited for that, and I never had the Conquest but always dug its swept-forward wing design.

When the online pre-order was first announced back in July, I immediately placed my order. As far as I know, I placed it on the very first day they were made available for pre-order. And so with less than two months wait, my anticipation grew. My feelings reached fever pitch when late August/early September rolled around and the first reports of sightings/email notifications started hitting the boards at HissTank.com. And you know how frenzied online news can put a bee up anyone’s backside.

I was one of the lucky few to get a positive email notice, stating I would get shipment the Friday of the products’ release date. Yeah!

So imagine my disappointment when the ship date came and went, and no final notice of products shipping. Now imagine my surprise and anger when I got another email notification stating a delay in shipment until November! Yeahbuhwha–!? “Alright,” I told myself, “I can weather this out. Besides, I’m low on funds. I should wait.” But then another thought popped into my head. What if there is no second release, then I’m screwed.

Until this morning that is.

Thank goodness for the HissTank boards. A lot of posts about visiting the Target.com site and checking availability on the two exclusives. I followed the links, discovered availability in two local Targets and went to the one I’ve never been to before because it’s out of the way, and I’m sure to never see my nemesis this other unshaven collector (more on him another day). So I walked in, grabbed the only set on the shelf, paid and walked out. Spoils for the vigilant collector!

In any case, to keep this post medium-ish, I will post reviews and pics in a separate entry. I just wanted to vent on the nerve-wracking experience of being an addict a collector.