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 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)

Holiday With All The Trimmings

Hot DAMN! So stoked right now.

Big Bad Toy Store has just processed my pre-order for Wave 13 of G.I. Joe carded figures in which a new line, Resolute, makes its debut; Also Vehicle Wave 4 (which premieres the Sting Raider (aka Water Moccasin) and the Ghost Hawk (aka Sky Hawk)) is being processed. That means in about a week and a half or so, more lovely packaged pics for all to enjoy.

So I am extremely stoked! And poor. So very, very poor.

In any case, Happy Thanksgiving!

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 Vehicle w3— A.W.E. Striker (Desert) w/Leatherneck

This marks the general release of the A.W.E. Striker as opposed to the Target Exclusive that came out earlier in the year. This time, the vehicle gets a new paint job to reflect a desert theme, and comes packed with Leatherneck in his Special Missions: Brazil deco.

Leatherneck reuses several parts from other figures, listed below:

• head – Gung-Ho (5p 1)
• torso/webgear – Buzzer (w2)
• arms – Duke (5p 1)
• legs – Snow Job (w5)

 

A.W.E. Striker / Leatherneck (Boxed Front)

A.W.E. Striker / Leatherneck (Boxed Back)

A.W.E. Striker / Leatherneck (Boxed Right Side)

A.W.E. Striker / Leatherneck (Boxed Left Side)

A.W.E. Striker (close-up)

Leatherneck (close-up)

Crashing Through The Sky… (pt.1)

Holy crap — the unstoppable flow of new G.I. Joe product continues unabated! For your viewing pleasure, a gallery of the Cobra F.A.N.G. and Cobra C.L.A.W. Reviews to come in a follow-up post.

Cobra F.A.N.G. / Cobra C.L.A.W. (front)

Cobra F.A.N.G. / Cobra C.L.A.W. (back)

Cobra F.A.N.G. (box detail)

Cobra C.L.A.W. (box detail)

Cobra C.L.A.W. (art detail)

Cobra C.L.A.W. and Cobra Pilot (close-up)

Cobra F.A.N.G. (art detail)

Cobra F.A.N.G. and Cobra Viper (close-up)