G.I. Joe — Wave 12 (pt.1: MOC)

Wait a minute, what happened to Wave 11? Well I ordered my case of Wave 11 from the good folks at Big Bad Toy Store (BBTS), but I ordered the Internet Exclusive that comes with two Cobra Eels packed inside. So while I await that creamy goodness which may be due later this month, I received Wave 12. This wave of figures, much like Waves 4 and 8, is comprised of repacks of figures from multipacks, or repaints/redecos of pre-existing molds. So without further ado, Wave 12!

And as a bonus, I did manage to get Zartan from Wave 11 as just a taste of what’s to come.

Tripwire — Mine Detector (MOC)

Tripwire (MOC close-up)

Cobra Diver — Underwater Trooper (MOC)

Cobra Diver (MOC close-up)

Cobra Ninja Viper — Cobra Ninja (MOC)

Cobra Ninja Viper (MOC close-up)

Cobra Trooper — Infantry (MOC)

Cobra Trooper (MOC close-up)

Dreadnok Ripper — Dreadnok (MOC)

Dreadnok Ripper (MOC close-up)

Python Crimson Guard — Python Patrol Elite Trooper (MOC)

Python Crimson Guard (MOC close-up)

Zartan — Master of Disguise (MOC)

Zartan (MOC close-up)

Chameleon Swamp Skier (MOC close-up)

This Movie Stinks… Of Beauty: Street Trash

STREET TRASH (1987)
d. Jim Muro

You gotta love those trashy independent horror films from the 80s — The Toxic Avenger, Re-Animator, and Street Trash (among many more). Films such as these pushed the envelope of taste and humour as they stretched the boundaries of what was allowable on-screen — insane gore effects despite the low budgets, and, more often than not, full frontal nekkid chicks (and a couple of penis shots for fair balance).

You Know It’s the 80s When It’s Neon-Colored

This cult movie, long consigned to the back wall of video stores, finally made its DVD debut a couple of years back in a souped up two-disc “meltdown” edition released by Synapse Films. It tells the story of a community of bums living out of a automobile wrecking yard in Flatbush, Brooklyn, and what happens when a 60 year-old hooch, Viper, hits that community and starts melting bums from the inside out.

G.I. Joe — Wave 10 (pt.2: review)

So, within a month of Wave 9’s release comes Wave 10 of this excellent line. Hasbro keeps offering interesting character selections; here they keep things fresh by including a mix of some fan favorites along with some new characters. What follows will be a review of the figures that came in this wave, with the exception of Tiger Force Duke. **UPDATE** See Tiger Force Duke review at the end of this post.

1) Mutt & Junkyard — K-9 Officer & Attack Dog

• Head/Forearms/Lower Body — New
• Torso/Biceps/Waist — Cobra Viper (w7)

One of my favorites from the original line comes back to life with this great likeness. The detail is great, even down to the scar on his face. The only issue I have with this version is that his face mask looks a little too bulky and doesn’t cover his mouth and nose convincingly. It’s a small gripe to this overall excellent figure. ***1/2

… Wherever There’s Trouble… (pt.2) — Arctic Assault Squad Review

EXTREME CONDITIONS PACK (2 of 2): COBRA ARCTIC ASSAULT SQUAD

This review covers the figures found in the second set of the online exclusive multipacks. In my opinion, this is the better set of the two mainly because it contains the debut of Scrap-Iron, albeit in winter-blue tones; also, I find the Snow Serpents and Vipers more visually interesting than the Crimson Guards and Cobra Troopers of the Desert Assault Squad. Finally, they come with a ton of cool accessories which elevates these figures from just being re-packaged and repainted toys (I’m looking at you Star Wars and Transformers!).

1) Cobra Viper — Heavy Weapons Trooper

• Head: Cobra Viper (w7)
• Upper Body: Roadblock (w8)
• Lower Body: Copperhead (cp w4)
• Weapons: Snow Serpent (w9) / Roadblock (w8) / Copperhead (cp w4)

An interesting re-use of parts combining the upper half of a G.I. Joe member with the lower half and head of Cobra figures, the Heavy Weapons Trooper makes for a visually stunning toy. The color scheme here really works in favor of the Cobra trooper. This guy also comes with a bunch of weapons to choose from, though I prefer to keep him mobile without the machine gun. The only perceptible flaw is that he inherits the wide hands of Roadblock, has difficulty holding weapons, and has shirt sleeves that are painted on rather than molded. ***

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)

… 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