Finally, the Storm Shadow I ordered has arrived. Thus my Hall of Heroes collection is complete.
Storm Shadow (HoH:4) uses the same body construction as Storm Shadow (CBP#3); he doesn’t come with his bow, but does come with a grappling hook.
Oh yeah. I resisted these guys when the news 1st broke that these repacks would be coming out. But once again, packaging wins out!
These figures are worth it for the display quality alone, but in addition to the gold foil goodness, each figure has subtle paint improvements and comes with many accessories. I’m glad I gave in to my weakness and ordered this set. Though at this time I am still awaiting the arrival of Storm Shadow (HoH:4).
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.
Once again, hot on the heels of the release of Wave 12 at the end of November comes the release of Wave 13 at the beginning of this month. This wave is actually meant to be Wave 1 for 2009 and introduces the new subline, Resolute which is based on the upcoming animated TV series.
In a word, the Resolute figures are incredible. Consisting of mainly all-new molds, they are a fresh update on classic characters. Plus, you get Blowtorch, an amazing figure in its own right. The duds in this wave, Firefly v2 and Dreadnok Torch, are repaints that do little to excite the imagination unless you are a completist. For now, I present the carded figures for you to enjoy while I prepare a review.
COBRA TROOPER — Infantry
Another version of Cobra’s infantry trooper, this time with red sigil and red mask. The blue uniform is also a deeper hue than previous versions. I had erroneously thought this trooper would come with molded hair beneath his helmet; unfortunately, this is not the case. A totally boring figure.
Figure: *
DREADNOK RIPPER — Dreadnok
Nothing new here since it is just a repaint of the comic-pack figure in uhm, more comic-y colors. It’s cool to get him on a card, but still all in all rather dull.
Figure: **
Excitement Factor: No stars
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!
1) PYTHON CRIMSON GUARD — Python Patrol Elite Trooper
This figure is just a repaint of the Wave 5 Crimson Guard, though it makes little sense to continue to call him “Crimson” when he is predominantly yellow and grey.
So while we await the release of more Python Patrol members (Python Copperhead is on the way), this figure on its own, while still an excellent mold, is somewhat ho-hum. But Wave 12 was never meant to blow us away with anything new and was only meant to be repaints and repacks like Waves 4 and 8.
Figure: ***
Excitement Factor: *1/2
1) TRIPWIRE — Mine Detector
Tripwire makes his single-carded appearance in Wave 12; he initially was included in the Comic 2-Pack (w5) with Cobra Commander. Unlike a straight repack, Tripwire has been packaged with a MASS element cannister. It is yellow to represent the meteorite element.
This character does a fairly good job of recapturing the likeness of the classic version, though I would have preferred the smooth padding as it was adapted for the H.I.S.S. Driver and AVAC Pilot since that would have been more accurate to the classic figure. But a mere collector’s quibble means nothing as the overall figure is excellent.
The MASS cannister my figure came with has a removable glass casing, though I’m not sure if this is meant to occur or if it is faulty manufacturing. Therefore I wouldn’t suggest trying to twist off the cannister’s casing. The inclusion of this accessory means that you can complete your MASS device, along with the cannisters that come with the Cobra Diver (w12) and Cobra Commander (w8, w12).
***
I only just noticed this because it is only a packaging variation of a figure that isn’t terribly exciting to begin with. However, for completion’s sake, I offer the following pics:
Wave 8 release
1) COBRA COMMANDER w/MASS Element — Wave 8
This is the carded figure that was released initially with Wave 8. This wave was the first one to officially mark the end of the 25th Anniversary logo in the upper right corner. In its place one would find one of three different logos that would place the character’s source: 1) A faction logo such as Python Patrol or Tiger Force, 2) A “From the G.I. Joe Comic Series” logo, or 3) A “From the G.I. Joe Cartoon Series” logo. Here you will see a logo for the TV series. Also, the foil treatment of the G.I. Joe logo and card border was ended and a plain white color was substituted.
Wave 12 release
2) COBRA COMMANDER w/MASS Element — Wave 12
Much to my chagrin, this figure was re-released for the Wave 12 case assortment; while its inclusion makes sense as you get three characters with all the MASS element cannisters needed for the MASS Device, I had wished that another character had been mixed into the assortment. Anyway, completists and collector’s may find the package variation enough of a reason to seek this figure.
l. Wave 12 release, r. Wave 8 release
l. Wave 12 release, r. Wave 8 release
Sidewalk Soundtracks 