G.I. Joe Hall of Heroes

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).

Hall of Heroes Set

Hall of Heroes — Boxed Back

HoH:1 — Snake Eyes v1 w/Timber

HoH:1 — Snake Eyes v1 (CU)

HoH:1 — Timber (CU)

HoH:2 — Firefly

HoH:2 — Firefly (CU)

HoH:2 — Firefly Accessories (CU)

HoH:3 — Cobra B.A.T.

HoH:3 — Cobra B.A.T. (CU)

HoH:3 — Cobra B.A.T. Accessories (CU)

HoH:5 — Beachhead

HoH:5 — Beachhead (CU)

HoH:6 — Cobra Viper

HoH:6 — Cobra Viper (CU)

HoH:7 — Crimson Guard

HoH:7 — Crimson Guard (CU)

HoH:8 — Flint v1

HoH:8 — Flint v1 (CU)

HoH:9 — Zartan v2

HoH:9 — Zartan v2 (CU)

HoH:10 — Snake Eyes v2

HoH:10 — Snake Eyes v2 (CU)

G.I. JOE — Cobra Commander w/MASS Element Carded Variant

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

• Emblem changed from Cartoon Series call-out to Comic Series call-out
• “A Real American Hero” tagline removed
• Artwork angle rotated clockwise slightly and enlarged
• In the character art, Cobra sigil enlarged and placed on center of chest
• Background explosion not as high contrasting, more diffuse
• “Cobra Enemy!” shield moved over the stripes in the G.I. Joe logo
• Type size of “Cobra Leader” reduced
• Background behind the packaged figure changed from white to yellow

 

l. Wave 12 release, r. Wave 8 release

• “Cobra Enemy!” shield removed from upper-left corner
• File card artwork and copy reverted to that found on the Cobra Commander 5-pack version; black color-field instead of yellow

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)

… 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

He’ll Fight For Freedom… (pt. 1)

Cobra Extreme Conditions multipacks have arrived! This is the first set — the Desert Assault Squad. Figure reviews to come in a follow-up post!

Extreme Conditions Pack (1 of 2) — Cobra Desert Assault Squad (front)

Extreme Conditions Pack (1 of 2) — Cobra Desert Assault Squad (back)

Desert Infantry — Crimson Guard (art detail)

Desert Infantry — Crimson Guard

Desert Specialist Officer — Cobra Officer (art detail)

Desert Specialist Officer — Cobra Officer

Explosives Specialist — Cobra Trooper (art detail)

Explosives Specialist — Cobra Trooper

Mercenary — Major Bludd (art detail)

Mercenary — Major Bludd

Flamethrower Specialist — Cobra Trooper (art detail)

Flamethrower Specialist — Cobra Trooper

Hostile Environment Specialist — Cobra Trooper (art detail)

Hostile Environment Specialist — Cobra Trooper

Desert Infantry — Crimson Guard (art detail)

Desert Infantry — Crimson Guard

G.I. Joe — Mail-Away Figure: Doc

This figure was available only by sending 6 proof of purchase stickers found with the comic 2-packs, as well as a shipping/handling fee. For some reason, even though I sent away for only one, I received two!

Doc (front)

Doc (close-up)

Doc (back)

Foil Treatment — “embossed” version

Foil Treatment — “matte” version

**REVIEW**
Doc comes in a plain white box with the G.I. Joe logo on one side and, in small print, G.I. Joe Doc on the opposite side. Opening the box reveals the carded figure nested within a plastic keep-case that prevents some crushing and all minor dings.

He comes on a 25th Anniversary foil card with the Wave 4 figures on the back. Definitely part of the appeal of these figures is the eye-catching character art.

Doc is a great example of re-using parts to create a wholly new figure. It’s basically a repainted Duke body with a new head and new accessories. The familiar stretcher and flare gun accompany Doc, but he also now comes with a silver pistol that fits into a thigh-holster,as well as a packed-in stand that comes with all the figures in the G.I. Joe line. Finally, he has a removable shoulder bag.

A great looking figure and well worth the effort to secure in your collection.

**UPDATE**
Knowing that I had two Docs, I was all set to open one to provide loose pics. However, I discovered that Doc comes on a variant cardback, similar to several of the Wave 7 single-carded figures. The foil treatment on one card is the regular “matte” version — a flat foil treatment; on the second card, the foil is embossed and shinier. It‘s a subtle difference that is difficult to capture on digital camera, but I believe that I was able to get it.

Foil Treatment — “matte” version

Foil Treatment — “embossed” version

G.I. Joe — The Rest of Wave 9

I realize that I may have been stingy when I just put up the images of Major Bludd a couple of posts back. So, in fairness of equal time, here are the rest of Wave 9 — definitely some of the cooler sculpts and characters to come out of the revamped G.I. Joe toy line.

Barbecue — Firefighter

Barbecue (close-up)

General Hawk — G.I. Joe General

General Hawk (close-up)

Sgt. Bazooka — Missile Specialist

Sgt. Bazooka (close-up)

B.A.T. — Cobra Android Trooper

B.A.T.(close-up)

Snow Serpent — Polar Assault

Snow Serpent (close-up)

Storm Shadow — Ninja-Ku Leader

Storm Shadow (close-up)

G.I. Joe Wave 9 Major Bludd — Same Figure, New Card

Any collector following the new G.I. Joe line will salivate knowing that wave 9 has just been released at retail (this of course will soon be replaced by salivating for wave 10 due out in the next couple of weeks).

In the case assortment that includes some of the best sculpts and more interesting/colorful characters (Barbecue, Snow Serpent and B.A.T., anyone?), one will find the re-issue of two figures that were difficult to find the first time around: Major Bludd and Sgt. Flash.

While it’s cool that these guys are being re-released for those who weren’t able to find them before, there’s another reason for those who already have the figures to plunk $7.99 down for another copy. Or another reason to drive completists absolutely bug-nuts.

The original release came under the 25th Anniversary logo, but now that the year has passed, a new emblem has replaced the 25th emblem in the upper right-hand corner of the card. These new emblems change depending on the source of the character — either sourced from the tv show, a sub-line faction (such as Tiger Force), or the comic among others.

Other minor differences include a lack of foil packaging, a different explosion on the background of the character art, and a new placement of the “Cobra Enemy” logo.

Being the kind of collector who usually buys one to keep MOC and one to open, I’m glad to finally get a Major Bludd that I can pull out of the packaging and set up on my shelf to collect dust. Yeah, nerdy, maybe sad, but I think it’s cool nevertheless.