G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra pt. 5 — Single-Carded (C1 W2-3, C2 W3)

More carded figures from The Rise of Cobra line of G.I. Joe toys. It’s amazing that in a 2-month period, 37 figures spread over 2 collections and 3 waves have been released. I have 34 of them and only missing Wallace “Ripcord” Weems v2 [Reactive Impact Armor], Conrad “Duke” Hauser v3 [Delta-6 Accelerator Suit] and Storm Shadow v3 [Arctic Threat]. This gallery finishes off the remainder of Collection 1 Wave 2, Collection 2 Wave 3 and introduces 4 of the 7 figures available from Collection 1 Wave 3.

Collection 1 Wave 2
• Snake Eyes v2 [Paris Pursuit]
• Storm Shadow v2 [Paris Pursuit]

Collection 1 Wave 3
• Baroness v2 [Paris Pursuit]
• Para-Viper [Cobra Paratrooper]
• Rex “The Doctor” Lewis [Chief Experimental Doctor]
• Snake Eyes v3 [Arctic Assault]

Collection 2 Wave 3
• General Clayton “Hawk” Abernathy [Attack on the G.I. Joe Pit]
• G.I. Joe Pit Commando A [Covert Military Force]
•  G.I. Joe Pit Commando B [Covert Military Force]

Snake Eyes v2 — Carded Front

Snake Eyes v2 — Carded Close Up

Timber [grey] — Carded Close Up

Snake Eyes v2 — Carded Back

Storm Shadow v3 — Carded Front

Storm Shadow v3 — Carded Close Up

Storm Shadow v3 — Carded Back

Baroness v2 — Carded Front

Baroness v2 — Carded Close Up

Baroness v2 — Carded Back

Para-Viper — Carded Front

Para-Viper — Carded Close Up

Para-Viper — Carded Back

Rex “The Doctor” Lewis — Carded Front

Rex “The Doctor” Lewis — Carded Close Up

Rex “The Doctor” Lewis — Carded Back

Snake Eyes v3 — Carded Front

Snake Eyes v3 — Carded Close Up

Snake Eyes v3 — Carded Back

General Clayton “Hawk” Abernathy — Carded Front

General Clayton “Hawk” Abernathy — Carded Close Up

General Clayton “Hawk” Abernathy — Carded Back

G.I. Joe Pit Commando A — Carded Front

G.I. Joe Pit Commando B — Carded Front

G.I. Joe Pit Commando A — Carded Close Up

G.I. Joe Pit Commando B — Carded Close Up

G.I. Joe Pit Commando — Carded Back

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 — 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 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.