Retaliation COBRA COMBAT NINJA

Uhhh...I think it was called COMBAT NINJA...maybe trooper...eh...the ninja bit was a add-on for the toy line anyway...who gives a crap?!

One of the few Retaliation villains that actually not only appeared in the film, but looks somewhat accurate! We had gotten a Cobra trooper early on in the first wave that looked NOTHING as it was supposed to for the movie...NOTHING! I kinda liked it as a goofy, non-movie version since it reminded me of something kitschy in the GI Joe sense...like form the 90s or something. I did, however, hope to see a more realistic movie version. Most fans hated the first trooper and could not wait to see a toy like this. Well, patience paid off...we got one...late...and underproduced. Bummer. Still and great figure...AND...we DID actually get it, even if he is hard to track down in bulk.

Now, I like the classic Cobra troopers...this movie version is actually a little too realistic for my tastes. However, in the film, Cobra was (at the time) supposed to be "good guys" that were replacing the GI Joes, so they weren't supposed to look too bad-guyish. Aside from the odd helmet design and the Cobra patch, these could be real-world soldiers!

We get the usual pile of guns, removable helmet and webgear, PLUS this cool rocket launcher AND Cobra flag! Those two accessories alone are too cool for school. Admittedly, the cannon works better with your "classic" Cobra figures since it's all blue (and red).

Underneath that helmet is your standard head in a cloth face mask. You can also add the extra swap-out head. This head is that of someone in an armored helmet with one green electronic eye in the center. You also get a sword and sheath that plug into the figure's back...in other words: ninja mode!

Such a freaking shame that these got a very limited release. I troop builded with these, but it cost me dearly. I only got four, though I wanted eight. Even if you don't dig these in comparison with the classic Cobra trooper look, they could even pass as normal troops in winter gear if you take 'em out of their movie context. The Flag and cannon are top-notch, fun accessories. The interchangeable heads make for extra coolness. One of the best figures from the whole "super wave", if not the entire movie toy line!

DATA VIPER

From the ashes of cancellation comes......DATA VIPER!!!

Oh, yeah.

This guy was released in the Retaliation line. He was not in the Retaliation movie. There...enough of that! Anyway, this guy apparently was gonna be part of the normal GI Joe line, but it became cancelled, then got revived and slipped int the movie line. Done and done!

Many fans gushed over this figure when previews were flashed around. Then, the same fans cried tears of blood when it was supposedly cancelled. Well, we got him. One of those gear-heavy figures with a lot of crazy accessories. Meant to be some type of walking, armored, data-gathering trooper. Very cool look. Most of that armor is pretty stable. You can remove his odd, almost triangular helmet, and then his huge chest/shoulder piece. The antennae/satellite dish can pivot and are actually removable. The missile pods on the front of the armor really make him look bad-ass! The arm things are another story. They come in three pieces and don't hold together during play. I imagine they are meant to be some type of guidance controls...in theory. They clip on his arms and have a pivoting front which hold (via handles) in the characters hands. The pivot points come off rather easily, as do the red wires. The only real annoyance about this great piece.

Aside form the bulky armor and what not, Data Viper comes with this sleek drone which can attach to the back of his armor when the wings are folded. Reeeeally neat! This is the same drone mold used with Ultimate Duke. The guns can detach and even be brandished by the figure. What more could you want?!

So nice to see a cancelled figure get brought back from the brink of death...SOOOO NICE! Great looking with cool accessories. Some may not like the bulky armor or the annoyance of the arm controls, but the figure itself is fantastic. Troop build him if you can, but be warned that he was indeed part of the "super wave", so he's tough to find...or just expensive!

Retaliation ULTIMATE ROADBLOCK

For all intents and purposes...Roadblock was the star of GI Joe Retaliation. We got a few versions of the movie character (played by The Rock or Dwayne Johnson), but this is truly the ultimate one! I'm pretty sure this figure has the same sculpt as an earlier one (Battle Kata Roadblock, I think), but recolored and modified a bit. He comes with a big ol' machine gun and still has a few carry-over accessories from the Battle Kata version...yeah, that gimmick was played up and soon dropped by the toy line. Roadblock had these handle things that had various attachments. You could make them guns, knives, or even a nightstick...kinda dumb and pointless. Neat, but unnecessary. Looks-wise, he's just plain great. Spot-on likeness.

Lastly, in accessories, Roadblock has this...uh...thing. Again, we had alot of zipline and grappling hook gimmicks and accessories in this toy line due to the whole mountain scene in the movie. They really played that up! The figure itself is great and so are the other accessories. We've gotten better zipline stuff with other figures. Eh. I think we got this same one with Mouse in that three-pack. I played around with this thing a bit. It's okay. What else can I say?

Honestly, the movie figures are great...ESPECIALLY these "ultimate" versions. It's just sad that Hasbro waited to the end (basically) to give us the best stuff. It's doubly disheartening knowing that the wave these were in was not seen at major retailers.

Retaliation ULTIMATE DUKE

Much like Flint, we got a version of Duke in earlier waves. He's a movie version for sure. Now, not to beat a dead horse, but most fans already know the hub-bub surround the release of GI Joe Retaliation. I won't go on unless someone messages me to...and I doubt that! Anyway...big spoiler...Duke dies early on in the flick. He's not really a main character in this one at all, aside form the beginning of the film.

Unlike the version form the first wave, this Ultimate Duke is not as simply designed. He also doesn't have some odd giant weapon with real launching projectiles. Just a highly detailed military figure with LOTS of gear! Aside from a shit-ton of guns and such and a little knife, he has removable armor and a helmet. He also comes with this cool aerial drone. He also comes with an alternate swap-out head. This extra head can instantly turn a stand-alone character into a troop builder! GREAT!!! Sadly, since the "super wave" he was in had a very limited retail release, you probably can't live your dream of having an army of these...unless you have big bucks and/or a mental problem.

Not much else to say. Again...great figure...lots of cool accessories. Honestly, if these had a wider release, you'd see about six of these in my collection!

STORM SHADOW

This version of the famous Cobra ninja was released in the Retaliation movie line. He was one a several "classics" released along with actual movie characters and new "in the style of" movie toys. Unlike his Snake Eyes counterpart, this latest version of Storm Shadow rocks! He just...well...looks great! Very classical, and has a ton of (mostly) cool accessories.

He has a ton of stereotypical ninja gear and weapons! Bow and arrow, sai, nunchaku, various bladed thingies, and even what appears to be a blowgun set! Oh, and this cool fan! Awesome. Just awesome. You actually can get those accessories between that figure's nimble figures, but it does require some patience since they are verrrry tiny!

Aside from a cool alternate unmasked head, we get this big honker of a thing. I originally assumed it to be just a backpack, but it's actually an action feature thing designed to RESEMBLE a kind of jet pack. Hence, the figure is mounted on the front on the clip-on harness...you press it to make Storm shadow spin around and do ninja tricks and what not. Eh...I'd have rather a back-mounted backpack, but whatever. I guess Hasbro felt the need to add a goofy accessory to an otherwise awesome new (yet classic) Storm Shadow.

Great figure. If you are gonna redo a character...make them better. This is probably the best Storm Shadow out so far if you are into his classic look. The jet pack might have been cool if it was just that and mounted flat on the figure's back. Otherwise, superbly done.

...yet another SNAKE EYES

AGAAAAAAAAAIN?!?!

Yep...another version of our old pal, Snake Eyes.

Yeah, yeah...the commando/ninja is back once again in his seemingly millionth appearance in the GI Joe toy line! Snake Eyes get a lot of figures. As a matter of fact, I think he probably has the most versions and variations...I gotta check on that...but yeah. He was released in the classic style within the movie line's "super wave" which had little to no actual retail release.

If you are gonna do another Snake Eyes, you gotta wow the fans. This version isn't really that original or outstanding. Just another Snake Eyes. He seems like a obligatory figure to me since we got a classic Storm Shadow in this wave. Nothing new or special about this Snake Eyes. Even the sculpt is pretty standard. Comes with the usual guns and a sword...oh, and Timber!

Not a bad figure...just...when you have ANOTHER version of a character you probably have twenty of, he doesn't stand out. Just sayin'.

Retaliation FLINT

Wow...a GI Joe Retaliation figure that was ACTUALLY in the movie! Ha ha! Honestly, I'll be blunt...as a character in the flick...Flint blew...HARD. I hated the fact that he got absolutely ZERO characterization and had NO charisma. That sucked. They pulled that sorta junk with Jinx in the movie as well. Eh. Anyway, the earlier version of movie Flint was comparatively dull compared to this "ultimate" version (as it was so billed). This Flint has a better overall look and better accessories. More guns and gear, a parachute instead of a dumb bow-and-arrow-looking zipline apparatus, and cool armor! Only downside is that he has a helmet instead of a classic Flint beret. However, if you have the first Flint with removable beret like I do...just...uh, remove it! Give it to this version! Ha!

Not much else to say. Great military figure. I'm not a gun nut, so I can't comment on the weaponry too well. The parachute works fine. The figure looks great if you dig realistic Joes. Aside form the character sucking in the film and therefore making the toy a tad less exciting to newer fans, it's a great figure.

CRIMSON GUARD (Retaliation)

The Crimson Guard goes waaaay back...not as far as the standard Cobra infantry trooper, but far enough back. They are a big part of the GI Joe mythos. Many would argue that you can't really change or update their look since they are so iconic and "perfect" just the way they are. Now, this guy was yet ANOTHER of the many figures in the Retaliation line NOT featured in the actual movie. You could say he's been modernized and done up in the style of the movie...maybe...sorta. Anyways, Crimson guards are supposed to be special agents of Cobra who hide amongst the public and hold various powerful jobs or positions, like sleeper agents or something for Cobra's evil purposes. Ideally, they aren't really sent into battle to be wasted as cannon fodder. They still are trained for battle and such...just in case, though.

I never had the vintage Crimson Guard. I woulda used mine as special body guards or highly trained officers in battles. To a kid playing, the whole political and societal intrigue angle doesn't cut it. I would want a cool warrior! The old Crimson Guard was very regal-looking. They have changed very little over the years. We did get various armored up versions in the 90s, and a very simplified version in the mid 2000s for the Direct-To-Consumer line. The 25th Anniversary version and all variants kept the classic look. This version switches it up a bit. He still has that classic feel, yet it's updated to seem like a trooper that might be operation in the field or ready for battle. He looks less "for show" like the old CG, but actually more battle ready in this version. He has some kind of tactical vest, even more rugged looking boots and gear. Even the Helmet style has been changed. I think that the head was the only newly sculpted part for this figure. Most of the CG is what fans refer to as a "Franken-Joe" since he's made up of mostly old parts. Happens a lot...especially in more modern times. No biggie.

For accessories, he comes with a bevy of guns, a very classic CG backpack, and the best part? A sword...that slides into a scabbard on his back. Awesome! You also get a little sheet of decals so you can give the figure different ranks and what not. I've heard the stickers don't adhere too well, being both very small and because they're being stuck on a non-flat surface. Still a cool idea!

Well, I love it! A good, new, alternate look for a classic figure. Some might not like the "in-the-field" look to the character, but I do. I love the new head sculpt. Looks a little scarier than the 25th Ann. sculpt we've been seeing used. Great troop builder if you could find 'em.

Tracker KWINN

C'mon without...c'mon within...you've not seen nothing like the mighty Kwinn!

Or, something to that effect. Anyway, you may have heard that old song before. Supposedly it was part of the inspiration to create this character from the GI Joe comics back in the 80s. He's Kwinn or Tracker Kwinn.

He was originally a comics-only character in the old GI Joe comics. Me...I was a cartoon baby. I never read the comics as a kid. Maybe I would have, if I had easier access to a store. Anyway, this guy apparently is a big favorite among fans of the comic book mythos. He's some kind of Eskimo tracker and mercenary...yet has his own honor code. He's kinda like a bad guy, but not really...one of those fringe characters. He's just a really skilled guy who does whatever job he's paid to do. Admittedly, since I did not grow up reading the Joe comics, I have no major connection to this character. However...just because I'm a huge GI Joe fan, I sorta picked up on a lot of the comic book mythos over the years, even though I never really read them. WHile I don't have a burning passion for the character, I'm still glad such a popular "obscure" character and comic-only guy made the cut as an official action figure! Truth be told, we got a Kwinn in one of the vintage-style comic packs in the mid 2000s. That version was moreso in winter garb. Well, now we get Kwinn in all his modern Joe sculpt glory!

As a toy, he's pretty "real-world". He's not a Joe or Cobra. Take away his trademark weasel skull necklace, and one might mistake him for...uh, well...something that isn't GI Joe. He came in the movie line's "super wave" and is one of the non-movie, classic figures. Dead-on in his traditional appearance. He comes with a ton of gear as opposed to some big-ass accessory or goofy weapon. You get all sorts of guns, some melee weapons of names I'm not sure of (assumed to be Eskimo in origin), a backpack, rolls of ammo, and a nice trap!

While he may not have the sci-fi flair of the Cobras or the mostly military feel of the Joes, Kwinn the tracker is a nice middle ground. He's a comic character brought to life via fan outcry. I respect that heavily. Shows the power of what a few thousand open mouths and busy typing fingers can get done! I may not share the connection with the character as much as the average Joe fan, but I still rank this figure as very top notch!

COBRA COMMANDER

Despite being released in the GI Joe Retaliation's "super wave", this latest version of the Cobra Commander is clearly meant to be a classical version. Fans are already decreeing this as the best version of the Commander ever...and I agree! Now, Cobra Commander is easily one of the GI Joe characters that gets the most versions and variations next to Duke, Snake Eyes, and Storm Shadow. I certainly don't mind. Cobra Commander was always my favorite Joe villain if not favorite Joe character. He generally holds a place in my heart as one of the coolest cartoon/toy bad guys and is tops when it comes to geeky pop-culture icons! Yeah, I love Cobra Commander. Maybe I'm biased.

Anyway, this guy is looking sharp. They gave him both his battle helmet AND hood this time around as well as a pistol and dagger. The only thing I would say they truly modernized a tad are his pants. He seems to be wearing tradition straight-legged trousers as opposed to the tapered, tight pants that had foot stirrups on that you often saw on the old cartoon or the comic. The original toy had 'em too. Other than, that...spot on classic Cobra Commander!

Lastly, he comes with one big honkin' accessory in this helicopter pack. Classic stuff. You never know when your villain is gonna need to make one of those patented quick escapes! The heli-pack seems to pay homage to the Cobra FANG copter. Sadly, the tiny red missiles don't come off. BUT...it does have an opening bay on the back to drop two bombs. The bombs are made of clear blue plastic and have an odd biohazard symbol on them. Rumor has it that this was meant to tie into a potential zombie-themed storyline for GI Joe. As a matter of fact, the Hazard Viper and Zombie Viper made reference to Compound Z (which was blue) on their filecards! Howzabout dat?! There is a button on the side you press to spin the blades, but I think the mechanism sucks...either that, or mine is defective. Does not spin very loose or free. Bummer. Aside form that, cool accessory either way.

Honestly, best figure outta the wave and one of the best GI Joe toys ever. Highly recommended! I could say more, but I don't think I need to.

GI Joe Retaliation BUDO

Budo never appeared in the GI Joe Retaliation. Yet, we got one! Adding characters to a movie toy line that didn't actually appear in the flick is nothing new, though. Hell, with GI Joe, most of the movie toys didn't anyway! I think the mold for this toy was originally intended for something else, but they used it as a Budo figure for the movie line since it goes nicely with the perceived martial arts theme they kinda had goin' on with the toys.

Classically, Budo was an oddball on the Joe team. Cobra characters were usually always bonkers. The Joes were fairly realistic for the most part (until the line progressed). Before we got whole subsets of martial arts characters and ninjas, we had the only GI Joe samurai, Budo. I actually thought the old Budo was pretty cool. I never had him, but did own a Funskool version for a few years. I just like the look and feel of the classic Budo. This new version takes the samurai look to the realistic extreme by giving him a full set of traditional regalia! I'm very disappointed they didn't at least go with his traditional color scheme of mostly earth tones in brown, greenish, and greys. Too red, on this figure! Considering the evil ninja in the film are all red, a newer fan or kid may get confused.

Again, the traditional armor is kinda cool, but looks REALLY out of place for the Joes. He comes very light on the accessories since he's got all that armor and such. Bummer. Aside from his two swords he has a removable helmet, outer tunic thingie, and his chest armor can come off with a little bit of a struggle. The hip guards and pee-pee flap hinder his leg movement. Fully armored, even his upper body is a bit hindered. The helmet tends to flop off during playtime. Eh.

Budo? Not terrible, per se...but boring. They gave him a lackluster paint scheme. The armor is cool, but does hinder play a bit. I sincerely hope they give us a "classical" update for Budo in the modern GI Joe figures some day...even if it's some kinda con or club exclusive!

GI Joe Retaliation FIREFLY

Okay, I actually got these new figures a while ago and even took pics, but just never got around to it until now! Yeah, although my love of little plastic men is strong, my patience with photography and computers weakens each day! So, a lot of my reviews from the Retaliation line are a tad short on pics...sorry!

At any rate, as fans of GI Joe know, the second to last wave of movie toys was gonna be a "super wave" with a whole bunch of cool new figures. No doubles, no carry-overs from previous waves. Just a mix of new movie guys and new takes on classic Joes. I took the liberty of pre-ordering the wave because I thought it would be easier. It was. Thankfully, I did pre-order online since this wave seemed to miss retail as most stores stopped carrying the toy line right before this wave was due out! EGADS!!! A real bummer. The best figures (arguably) never made it to mass retail release.

On to Firefly. He's a movie version...sort of. He does seem to carry elements of classic Firefly and is not 100% movie accurate. The first version, despite his action feature and weird accessory was actually more film accurate and even sported an unmasked head. This guy just comes with a few guns and a backpack. Nothing to super exciting, but a lot of fans paraise the realistic look of this version of the character. His big accessory is a mini HISS tank. This mini HISS was originally released with a special version of Cobra Commander near the tail end of the first movie line. I personally never got it. Looks like the mold was remodeled to add a firing missile. You can also detach the mini guns and tank treads so Firefly can wear it as a backpack if so desired.

A neat figure...not super accurate to the movie, yet captures the spirit of the classic Joe character. Also, a neat accessory!

Back again...after another long blogging absence!

Wow...time flies! I had been meaning to update, but I've been busy. I've been hitting up theatrical work more and more (not like I get paid), and it's been one of my main outside-of-work activities...if not my ONLY one! Ha ha! Anyway, I could jibber-jabber about more depressing life events, but I forget all the crap that happened since the summer. Who cares, right? Oh, I did get a very bad corneal abrasion and I've been off work over a week letting my eyeball heal up real good. I'm doing better and since I'm off...why not...uh...um...oh yeah: UPDATE MY BLOG!!!

Okay.