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.