Time for a Let’s play!

Renegade Game Studios have been releasing several G.I. Joe related stuff recently. I already had the RPG Core Rulebook and the Deck-building starter set, but I also pre-ordered several necessary tools to play the RPG. They took a while to arrive, but they’re here now!

Time to roll the dice.

A dice set and a dice bag are the basic essentials for the RPG game. The dice set contains 6 different dice and are made in bright blue. The dice bag is a soft black material with the modern G.I. Joe star logo on it. I recently found out that they also made a Cobra themed dice set and bag. I may have to look out for those too.

The other part of the order was the new Emerald Oubliette scenario that comes with a handy Game Master screen. The inside of the screen is showing rule tables and references, where the outside shows the artwork we’ve seen on the Classified Series.

Game Master Screen

The art on the dice set and bag packaging looks like the Classified art but something is off. I must admit, it’s not that good looking. Scarlett in particular is looking a bit strange. Maybe it’s the angle or the lens flare from Roadblock’s head, I can’t really put my finger on it, it just doesn’t click with me.

Is that you Scarlett?

That’s it for now. I have some other pre-orders incoming as well, there will be a post about those soon. Until then…

Happy Collecting and YoJoe!

I just brought in 7 figures, here’s how.

Okay, that does sound a bit like a clickbait title, but it’s not a lie. I actually brought in 7, yes, SEVEN new Classified scale figures last week.

The first figure is one that has been released quite a while ago, but back then, it wasn’t all that clear how easy or difficult it was going to be for us here in Europe to get a hold of the Classified figures. So, I made a few inquiries with a colleague of mine in the US and she ordered the figure from Hasbro Pulse. Unfortunately, with the travel restrictions because of COVID-19, it took quite some time before someone from the US branch was allowed to travel back to our HQ here in Belgium. This week, a corporate training session made it possible for some US colleagues to come over and so I finally got Snake-Eyes (the 02 figure).

Snake Eyes

By now, everybody and their uncle have seen this figure and probably have it in their collection, so I won’t be dwelling to long on it (there are 6 more figures coming below too). It’s a great rendition of the figure, lots of black, some shiny details and a splash of silver. And as always, nice artwork.

A little closer
Artwork – Check out Timber!

Now, on to the next figure. Again an “oldie” in Classified terms, but also a figure I didn’t think I could easily get and that I ordered through my colleague in the US. It’s the Regal Cobra Commander.

Cobra Commander, looking very Regal.

Compared to the other 06 Cobra Commander, this Regal version has more golden details and the blue is a few shades brighter. The sword and handgun are golden now as well. All in all, the figure looks more … eum… Regal.

Close-up artwork

The commander really does look the part here with his faceplate helmet and golden touches. I still would like a hooded version of Cobra Commander. I know Hasbro is reluctant to release that look, but I honestly don’t think that people would react wrong to it. We’ve known the hooded Commander look for nearly 40 years and there is a huge difference between CC’s hood and an all-white pointy hat some nutters like to wear. That being said, the chrome dome look is definitely very cool looking as well and I really like the brighter blue.

The art on the side.

And now, it’s time for something completely different and still quite familiar.

Can you guess what’s inside this box?

A while back – not so long as the Snake Eyes and Cobra Commander figure from above – I was able to order the next set of figures from In Demand Toys and – as always – these super people delivered them – not like some well known other geek-oriented webshop that cancels orders without reason. Although the movie isn’t bad, it’s far from the G.I. Joe we know and love. Still, I enjoyed it and the figures we got because of it do look very nice.

Number 16 to 20!

These five figures, Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow, Akiko, The Baroness and Scarlett, are true to the actors portraying them and their revamped design does resemble the figures we all know and love. Aside from Akiko who should clearly have been Jinx.

Snake Eyes (Henry Golding)

We start this series of with Snake Eyes, the main protagonist of the movie. His figure is 50 shades of black, which harks back to the original 1982 figure. He comes with 2 knives, a scabbard and his katana Morning Light.

Unmasked

The head sculpts really do resemble the actors. I remember looking at the promo video Hasbro made with Henry Golding and how excited he was about seeing his face on the figure. Now, keep in mind, the man is an actor, but still, I really do believe his excitement was genuine and looking at the sculpt, it really is great. Stubble and all.

Storm Shadow (Andrew Koji)

Next up is Storm Shadow. His outfit really does look very nice. At first, I thought the off-white would put me off, but the color doesn’t bother me as much I expected. He has 2 swords and a holder for them.

Tommy

And now, let’s turn our attention to the ladies. The movie figure set contains 5 figures of which 3 are women. G.I. Joe has always been a very inclusive line. Race and gender have all been represented during the 40 years of comic books and action figures. I do believe this is something that doesn’t get highlighted enough.

Akiko (Haruka Abe)

First off, we have Akiko, the Arashikage’s head of security. It’s a new figure and so there’s nothing to reference to, but again the look of the figure is really good. The black and white outfit may look simple, but it’s nice.

Jinx, no wait, Akiko.

Next up, we get The Baroness. Again, they did stay rather true to the look of the original figure, just updated to match the actress’s look and a more modern outfit. She comes with 2 Cobra knives, a pair of glasses – these will probably get lost quite easily – and a suppressed rifle.

The Baroness (Ursula Corbero)

I’ve watched all episode of La casa de papel (Money Heist) and wondered how she would portray The Baroness being from Southern Europe and The Baroness is traditionally Eastern European. I have to say she did good. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m jus not a fan of the choker around her neck. It looks a bit weird.

Choking Baroness

And then finally, we get the movie version of Scarlett. She too, gets an updated look and it really does fit the character. A little extra armor, a spot of color. It really is a good look. The only negative thing I can say about the figure is the lack of accessories. She only comes with her crossbow. Yes, it’s the most iconic weapon she wields, but still, I’d like to get some more.

Our favorite red-head.

That’s all for now. Don’t be disappointed, you just got to share in my joy to receive 7 figures in one week! I’ll be back soon. Until then, Happy Collecting and YoJoe!

The one that got away

This post could have easily come 5 years ago, when I had visited the Forbidden Planet store on Shaftesbury Avenue for the last time. I nearly bought a big set of G.I. Joe toys there, but I was with the train and limited in luggage space. That and it was the last day of our city trip and all my GBP’s were gone. Needless to say that I was seriously doubting to pull out the MasterCard, but my head won from my heart and so I settled for some new comic books.

Flashforward to September 2021 and here we are. As I’m writing this, you’ll need an international passport to travel to London from Belgium as a result of Brexit. So I didn’t go to London to pick it up, but I can say that finally I was able to score this set – quite affordable as well, since prices have done nothing but go up since 2016. Very glad to add the 2016 SDCC Exclusive G.I. JOE VS Transformers boxset.

It’s a BIG box.

It has to be a big box as not only does it contain a Scarlett and a Zartan figure, but it also has a H.I.S.S. Tank and a Rattler. Both vehicles are meant to be Transformers, though of course, they are just the original G.I. Joe molds without any transforming capabilities. The H.I.S.S. tank is the Decepticon Soundwave and has allied himself with Zartan (and Cobra I guess). The Rattler, is the Autobot Powerglide and has sided with Scarlett and the Joes.

Zartan and Soundwave

The H.I.S.S. mold is not the original one, but the 2005 model. The same mold was then re-used in 2014 to create the Septic Tank Mark II. As for the Zartan figure, that’s already the 23rd iteration of the figure. Ever since his original figure in 1984, his looks have changed quite a bit. Remember the 1993 figure? Yeah, I’m trying to forget that one. This figure though is more true to his original look. With the hood and facial make-up. His costume is a combination of black and grey this time and he came with webgear, armored chest plate, 2 guns and 2 swords. But also with some extra heads, including Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes’s head.

Scarlett and Powerglide

The Rattler mold used for Powerglide is still the original one used way back in 1984, which has seen plenty or re-usages over time. In 1998 and 2009 as the Tiger-Rat, in 1997 as the A-10 Thunderbolt and twice – in 2002 (the gold one) and 2008 – as just another Rattler. I actually got the 2002 model myself, bought it in a physical store here in Belgium. Can you believe it?

The Scarlett figure is only the 15th version since 1982. She comes equipped with her web gear, quiver and crossbow. In stark contrast with the black and grey from the Zartan figure, Scarlett is bright. The colors are all there reminiscent of her classic look, but the her red hair is blindingly orange and the yellow tones on her suit and boots are way too bright as well. Just as her lips, that cherry chapstick red is visible from miles away.

All things considered, this really is a very nice set and I’m very glad I can finally add it to my collection.

Thanks for your time and I will see you soon again with more news. Until then, Happy Collecting and YoJoe!

Little friends with Big Heads

Earlier this week my pre-order from Back to the toys arrived.

I had the figures pre-ordered way back in January. So it was a nice surprise to come back from a short holiday and see the box in my package locker.

The Baroness, Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow and Scarlett.

I know some people aren’t fans of the Funko Pop! line, but I really like them. They display nice and aren’t too expensive – most of them. So far, I’ve got quite the collection (see some of the previous posts on them). From these 4, the Storm Shadow digital camo figure has to be my favorite. Withe the Baroness and Snake Eyes a close 2nd. The colors on Scarlett don’t look quite right to me. The tan and green may be more reminiscent of the original Joes, but I like the faded blue/purple better with the tan of her costume.

Storm Shadow
The Baroness
Snake Eyes
Scarlett

In the end, I’m very glad to add these 4 figures to my collection.

Until next time. Happy Collecting and YoJoe!

This title is not a Red Herring.

No, it’s for a Red Ninja. The Special Edition Funko Pop Retro Toys Cobra Red Ninja to be precise. And a little something extra…

Cobra Red Ninja

Based on the original Storm Shadow outfit, but in red. This figure really looks the part of a mean ninja.

#79, the box’s side

This figure is released as part of the 2nd set of the Funko Pop Retro Toys G.I. Joe figures. On the back of the box is a checklist of the figures. They include Scarlett, The Baroness, Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow.

There is another Snake Eyes figure, a Funko Exclusive, packed with Timber. Naturally, I have that one too.

Funko Exclusive Snake Eyes and Timber

Happy Collecting and YoJoe!

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