COOOOOOBRAAAAA! Our first Cobra Enemy has arrived in the Classified line – DESTRO! The first wave is Joe heavy, but #03 Destro does not disappoint. He rocks a very traditional black, grey and red outfit, metallic silver paint on the head, open shirted swagger, and his trusty arm rockets are molded in. He comes packed with a golden pistol, laser gun and Cobra briefcase. His belt/holster/leg pouch and trademark gold chain can be removed.  We’ve run him through a set so read on to check out 50+ shots and some additional thoughts after the break courtesy of Dorkside Toys!
Related G.I. Joe Links: Classified Wave 1, Destro, Snake Eyes, Cobra Commander, Red Ninja, Pimp Daddy Destro, All G.I. Joe
ICYMI – We’ve updated the HissTank Toy Database with a G.I. Joe Classified section. We’ll be updating that as the series progresses, filling in the pages with more info as well. Feel free to bookmark that to keep up with the line!
And don’t forget to check out our gallery for the exclusive line first – #00 Snake Eyes!
G.I. Joe Classified #03 Destro
Overall Thoughts
Winner! This guy takes top prize of Wave 1 for me. Very classic tones throughout, they didn’t stray too far from the source. Deep v pimp collar (no shirt), check. Arm rockets, check. Metallic head, check. Gold chain, check. Black and red, check. Ironically, the weapons dealer who peddles in future tech doesn’t have much armor plating built into his mold like the Joes do. We get some slatted patches on the shoulders and chest to break up the black suit a bit, but it doesn’t detract from the OG feel.
Articulation is great throughout, like the rest of the line. All cuts, swivels, bends, crunches & joints are there, it’s a full checklist run. The silver paint on the head is well done, it’s applied on the neck as well allowing for full range of movement without a weird cut line. The only small nitpicky angle would be the eyes, the green gets lost due to being just the pupils.
All in all, best of line so far, and really happy with his execution. Check him out for yourselves below. Check back tomorrow for our last of wave 1, Snake Eyes!
OK, gonna run through Wave 1. Since that ongoing 6 Inch Thread is gigantic, feel free to sound off on Wave 1 thoughts and feedback you guys have yourself here, again, if you like. I'll be dropping a gallery a day till done, hopefully.
We've also updated the HissTank Database with a Classified section - you'll be able to find the basic shots there as well going forward:
G.I. Joe Classified Toy Database at HissTank.com
All of these come courtesy of Dorkside Toys.
Related G.I. Joe Links: Classified Wave 1, Destro, Snake Eyes, Cobra Commander, Red Ninja, Pimp Daddy Destro, All G.I. Joe
First up - Scarlett
G.I. Joe Classified Scarlett In-Hand Gallery
Next up - Roadblock
G.I. Joe Classified Roadblock In-Hand Gallery
Yo Joe! Duke is up
G.I. Joe Classified Duke In-Hand Gallery
DESTRO is LIVE!
G.I. Joe Classified DESTRO In-Hand Gallery
... ... ...
G.I. Joe Classified Snake Eyes In-Hand Gallery
Love those sex robot eyes.
The more I evaluate the ones I have in hand (Duke & SE), the more I realize specifically what I don't like about the ones I have no intent on purchasing. I thought at first it was the costume overhaul for Scarlett, but it's really just the head. The overhaul sculpt is way too soft and cartoon-y. The earrings are a very odd choice. The hair is an unnatural shade that departs from most previous popular incarnations. Far be it from me to pretend as an authority on Scarlett, but more so than every other Wave 1 figure, this just feels like an entirely different character.
The thing about this Scarlett - aside from the outfit/gear choice, that's per taste (and I don't mind it), it's just that it feels detached from the rest. Duke, SE, Destro have the same tone, sculpt style, level of OG connection. Scarlett kinda feels like Fortnite Scarlett, in deco and head sculpt. So it feels detached. I'm sure someone hardcore could argue it either way, but that's my unscientific gut feeling after handling.
Now we need a Quarrel recolour
I have waited so long to get these in hand knowing they were ready to be produced for years! Personally I like they are adding a little change to the line knowing perfectly well they are going to make every version fans want over time. So keep making them and I will buy them. The Destro is just perfect. One of my favorite action figures of all time.
If you look at the cover of G.I. JOE AMERICA'S ELITE #4 thats where they got this design for Scarlett. I wish the hair was a darker shade of red. She's way to pale in skin tone. I don't think she really needed the red chaps. Articulation wise shes great, she just doesn't quite fit in with the other four to me. I hope they do another version Scarlett is one of my favorite characters.
Personally, I ADORE this Scarlett. I love the face sculpt, the design, the more orange-y red hair, the freckles, etc. It's a near-perfect rendition and modernization of the character. I wouldn't change a thing, other then MAYBE toning down her colors just a wee little bit. But overall, fantastic.
And Tony, I don't agree that she stands alone from the other Joes in terms of design. She's a bit more colorful sure, but her original outfit contrasted with her teammates as well. Overall she fits in the same as she did back in the 80's. I mean, look at the design of her knee pads/shin guards...they have a lot of the same aesthetics as Duke and Roadblock and if her colors were toned down a tiny bit I think she'd fit 100%. We've seen fan repaints that confirm this.
Keep reading: HissTank's G.I. Joe Classified Wave 1 Galleries - Page 2
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