G.I. Joe Classified launched in early 2020 and 2021 is kicking things off with a refresh of those wave 1 figures! When wave 1 dropped, a lot of folks thought that some of the figures had a bit too much bling going on, specifically Duke, Roadblock and Scarlett. They had a Fortnite / video game vibe with certain paint apps combined with the techy weapons.
Hasbro must have listened, because Scarlett and Roadblock were confirmed to be getting new streamlined paint jobs when they shipped in Wave 3 along with Zartan and Cobra Infantry. Then yesterday, Duke was confirmed to have a new less blingy deco too.
Today I got a box with some Wave 1 figures in it, expecting them to be the original Wave 1 decos, and Scarlett was actually the new 2021 refresh version. So Duke and Scarlett are in the wild now with the new paint, not necessarily coming from Wave 3 repacks. I’d bet Roadblock is floating around somewhere too.
All in all I dig the Scarlett, and from the promo pics of Roadblock and Duke, also dig those. I don’t need things to be 100% retro classic, and the original versions were not horrible or anything. These all are an improvement IMO, a better balance of modern upgrades and retro feels.
I’ve run Scarlett through a quick set of pics showing off the differences. You can see them after the break.
These come courtesy of Dorkside Toys. I can’t guarantee that if you order Roadblock, Scarlett or Duke that you will get any specific version. If you 100% want one or the other, please contact them first to verify!
Dorkside Toys G.I. Joe Links: Scarlett, Roadblock, Duke, Zartan, Cobra Infantry, Flint, Lady Jaye, All G.I. Joe
Kicking things off with the Scarlet Refresh.
Can see our previous sets here: HissTank's G.I. Joe Classified Galleries
G.I. Joe Classified Scarlett 2021 Refresh – In Hand Gallery
There's nothing Hasbro loves more than a good repaint to get you to buy the whole thing again.
So why keep the red and yellow? I guess so they don't have to alter the package art at all?
It might be an unpopular opinion, but I prefer the original, especially when it comes to the new paintjob on the face. Nu-Scarlett looks older and like she has a facial rash or something...she's not as cute anymore. And when they're side-by-side, the two figures look like mom and daughter now.
As for the uniform, I appreciate the attempt to tone the original down, but the color choices they went with are kinda drab. There have been really good repaints done by fans that tone the first figure down while evoking the original design more than this one did.
It's strange that they go to the trouble of repainting and don't make it match her original color scheme more.
Even if they didn't follow the Retro version's paint job by faking a leotard, it seems like there were better options here. Add truthfully, it would've needed fewer paint apps over all so it might have saved a few pennies.
They should have just painted it all black with red and grey accents.
But I still don't like the underlying design. No matter what color it is.
Nice! Now instead of being completely uninterested, I'm only uninterested from the neck down.
Still a pass for me . Might buy the duke. Roadblock still a pass also .
Let the hunt begin.
Keep reading: HissTank's G.I. Joe Classified 2021 Galleries - Page 2
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