We now return to G.I. Joe Special Missions: Cobra Island! Taking a look today at the second wave of G.I. Joe Classified Cobra Island figures, exclusive to Target in the US. Many of us remember the first round last year which featured Beachhead, Cobra Trooper, Roadblock and the Baroness. A stain on the otherwise awesome relaunch of G.I. Joe in the 6 inch scale. Supremely awesome figures, horrible experience getting them.
That continues this round with the release of the Cobra Viper and Firefly. Both are extremely well done figures being put out in the worst possible way. Pre-Orders lasting seconds, videos of bots scooping up dozens at a time. Stores with limited supply, receiving them random times – some before, some on, some after the advertised street date. Target employees being annoyed to all hell about them, some knowing and some having no clue what’s going on, and collectors needing to hunt over and over in physical stores for a chance to get them during a global pandemic.
But, it is what it is. We can all bitch, moan, huff and puff, but at the end of the day we are collectors (see: addicts) and need our fix. As with the rest of the line, these are great figures, and we want them now. I struck out in the pre-order phase, and in my one attempt locally was greeted by 8 other fans in a Target isle waiting for the employees to do their job and stock the pegs. After several hours and multiple attempts to clear the area, a manager came over and said they weren’t there. 3 hours later those stock numbers went to zero online. Fun. Luckily a buddy scored an extra Firefly online and hooked me up. The Viper, caught one on eBay and then another from a friend after eBay was en route. Still waiting on them to land.
Now, on to the actual figure here. Firefly is a modern upgrade with classic notes. He has his traditional grey camo deco, goggles, comes with a bunch of bomb oriented tech gear. Instead of the traditional vest, he’s got a bullet proof focused one based on real life gear. The silhouette is different because of that, some think a little too far from the source. Personally I am ok with it, it’s within the scope of Firefly’s character and a modern remix of the classic. Many of the body parts are actually from previous figures, continuing the legacy of franken-joes. Again, completely fine with that, nothing feels out of place. It’s another core offering in the Cobra ranks that builds out the shelves. Well done, welcome addition, worth a pick up.
All of these will probably find themselves redone later in less exclusive fashion, and most likely with some changes. So if you aren’t fully addicted, but would get it if you could easily, just hold out. For the rest of us, we’ll hunt and pay the stupid tax on eBay. And then come online and bitch, our God given right as citizens of the internet. :)
Read on to check out our gallery, some base and fancy shots to show what he can do.
ICYMI: You can view all our previous galleries for G.I. Joe Classified here. We also updated the HissTank Database today with recent reveals and our base shots for in-hand figures.
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
G.I. Joe Classified Firefly In-Hand Gallery
G.I. Joe Classified Cobra Viper In-Hand Gallery
G.I. Joe Classified Zartan In-Hand Gallery
G.I. Joe Classified Major Bludd Photo Shoot
G.I. Joe Classified Flint, Lady Jaye and Cobra Infantry Gallery
G.I. Joe Classified Alpha Commandos Snake Eyes and Timber In-Hand Gallery
G.I. Joe Classified Snake Eyes Movie Wave 1 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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