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.
