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under G.I. Joe Classified, Photo Shoots

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

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under G.I. Joe Classified, Photo Shoots

COOOBRAAAA x 3!  As we round out the first year of G.I. Joe being back on retail shelves and it’s first dip into modern 6 Inch territory, it’s only fitting that Cobra Commander caps it off.  The Regal variant is a 3rd use of the Cobra Commander body (see the retail and Snake Supreme versions).  Main line had a dark blue and silver trim version.  Then we got word that app-first retail site NTWRK would be getting an exclusive color variant, without acknowledging the variant.  They got a promo copy and posted pics, told everyone to come get it.  Whoops, because that was a mistake, and they were just getting the regular one.  Everyone was sad.  But wait, Hasbro to the rescue, they decided to print the lighter blue variant, but not offer it via NTWRK, instead selling it on PULSE, and it would drop later in the year.  AKA this month.  And here it is.  Whew.

Bottom line, this is the same Commander that’s been out before, new colors.  Closer to some vintage Cobra Commander decos from years past.  In my opinion, all three are equally nice, all touch retro notes.  Depending on your taste or your setup needs – any one could work.  I’m happy displaying them all.

So to celebrate year one of G.I. Joe Classified, read on to take a look at Regal Cobra Commander after the break.  We’d like to thank Hasbro and the Joe team for kicking ass this year, we can’t wait for 2021 (for multiple reasons).  YO JOE! / CO-BRA!

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.

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under G.I. Joe Classified, Photo Shoots

Pimp Daddy Profit Director Destro is in the house!  It’s crazy that we are still in year one of the line and are already getting obscure repaints but I’m not complaining!  The newly titled Profit Director – which is an ingenious wordplay remix getting him in line with corporate sensibilities – rocks his maroon and red gear, gold head, animal print pops and a full on animal skin cape.   His accessories include a gold briefcase for all those Benjamins, flaming stack of cash because Destro DGAF, gold pistol, and pimp shades.  This is all a play off of a short run crazy version of Destro that came out in the late 90s commemorative sets.  You can read up on the history of that figure here.

All in all it’s a good execution that plays into old school lore.  He is a fan channel exclusive, so many non big box retailers will eventually have him in stock.  This one comes courtesy of Dorkside Toys even though I picked it up a while back on eBay because I couldn’t wait!  Read on to check out our shots!

Dorkside Toys G.I. Joe Links: Pimp Daddy Destro, Destro, Cobra Commander, Gung Ho, Red Ninja, Zartan, Cobra Infantry, All G.I. Joe

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.

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under G.I. Joe Classified, Photo Shoots

Straight from the terrorist organization(s) nefarious plot to give collectors across the country heart attacks and strokes, today we are taking a look at the exclusive Cobra Island Baroness and C.O.I.L. set.  The first 3 exclusives – Cobra Trooper, Beach Head and Roadblock V2 came first, with Baroness hitting stores a week or so later.  She is still trickling out, so if you are still looking hopefully you can score without hitting the aftermarket.  I was lucky enough to have a friend of a friend find one in the wild and offer it at cost, so big props to KamenRiderOOO and TokuChris over at TokuNation for that.  That being said, I’ve hit Targets an absolutely stupid amount of times since the end of July, probably more than I have been in that store in the last 3 years combined, and have only seen Roadblock on the pegs, once.   And that’s with tracking via Popfindr, bugging employees, and doing 100 mile circuits (at the start of this mess).

What makes it all that more frustrating – these figures are GREAT.  And Baroness especially.  Modernized suit with classic notes, color palette on point, epic face sculpt, good weapons.  It has it all.  The bike – the sculpt is good for a future techy style vehicle, but there is a lot of raw plastic going on and it feels a bit Playskool.  Some detailed paint and washing to bring it a bit more real world and it could work.

Bottom line – Baroness is a win.  Hopefully she keeps releasing widely at stores, and really – hopefully she releases single packed with minimal changes down the road. Red, blue and alt decos are cool, but she needs to be easily accessible in this black version at some point.

Read on to check some additional thoughts and over 75 HD images after the break!

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under G.I. Joe Classified, Photo Shoots

Next up in our G.I. Joe Classified galleries is the Amazon exclusive Arctic Mission Storm Shadow.  This is a play on the Ninja Force Storm Shadow deco from the 90s, right down to the white blocking on his navy blue torso.  He also comes with a white ice pick (sickle) like the original.  Sword, sheath, grapple hook and cord, bow, arrow and non-functional quiver are  also included, so he is ready for action.  The hood is removable exposing a sharp navy blue head wrap revealing just the eyes.  I preferred it this way once in hand.  Structurally – he was very loose.  The torso bend and waist joint are floppy.  Hips are a tad.  Makes for some very insecure posing. Once you get it there, so long as you don’t try to fine tune much, he can stand though.

All in all a solid design, but I am eagerly waiting for a traditional Storm Shadow to take top billing on the shelf!

He is currently sold out, but has been randomly coming back in stock at Amazon for short bursts.  Keep checking here and good luck!

Read on to check over 60 HD shots of Storm Shadow, basic and fancy style, including a little mountain battle with Snake Eyes!

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under G.I. Joe Classified, Photo Shoots

Yesssss.  The Commander has joined his Cobra troops in the Classified ranks with #06 Cobra Commander.  Part of wave 2, he comes packed with Gung Ho and the Red Ninja.  3 to a case, so other than Classified being on fire and blowing out everywhere, he should be relatively easy to find once things normalize.  This is his dark blue standard deco – he also has a Regal variant coming with a brighter blue, and a Snake Supreme variant which is even darker blue with red and gold highlights.  In package he has a dagger and gun – both with a snake theme, plus 2 extra hands – a closed fist and pointing finger.  There is a lot of painted detailing going on with the face mask, helmet, shoulder, buttons and chain, dagger and gun, Cobra emblems and leg stripes.  He also has a molded cape attached to overlay gear that is not easily removable.

We’ve run Cobra Commander through a session, read on to check out 50 HD shots and some additional thoughts.

You can view all our previous galleries for G.I. Joe Classified here.  We will also be updating the HissTank Database with base shots for each figure too.

This set comes courtesy of Dorkside Toys, hit them up if you want to sit back and have it all delivered later in the year!

Dorkside Toys G.I. Joe Links: Classified Wave 1, Destro, Cobra Commander, Gung Ho, Red Ninja, Pimp Daddy Destro, All G.I. Joe

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under G.I. Joe Classified, Photo Shoots

Next up in our look at G.I. Joe Classified Wave 2 is the Red Ninja!  This is another troop builder, and packed 1 per case along with Gung Ho and Cobra Commander.  He’s using the Snake Eyes body as a base with new overlay gear.  The weapons are plenty and are most of what was in the #00 Deluxe Snake Eyes set.  Colors are a mix of maroon, bright red and black with some tan highlights.

We’ve run the Red Ninja through the motions so read on to check out over 55 HD shots and some quick thoughts.  We’ve also run the rest of wave 2 so check back tomorrow for Cobra Commander!

You can view all our previous galleries for G.I. Joe Classified here.  We will also be updating the HissTank Database with base shots for each figure too.

This set comes courtesy of Dorkside Toys, hit them up if you want to sit back and have it all delivered later in the year!

Dorkside Toys G.I. Joe Links: Classified Wave 1, Destro, Cobra Commander, Gung Ho, Red Ninja, Pimp Daddy Destro, All G.I. Joe

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under G.I. Joe Classified, Photo Shoots

The Cobra Island mission may still be active for many of us, but today we start our next – G.I. Joe Classified Wave 2!  These guys starting hitting big box retailers recently, filling in the Wave 1 pegs that cleared pretty quick. The wave consists of Gung Ho, Cobra Commander and a Red Ninja.  The case break down is – 2 Gung Ho, 3 Cobra Commander, 1 Red Ninja.  Why?  To raise blood pressure I suppose.

We’ve run Gung Ho through the motions so read on to check out over 35 HD shots and some quick thoughts.  We’ve also run the rest of wave 2 so check back tomorrow for the next gallery!

You can view all our previous galleries for G.I. Joe Classified here.  We will also be updating the HissTank Database with base shots for each figure too.

This set comes courtesy of Dorkside Toys, hit them up if you want to sit back and have it all delivered later in the year!

Dorkside Toys G.I. Joe Links: Classified Wave 1, Destro, Cobra Commander, Gung Ho, Red Ninja, Pimp Daddy Destro, All G.I. Joe

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under G.I. Joe Classified, Photo Shoots

To all my fellow Tankers who were on the hunt these last 2 weeks (and this morning) but did not score, I apologize for this gallery.  I also did not find any in the wild, these figures come from an eBay purchase made after week 1 of the street date fiasco at a significant mark up.  The time, mental stress and gas money needed to stay ahead of others to actually get lucky and find these things in the two weeks they were not actually supposed to be sold was not worth it, so I gave in.

Based on what happened this morning – no stock available because it all sold prior to today, and the online orders just being the ability to buy the items in your local stores for pick up, that don’t have any because they sold prior to today, would have made me pop an eye.   I don’t blame any fan, or even scalpers, for hunting and scooping.   This is a result of Hasbro and Target doing things the way they did.  Underestimating demand, poor roll out methods, inability to cater to the collector market by large non-focused retailers, etc etc.

Personally, whenever things I collect are out in the wild, I want them.  ASAP.  I don’t like waiting.  Once one civilian anywhere in the world with a camera (aka everyone) shows that they have an item, I want it.  Waiting for weeks or months for it to filter out to retail, or waiting for another print run months later – not cool.  It actually makes me dip out of collecting lines.  I want to buy, open, experience the item, and then come online and talk about and share pics of that item with my fellow collectors that ALSO have those items.  I don’t want to be first because I bought from eBay or China, and I don’t want to be doing this in March of next year when half the fandom is done with these figures, when they are buried on a shelf behind wave 2/3/4 already.   We should all be able to enjoy these figures in real time, now.  The “Water Cooler Effect” applied to TV shows of the 00s, applies to modern fandom collecting, and it’s being killed by the way things are done industry wide.

I actually held off sharing these pics because I didn’t want to piss off others like me who couldn’t find them.  Waited for today, the almighty “street date” of 8/14, hoping that the situation in stores or online would make things better.   Did not, made things worse.  And unless something is put out on the wire today by Hasbro, it won’t be better.  So again, I apologize.  If you are pissed, let Hasbro know.  Hopefully they can adjust things in the future, and figure a way to get us Cobra Troopers without going in and out of 200 stores over the course of weeks – during a pandemic.

Now that my salt shaker has cracked open all over the front page, let me clean up and get back to business.  Read on to check out our gallery for the Cobra Island figures.  183 shots for Cobra Trooper, Beach Head and Roadblock are available after the break along with some quick thoughts on each.

Make sure to check our previous galleries for G.I. Joe Classified here.  We will also be updating the HissTank Database with base shots for each figure too.

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under G.I. Joe Statues, Photo Shoots

Kotobukiya have been producing G.I. Joe statues in their Bishoujo line for a bit now.  They currently have pieces for Barnoness, Scarlett and Lady Jaye.  The Bishoujo line is purposely done in an anime style for female characters, as per their description for it:

The Bishoujo Statue is a series of statues based off of Shunya Yamashita’s illustrations of various movie, game, and comic characters in the Japanese bishoujo (young beautiful girls) style. All of these statues are 1/7 in scale and make a great collection when displayed together.

Kotobukiya recently sent us a couple pieces to take a look at.  Baroness – in her 25th Anniversary Blue color variant scheme, and Scarlett in a sky blue and silver palette.  Baroness also comes (but not featured here) in traditional black and Crimson Guard red.  Scarlett has a traditional color version and this one.  Lady Jaye, not featured here, is also available via a traditional color version.

All in all they are well done pieces.  You have to be into the look, they are very unique and won’t fit in all collections.  But if you like to mix it up with different incarnations of G.I. Joe on your shelves, these will add something new for sure.

Read on to check out our shots, all are available at select retailers now!

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