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under G.I. Joe Classified, Photo Shoots

Time for another look at the recent Cobra Island releases – this go round is for the Cobra Viper.  To all my brothers and sisters still on the hunt, I salute you.  As I’ve already stated, these come from eBay.  Obtaining them normally was difficult, had no luck, and I don’t like waiting.   You all know the deal, hopefully Hasbro and Target know the deal, and maybe next go around won’t be as bad.   I won’t hold my breath though.

The Cobra Viper is another great release for the 6 inch Classified Series.  Very classic vibes in both sculpt and paint.   He’s got removable goggles, a neck scarf to differentiate rank, backpack, pistol and rifle (both sci-fi style).  The vest is not naturally removable but can be done with a little effort.  Colors are very OG, a navy blue, red and black palette.  The iconic face shield is there and painted metallic silver using the same style as Cobra Commander from last year.  As with all of Classified, articulation is significant and everywhere, leaving nothing to want.

In the 1/18th scale – I never preferred the Vipers.  I always had some littered in, but I dug the Cobra Troopers more and focused on them for troop building.  Here though, I think the Viper works a bit better than the Cobra Trooper, or at least ties it in overall cool factor.  The bulky vest and helmet work better in the 6 inch scale I think, and this color combo really shines.  It’s just a sharp figure with a good stance.

I hope they repaint him over time in multiple color combos, as I would be happy to build out sub divisions.  That being said, this guy, just as he is here, needs to be more widely available at some point.  For him and the Cobra Trooper – once Target’s exclusivity is up I hope they offer case packs, or even some white box versions like they did recently with the AIM troopers for Marvel Legends.  Heck, toss 6 or 10 of them in a ziplock bag with a Hasbro Logo on it and I’m good.

Bottom line – another great figure made impossibly frustrating to get.  Keep on the hunt, watch eBay for a price that works for you, and grab him when you can.    Read on to check out our pics after the break!

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 Statues

Official Twitter account of Flame Toys, just tweeted out our first look at their Furai Model Snake Eyes & Storm Shadow.

The revealed images are unpainted prototypes of the toys. Though information is scarce, Furai Models usually sell at $50 each.

These figures are separate to their Hito Kara Kuri mecha line and features natural human figures.

You can checkout the images, after the jump.

under G.I. Joe Classified, Photo Shoots

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.

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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 Conventions, Toy Fair

A press release was posted by the Toy Association today, announcing that the re-scheduled New York Toy Fair 2021 event has been officially cancelled. They have announced that Toy Fair Dallas, currently set for October 2021, will still take place. New York Toy Fair is set to return in February 2022. Check out the full press release below.

The Toy Association Sets 2021-2022 Trade Show & Marketplace Plans

Focus will be on Serving all via Toy Fair Dallas 2021, Toy Fair New York 2022, and Toy Fair Everywhere

January 7, 2021 | As COVID-19 remains insufficiently resolved, The Toy Association has announced that it will not conduct an interim trade show in New York for 2021, which was previously planned to take place May 1 to 4. Plans for Toy Fair Dallas remain on course for October 2021 and providing an ongoing mix of physical and digital business opportunities for the industry will be the Association’s focus this year.

“Our foremost consideration is the health and well-being of the global toy and play community and setting a clear path forward,” said Steve Pasierb, president & CEO of The Toy Association. “We want to provide our exhibitors, retail buyers, and the larger toy and play community with certainty on important destination shows and the ability to take advantage of immediate opportunities through our year-round buying and selling platform.”

As uncertainty about the pandemic persists, The Toy Association remains keyed into what is possible − concentrating on its digital business offerings; bringing the industry back together in person for Toy Fair Dallas 2021 from Tuesday, October 5 through Thursday, October 7; and looking ahead to Toy Fair New York 2022 from Saturday, February 19 through Tuesday, February 22 in a newly expanded Jacob K. Javits Center, which will allow for new exhibitors, new educational offerings, expanded networking opportunities, and more.

Toy Fair Everywhere digital market weeks held throughout 2020 successfully helped toy businesses forge ahead amid the pandemic and brought in more than 3,000 buyers from 60+ countries, proving the global potential of the platform for doing business despite travel restrictions and different time zones. This February, the digital B2B marketplace will further establish its position as the toy industry’s first and only year-round platform, making new business opportunities possible every day.

The Toy Association will also collaborate with additional prospective retailers throughout 2021 on virtual private product preview events, which in 2020 created new avenues for nearly 400 toymakers to get their products on shelves. The next virtual event with specialty retailer Claire’s is scheduled to take place February 4.

“These proven digital opportunities should continue to be a critical part of every toy businesses’ mixed sales and marketing strategy,” said Marian Bossard, executive vice president of global market events at The Toy Association. “As we look forward to our time together at Toy Fair Dallas 2021 and Toy Fair New York 2022, the proof is in the pudding as to the potential of these digital tools and events to serve our members in reaching new audiences.”

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

It’s finally go time!  G.I. Joe Classified is officially out in the wild hitting select retailers already, with the fan channels not far behind.  We here at HissTank command have been waiting for this to happen for almost a decade, and it’s nice to actually have them in hand.  And boy, it was worth the wait.  Wave 1 consists of Roadblock, Snake Eyes, Destro, Duke and Scarlett. We are going to take a look at them one by one, starting with Scarlett.  Read on to check out 30+ pics and some thoughts, 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!

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under G.I. Joe Classified, Photo Shoots

Finally! After about 2 months of press releases, toy fair shots, leaked pics and reviews, actual retail shipments of G.I. Joe Classified Deluxe Snake Eyes have finally started hitting front doors. There were two waves of orders on day 1 – the first sold out pretty quick and those shipped last week. The second round were advertised to ship in June/July so if you haven’t got one yet, hold tight it’s coming later this year. Luckily we were able to get in on round one and today we are posting our pics and thoughts on the first 6 inch G.I. Joe figure, hopefully of many more to come – Deluxe Snake Eyes!

Read on to check out over 115 HD shots we took here at home base. These include basic white BG shots showing what he can do as a figure, the parts, some comparisons, and then some fancy shots at the end to get us all hype for some tabletop battles down the road!

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under G.I. Joe Classified, Photo Shoots

Yo Joe!  Next up in our looks at G.I. Joe Classified Wave 1 is #01 Roadblock.  He’s #01 in line, and features a mix of old cues and new elements throughout.  He ties with Scarlett for wave 1 figures with elements long time fans have concerns with.   Aside from a couple misfires in actual production, the core sculpt and figure is solid.  Read on to check out some additional thoughts on it all, along with 30+ shots 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

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