DSC_4095
One of the 80's properties being revamped in 2020 is none other than G.I. Joe, this time under the "Classified Series" moniker. Manufactured and released by Hasbro, these figures are of the 6 inch scale rather than the 3.75 inch scale figures back in day, so more in line with the last line I actually paid attention to, Sigma 6.. and by pay attention to, I mean I actually knew existed.
You see, I'm actually not a G.I. Joe guy... or really any other 80s property outside of Transformers and some TMNT.
Well, for whatever reason, these figures have been RIDICULOUSLY hard to find, probably due to a combination of COVID and actual rabid fans hoarding them all. I only was able to get a hold of Scarlett her thanks to some assistance from a collector in London, ON helping me out (@Daniel Koper) where apparently they were much easier to come by.
So why Scarlett? She's the only female release in the First Wave, that's why.
Real name Shana M. O'Hara, she's one of the G.I. Joe specialists in Counter Intelligence, is skilled in Martial Arts and Acrobatics, and her weapon of choice is the XK-1 Power Crossbow along with knives. There's a whole extensive fictional biography for her (Scarlett is almost 40 years old, you know) that I'm sure some fans could probably recite for me.
These figures retail for $29.99 CAD, which is the price point for pretty all of the Hasbro figures based on the Marvel Legends 6 in. body. While I'm not a huge Legends fan, each new product line using it does show some improvements, and I was curious about this.
Upon opening the box, you'll get Scarlett complete with Bandolier, her crossbow and three knives. No BAF components with this first Wave, and I'm thinking this is going to stay that way for the purposes of maintaining this price.
Much like with a Figma or a Figuarts, if you look at Scarlett you'll immediately recognize some standard Marvel Legends and Hasbro traits. The overall body shape is there. Thigh swivels are still a thing, as are being given hands that clearly are only meant for holding one things (and not having optional parts to swap them out). Another standard feature, namely the lack of paint wherever possible (in this case, the weapons) makes another appearance.
Having said that, the amount of paint on Scarlett herself isn't too bad.
I remember some people hating on the line (Scarlett in particular) because they were "too colourful" and "anime like". Looking at her Classified Series design and the classic 80s look, she's actually pretty faithful to the original look, while adding some new features. She's now got some gold to break up the yellow of her gloves, gauntlets, boots, and so on, and she now only has chest armour rather than a full torso piece.
Her boots are more interesting too, with red soles, and boosters behind her calf. Gauntlets have moulded and painted throwing stars. Of course, there's also that Bandolier I mentioned earlier. There's textures and other similar fabric features moulded into her suit. Overall, her outfit has been given that 2000s sensibility, and I'm digging it.
The quality of the paint apps, however, range from pretty sharp to, well, Marvel Legends. Still, that means on the whole, the paint application quality on Scarlett is above the expectations I have of a Marvel Legends product.
The head is a bit harder to judge. By itself it's decent. Fairly clean paint work (even the eyes) with freckles. Hair detailing isn't bad and again, features some decent paint work. The only real concern would be the Death Glare, but it's a Hasbro figure, and at least it's a clean looking Death Glare.
Of course, then I take a look at reference materials on the box itself.
Sure, she's got the right coloured hair, but her hair and facial features are off in comparison to her profile pic on the front and side of the box, and by the art on the back of the box, they missed highlights in her hair and the shape of her eyes and eyebrows are completely off.
What are you gonna do?
Articulation resulted in some pleasant surprises. Scarlett is without a doubt probably the poseable 6 inch Hasbro figure I've played with in a long time (Transformers are a partnership with Takara Tomy). You get ankle rockers and pivots, double jointed knees, thigh swivel, hips that pull down for more range of motion, an actual waist joint as well as mid torso ball joint, shoulders with chest compress, forearm rotation, single jointed elbows, wrist pivot, neck rotation, and ball jointed head with pivot.
I'm not saying Scarlett's a Figuart, but it seems like the G.I. Joe line has built on the improvements of the Lightning Series Power Ranger stuff. The pull down hips and waist add a great amount of posing versatility.
The shoulders are interesting with that additional joint that allows the arms to come together/spread further apart. The Power Ranger suits, had a cut in the tunic that allows for maximum range of motion. The potential for increased shoulder motion is there, but the chest section of the figures will need to be slightly reworked.
Overall, I'd say the lower body has some great articulation, and the upper body has potential to be great, especially with a shoulder fix and double jointed elbows.
Finally there's build quality. Again, all things considered, not too bad. The materials are somewhat soft, but feel stiffer than the stuff that the Lightning Series are made from. I imagine that stiffness is what allows for the various fabric details to show up. Similarly, I found an improvement in the quality of the parts finishes and the build as compared to the Lighting Series figures.
The G.I. Joe line up should do well with fans due to nostalgia and general fun in articulation. It's not a line I'm going to get heavily involved in, but I hope those that are into it get an enjoyable ride from the line while it lasts.
I'm just happy it seems that Hasbro seems to be getting their head in the game and actually looking at articulation as something that matters. Maybe by the next line, they'll have updated the actual bodies to offer more than one muscle build?
Here's hoping!
DSC_4095
One of the 80's properties being revamped in 2020 is none other than G.I. Joe, this time under the "Classified Series" moniker. Manufactured and released by Hasbro, these figures are of the 6 inch scale rather than the 3.75 inch scale figures back in day, so more in line with the last line I actually paid attention to, Sigma 6.. and by pay attention to, I mean I actually knew existed.
You see, I'm actually not a G.I. Joe guy... or really any other 80s property outside of Transformers and some TMNT.
Well, for whatever reason, these figures have been RIDICULOUSLY hard to find, probably due to a combination of COVID and actual rabid fans hoarding them all. I only was able to get a hold of Scarlett her thanks to some assistance from a collector in London, ON helping me out (@Daniel Koper) where apparently they were much easier to come by.
So why Scarlett? She's the only female release in the First Wave, that's why.
Real name Shana M. O'Hara, she's one of the G.I. Joe specialists in Counter Intelligence, is skilled in Martial Arts and Acrobatics, and her weapon of choice is the XK-1 Power Crossbow along with knives. There's a whole extensive fictional biography for her (Scarlett is almost 40 years old, you know) that I'm sure some fans could probably recite for me.
These figures retail for $29.99 CAD, which is the price point for pretty all of the Hasbro figures based on the Marvel Legends 6 in. body. While I'm not a huge Legends fan, each new product line using it does show some improvements, and I was curious about this.
Upon opening the box, you'll get Scarlett complete with Bandolier, her crossbow and three knives. No BAF components with this first Wave, and I'm thinking this is going to stay that way for the purposes of maintaining this price.
Much like with a Figma or a Figuarts, if you look at Scarlett you'll immediately recognize some standard Marvel Legends and Hasbro traits. The overall body shape is there. Thigh swivels are still a thing, as are being given hands that clearly are only meant for holding one things (and not having optional parts to swap them out). Another standard feature, namely the lack of paint wherever possible (in this case, the weapons) makes another appearance.
Having said that, the amount of paint on Scarlett herself isn't too bad.
I remember some people hating on the line (Scarlett in particular) because they were "too colourful" and "anime like". Looking at her Classified Series design and the classic 80s look, she's actually pretty faithful to the original look, while adding some new features. She's now got some gold to break up the yellow of her gloves, gauntlets, boots, and so on, and she now only has chest armour rather than a full torso piece.
Her boots are more interesting too, with red soles, and boosters behind her calf. Gauntlets have moulded and painted throwing stars. Of course, there's also that Bandolier I mentioned earlier. There's textures and other similar fabric features moulded into her suit. Overall, her outfit has been given that 2000s sensibility, and I'm digging it.
The quality of the paint apps, however, range from pretty sharp to, well, Marvel Legends. Still, that means on the whole, the paint application quality on Scarlett is above the expectations I have of a Marvel Legends product.
The head is a bit harder to judge. By itself it's decent. Fairly clean paint work (even the eyes) with freckles. Hair detailing isn't bad and again, features some decent paint work. The only real concern would be the Death Glare, but it's a Hasbro figure, and at least it's a clean looking Death Glare.
Of course, then I take a look at reference materials on the box itself.
Sure, she's got the right coloured hair, but her hair and facial features are off in comparison to her profile pic on the front and side of the box, and by the art on the back of the box, they missed highlights in her hair and the shape of her eyes and eyebrows are completely off.
What are you gonna do?
Articulation resulted in some pleasant surprises. Scarlett is without a doubt probably the poseable 6 inch Hasbro figure I've played with in a long time (Transformers are a partnership with Takara Tomy). You get ankle rockers and pivots, double jointed knees, thigh swivel, hips that pull down for more range of motion, an actual waist joint as well as mid torso ball joint, shoulders with chest compress, forearm rotation, single jointed elbows, wrist pivot, neck rotation, and ball jointed head with pivot.
I'm not saying Scarlett's a Figuart, but it seems like the G.I. Joe line has built on the improvements of the Lightning Series Power Ranger stuff. The pull down hips and waist add a great amount of posing versatility.
The shoulders are interesting with that additional joint that allows the arms to come together/spread further apart. The Power Ranger suits, had a cut in the tunic that allows for maximum range of motion. The potential for increased shoulder motion is there, but the chest section of the figures will need to be slightly reworked.
Overall, I'd say the lower body has some great articulation, and the upper body has potential to be great, especially with a shoulder fix and double jointed elbows.
Finally there's build quality. Again, all things considered, not too bad. The materials are somewhat soft, but feel stiffer than the stuff that the Lightning Series are made from. I imagine that stiffness is what allows for the various fabric details to show up. Similarly, I found an improvement in the quality of the parts finishes and the build as compared to the Lighting Series figures.
The G.I. Joe line up should do well with fans due to nostalgia and general fun in articulation. It's not a line I'm going to get heavily involved in, but I hope those that are into it get an enjoyable ride from the line while it lasts.
I'm just happy it seems that Hasbro seems to be getting their head in the game and actually looking at articulation as something that matters. Maybe by the next line, they'll have updated the actual bodies to offer more than one muscle build?
Here's hoping!