25th Anniversary G.I. Joes
Wave 3
STALKER
Snake-Eyes was the first 25th Anniversary update to the original 1982 figure design. Stalker is the second and it really shows that future uses of this mold (for Grunt, Col. Hawk, Breaker etc.) will succeed as well. I thought the 2nd comic pack Stalker was the definitive version of the character, but he has been replaced by this 25th Anniversary resculpt. This is something you will probably hear me say in pretty much every mini-review :) Stalker didn't originally come with much - just a submachinegun. The resculpting process has allowed things such as removable webgear and working holsters/sheaths, so now Stalker seems really geared up for battle! The only negative of this figure is the fact that Snake-Eyes' initial 25th resculpt wears gloves. If you look closely, you can see the cloth wrinkles in Stalker's supposedly glove-less hands. Of course, this is just minor nit-picking - the figure really is incredible!
SHIPWRECK
Shipwreck always eluded me until 2006, when I finally managed to get a loose vintage figure in great shape for $5. No accessories, though :( His character was good comedic relief in the cartoon series; one of the "regulars", if you will. He didn't have such a big role in the comic but due to the saturation in the cartoon and the fact that he's got an instantly recognizable uniform, Shipwreck is an essential Joe character. His 2007 resculpt is faithful to the original, right down to the chevrons on his sleeve and his tattoo (a source of variations for those insane collectors :) It's nice to see Shipwreck back as a sailor and not a Navy SEAL - the bell bottoms, shotgun and Polly are much more memorable than his wetsuit look, or even his Spy Troops design (which wasn't too bad but definitely not classic). Yes, another great update and better than the original!
FIREFLY
Firefly has to be in my top 5 favourite Cobra characters. His urban camo and accessories make him one of the coolest character designs ever. Like Stalker, I considered his comic pack version to be the ultimate. I still do, only for the fact that the 25th Anniversary version uses most of the same mold as Beach Head, so Firefly no longer has his camo jacket. He now wears a camo sweater. This is not really a huge issue, but it does change the look of the character somewhat. He looks sleeker and a little bit cartoony. I think his headsculpt is based off the Devil's Due comic look as well. None of these changes make the toy bad, just different. He still looks great, especially carded - I've always considered a carded 1984 Firefly to be one of the best looking unopened toys ever. The 25th Anniversary version is no different. I would say that the accessories improve upon the originals - his back back is detailed very well, and the folding stock on his submachinegun is great. I just wish it was green :) Overall, yet another amazing resculpt of an absolute classic character!
ZARTAN
Zartan is one of the slight redesigns in the line so far. But really, it isn't much - he's basically just wearing a black sweater under his armor now, and the samurai-style shoulder guards are replaced with plates. The original was likely half-naked under his armour to promote the colour-change gimmick. Hasbro kept this with the new design by allowing his face to change, which is the only exposed flesh on the toy. His new gun is great - with a huge scope and silencer, one can imagine Zartan doing his deep cover sniping on unsuspecting targets. His mask-holding backpack is nearly the same as the original but doesn't have quite the same level of detail inside. No matter - it sits closed on his back anyway :) Zartan is a great example of how 25th Anniversary redesigns can keep the essence of the originals while adding a few new twists. Another great figure!
RED NINJA/SATAN
One of the cooler things about G.I. Joe is that lots of toy molds were licensed by Hasbro to toy companies in other countries. These companies often made interesting "International" variations of familiar toy molds/characters. Running along with this international re-use of existing molds is Hasbro's own re-use. Apparantly, making toy molds costs megabucks, so any re-use of a mold for a new variation/character is welcome. Back in the late 1980s, Argentina had an interesting take on the 1984 Storm Shadow mold. The new character was called Satan and I believe he was a Cobra sniper/assassin of some sort. A further part of this 2007 toy's story are the Red Ninjas from the G.I. Joe comic, usually portrayed as the remaining members of the Arashikage clan, who now work as assassins for Cobra. Hasbro has managed to tie all these threads together: this toy is a repaint/slight remold of the 25th Anniversary Storm Shadow (1984 representation); the card art is an homage to the Satan artwork; and the character is called a "Cobra Red Ninja". Quite an accomplishment on Hasbro's part and indicative that there must be some actual "Real American Hero" Joe fans on the design team, because some of these charcter elements are a little obscure, especially the Argentina connection. Another great figure, and it can sort of be considered an International 25th Anniversary figure!
MUCH MORE TO COME!
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