I’d say if you like that Chuckles you did it right! He was never a favorite of mine, so I won’t miss him as an exclusive.
G.I. Joe Classified Series (1:12)
- Thread starter K-Tiger
- Start date
I always liked his role in special missions, sort of a go-between with the intelligence community. He always knew more about the missions than he let on. I liked to think of him more as a loner/undercover agent, buzzing around in his CIA huey, just pulling in joes when he needed more muscle.
Then the IDW series made him a different kind of badass.
I'm not sold on the head sculpt, and the tortured head looks goofy, but I still had to have one.
Grabbed one hiss fire team and one deluxe Tripwire after the sdcc panel. I do like how tripwire can be made to look classic or more modern heavy duty EOD with the alternate vests and helmets.
Crimson twins and Baroness have people all spun up... I think the look terrible, excluding the alt Baroness head with round glasses. Hard pass on that set.
Cobra MMS with black hiss team techno viper... I'll get one to go with the fireteam, but the purple can't be too far away. And Joe MMS can't be either.
Clutch and VAMP... autobuy, my first Joe and favorite vehicle.
General Hawk, dreadnoks, helix, and other renders look great, can't imagine skipping them.
Secret Mutt and Junkyard reveal, they look awesome.
Then the IDW series made him a different kind of badass.
I'm not sold on the head sculpt, and the tortured head looks goofy, but I still had to have one.
Grabbed one hiss fire team and one deluxe Tripwire after the sdcc panel. I do like how tripwire can be made to look classic or more modern heavy duty EOD with the alternate vests and helmets.
Crimson twins and Baroness have people all spun up... I think the look terrible, excluding the alt Baroness head with round glasses. Hard pass on that set.
Cobra MMS with black hiss team techno viper... I'll get one to go with the fireteam, but the purple can't be too far away. And Joe MMS can't be either.
Clutch and VAMP... autobuy, my first Joe and favorite vehicle.
General Hawk, dreadnoks, helix, and other renders look great, can't imagine skipping them.
Secret Mutt and Junkyard reveal, they look awesome.
Hawk, Shockwave (will need to give him a better gun), Helix (minus the ninja crap), Mutt + JY (also will need a better weapon I think) and the Dreadnoks are definitely yeses. As long as the price isn’t prohibitive, the Vamp will be my first Joe CS vehicle.
Tripwire, Cobra MMS, Crimson set, PP Copperhead, all hard passes for me.
Tripwire, Cobra MMS, Crimson set, PP Copperhead, all hard passes for me.
Cobra mms is only useful if you backed the hiss, same with the fireteam. And yeah, the crimson & PP stuff is a pass. The number of repaints is staggering for a line this young. Every trooper seems to have 3-4 decos already. It took nearly a decade to get there the first time around!
Gotta say, I figured you'd like tripwire... not because he's a great character or anything but just for the realism of his updated gear.
I've gotten so used to my custom Clutch, the official one looks weird. I may end up making a hybrid version before it's all over.
Gotta say, I figured you'd like tripwire... not because he's a great character or anything but just for the realism of his updated gear.
I've gotten so used to my custom Clutch, the official one looks weird. I may end up making a hybrid version before it's all over.
So I don’t hate the Tripwire, but I simply don’t have a place for him. He’s under-armed and serves a function that seemed to be going obsolete, at least until the revival of cluster munitions in Ukraine. I never cared for him back in the day, and now I’m afraid he’ll just remind me of some of the nastiest videos I’ve seen come out of the Ukraine war.
Speaking of Clutch, I love the update they did on him, and that crazy helmet with the face shield. He’s gonna need a carbine though.
Speaking of Clutch, I love the update they did on him, and that crazy helmet with the face shield. He’s gonna need a carbine though.
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Other than the egregious tattoos that I'll remove instantly, I like Clutch too. Again, I'm going to have to let the face sculpt grow on me, but overall he's a well done update. The VAMPs proportions though... I ranted about this on TFW. They need to be more Lamborghini jeep, less chibi Tonka.
I assume Clutch's full helmet is much like Grunt's, so you can make him an army builder rather than having a duplicate figure *when* you buy more than one VAMP.
I like tripwire's head sculpt. Before the selfie-series, that's probably the head I'd have used if I were to make a custom of me. My hair is basically like that, just much darker brown (now with a little grey). I agree his specialty is rather antiquated, but the drone and remote help him be used as more of a generic EOD specialist than specifically "minesweeper", which does feel obsolete.
I assume Clutch's full helmet is much like Grunt's, so you can make him an army builder rather than having a duplicate figure *when* you buy more than one VAMP.
I like tripwire's head sculpt. Before the selfie-series, that's probably the head I'd have used if I were to make a custom of me. My hair is basically like that, just much darker brown (now with a little grey). I agree his specialty is rather antiquated, but the drone and remote help him be used as more of a generic EOD specialist than specifically "minesweeper", which does feel obsolete.
A lot of what we already know, but a few new name drops and some info on the return of Retro packaging:
And now for the least desirable new releases...
Hasbro G.I Joe Classified Series Tiger Force Flint (89) & the Cobra Ninja Mercenary: Python Patrol Vypra (88) Figures
Hasbro G.I Joe Classified Series Tiger Force Flint (89) & the Cobra Ninja Mercenary: Python Patrol Vypra (88) Figures
toynewsi.com
Amazon just delivered a box of Eels, 7x to be exact. 1 MIB, 1 for a Guillotine (plague) custom, 5x actual diver squad... and one of those might get some kind of "officer" upgrade/designation.
Nice! I recently got the notice of the Eel delivery date changing to 8/10-14 for us filthy non-Primers. 
I got a few moments of private time to do a little modernizing. I'm pretty satisfied with the results. Thank you, nacho!
I know nacho is not a fan of Duke much at all, but I like him a lot better with the helmet and plate carrier than just the sash. I gave him his original glammed up rifle again... because he's Duke, that's why!
I had to cut RnR's bullet belts as expected, but I think they came out well enough to still represent the iconic look. They look a little less planned and a little more draped, but, honestly, those suckers don't let you plan anything IRL, so draping is actually a little more legit. Only thing I think he still needs is a legit bullet box (just like the one on his M60) on his battle belt somewhere. Time to see about doing a little shopping...
I know nacho is not a fan of Duke much at all, but I like him a lot better with the helmet and plate carrier than just the sash. I gave him his original glammed up rifle again... because he's Duke, that's why!
I had to cut RnR's bullet belts as expected, but I think they came out well enough to still represent the iconic look. They look a little less planned and a little more draped, but, honestly, those suckers don't let you plan anything IRL, so draping is actually a little more legit. Only thing I think he still needs is a legit bullet box (just like the one on his M60) on his battle belt somewhere. Time to see about doing a little shopping...
I don't hate Duke, but I just prefer the OG blonde guy leader. However, I like what you've done with him there (aside from the gold accent weapon ). The muted green of the helmet and vest looks better than the really bright green of his stock holster and such. I'll bet we can color match that pretty close to a vallejo or tamiya acrylic.
). The muted green of the helmet and vest looks better than the really bright green of his stock holster and such. I'll bet we can color match that pretty close to a vallejo or tamiya acrylic.
I was pleasantly surprised to see some significant Joe CS on the shelves at WM last evening. 2x RnR and 1x Shipwreck priced at $22, 4x Scrap Iron and 4x latest SE priced at $45, along with the usual peg warming Gung Hos, Baroness and LJs priced at $25. Hasbro's normal supply chain finally functioning again?
I took a good look at Shipwreck (what I could see with the non-plastic box at least), but just couldn't do it, not even for $22. He's so... bland... and comes with very little. I would love to see him in some kind of a tactical outfit. I'd be all over that. But plain old 1980's sailor outfit? Hard pass.
I took a good look at Shipwreck (what I could see with the non-plastic box at least), but just couldn't do it, not even for $22. He's so... bland... and comes with very little. I would love to see him in some kind of a tactical outfit. I'd be all over that. But plain old 1980's sailor outfit? Hard pass.
I couldn't resist. Boring or not, he's pretty iconic. I can't picture him without hearing that Nicholson-esque voice slowly and sarcastically giving everyone the business.
My WM also has a RnR and Shipwreck, no Scrap Iron yet. Still, I'm hoping that bodes well for future waves. It's no surprise that no one ever sees a Torpedo, because he's the good figure of the wave.
Haven't taken any pics yet, but I opened 6x Eels, and they're pretty great if you can overlook their lack of a real weapon, just torpedo's speargun. No doubt, one or more of the 3P weapon makers will go after the classic Eel gun (I don't even know if it was based on a real weapon or a hasbro special).
And I just happened by an Ollie's the other day. Couldn't help but stop in. I was pleased I didn't find one of those $15 Fortnite boats, or I'd be just another internet asshole taking it apart and painting it like a moccasin or moray. That was a project I didn't need but wouldn't have been able to pass up a cheap boat. I did buy a $4 movie SE and some sub-$10 marvel legends for custom parts.
My WM also has a RnR and Shipwreck, no Scrap Iron yet. Still, I'm hoping that bodes well for future waves. It's no surprise that no one ever sees a Torpedo, because he's the good figure of the wave.
Haven't taken any pics yet, but I opened 6x Eels, and they're pretty great if you can overlook their lack of a real weapon, just torpedo's speargun. No doubt, one or more of the 3P weapon makers will go after the classic Eel gun (I don't even know if it was based on a real weapon or a hasbro special).
And I just happened by an Ollie's the other day. Couldn't help but stop in. I was pleased I didn't find one of those $15 Fortnite boats, or I'd be just another internet asshole taking it apart and painting it like a moccasin or moray. That was a project I didn't need but wouldn't have been able to pass up a cheap boat. I did buy a $4 movie SE and some sub-$10 marvel legends for custom parts.
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Oh, I agree that's his iconic look, but once they released a proper battle ready version in the 25th, there was no going back for me 
. Agreed as well that Torpedo is a great figure, though he could definitely use a proper land version too, though I don't believe it has ever happened before. His Joe CS scuba look is near perfect though!
As a filthy sub-Prime
, I'm looking forward to hopefully getting my Eel by the end of next week and pairing him up with Torpedo in a special "underwater" battle display. That spear gun is truly the only obvious disappointment I can see with the Eel offering as well. LMK if you do find a source for a proper Eel two-spear-plus-"zapper" gun for him. I don't know how they justified leaving that signature weapon unmade. Sometimes the line is great, other times I just shake my head.
Glad you didn't get sucked into the lamo knock-off custom trap! You've got way too much left to do creating those spot-on OG 13 figs! Looking forward to seeing the next one(s)!
. Agreed as well that Torpedo is a great figure, though he could definitely use a proper land version too, though I don't believe it has ever happened before. His Joe CS scuba look is near perfect though!As a filthy sub-Prime
, I'm looking forward to hopefully getting my Eel by the end of next week and pairing him up with Torpedo in a special "underwater" battle display. That spear gun is truly the only obvious disappointment I can see with the Eel offering as well. LMK if you do find a source for a proper Eel two-spear-plus-"zapper" gun for him. I don't know how they justified leaving that signature weapon unmade. Sometimes the line is great, other times I just shake my head.Glad you didn't get sucked into the lamo knock-off custom trap! You've got way too much left to do creating those spot-on OG 13 figs! Looking forward to seeing the next one(s)!
We got a couple of land Torpedo figures in the JvC and VvV eras, but yeah, they're few and far between.
Mark2Design has an ARAH Eel gun/backpack set, but it sold out quickly, no idea what it cost. Supposed to restock next week, so we'll see if it's reasonable to equip a squad.
I didn't get sucked into the Fortnite boat project, BUT Ollies had the Fortnite arcade machines for $2, and I'll be tempted to go back for a few of those to reskin for a spiffy 1:12 arcade.
Mark2Design has an ARAH Eel gun/backpack set, but it sold out quickly, no idea what it cost. Supposed to restock next week, so we'll see if it's reasonable to equip a squad.
I didn't get sucked into the Fortnite boat project, BUT Ollies had the Fortnite arcade machines for $2, and I'll be tempted to go back for a few of those to reskin for a spiffy 1:12 arcade.
Well, the 1:12 arcade is an ongoing project, so it's technically not a new thing, just a revisiting of an older goal.
Who doesn't want an arcade for the Joes to hang in? Imagine Serpentor losing at Dig-Dug! The photo possibilities are endless...
I’ve heard of varying levels of quality from the Eels. With your sample size, you seeing any variations?
No, other than various degrees of deformity in the speargun, which I assume would correct with hot water, I haven't seen any difference among them.
AF Desert SB is definitely better than Butter Pecan SE
"Oh, we're going to the desert? I'd better put on my brown footie pajamas!"
"Oh, we're going to the desert? I'd better put on my brown footie pajamas!"
How rushed does the photog have to be that he/she can't be bothered to get both knee pads facing forward for the official pics? 
I agree, but that's roughly tenth on the list of things wrong with that figure. Talk about a lazy repaint. Let's just make him all brown.
Next we'll do jungle SE, all green. Lava Pit SE in all day-glow orange. It'll be just like Mattel's 1990's Batman line. Solar SCUBA Hang Gliding Laser Snake Eyes... blue with chartreuse trim and a red spring-loaded nerf gun.
Next we'll do jungle SE, all green. Lava Pit SE in all day-glow orange. It'll be just like Mattel's 1990's Batman line. Solar SCUBA Hang Gliding Laser Snake Eyes... blue with chartreuse trim and a red spring-loaded nerf gun.
So it appears my Eel has shipped and should be here tomorrow. With that I'll have gotten all of my "September" figs except for Snow Job (c'mon, Pulse
). So far, all the others are still predicting November and December. However, I heard on a video today that H'bro is starting to catch up, so, factoring in recent history as well, we could see some of those bouncing our way as early as October or some maybe even in September.I've already recently shipped off the Crimson Twins, a spare Cobra Trooper and Spirit, along with about six pop figures to my daughter. I may have to work out some additional hand-offs to make space for the expected releases toward the end of the year. It's kinda nice to have some product flowing in, but makes my wallet hurt a little.
It seems to come in spurts. July was brutal, August has seen scant new product.
But Snow Job, Big Ben, Range Viper, Televiper, Female Cobra Trooper 2-pack, Snow Serpent, and Steel Corps 2-pack, all seem to be in the hands of reviewers, so I'll be stunned if they don't show up here in September. So yeah, we could have a wallet-clobbering month on the way.
Two more of my retro SE figures shipped and should be here tomorrow. Now just waiting on the last two to eventually drop. The rhyme or reason seems to be pretty random.
But Snow Job, Big Ben, Range Viper, Televiper, Female Cobra Trooper 2-pack, Snow Serpent, and Steel Corps 2-pack, all seem to be in the hands of reviewers, so I'll be stunned if they don't show up here in September. So yeah, we could have a wallet-clobbering month on the way.
Two more of my retro SE figures shipped and should be here tomorrow. Now just waiting on the last two to eventually drop. The rhyme or reason seems to be pretty random.
So all four of my remaining retro WM SE's showed up this morning, two in a bubble mailer, two in a properly sized box. You can imagine the difference in quality of the cards. Two are pristine and two look like they've been attacked by a menopausal wolverine. Good thing I was planning to open all but one!
Gotta love the sheer 
randomness of Walmart - their stores, their website, their shipping, sometimes even their pricing. "Ya neva know whatcha gonna get..."
randomness of Walmart - their stores, their website, their shipping, sometimes even their pricing. "Ya neva know whatcha gonna get..."
WTH... Parth Varma, aka "Wolf Spider". Not sure why they gave that name to an Indian guy, as we have wolf spiders aplenty here. It is assumed this is some upcoming WM exclusive given his NF affiliation.
Nothing says "Night Force" like neon yellow accents!
Nothing says "Night Force" like neon yellow accents!
Seems like we are getting mighty obscure already while we still have a lot of early Joes not yet represented...
The more I look at it, the more I think this is some clever interwebs hoax/custom. I can't wrap my head around hasbro making something this random. All the parts except one of the visors looks identifiable, and that visor looks kinda custom. I'm 70/30 on calling bullshit on this figure.
Nothing about it is quite up to par. The paint looks custom, the artwork is nice but not up to hasbro standards, and all the parts are reuse. Nope, I'm just not buying it, literally or figuratively.
Nothing about it is quite up to par. The paint looks custom, the artwork is nice but not up to hasbro standards, and all the parts are reuse. Nope, I'm just not buying it, literally or figuratively.
He looks like he should have been another unlock for the Dragonfly. I literally have never heard of this guy until now. If he's a fake, somebody put a lot of time and effort into it, between the box art and the pics.
it's a new character for sure, but I'm not convinced it's legit. Look at the helmet. It's like a valaverse ear-mic and NVG attached to an x-wing pilot helmet. Something about it doesn't jive.
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Apparently neither is "Wolf Spider", otherwise they wouldn't use the codename in the middle of the real name. They only do that with the names they can't copywrite like Flash and Hawk.
Of course Snow Job is set to ship/deliver while I'm away on vacation. Something to look forward to when I go back to the office I suppose.
Do the pulse members get it sooner? Got him already?
Do the pulse members get it sooner? Got him already?