GeneralsJoes semi-regular contributor Alexx has taken a number of good (and funny) pictures of the newly released G.I. Joe and COBRA 5-Packs. He originally posted his feelings in these three threads on JoeBattleLines, but I loved his pics so much, I asked if I could show them here as well.
Alexx’s opinions seem to really go in parallel with mine as far as these two sets go. While I applaud Hasbro’s desire to get out definitive versions of each of these characters, some of the changes strike me as a bit arbitrary and unnecessary, especially considering the upcoming Hall of Heroes assortment. Many folks thought that the best version of Lady Jaye to date was the one that came with the DVD Battle Pack, and I would agree. Yes, it’s true that this new version trumps that one in nearly every way, but was it necessary? Yes, it’s nice to have a Shipwreck with a less angry face and less popeye forarms, but from what I’m gathering, the construction is a bit sketchy and the face sculpt actually loses some of the character.
Hawk? Eh, not necessary, again. The single pack version was everyone’s favorite, I don’t see how some minor paint alterations really make him a whole lot improved over that version. I love that Flint finally has the short sleeves and gloves, so that’s great, though the Hall of Heroes version sports the same look. This 5-pack seems so built on the Animated style, why not do Flint in his somewhat greener colors as he appeared in the Sunbow cartoon? That would differentiate this version enough, I would think. Snake Eyes does look really cool, I have to say, in the all black, but with the Pyramids of Darkness tooling. But you just kind of sit back and see all of the new tooling that was done just to make some minor improvements on existing characters, and sort of lament the fact that the dollars couldn’t go to something a bit more worthwhile, especially since Hall of Heroes will most likely negate the cooler of these figures. You end up dropping $30.00 for an improved Lady Jaye, because Hawk and Shipwreck aren’t all that nice, while Snake Eyes and Flint are each getting the HoH treatment. I dunno… anyway, here’s Alexx’s G.I. Joe 5-Pack gallery:
As for the COBRA 5-Pack, it’s an even larger anamoly. It makes me happier, but more ticked off all at the same time. On the one hand you have Storm Shadow and COBRA Commander, two of the most overrused COBRA’s since day one of the Anniversary line, and they each only get minor alterations here. Sure, Storm Shadow’s sleeveless look is nicer, and it’s cool to see the new feet, but worth a totally new $30 investment? Absolutely not.
Then we have Zartan, who is a great figure, and has some interesting alterations, but honestly isn’t different (or cool) enough to expand on the version we got in Wave 11.
Which brings us to the last two… the Baroness and Viper are oustanding figures. Outstanding. Great tooling, a world of improvement over the original versions. The Baroness is quite possibly one of the greatest female figures ever made in the 3 3/4″ scale, and the Viper with his chrome faceplate (borrowed from COBRA Commander) and fixed wrists is the seminal COBRA trooper released so far in the Anniversary line. Yet both figures are released as “tagalongs” to a $30 set that contains mostly over-exposed characters with minor changes. Thankfully at least the Viper is coming in the Hall of Heroes line, so there is at least an opportunity to own that figure, but it still leaves me feeling somewhat disappointed.
But enough of my blabbering. Here are the rest of Alexx’s great pics:
That Baroness is great.
Is it me or does she facially resemble the Sigma Six version of the Baroness. I just feel like I am detecting some anime features in her. If she switched her glasses for some sleek semi transparent shades it would be clear homage to that version.
Love the figs, The viper and Baroness. Will pick up the pack for those two.
-Anonymous
Gen. Hawk, is this basically your review of the figs, or are you going to review them in more detail?
Does the Hall of Heroes Snake Eyes and Flint come with backpacks? If so, I’ll pass on the joe set. I really don’t feel like dropping $30 for 1 fig I really want.
I did get the Cobra set, and I agree the Baroness alone makes it worth while. Her hands are a little soft when it comes to holding guns though. The Viper is a nice bonus. Especially compared to the original. If this figure came out as a regular single card instead of the more expensive HoH card I’d squad build ’em. As it is, this guy will become the Squad leader for my regular Vipers. I actually like that they’ve fixed CC’s clenched fist.
One thing Hawk, the head on the Viper is not the same as CC’s chrome head from the DVD pack! It’s a brand new sculpt (and a bit larger).
the cobra 5 pack was mostly good for me. ive never seen the wave 11 zartan in stores so to have him here is good. stormy just looks more…right in this outfit than the original did so i like this one better. we all know the original baroness sucks. finally, a fixed viper. too bad the upcoming viper 5-pack doesnt use this one for whatever reason hasbro have convinced themselves with was a good one. the only one i dont really have use for is the commander. if i hadnt gotten the comic pack with tripwire then id use this one as my default. but i like the comic pack one too much
so four out of five isnt bad. i almost bought the joe pack, but couldnt convince myself it was worth the money for a lady jaye with fixed hands
interesting sidenote: with this pack, i have replaced all but one of the figures that came in the original 5 pack (the only one i havent replaced is the trooper. army built him though). if i had known then what i know now, i wouldnt have even bothered with it
Anon, I’m honestly not sure what I’m doing about reviews at this point. I really don’t have the cash to drop $60 for a few remade figures, so I can’t guarantee I’ll be picking these 5-packs up. If I do get them, I’m going to try like heck to do a full blown review of them.
Ogre, HoH Flint does come with a backpack, but it doesn’t look like Snake Eyes does.
Alexx, thanks for the elaboration!
I said it before, but it warrants saying again, great pics!
“Ogre, HoH Flint does come with a backpack, but it doesn’t look like Snake Eyes does.”
And that’s what pisses me off about all these repaints. You can’t get an ultimate or complete figure in one shot. Now Stormy comes with nunchuks in this set, but his paint scheme is off. Duke finally gets his arms fixed and his proper backpack, but only in Tigerforce colors. I know Hasbro is trying to make money, but this seems excessive. They’d make a ton of money if they released this new viper as a regular single card. They wouldn’t keep ’em in stock. But for $3 extra dollars per fig, they shot themselves in the foot. I guess I’m annoyed that half of both of these sets are coming out in the Hall of Heroes.
Picked up the Joe pack Saturday (plenty in stock at TRU). Flint not as good as I would have liked but using the head from Cobra uniform Flint he turns out better. I put the 5 pack flint head on the 5 pack Hawk and removed Hawk’s shoulder holster. Pretty decent new figure. I’ll call him Colonel Reilly. Happy to get Lady Jaye as I did not buy any DVD packs.
Hit and Run – Joe army builder?