That’s how I knew the Pursuit of Cobra line was going to be great. Any branch of G.I. Joe that could once again make me care about Duke was one that had to be respected. In fact, not only has Pursuit of Cobra convinced me that Duke is a credible character again, but they managed to take one of the most overexposed characters and make him quite possibly the best figure in Wave 1. The head sculpt, the webgear, the backpack, accessories, and posability. Everyone raves about Beachhead, but I gotta be honest, I think Duke’s got him beat.
So when Alexx over at JoeBattleLines took a look at the figure, I knew I had to make mention because the more people that know how bad ass this figure is, the better. In fact, if I can ever find Pursuit of Cobra on store shelves, I will likely buy a bunch of Dukes just so I can cobble together some awesome jungle recon teams. This figure is versatile, posable, and downright fantastic. Too bad it gets the short straw simply because he’s Duke. Check out the mirrored images below.
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It amazes me when people will say “Well if he was Muskrat I would totally buy it, but because it’s Duke I won’t.” If you like great figures you’re really doing yourself a disservice by now picking up this figure, he rocks on so many levels. And use some imagination, pop a different head on him if you need to! He’s too cool to pass up.
I’m with you guys, this figure is amazingly well done, and the accessories excellent. I didn’t think I’d like him, I’m definitely not a Duke fan, but now I’m glad there’s two in a case! He, Snake Eyes and Beachhead have made Wave 1 a more than worthy addition to the Joe line 🙂
The problem with this figure is the case assortment. Last night at a Wal Mart this is what I found: 6 Duke, 5 Storm Shadow, 5 Snake Eyes, 3 Beachhead, 1 Snow Job. No Alley Viper, no Cobra Commander, no Firefly. Which are the four figures with 2 in the case? Duke, Storm Shadow, Snake Eyes, Beachead.
Clearly Beachhead is more popular than Duke, but honestly I haven’t bought a single one of the four figures that are doubled up. Out of all of them I’m probably most likely to buy Duke eventually, but I haven’t felt any urgency because everywhere I go I see Duke and Storm Shadow, and usually Snake Eyes.
The figure is nice, but for all four of those figures there is nothing that really makes me think, “great! Another xxxxx” The only reason I’ll probably buy Duke is because I think the figure *is* great and he’d make a great new character in my Joe Universe, but he won’t be Duke. I might pick up Beachead and Storm Shadow, not because I like the figures, but because I like the accessories. Snake Eyes? Probably not.
I actually don’t mind him as Duke, since that story in the Devil’s Due books about Duke when he was working Black Ops. And like the above poster said, use a little imagination, and he’s someone else, which is just fine. I’ve long gotten over the idea that what Hasbro tells me a figure is needs to be who it is all the time.
Also, whining aside, these pics are great as usual!