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So maybe I’m being too pessimistic.  I would be thrilled to be wrong, but I’m still having a hard time figuring where this latest wave of Alpha’s fit in the release cycle.  As we’ve already discussed, scores of Joe themed vehicles are hitting close out stores (which is not a good thing) and big box retailers don’t appear to be in any major rush to replenish fading Christmas stock.
I know many folks point towards a March, 2011 release date as proof that these are still coming, but if you remember the Pursuit of Cobra figure coverage, Wave 4 was also slated to hit in March, 2011, but instead hit nearly two months early.  The fact that vehicles did not joint this latest of wave of figures in early release is another sign to me that we will never see this series at typical retailers.
Given what’s happened over the past month, I would not be at all surprised to see them hit Ross or other similar close out stores, but I’m not holding my breath for mainstream release.  Which is why the Ashiko with Cycle Armor makes me weep.  I thought we’d dodged a bullet when it got cancelled, but then resubmitted for release in 2011, but now it seems as if it’s destined for retail obscurity.
I’ve read all of Gyre-Viper’s comments on it, and I know a lot of folks aren’t crazy about it, but I just think it looks awesome.  So weird and so crazy, but I love it in the G.I. Joe universe.  Plus, now that we have a clear look at the filecard and we know that not only is Ashiko a bad ass in armor who drives a robot motorcycle, but he’s A DAMN NINJA.
How can anything beat that?  Thanks to Gyre Viper for continually rubbing the salt in my wounds…check out the thread at HissTank.com, or the mirrored images just below.

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