First and foremost, I have to admit that it’s not often that I see a desert trooper decked out in blue and white camouflage.

That being said, that is really my only complaint about this figure, I find myself strangely loving almost every other single part of it.  It certainly helps that the base figure is one of my favorite G.I. Joe action figures of all time, the Pursuit of Cobra Jungle Duke.  I’ve loved that figure since the first time I ever set fingers on it, and this version of Dusty mimics it in all the best ways, and in fact, some might say improves on it with updated arms that include expanded wrist articulation, while maintaining the same range of motion.

For some reason I just love that combination of reactive armor and baggier jungle ops combat pants, and it helps that the articulation of the figure is spectacular.  Elbows and knees both have great range of motion, and simply by adding Dusty’s head on there, you can establish a whole new character.  No, it doesn’t make much sense to have Dusty in blue and white, but I’ve been pretty vocal in the past that I’m not huge on narrow-fit environmental operatives, so having a great character like Dusty available in color schemes beyond the traditional brown and tan of desert operations is totally cool with me.

Hasbro continues to do great with the “battle worn” Reactive Armor, showing streaks and worn metal throughout the torso in a pretty effective manor.  Dusty’s dark blue mixed with white/light blue camouflage does look a little strange and doesn’t fit much preconceived notions for me, but I find myself more than willing to overlook it because the figure is so good.

I will say from a structure/plastic quality perspective, the right knee of my figure is exceptionally loose, which is a bummer.  I’m looking into buying a second, though, because I love the figure that much.  I have no idea if the loose knee is unique to mine, or if it’s a common theme.  Also, my Dusty had a nasty smudge of paint on his face, which I was able to scrape off, but it still didn’t look real good.

Beyond those issues (which may be widespread QC related, or may just be specific to this particular figure) I love this figure a lot more than I ever envisioned.  Whether he’s fully equipped or just partially equipped, he is truly fantastic and a lot of fun to play with…errr… I mean display.

Accessories

Really, really great accessories here, too.  He’s got the helmet/goggles and collar with cape from his Pursuit of Cobra version, which layer on some great detail and character work to a desert operative who may find himself exposed in the wilderness for a long period of time.  He also comes with the two machine guns from the Retaliation G.I. Joe Trooper, one of my favorite figures in recent memory, though I wish the weapons weren’t blue.  He can hold them fairly well, but not perfectly, especially the sniper rifle.

Dusty also comes with the great webgear from the PoC Duke figure, along with the pistol and machete.

This figure is great.  Upon first glance I had no idea why they had chosen the paint scheme they did (and truthfully, I still don’t) but I can’t get over how much I love the figure formula underneath.  Sure, much of that credit should be given to previous sculptors and designers, but the choice to carry it forward was really good, and I’m surprised at how nicely it meshes with the PoC Dusty gear as well.  The result is a really great figure version of a good character that I’m happy to have in a non-desert specific paint scheme.