As the lone survivor from BattleForce: 2000’s ill-fated mission to Trucial Abysma, Dodger has gained somewhat mythical status in G.I. Joe lore. He became an active character in my dio-stories for that reason and when Bench Press comics was poised to reinvigorate the G.I. Joe comic license, Larry Hama’s team featured Dodger front and center. For that reason, he’s generally the central focal point of most everyone’s BattleForce: 2000 memories, myself included.
This current iteration of Dodger does a pretty good job of updating him for modern day action. While not excellent, the new head sculpt does the job it’s meant to do (though without the microphone, grumble, grumble) and looks a lot better than Avalanche and Blocker. Dodger uses some great modern parts with excellent articulation (I will always love those arms) that retain some of the vintage aesthetic, yet also look nicely modernized.
Dodger has a great muted paint scheme, evocative of his vintage look with well orchestrated camouflage patterns on his legs and a great combination of gray and green to mimic his vintage look. I love that they gave him the brown tank top underneath the armor as well, and all told, this is a pretty great modern interpretation of the BattleForce: 2000 field commander. I still wish they were able to give him his microphone and dangit where are all of my removable helmets?!?
Accessories
Dodger comes with his familiar crazy two-handled rocket launcher (with spiked knuckles, naturally) as well as a great shotgun. As far as BattleForce: 2000 weapons go, Dodger’s might be the one I hate the least, and I’m a big fan of the shotgun (and love the fact that they included the shells on his wrist). Like the other members of the convention set, he doesn’t come with a lot of gear, but what he comes with makes sense.
The Club did Dodger right. Well, about as right as we can expect these days with non-removable helmets and no microphones, I suppose. Those additional details would have put this figure over the top, but as it stands, it’s a pretty decent addition to the ever-growing army of modern era characters.
BattleForce: 2000 Dodger
-
Character
-
Sculpt
-
Articulation
-
Paint Deco
-
Accessories
Summary
Great paint, a decent new head sculpt and good figure build combines to give us a really nice update to Dodger, the BattleForce: 2000 team leader. While not perfect, he’s pretty good and is up there with Blaster among my favorites in this boxed set.
[wpebayads]
This one was SO close to being dead on accurate to the vintage version, if only they had included his helmet mic/camera piece. If they had done that, he would have been perfect.
Easily my fave, and the only member I kept.