Toy
name: Storm Shadow w/ Ninja Lightning Assortment: N/A Price: MSRP $6.99 Availability: Target Department
Stores, September/October 2004
Figures,
doesn't it? We've been clamoring for a decent revival of a COBRA Storm Shadow
figure for neigh on 20 years, and it has always just seemed to elude our grasp.
Anything from '92-'04 so far has been fraught with limited articulation, bland
color schemes and downright scary molds...we got so close in VvV Wave 1, and
made a huge stink...now, about 10 months later, within a week of each other,
I have TWO O-ring Storm Shadows that are terrific figures, and yet a third on
the way in this winter's Ninja Battles set. Granted, they're three different
figures based on the same mold, but in all honesty, when it comes to this version
of Storm Shadow, I say buy 'em all, because they're all pretty damn cool.
Figure Mold
It's going to
be tough to come up with new words to describe this excellent mold, since I
just did a write up on it less than two
weeks ago, but I'm going to give it my best shot.
As I said then, this is far
and away the best mold for everyone's favorite COBRA Ninja that we've gotten
since...well, probably since 1984. Nearly everything that all versions of this
character did wrong throughout the years since has been done right with this
version.
His head sculpt is the best
place to start, I'd say, and it is an excellent one. The shape and design of
the ninja mask is flawless, with the very cool COBRA sigil carved into it, and
molded in a way to even LOOK oriental. It's just terrific. The rest of the mold
is sculpted in a very asian style, but with enough elaborate trimming to make
it even cooler. The wrap-around tunic on his chest is adorned with nicely sculpted
straps, fully equpped with shuriken and small, elaborate pouches. The v-neck
trimming is done in different molding and combines with the straps wonderfully.
The shoulder pads are cool ornaments, yet not so oversized that they restrict
articulation, and you're left with a figure with pretty close to full range
of motion. His arms and legs are covered with baggy fabric, still sculpted consistently
well, and trimmed with wrapped bandage on the arms and lower legs to even further
accentuate the martial arts flair. All of these touches are not only conceived
of well, but they're executed to near-perfection and bring us a terrific rendition
of Storm Shadow...terrific enough that I don't need to keep wondering when the
REAL version is going to come...it's here!
However, this version of
Storm Shadow does have some inconsistencies that hurt this figure in ways that
the other figure isn't affected as well. I'm not sure if it's the actual sculpting,
or because of those pesky little rubber bands, but my Storm Shadow's hands are
pretty warped from holding on to those motorcycle handles. Warped to the point
where they have a hard time holding weapons. I think it's a combination of an
altered mold and the rubber bands, and saw the same effect with the Ninja Lightning
Snake Eyes as well. It's a minor thing, but another slight notch in the negative
column for this version of the figure.
Paint Applications/Color Choices
This figure
differs slightly from the Wave 4 version in this way...some ways in good, some
ways in bad. Where the Wave 4 Storm Shadow is alive with color, with red dragons,
red trim and the like swirling and coasting all over the figure, this version
seems almost like a "black and white" version. The trim and dragons
are done in a dull, dark gray over the white base, and really doesn't look too
bad. But me, I'm a color guy, and will always prefer to see some splashes of
color here and there, as long as they make sense...the red dragons on Stormy
make sense.
Another thing that's a slight
drawback is the lack of detailing on the dragon on Stormy's back. The silver
of the Wave 4 version looks really nice while the plain white one here just
doesn't add anything. It doesn't really take away, but it doesn't add either,
just kind of sitting there.
Overall, the paint apps here
are less successful than they were for the Wave 4 version.
Accessories
Here's where
this version gets the brownie points, although there are a few negatives to
mention as well. Let's start with the bad news first- he does not come with
the Wave 4 Storm Shadow's super-cool backpack/swords/bo staff combination. Instead
he comes with the same old generic sheath and sword and the two-club version
of the '89 Snake Eyes' nunchaku. Bo-ring. Thankfully, this is more than made
up for with the very cool white Ninja Lightning cycle.
Personally, I really love
these little bikes! Again, they're not militarily realistic, but they look so
darn cool! Nicely detailed, but not overly so, they are slim and streamlined
and look like they could soar at a crazy rate of speed. Snake Eyes' version
is jet black and red, while Storm Shadow has a pearl white w/ silver trim. I
LOVE the color of Storm Shadow's bike, too. It fits the character perfectly.
As with Snake Eyes, the handlebars and footpegs allow the figures to fit on
the bike well and position themselves as if they're actually riding, which is
terrific. It's a big added bonus to a G.I. Joe figure, which is actually equipped
with the proper articulation for this sort of thing, where other figure lines
fall way short.
The bike is GREAT and more
than makes up for the other pseudo-subpar parts of this set. Now Stormy and
Snake Eyes can face off on their Ninja Lightning cycles as they should be!
There are a couple very minor
things, though...I'm not wild about the missile launching capabilities, but
it is so far out of the way, that it's really not even an issue. Also, since
the Snake Eyes bike had the Joe logo on it, I was kind of hoping Stormy would
have the COBRA logo on his...again, not a big deal, just a little something.
Final Comments
While the figure
itself falls somewhat short of the Wave 4 version in a few different ways, I
dig the bike enough to recommend a purchase. If anything, you get another version
of a great COBRA ninja, and a very cool little motorcycle with which to face
off against the Joes.
There are enough bonuses
to this figure to warrant a purchase, I think, even if you already own the original.
If you DON'T own the original, pick this one up for sure, although I would not
recommend foresaking the Wave 4 version for this one, as it is better over all,
I think.
Figures,
doesn't it? We've been clamoring for a decent revival of a COBRA Storm Shadow
figure for neigh on 20 years, and it has always just seemed to elude our grasp.
Anything from '92-'04 so far has been fraught with limited articulation, bland
color schemes and downright scary molds...we got so close in VvV Wave 1, and
made a huge stink...now, about 10 months later, within a week of each other,
I have TWO O-ring Storm Shadows that are terrific figures, and yet a third on
the way in this winter's Ninja Battles set. Granted, they're three different
figures based on the same mold, but in all honesty, when it comes to this version
of Storm Shadow, I say buy 'em all, because they're all pretty damn cool.
