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GeneralsJoes continues the 50th Anniversary Two Pack Reviews

We started down this road on Monday and we keep plowing ahead. Today I offer FOUR new reviews of recently released 50th Anniversary figures!

The Troop Build Up pack with Steel Brigade Trooper and Iron Grenadier, as well as the Hunt for COBRA Commander with Shipwreck and the big kahuna himself.

Check out these reviews on my 50th Anniversary Review Page, or via the direct links below.

Enjoy!

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G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Iron Grenadier

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Like the Steel Brigade trooper, this particular iteration of the Iron Grenadier has been released a few times to compliment the Pursuit of Cobra City Strike Destro, one of the coolest PoC figures ever done (and one in desperate need of one of these “carry forward” releases).  I’ve always loved the Iron Grenadiers, and that love doesn’t falter with these versions, even though they are essentially re-releases of the past versions.

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In actuality, this 50th Anniversary Iron Grenadier does have some cosmetic changes with the color pallet of the camouflage, and I actually like those color changes quite a bit.  The figure foundation itself is the same as we’ve seen, built off the same formula as the City Strike Destro with a terrific padded uniform, yet thanks to the revolutionary sculpting and design of the latter year G.I. Joe figures, even with the thick padded uniform, they still manage to retain great elbow articulation and range of motion.  It’s pretty impressive, actually.

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Where the previous two versions of this figure had elaborate gray and white camouflage, this particular version mixes it up a bit and changes out the darker gray with what looks to be a light blue/gray.  The overall appearance is similar to the previous heavy weapons soldier, but adds just enough variety to keep things interesting.  I’m not sure if it was a specific, purposeful change, or just happenstance, but the results are nice.  It at least adds some variety to the three separate times the figure has already been released to retail.

Accessories

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Iron Grenadier comes with much the same gear as previous iterations did.  The old school heavy machine gun (that originally came with Para-Viper) as well as the backpack and stedi-cam assault weapon.  The machine gun belt is there, too, as well as the awesome, oversized tactical vest that is such a great one.  Yes, the gear is all the same, but the gear isn’t too bad.

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The re-release of the Iron Grenadier, similar to the Steel Brigade, presents another opportunity for would be army builders to acquire somewhat difficult to obtain troops for their squads.  I think the Iron Grenadier was a bit more difficult to find, and these colors are a nice variation of the common theme.  Ultimately I think I can better find a place in my collection for the Iron Grenadier than the Steel Brigade.

50th Anniversary Iron Grenadier
  • Character
  • Sculpt
  • Articulation
  • Paint Deco
  • Accessories
3.7

Summary

A third iteration of this bulky, padded, heavy weapons trooper for Destro, Hasbro has managed to differentiate the color schemes just enough to keep things interesting. Some swatches of lighter colored camouflage add a bit of variety to what is a pretty great base figure to support the terrific City Strike Destro.

Pros

1 – Any compliment to City Strike Destro is a good one
2 – Stedi-Cam machine gun is really great and collectors are always looking for a good way to get one
3 – New camouflage paint colors looks nice

Cons

1 – It’s essentially the same figure that’s been released twice before
2 – I’m still not sure where that ancient Para-Viper machine gun fits in

Another figure revealed for the 2012 G.I. Joe Convention Exclusive set

Sticking with the theme over the past week, the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club has revealed another member of the 2012 Convention Exclusive boxed set.  This time around, we get a look at the awesome Iron Grenadier Elite Trooper!

And wow, this is a good one!  Slated as a troop builder with two figures in the boxed set, I see a lot of great Crimson Guard elements in this figure, and he’s using the unreleased Arctic Cobra Commander tooling, which rocks!  First time many fans will be getting their hands on these parts.

I’m not wild about that large rifle, but this figure actually looks really, really nice.  I can’t help but notice a lack of consistency with the troopers, but I think this red and silver looks great.  And this would seem to be the last of the troopers.  Hopefully tomorrow we’ll see a new Iron Grenadier named character, or the last two members of the Oktober Guard.

Check out the mirrored image below, and keep your eye on GIJoeCon.com for the latest details!

Next two Pursuit of Cobra Assortments finally ironed out?

Over the past week we’ve received some conflicting information about upcoming releases from G.I. Joe: The Pursuit of Cobra, but it would appear that things have somewhat ironed out.  Several online retailers including Big Bad Toy Store, Entertainment Earth, and Small Joes have received information from Hasbro that seems to finally confirm what waves 3 and 4 for 2011 will consist of.  This is how it shakes out:
2011 Wave 3 (AKA “Wave 5”)

  • Blowtorch
  • Cobra – The Enemy
  • Cobra Commander
  • General Hawk
  • Jungle B.A.T.
  • Steel Brigade

2011 Wave 4 (AKA “Wave 6”)

  • Snake Eyes Temple Guardian
  • Crazy Legs
  • Croc Master
  • Rock Viper
  • Viper
  • Iron Grenadier

To pre-order, make sure to visit Small Joes, Big Bad Toy Store (wave 3 and wave 4), or Entertainment Earth (wave “5” and wave “6”).  Now, just to get some pictures!  Keep your eyes peeled to GeneralsJoes.com next weekend as I visit New York City and attend the 2011 Toy Fair!

Big Bad Toy Store goof reveales more 2011 G.I. Joe product?

So, the listing has since been jettisoned to the archives of internet history, but an eagle-eyed reader on HissTank.com spotted the following information, listed as “G.I. Joe 2011 Series 3“.  The following names are listed among the product:

  • Snake Eyes Temple Guardian
  • Crazy Legs
  • Croc Master
  • Rock Viper
  • Viper
  • Iron Grenadier

Interestingly, none of these listings match up with earlier revealed listings from Diamond, which indicates the Diamond listings are for a later wave, or things are still very much in flux.  So at this point, who knows what’s coming?  I know one thing for sure…we’ll find out more on February 12th when the Hasbro Collector Event at Toy Fair rolls into New York City.  And I’ll be there to get the info.