G.I. Joe Classified Wave 3

 

Cases of wave three are showing up in the mail and locally at select Walgreeens. I say "select", because as we all know, finding these at retail stores is often futile. Ugh...I hope none of these ever become exclusive to that store. You think Target is bad?

Six figures are packed to each case, and inside you'll find (2) Zartan, (2) Cobra Infantry, (1) Scarlet (Repaint) and (1) Roadblock (Repaint). As I've mentioned in a prior post, it's interesting even though Hasbro is releasing refreshed wave one cases, that as of now, this is the only case that you will find the repaints of Scarlet and Roadblock. I'm sure this will change at some point down the road.

While my figures arrived neatly packed within the case, I actually only ordered one of each. Sorry to my fellow collectors, I don't currently have any extras to share. Having the box is certainly a bonus, as it gives me somewhere to store all my empty figure packs...Which for some reason I am holding on to. I should just throw these away.

Until I break down and do so, let's dive into the figures, going in numeric order.

First up is the repainted Roadblock (01). Since there's nothing new going on with the package, I'll cut to the chase and just show you a quick shot of the figure within.

At this point, I think many collectors are a bit sick of Roadblock. Or maybe I'm just wanting to project my own opinion out on the world. But yeah, I'm definitely over this character.

In general, I'm not a fan of repaints. Playmates did this with the Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line, and completely killed it in the process. I just don't see the point.

We all know that these figures are hard to find. So just release more. The only thing ushering out repaints does is start the craze all over again for 100% fanatics that need EVERY figure, and there are a lot of us out there. This is not helping the problem of distribution.

Maybe that's their plan. Get suckers to buy the same figure twice, three times or more. I mean, I did.

I know it's not the best side by side comparison, but here are the two figures together. The original on the left, and the repaint on the right.

Which leads us into the repaint of Scarlet (05).

She rounds out the repaints of wave one with the above noted Roadblock and the prior posted Duke and Snake Eyes. That is until Destro gets a repaint. He's already got a circle head variant.

It's difficult for me to say which one is my favorite here. In a side by side comparison of the original (left) compared to the repaint (right), I really don't see enough change to make me sway one way or the other.

With repaints out of the way, let's jump to figure number twenty-three in the series. The highly anticipated, Zartan!

Zartan was actually one of those figures that fans thought was coming out last year. With each new wave that was announced, you know, wave two and wave one of the Cobra Island Figures, many thought he was going to be among them. Alas, he was not. But he's here now, and I suppose that's what counts.

Eagle eyed fans will notice that the artwork behind Zartan is also Dreadnok specific. That's a nice added touch, and stays in line with how the vintage packaging always differentiated the band of punks from your standard Cobra team member. Hasbro's distribution may stink, but their attention to detail has always been top tier.

I also want to take a moment, and draw your attention to the card back. It's been updated to incorporate some of the new faces.

Now present are Beach Head, Zartan, a couple Cobra Vipers and Firefly. Looking at the package, I also can't help but focus in on those ever present Cobra Flight Pods (Trouble Bubbles). That was my all time favorite mini vehicle from the vintage line, and I so want them to make these for the six inch series.

Beyond that, there's nothing much more to note about the packaging.

Zartan comes with some nice accessories that pay homage to the vintage 1984 figure. Though I will admit that the monkey's paw and severed snake head are very out of place. These are accessories that feel like they would be more so in line with Crystal Ball.

I especially like that the backpack splits in two to put the false face inside, another nice touch transferred over from the vintage figure. Interestingly, the vintage versions face does have a bit more detail, but this larger six inch scale one isn't terrible. If nothing else, it's fun.

I had, and I suppose I still do have some mixed feelings about the figure. It's a great representation of Zartan, but when I look at it, something just feels like it's missing. Worst of all, I can't put my finger on it. Something feels off, and I don't know what it is.

While I continue to ponder that, I will add to my thoughts what all of these pegs and holes in the backpack are for. Were several more accessories intended to be packed in? Are these just optional slots for placing his current accessories on? What's the deal? It's driving my OCD mad!

It appears I have a lot to think about with this figure. Until I sort this all out, here's Zartan all decked out.

Last up in wave three is a figure that quite honestly just annoys me.

I hate this figure. I hate it for so many reasons. Before I launch fully into that, let's first whirl around the package.

Alright, let's take the gloves off.

...This is lazy! How are you going to slap a new name and number on the package, take off paint applications and release the same figure? This is not a new character! Not by any stretch of the imagination.

The appropriate thing to do here would have been to release more of the Cobra Island figures. Not lackadaisically slap a new coat on it and call it new. Not only that, but this doesn't resolve the problem. Fans want the original. They want the goggles. They want the paint apps. They want the arm band. This just isn't right.

Further, it glosses over the other problem of where are the other three figures from the wave that people couldn't get? Are these too going to be dumb downed, renumbered and re-released?  This is not the way to do it. As I said above, it only cause the collectors who want every figure to buy them again. This is not helping supply and demand.

I now have three variations of this figure on my shelf, and I can only imagine how many more times Hasbro is going to throw this out there with slight changes or no changes at all, but packed in with vehicles or multi packs. They've done it to death with Stormtroopers in Star Wars, so I have no reason to believe they will do anything different here.

This line is very love / hate for me. The figures are amazing...Well...The ones that aren't silly repaints, and they come with a slew of fantastic accessories. However, the continuous distribution debacles and overall lazy repainted re-releases, especially those touted as new figures with new numbers, is annoying.

I really want this line to succeed and grow. But, I'm also realistic. People want to enjoy their hobbies, and when problems like this exist, especially the distribution ones, people throw in the towel. Say what you will about Star Wars, while supply issues are still a problem, people aren't buying these in droves like they used to. So many fans have gotten fed up and walked away. It would be a shame to see this happen with G.I. Joe Classified.

(left to right / front to back): Deluxe Snake Eyes (00)*Roadblock (01)*Roadblock (01) [Repaint]*Snake Eyes (02)*Snake Eyes (02) [Repaint]*Destro (03) [Circle Head Variant]*Destro (03) [2nd Production Run - No Circle]*Duke (04)*Duke (04) [Repaint]*Scarlet (05)*Scarlet (05) [Repaint]*Cobra Commander (06)*Cobra Commander (06) [Regal Variant]*Gung Ho (07)

(left to right / front to back): Red Ninja (08)*Snake Supreme Cobra Commander (09)*Beach Head (10) [Brown Eyes Variant]*Beach Head (10) [Blue Eyes Variant]*Roadblock (11)*Cobra Trooper (12) [Black Collar Variant]*Cobra Trooper (12) [Blue Collar Variant]*Baroness [13]*Arctic Mission Storm Shadow (14)*Profit Director Destro (15)*Firefly (21)

(left to right / front to back): Cobra Viper (22)*Zartan (23)*Cobra Infantry (24)

Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.

G.I. Joe Classified Duke Repaint

 

Duke is coming at you with an all new paint deco, and some say it's better than the original! 

I have to agree. I'm not sure why Hasbro chose the original color scheme, but the red on the original figure always stood out like a sore thumb. Especially the wrist watch. I've never understood adults who wear bulky plastic colorful watches. Of course, I also don't get Apple watches, so maybe it's just me.

Regardless, this toned down version definitely stands out as the better option between the two. At least in my opinion it does.

There are a few of changes to the figure, but rather than list them all out, it's best to have a side by side comparison as a point of reference.

Featured on the left is the original release, which obviously means the repaint is on the right. Also obviously is that there is no red present on the repaint. Not on the gloves, jacket or wrist watch. Also gone is the gold shin guards and blue highlights. This is actually a bit of a lose to the figure.

What's interesting is that Hasbro left the gold paint detail on the pistol, but removed it completely from the rifle. Why keep one and not the other? Does this mean we'll get another variant down the road where the pistol is all black?

Overall, I do prefer the repaint over the original, but I suppose I said that already. But, what about you? Which one do you favor?

Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.

G.I. Joe Classifed Snake Eyes Repaint

 

I'm such a sucker. I really am. There is nothing that drastically different about this Snake Eyes to warrant actually buying it. 

For those of you following the G.I. Joe Classified series, you probably already know that Hasbro is currently releasing repainted figures from the first wave. However, of them, Snake Eyes here is such a subtle change that I dare say it may not even qualify as a "repaint". More so a run change.

I say this, because if you look at the package, the real only change that people might notice, and I really do mean might, is that the knife is no longer packed in a tray to the side of the figure's head. Instead, it's been put in the sheath on his hip.

However, to see the oh so subtle change to the figure, let's zoom in on both the original and repainted version.

The original is on the left, and the repaint is on the right. Do you see it?  Can you point out the change?

The repaint, or at least mine, appears to be a flatter paint, as opposed to the original, which has a bit of a gloss to it. Especially on the head. However, the true change is the red dash above the visor. This is on the original, but removed from the repaint.

Other than that, no changes.

So tell me, is it worth twenty dollars to essentially buy the same figure that literally a small brush stroke has been removed from? Probably not. Not for most sane people.

Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.

G.I. Joe Classified - Repaints Ahoy!

 

As announcements flood the interweb of the Zartan / Cobra Infantry wave hitting Walgreens, people are also discovering something else. Scarlett and Roadblock are repaints!

Yup, it's true. More repaints are hitting the market, and you too can join the hunt! But what are you looking for?

Well, I'll tell you!

Roadblock now sports a brighter green vest, gold details in vest clips are now grey, green gloves (originally red), a matte black cannon, knife and clip (originally silver / painted), and matte black shins and knee guard (originally gold).

Scarlett now has tan pants (originally dark grey), a tan shirt (originally blue), face sculpt is slighting changed in pigment, as is the hair, gold on chest armor is now copper, blue details removed from gauntlets (now tan), boot soles are copper (originally red), and the blue and red details on the shin guards removed.

Fun, huh?

Well, that's not the last of it. The re-issued wave one cases are also showing up with repaints. This time to Snake Eyes and Duke. Oddly, the repainted Scarlett and Roadblock are not in the case. Instead, these appear to be (for now) the originals.

Duke's gloves no longer have red details on them (now green), his watch is now green (originally red), his shin guards are green (originally gold), blue details on shin guards are removed, knee pads are matte black (originally gold), green backpack, chest belt and holster are a brighter green, and his rifle is now grey (originally gold and grey).

Snake Eyes features very subtle changes. The red dash above his visor has been removed, which is difficult to spot as it is. However, the easier tell that you've found the repack is that the knife packed in to the side of his head has been removed (as has the slot for it), and it is now in the sheath on the figure.

 Mmm, boy. Sure is fun to chase down variants. Enjoy the hunt!

For those of you also keeping track of the numbers, Zartan is officially number 23, and Cobra Infantry is 24. All the repaints above are their original numbers.

Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.

G.I. Joe Classifed: The Run Changes Continue

 

You can't find him, so it's probably irrelevant, but the run changes continue in the latest wave of Target Exclusive Cobra Island figures. MCUcollector24 shows both a matte and glossy finish to Firefly.

Much like the prior run changes, this is very subtle, and most likely immaterial to most collectors. Especially in light of most people not being able to get their hands on one version, let alone both.

Ebay has yet to catch wind of this, but I suspect that once they do that prices will start to reflect this. We've seen it in the past with these "variants" where one version suddenly becomes more desirable than the other.

You know, when I see this kind of stuff, and then take a moment to reflect back on how much of a pain it's been to get the figures in this line, I don't honestly know if I have the longevity I'd like to have for this series. If you think store exclusives are a pain, just wait until the convention exclusives start up again.

Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.

Another G.I. Joe Classified Run Change

 

Call it a run change. Call it a variant. Call it a royal pain in the....Whatever you want to call it, eagle eye collectors have spotted that there are officially two different versions of the Cobra Trooper from the Target exclusive Cobra Island wave. No, I'm not talking about the recently announced retail version, which was just made available via sites such as Hasbro Pulse and Entertainment Earth.

Both of these versions have been spotted on Cobra Island cards, or boxes, and came across my radar via MCUcollector24. He's identified a Cobra Trooper with a black collar vest, and one with a blue collar.

Thought at first the blue collar one was definitely the more difficult one to come across. As knowledge of it spreads across the collecting world, more and more are surfacing. While prices for the blue variant seem higher than the black, there is no documented proof that any one is more rarer than the other.

What doesn't help right now is that even with the recent announcement of the figure seeing a re-release, prices for a Cobra Trooper are at an all time high. Definitely something to consider if you're going to put yourself to task of hunting down the opposite version of the one you have, or both, if you don't have either one. If it helps with your decision, it's worth noting that the original production photos show a black collar for the figure.

With that said though, my personal favorite is the blue collar version. It just looks "correct". The blue of the shirt should be there. Otherwise, it implies the vest has a collar, which doesn't look right in comparison.

Of course, if you wanted a one of a kind variant, that would have been the recently sold paint error Cobra Trooper sporting an all blue face.

Custom paint job, or one of a kind error? Doesn't matter. Someone bought it for $300.00.

For those of you trying to keep up with the various versions people have found, you may want to check out my initial post about Destro and Beach Head, HERE. 

Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.

G.I. Joe Classified: Run Changes And Variants

Just when you thought it wouldn't get any more difficult to find the new G.I. Joe Classified series, Hasbro throws a curve ball. Both a run change and variant have been identified for the line, and hardcore collectors are on the hunt.

Before I get into this, let me be fair and give credit to sources where credit is due. These were reported by MCUcollector24 on his YouTube channel several weeks ago. The images below are also screen grabs from his actual videos. They're worth watching if you want to get in depth information on the figures.

First up is a run change to the first wave Destro. It appears that the first production run featured a circle sculpted into the top of its head, while later runs removed this "detail". It's worth noting that the upcoming Profit Director Destro figure will not include the circle on it.

As collectors find out about this, prices are beginning to fluctuate a bit. The first run, or circle head, as I'll call it, is seeing a price point of forty to sixty dollars. The flat head, as I'll call it, stays relatively around retail at twenty to twenty three dollars.

The variant figure comes from the elusive Target exclusive Cobra Island wave. Beach Head has been found to be released with both brown and blue eyes. However, it is unknown which version was produced first, or which is more rare. The reason being is that both versions have been reported as being in the same case.

In regards to this figure, the blue eyed version was the one shown in the production photos. However, fans of the original toy line and vintage cartoon series have been quick to point out that the character's eyes are indeed brown.

Oh boy, just what we needed, right? Difficult figures being made more difficult to find with run changes and variants. I'm sure several others will materialize as the line continues to chugs along. 

Where do you stand on this? Are you a run change and / or variant hunter? Do you care which version you get? Do you prefer a specific one? The comments section is your place to keep the conversation going.

Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.