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.

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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. 

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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.

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