1993 Headhunter

In December of 1992, I walked into a crowded Toys R Us store just a few days before Christmas.  I was there to buy a couple of G.I. Joe figures.  I was in college and confident enough to be a collector, even if I was an adult.  I was on my lunch hour from the deli where I worked.  So, time was a factor.  When I found the wall of Joes, it was overwhelming.  I hadn't really spent any time looking at Joe toys in over 4 years.  I had no idea what was available or who, really, any of the newer characters were.  I did find a Gung Ho and Destro, though.  And, the familiar character names with solid designs made them must buys.  In looking at various cardbacks, though, one figure really jumped out at me: the Headhunter.  The design just looked amazing.  But, I didn't find any Headhunter figures that day.  And, I didn't return to a Toys R Us store for another year.  The Headhunter fell out of my mind.

At the end of 1995, though, I visited a friend in the town I now call home.  His local K-Mart had some Joe figures.  (The K-Mart is long gone, torn down and replaced by high end condos and apartments.  Honestly, it's much better.)  Here, I found Mace and Muskrat.  It was on their cardbacks where I, once again, found the siren song of the Headhunter.  I would never, though, manage to actually find one at retail.  As the 1990's wound down and online marketplaces became a thing, my ability to find pretty much any G.I. Joe figure increased.  Slowly, I ticked off my most wanted items until I came down  to the Headhunter figure.  By this time, I knew there were two versions: the brown 1992 and the green 1993.  And, really, I didn't care which one I could find.  

In mid 1999, I found a massive lot of over 200 late run Cobra army builders on Ebay.  It included a whopping 4 Headhunters!  I had never found a single Headhunter in any of the 1990's lots I had purchased.  They were hard to find.  So, this lot seemed like a dream.  I bid over $300 (an unimaginable sum at the time!) on the lot.  On Saturday, I went to check to see if I was still winning.  But, I found that the seller had pulled the auction and sold it to his local comic shop.  The bids weren't large enough for his liking...even though the auction was days from ending and everyone knew the price jumped at the last minute.  I was left, once again, with no Headhunters.  In the fall of that year, I took an entire Saturday to scrounge every local comic shop and flea market in a vain attempt to find the figure locally.  Again, I was shut out.  Left with no other means to acquire the figure quickly, I turned to the only Headhunters that were, reliably, available: the multitude of carded versions that were overpriced and didn't sell on Ebay.

Here, I broke down and bought a carded Headhunter.  I could not, though, bring myself to open it.  But, with this figure in hand, the floodgates opened up.  And, within just a couple of months of acquiescing to an expensive purchase to get one of the figure, I now had several loose versions of both the 1992 and 1993 versions.  In hand, the figure didn't disappoint.  Not only was the mold every bit as good as I had wanted but, his accessories were even more amazing that I could have imagined.  In a lot of ways the Headhunter was a nearly perfect figure.  And, I promptly didn't use him much at all.

Originally, I planned to profile this figure back in 2013.  You can see him in the photos from the 1993 General Hawk profile I did at the time.  I just didn't find the right things to say about the figure.  So, that write up never got off the ground.  And, it's taken over a decade for me to come back around to the figure.  The main reason for that is that the Headhunter is very much like the 1985 Snake Eyes.  Both figures are amazing pieces of sculpting that include awe inspiring accessories.  They are so well done that it's difficult to come up with things that are worthy enough to show off the full quality of their design.  I've struggled to take pics of both figures just because they never look as good in the photos as the figures do in real life.  That disappointment leads me to not use them.  Not because they are bad.  But, because they are, actually, too good.

Back in the late 1980's, I read Spider Man comics pretty regularly.  In one issue (Amazing Spider Man #279), a character named Silver Sable appeared.  She had an army with her called the Wild Pack.  They dressed in orange and grey outfits.  This look resonated with me and I thought they would have made for great G.I. Joe figures.  For some reason, the Headhunter has always reminded me of that image from my youth.  In looking them up today, there is no resemblance between the characters.  But, the memories languishing in the darkest recesses of my brain connected the two.  So much so that I went to confirm it for this profile and was instantly able to find the exact issue from my childhood that contained the images of the characters.  It's not something pertinent to the history of the Headhunter.  But, speaks to a reason as to why this figure always captured my imagination...even if it was just from the small artwork on the back of another figure's card.

The reality is that collectors tended to dismiss this 1993 Headhunter as "neon".  And, for years, there was a large price disparity between the 1992 and 1993 figures.  Slowly, those have ironed out.  And, collectors have come around on bright figures.  It is the bright green, though, that is this figure's calling card.  It hearkens back to an era where kids loved audacious coloring and wanted toys that were fun.  The "modern, gritty realism" that's infected any property that's beloved by adults had left a generation of kids with dull, boring play things.  It's a shame.  And, one of the reasons why fandoms struggle to attract younger generations of fans.  (It's also why LEGO kicks ass in the toy aisle for both adults and kids.)  

Headhunter's accessories are amazing.  He features an amazing shotgun that can be holstered into his backpack.  the pack is full of amazing little details that showcase the sculpting prowess of the Hasbro designers of the time.  He also includes a spring loaded missile launcher, missile and battle stand.  The spring loaded weapons aren't great.  But, they are more than made up for by the quality of the standard gear.  Personally, I like to add an Alley Viper rifle to the Headhunter's ensemble.  (I also give Headhunter gear to the Headhunter Stormtrooper.)  It's a nice complement to the shotgun.  If you're a sadist, the Headhunter's shotgun is available in a variety of colors in Brazil for you to seek out, too.

The Headhunter had a strong life.  There is the 1992 and 1993 versions released by Hasbro.  In 1998 or so, a member of the Joe newsgroup found an early site for Estrela Toys in Brazil.  Here, you could find some promotional photos of the late waves of the Comandos Em Acao line.  If you could get the photos to load (that was hit or miss) you could see that Estrela released a Headhunter, too.  This figure wouldn't become widely known for another three or four years when the Brazilian line was better documented.  After that, the Headhunter disappeared.  There were rumors that the molds had been lost in Brazil.  But, in 2008, Master Collector found the Headhunter mold and used it for Convention releases.  Here, we got the oddball Headhunter Guard and the Headhunter Driver.  Of the five uses of the mold, 4 use an all black base.  Only the Guard is different.  Through the years, factory custom makers have teased Headhunters as a possible release.  And, seeing the mold in Cobra blue is enough to warrant their appearance.  But, as of 2024, it hasn't happened, yet.  While I'd love a blue version of the Headhunter, that's really the only paint job I'd care for.  

1993 Headhunter figure pricing is very volatile.  You can still find carded figures for under $20 if you are constantly looking and quick on the draw.  At the same time, you'll see mint, loose and complete with filecard figures sell for $40.  Dealers are really trying to drive up the price of these figures.  But, left to market forces, the figure is worth about $30.  But, it will take you a while to find even one.  It's a far cry from the days when the carded figures wouldn't sell for $8 each.  And, the 1992 Headhunter is definitely a better figure.  In fact, of all the Headhunter releases, the 1993 is probably the worst.  But, it might also be my favorite.  I wouldn't want to pay today's prices for one.  But, I'm grateful for my little squad as they are a reminder that cool things can be made for kids.

1993 Gristle - Around The Web

I found Gristle at retail several times in the mid 1990's.  He was not a popular figure and would often be the only remaining figure at random stores.  But, despite me being pretty adamant about buying anything I could find at retail in those days, I skipped Gristle.  I simply didn't like the figure.  There was something about the design that really left me uninterested in the figure.  That has continued to this day as I remain relatively cool on Gristle as a design.  I hadn't taken a photo of him in 5 years.  So, that kind of explains his standing in my collection.  

That doesn't mean, though, that Gristle isn't a pretty solid figure.  In terms of sculpting, Gristle is top notch.  His head sculpt is among the most detailed in the entire Joe line.  And, he has lots of fun little details hidden on his mold.  The 2008 repaint was fairly decent.  And, it showed how '90's mold could be updated with different colors.  There's a good amount of content on Gristle out there.  So, check out the various artists and their take on Gristle.

1993 Gristle Profile

1993 Gristle by gvilla74

1993 Gristle at Nekoman's Viper Pit

1993 Gristle by fun_time_at_serpentorslair

1993 Gristle at JoeADay.com

1993 Gristle by neapolitanjoe

1993 Gristle by Scarrviper

1993 Gristle by jogunwarrior

1993 Gristle by slipstream80

1993 Gristle by corpscommandercody

1993 Gristle by Scarrviper

1993 Gristle by ToneGunsRevisited

1993 Gristle by Nekoman

1993 Gristle by Agent Viper

1993 Gristle by corpscommandercody

1993 Gristle by LordRaven

1993 Gristle by Scarrviper

1993 Gristle by thedustinmccoy

1993 Headhunter Stormtrooper - Around The Web

In the early 2000's, collectors hated 1993 and 1994 figures.  As such, dealers often had boxes and boxes of carded figures for a few bucks each.  Mostly, these were brightly colored characters that the collectors of the day loathed.  But, every now and again, you'd come across a stash of Headhunter Stormtroopers.  Around 2002 or so, the collecting community discovered this figure and began to accept that even 1993 had a few redeeming figures that were worthy to stand along the 1987 and earlier figures.  18 years later, this attitude seems almost foolhardy.  But, it took the Joe community a long time to break their staid habits.  Due to the figure's quality, there's a ton of content on him out there.  Here's the best of the 1993 Headhunter Stormtrooper from around the web.

Headhunter Stormtrooper Profile

Headhunter Stormtrooper by thevintagetoylife

Headhunter Stormtrooper by Scarrviper

Headhunter Stormtrooper by jogunwarrior

Headhunter Stormtrooper by Flatline

Headhunter Stormtrooper by djv

Headhunter Stormtrooper Video Review

Headhunter Stormtrooper at 3DJoes.com

Headhunter Stormtrooper at Joewiki

Headhunters at Icebreakers HQ

Headhunter Stormtrooper by fun_time_at_serpentors_lair

Headhunter Stormtrooper by thedustinmccoy

2008 Headhunter Guard - Around the Web

Supposedly, lots of vintage Joe molds were lost.  Oddly, though, when someone went looking for them, tons of molds suddenly popped up.  Such was the case in 2008 when the Headhunter Stormtrooper, Gristle and the original Headhunter figures all appeared in the convention set.  It was a long awaited return for these figures.  The colors, though, weren't perfect.  Arsenic seemed cool.  But, it had some issues and didn't translate well on the Headhunter Stormtrooper figure.  The Headhunter Guard, though, was OK and was a nice complement to the original Headhunter figures.  There's not a lot of content on the figure out there.  But, here's the best of the Headhunter Guard from around the web.

2008 Headhunter Guard Profile

Headhunter Guard (And Awesome Custom Rage!) By Dreadnok Dread

Headhunter Guard at Half The Battle

2008 Convention Set Review at General's Joes

Headhunter Guard by Magoage

Headhunter Guard by Dreadnok Dread

1992 Headhunter - Around the Web

The Headhunter is simply a great figure.  He's got a spectacular mold, solid colors and exceptional gear.  Back in the late 1990's, he was also nearly impossible to find as a loose figure.  Slowly, though, that changed and pretty much everyone can enjoy this figure today.  So much so that they're pretty popular and expensive.  But, they remain a favorite of mine.  Here's the best of him from around the web.

1992 Headhunter Profile

Headhunters at the Dragon Fortress

Headhunters at IceBreaker's HQ

Headhunters in Marvel Comics

1992 Headhunter at 3DJoes.com

Headhunters at JoeADay.com

Headhunter Dio

1993 Gristle

G.I. Joe's Drug Elimination Force has always been somewhat problematic in the collecting community.  The association of G.I. Joe with the anti-drug sentiment of the late 1980's and early 1990's isn't all that out of the ordinary.  Joe would have been a logical partner for the proponents of that movement.  The real issue in the collecting world is that subsets in general are not overly popular: especially one that introduced a new enemy to the Cobra/Joe/Iron Grenadier dynamic.  But, the DEF is also spared the harshest criticism because the figures that were released under its banner are some of the highlights of the 1990's era Joes.  They are well sculpted, excellently colored and include a great array of accessories.  Really, the only issue with them was the higher price point.  But, it was this price point that doomed the subset as the Joe line began its final descent into obsolescence.  So, with the figures not generating the retail interest that was needed, the 1993 DEF subset was scrapped and the figures who were to be released under that banner were instead incorporated into the general Battle Corps single carded figure line.  Among the new characters for 1993 was Gristle.

I never liked Gristle.  There was something about the figure that simply made me want to avoid him.  During my copious trips to toy stores between 1994 and 1996, Gristle was a figure who was overly common.  I found him at Toys R Us.  I found him at KB Toys.  I found him at Walgreen's.  He was so unpopular that he pegwarmed wherever Joes were sold.  Despite this, I never bought one.  The figure was simply so detestable to me that I passed him by, even going home empty-handed rather than pick him up.  Never, even as my desperation for finding new figures increased, did it occur to me to buy a Gristle figure.  Even when he disappeared from retail, I felt no pangs of regret over passing him by.  I didn't like the figure, I didn't want the figure and I wasn't going to own the figure.

By the late 1990's, though, my stance changed.  With the advent of me finding collectordom, I strove to be a completist.  So, despite my misgivings over a figure, I would, eventually, own one to complete my collection.  As I was one of the few people interested in the sparse loose figure lots that heavily featured figures made after 1990, I was able to acquire many collections: including two that contained Gristle figures.  With him in the fold, I put him out of my mind.  As the 2000's progressed, though, I became a more and more vocal proponent of the 1990's molds as preferred candidates for Hasbro repaints.  Even a figure like Gristle, whose sculpt I did not like, was well designed and would have been well suited to a modern repaint.

This lead me to another re-examination of the Gristle figure.  I thought it was possible that I'd missed a pretty solid figure in my mid 1990's resistance to the character.  But, with the figure now in hand, I found that I still wasn't impressed by him overall.  If I wanted a gritty street thug with bad hair, I had the vastly superior Headman figure for that.  If I wanted a Dreadnok wanna be, there were many options to that better filled that role, too.  The general look of the character didn't fit with any of the new Cobras who I had created.  I was always on the lookout for underutilized Cobra figures that I could co-opt to a new character of my own design.  But, I didn't feel that Gristle's look really fit with my vision of the characters I had created.  In short, Gristle still wasn't a figure that I found overly useful in my collection.

Gristle is big.  As the line progressed, Joe figures added bulk to their sculpts.  Gristle's head is exceedingly large.  This allows for the great facial detail that was designed for him, though.  His hair, glasses and face are all among the best examples of head sculpting that Hasbro produced in the vintage line.  But, it's hard to find pieces onto which the head will fit.  The rest of the body is also well done.  The chest knives and skull belt buckles are exceptionally done.  Gristle has a lot of details.  But, not so many as to take away from the quality design.

The colors, though, kill him.  The maroon and black base really aren't that bad.  While the red tone is somewhat bright: it's also in line with established Cobra colors.  The problem, of course, is the bright yellow.  It provides too great a contrast for the darker red and black and, likely, makes the red more gaudy as the brightness is drawn out by the yellow.  If you replaced all the yellow with silver, Gristle would be among the better Cobra characters from the 1990's.  He would fit with Headhunters and Headhunter Stormtroopers almost perfectly.  But, the yellow relegates him to the scrapheap of the line.

Gristle didn't get much use.  But, he has some significant variants to him.  The most famous Gristle release is from Australia.  There, Gristle was released as a member of the DEF as he was originally intended.  The only difference is the card art.  But, it's a release that has long been popular since it completes Hasbro's intentions for the character.  Gristle was also released in Brazil as Vandalo.  This figure is a bit darker red than the American figure and includes a maroon version of the Headhunter's shotgun.  It is an interesting figure that used to be pretty common but has dried up in recent years.  In 2008, the club repainted Gristle in their convention set.  This figure was colored black and arsenic.  With the painted details, it is the definitive Gristle release.  If you only want the best representation of the character in your collection, get this convention version.

Gristle is a case where being a pegwarmer in the 1990's has lead to being left behind in the 2010's.  MOC figures can be purchased in the $10 - $15 range.  Loose mint and complete with filecard figures tend to sell in the $6 - $8 range from dealers.  The unpopularity of the figure limits supply of non-dealer sales and you'll see lots of complete figures being offered at $12 or more.  However, you don't see any sales at that price.  You can get the figure for a buck or two if you're patient.  For the price, buy a MOC version of the figure.  You get the card art and the neon splendor that defines the early 1990's G.I. Joe figure.

For me, this figure has taken on an interesting place in my collection.  I still do not like the figure and it's rare that I would use him.  However, because Gristle reminds me of those days in the 1990's when I left him hanging on the pegs, he actually has some fun memories associated with him.  I recall friends from long ago rolling their eyes as I jumped over the toy aisle at a drug store when we stopped to buy booze.  I remember going to a store with my girlfriend's father and debating whether to be too obvious about looking at the toys with him in tow.  And, I recall standing in a TRU aisle with a friend and laughing at figures like Gristle and remembering when G.I. Joe was better.  The ridicule I've long had for the figure stands.  But, the memories of making fun of him now make the figure worth something to me.  I can't really recommend Gristle as he's not a figure I like.  But, he, like all the Joes from the last years, has his upside and there are collectors who have found him a good addition to their collections.

2008 Headhunter Guard

In 2001 and 2002, the main focus of the collecting world was army building.  It dominated most of the discussion of the time and collectors were desperate to acquire as many army builders as they could.  By 2005, though, the army building appetite had been largely sated.  That isn't to say that collectors didn't still buy up troopers at much faster rates than characters.  But, collectors were much more focused and no longer army built every single figure that was released.  This was largely due to the fact that Hasbro had given collectors repaints of classic molds such as the Cobra Trooper, Viper and Crimson Guard.  But, they had also given collectors tons of army building figures in the new sculpt line.  By 2006, collectors had a bit of army building fatigue.  However, there were still a select few figures for whom collectors could get excited.  They were high quality molds of which collectors desperately wanted repaints.  Two of the highest figures on the list were the Headhunter and Headhunter Stormtrooper.  But, most collectors had resigned themselves to the fate that the molds were lost in Brazil in the mid '90's.  In 2008, however, Master Collector pulled a surprise and both the Headhunter and Headhunter Stormtrooper molds appeared in a convention set.

At first, enthusiasm among collectors was extremely high.  They had great expectations of what Master Collector could do with these molds.  But, then the painted samples came out.  Master Collector tried a color called "arsenic" as the basis for their Headhunter figures.  While the idea sounded good, the result was met with general malaise among the collecting world.  The arsenic looked more aqua blue and didn't really mesh with the black details on the Headhunter Stormtrooper or Gristle figures.  The result was that the set was largely viewed as potential unfulfilled.  Since then, though, the collecting world has taken both tacks with this set.  The Headhunter Stormtrooper figure is criminally cheap and readily available.  This Headhunter Guard, though, has become very hard to find and has actually started to get expensive.

The highlight of this figure is the new logo designed for the Headhunters.  It incorporates a small Cobra sigil.  But, the main focus is a large skull with arrows pointing out of it.  Obviously, it is a play on the whole "headhunter" motif.  But the logo is large and prominent on this figure.  As the figure is somewhat hard to find, having such a specialized logo does help distinguish the Headhunter Guard as something special in the Cobra ranks.

The arsenic color is supposed to be a blend of green, blue and grey.  When offset by darker colors, the blue really comes out and the figures with both look more like the '93 neon figures than something offered in a convention set.  This soured many on the color overall.  But, when used as the primary base for a figure (like this Headhunter Guard) it is much easier to appreciate the coloring.  This figure showcases what arsenic was meant to be.  The black and gold accents enhance the color rather than overpowering it like the black on the other figures does.  The result is a figure that is quite good.  While not in traditional Cobra colors, the figure is something different.  As the Headhunters are more outsiders to Cobra than full operatives, this distinction works.

The accessories for this figure are both well done and really crappy.  The figure features his vintage backpack with the awesome shotgun holder.  But, in lieu of giving this figure his vintage weapon, Master Collector gave him 2 JvC era sculpt weapons.  One is a shotgun and the other is an odd, throwback pistol.  These sculpts are neither good nor bad.  But, they are painted to have wood accents.  So, that's a plus.  But, neither weapon fits into the backpack.  So, if you holster the shotgun, it falls through and into the grass/sand/water/carpet below, perhaps never to be seen again.  In addition to these smaller weapons, the figure also includes a JvC era AK-47.  This isn't a terrible accessory choice.  But, it is one of the earlier new sculpt weapons and the scale is off with ARAH style figures.  Again, this weapon has wooden painted accents.  But, Master Collector painted the handle.  So, the one area of the weapon that would be most susceptible to wear was the area they painted.  Regardless,the overall complement doesn't work all that well with this figure.  The large assault rifle makes little sense for compact, urban warfare.  And, since the shotgun doesn't fit into the holster, it loses its impact.  Master Collector at least tried on the accessories.  But, their weapon choices are often baffling.  And, those included with this Headhunter Guard show that they still don't quite get how to properly accessorize a figure.

For me, this figure is interesting, but not essential.  The original 1992 figures are better army builders for their urban combat specialty.  The Headhunter Driver's black color dominance makes him a better blend with the vintage figures as well.  But, when I'm looking for something slightly different in the Headhunter realm, this figure does work well.  The convention set included a fairly well done Gristle figure.  These Guards do fit perfectly with him.  But, Gristle is an obscure character and isn't someone whom I'm inclined to center a full display around.  I do have to admit, though, that the arsenic has grown on me.  And, when I liquidated large portions of my collection, both Gristle and the Headhunter Guards survived the cut and remained in my possession.  So, that does mean I like on a deeper level than I ever thought I would upon first seeing them.  They are not essential figures and I would not seek them out did I not already have them.  But, they are cool enough in mold and color to keep around.

The Headhunter mold was used by Hasbro in 1992 and 1993.  After that, it was sent to Brazil where the figure was released in colors similar to the 1993 version.  The mold then went missing for 15 years despite strong collector outcry for a re-release.  In 2008, Master Collector found the mold and repainted it as this Headhunter Guard and also as the much harder to find Headhunter Driver figure for that year's convention.  Since then, the opportunities to release ARAH style Joes has been extremely limited and the Headhunter mold has not appeared since.  Since the re-release, vintage Headhunters have gotten a bit cheaper than they were a few years ago.  But, the convention figures have climbed in price and remained very popular.

When this figure was first released, the reaction from the collecting community was lukewarm and the aftermarket prices reflected that.  However, in recent years, the supply of these Headhunter Guards has dried up.  Today, these figures can sell for as much as $40.  (Contrast this to the Headhunter Stormtroopers from the same set who rarely go higher than $12.)  Only being packed 2 per set and the fact that not everyone was enamored with the color scheme has lead these figures to becoming somewhat scarce.  For the price tag, I would just stick with vintage Headhunter figures.  They have better accessories, more solid construction and can be had for less than 1/3 the price of this figure.  But, this figure is a decent addition to a collection.  It is something that gives the Headhunters more depth.  I would have much rather had a Cobra blue Headhunter figure.  But, honestly, this Headhunter Guard is better than no Headhunter repaints at all.

2008 Headhunter BAT

In 1997, collectors were very excited to see the V1 BAT legs appear on the 1997 Viper figure.  This lead to quick speculation that a full repainted BAT would come in 1998.  But, alas, that did not come to pass.  Instead, collectors saw the legs used in 1998 and 2002 on various flavors of the Viper.  In late 2002, Hasbro indicated that the full V1 BAT would be coming as part of an exclusive mail away pack in 2003.  However, they quickly backtracked and restated that the V1 BAT mold was gone and Hasbro would release a repainted 1991 BAT in it's stead.  The result was the less than well received BAT army builder pack in 2003.  After that failure, Hasbro did not attempt another ARAH style BAT figure at retail.  In 2008, though, Master Collector took a chance on a resculpted BAT head and accessories and paired them with an amalgamated body.  The result was a solid, if unspectacular, figure: the Headhunter BAT.

Convention army builders are always somewhat problematic.  They are very expensive to acquire when compared to retail figures.  But, the claimed justification for the higher price points are better accessories, more paint applications and molds that would otherwise not be used.  From 2002 through 2006, the Convention army building figures, though, tended to be characters that were interesting, but not something that collectors really would base their Cobra armies around.  (OK, the 2002 Crimson Vipers might be an exception....)  With the release of BAT's in the 2008 set, Master Collector included a version of a character that very could have become a de facto standard for many collectors in terms of the figure used to represent the BAT in their collections.  What they came up with is tantalizing close to a great figure, but still seems to fall a bit flat when compared to the original

This BAT figure uses the chest from the 1991 BAT, the legs and arms from the 1991 Overkill figure and a newly sculpted head that is based on the vintage head from 1986.  Cast in sliver with black highlights, the figure is more robotic than even the original figure.  The legs and arms forgo the illusion of being human and play up the mechanical, robotic aspect of the character.  The mish-mash of parts, though, has some limitations.  The main problem with this figure is the head.  Aside from the orangish-red faceplate, the reality is that the head is simply too large for the body.  The 1991 BAT was designed with a very sleek head.  The fatter, more detailed 1986 head looks out of place on the smaller, more compact chest.  Overkill's legs are also thin.  So, when given the backpack, the figure tends to look a bit top heavy.

Master Collector remolded the V1 BAT's accessories for this figure.  The flamethrower, claw, hand and laser are all present and will easily fit on either the figure's arm stump or in his pack.  Really, having these back does make the figure that much more valuable from a collectibility standpoint.  The 1991 BAT backpack was sub par at best.  This 1986 homage is not only a great complement of weapons, but also a great way to tie the figure to its vintage counterpart.  (Note, though, that the attachments are not compatible with the vintage figure since the arm peg is differently sized.)

The end result, though, is mixed.  It's a solid mold with some limitations.  It has great accessories.  But, the general feel of the figure combined with the Headhunter logo on his chestplate just doesn't live up to the expectations collectors have of any heir to the vintage BAT figure.  It's not a bad figure.  The paint details are nothing short of phenomenal.  But, it's not a great figure.  When you pay $15 to acquire something, you really want greatness.  But, even after that, it's a solid convention release and certainly one of the top five army building figures that have been released in that format.  But, I don't know if that's a celebration of this figure or an indictment of the remaining convention army building figures.

In the context of the convention set, the BAT was also a stretch.  Really, BAT's had no connections to the Headhunters, Headman or Gristle.  Tying them to this subteam of Cobra probably wasn't the best way to sell collectors on buying large quantities of figures.  The inclusion of Hotwire as an attendee exclusive, though, did bring some additional weight to the BAT theme.  While the connection to drug dealers was a bit far-fetched, having BAT figures available with their mechanic was a nice touch.  Sadly, I think the BAT would have actually benefited from a splash of the arsenic color used for the rest of the Headhunters.  It would have given the figure some humanity.

When I first saw this figure, I wanted to army build them.  I figured they would be the type of BATs that would seamlessly blend with my more vintage focused collection and would be a great upgrade to the original figure.  Once I got one in hand, though, my enthusiasm for the figure faded.  The silver and black combo seems like it would be good.  But, it lacks the visual dramatics of the yellow and black juxtaposition of the 1986 release.  The red faceplate is an homage to the cartoon BAT.  But, the color clashes with the body and just seems out of place.  To me, it's an example of allowing a collector reference to override the overall design of the figure.  And, in this case, the entire figure suffers for it.  As such, I ended up trading or selling off almost all of my Convention BATs and replacing them with more original figures.

Like a lot of the convention figures from 2007 and 2008, the Headhunter BAT has seen some great price fluctuations.  Upon release, it was speculated that the figure would be very popular.  Prices right after the convention hovered in the $25 range for a while.  But, demand quickly abated.  For a long time, mint in bag Headhunter BATs could be purchased in the $12-$15 range rather easily.  Slowly, though, the supply was absorbed.  These days, a mint and complete figure tends to run around $22.  That's only slightly less than a high quality version 1 BAT figure.  So, the value for the collector looking to army build is likely better spent on amassing vintage BATs in lieu of the more modern release.  I feel the figure has its merits and is a pretty solid release given the constraints that existed.  The fact that he's been able to appreciate in value tells you that many collectors agree.

2002 Headman

The idea of Joe fighting drug dealers hasn't been a popular one in the modern collecting world.  Regardless of feelings about the subject matter, though, the characters and figure molds that were released during the first wave of DEF figures are among the best in the line.  The feature unique and highly detailed sculpts, muted, realistic colors and great accessories.  In the years I've been at this, I've profiled most of the figures that comprised the first wave of DEF figures.  They are simply that good.  In modern times, more collectors have warmed to these molds and many DEF figures count themselves among the most expensive and desirable post 1990 figure releases.

The Headman was the leader of the Headhunters and the big cheese in drug trafficking.  I call him the big cheese because the figure does bear a resemblance to the Hamburglar and part of me always thinks of that when I see the figure.  The original coloring was decent enough with a black suit dusted with gold stripes.  But, the 2002 figure went all out.  It turned the Headman into a flamboyant drug dealer with the gaudy suit to match his personality.  It was this great orangish-brown suit that drew my attention to the 2002 figure and made it stand out against the backdrop of his similarly colored contemporaries.  The one element of the figure design of which I have never been fond, though, is the pony-tail.  While that physical feature fits the Headman's intended specialty, it does not match with the characterization I have assigned to the figure.  It is a minor point but one that probably keeps this figure from seeing as much use in my collection as it otherwise would were the pony tail omitted.

In my collection, Headman is not a drug dealer and he is not named Headman.  Instead, he is named Rialto.  Rialto is a supply chain management genius and holds an MBA in the subject from an Ivy League university.  Rialto's position within Cobra is as the head of munitions manufacturing.  He is not the designer but he is responsible for ensuring that the raw materials and production facilities needed for Cobra's arms business is a fine tuned machine.  He also oversees the transport of the completed munitions to their final destination.  He is in control of the Cobra ports, railroads, highways and motor truck cargo capacity.  It is a huge responsibility that makes Rialto one of the most important members of the Cobra hierarchy, even though he is, officially, a non-combatant.  It also gives him some leeway in terms of fashion sense since he has no combat role to worry about.  Plus, it's really not like an organization like Cobra: full of outlandish uniforms, would frown on Rialto's choice of wardrobe.

This non-combatant status, of course, causes rifts on Cobra Island.  Combat commanders do not like someone who does not fight having so much power within Cobra.  But, the Commander is fine with this as and actively encourages Rialto's non-combatant stance.  The reason why is since Rialto understands the the logistics of Cobra Island's transportation system, would he ever decide to lead an insurgency on the Island, he would have a huge advantage in moving his troops around the island.  This fact isn't lost on the Commander and he ensures that no combat troops ever deal with Rialto.  That way, Rialto's knowledge is only dangerous as part of a plot rather than as the mastermind.

For his part, Rialto doesn't mind.  He has access to one of the most ambitious manufacturing operations in the world and the logistics of moving massive amounts of hardware all over the globe keeps him satisfied in his duties without having to dream of conquest.  This has lead to a friendship between Rialto and Ramen.  (Cobra's South American Commander.)  Ramen admires Rialto's abilities and his dedicated focus.  The two also share an Ivy League pedigree and that has fostered comradeship.  Ramen considers Rialto one of the keys to the Cobra dynasty and one who, if in Ramen's stable, would give him the ability to do pretty much anything he wanted in the Cobra world.  Rialto has resisted actively joining Ramen, though, as he feels his neutrality is better serving the good of Cobra.  At some point, though, he will be forced to declare allegiance to either the Commander or to Ramen.  When that day comes, the winner will have one of the most important allies in their stead and will gain a clear advantage over the other....

Of course, this leads one to question Rialto's motives.  Why would one of the brightest business minds in the world go to work for Cobra where the military aspect could spell doom despite great business success?  The answer to that lies in Rialto's upbringing and character.  While Ramen was a criminal whose exploits had him facing dozens of years in a white-collar federal prison, Rialto joined Cobra for the challenge.  Rialto wanted to head one of the world's largest companies upon graduation.  But even the most forward thinking company would have put off his dreams for at least 20 years as he navigated the murky world of corporate politics.  In Cobra, Rialto found a refreshing honesty that comes from such a confrontational and deadly military culture.  In Cobra, Rialto didn't have to worry that a rival might sabotage a presentation.  Instead, that rival might just shoot him.  That certainty made Cobra attractive and Rialto was able to rise through the ranks in only a matter of a few years.  There were no golf memberships, knowing the right people nor the other hallmarks of traditional corporate malarkey.  Instead, there was a certainty that if he proved himself, the military commanders would give him control of all the assets he desired and leave him to his devices as long as the money kept rolling in.  The military commanders were glad to be free of the hassle of the business logistics since those did not build their troop counts nor their battles won.  They left Rialto free and he has made the most of the opportunity.  Perhaps too well, though, as his power has become a spot of contention and competing factions on Cobra Island wish an oath of loyalty out of Cobra's most famous and powerful civilian.

The Headman mold was used in 1992 only.  The figure was then first used again in 2002.  Since then, the mold has not been used again as Headman but has appeared as the stock look for suits in the line.  First used on the comic pack General Flagg in late 2004, Hasbro then re-used it again for the under-appreciated suited Tomax and Xamot figures that were included with the Toys R Us exclusive Crimson set in early 2005.  It has not appeared since then, but is certain to be the first choice if Hasbro ever needs another ARAH-style figure that wears a suit.  Truthfully, though, the mold isn't too overexposed since the three releases have been of such drastic different colors and included on such diverse characters.  But, at the same time, I really don't think we need another Headman unless he was to return in a set stocked with his Headhunters and Headhunter Stormtroopers.  Otherwise, the character has been adequately done.

The reality is that Wave 1.5 in 2002 was one of the most overproduced wave in Joe history.  Hasbro needed a stop gap wave to fill in between the disaster that was Wave 1 and the re-tooled with O-rings figures that were planned to be Wave 2.  Retailers were warm to the designs in Wave 1.5 and the floodgates were opened.  Most major retailers stocked Wave 1.5 in abundance.  As if this weren't enough, though, many non-traditional toy retailers such as JC Penny, Kohl's and others also ordered this wave and stocked in their stores.  K-Mart even received an exclusive product wave where a 2-pack of Wave 1.5 figures was packaged with a third "bonus" figure from the Wave.  This made even popular figures like the Viper and Alley Viper very easy to get and collectors were able to stockpile massive armies just through successive months of retail incursions.  As if this weren't enough, though, Hasbro ended up selling a massive production run to Family Dollar stores.  They had walls and walls of the figures in their stores and were not able to get rid of them until they reduced them to $1 per pack in the summer of 2004.  In between times, Hasbro also sold off large quantities of overstock to an Israeli toy dealer and many high end American collectors were offered cheap quantities of army builders from Israel, provided they pay the shipping.

The result is that there is no Wave 1.5 figure that is very desirable.  Even the army builders can still be had for under $5 each and most of the other figures are often sold for $2 or less.  The Headman is one of these as he is often ridiculously cheap.  Personally, I feel the Wave 1.5 figures were decently done and the accessories with the non-army builders alone are worth the small price you often pay to acquire these figures.  I have purchased several after market Headman figures for almost nothing just due to the fact that they are cheap and the figure's look is good.  For the price, this figure is a no-brainer to add to a collection.  Unfortunately, it is unlikely that he will ever be appreciated for more than that.

2008 Headhunter Driver (Convention Exclusive)

During the modern Joe redux between 2001 and 2006, collectors had many requests for certain figures to return to retail. In time, we learned what Hasbro could and could not do. Despite this, though, collectors largely clamoured for the same figures over and over again. In time, Hasbro came through with fan favorites like original Cobra Troopers, Vipers and Crimson Guardsmen. The one faction that was not revisited, though, was the Headhunters. These figure molds were very popular with collectors and lended themselves to nice repaints. The obvious answer to Hasbro's inability to sate collector demand for these figures was that the molds were lost in Brazil. As the figures had been released in Brazil around 1995, this seemed plausible enough. But, in 2004, Hasbro offered a glimmer of hope when parts from Mace appeared on the comic pack Clutch. This indicated that some of the later released Brazilian figures might be available to Hasbro. Finally, in 2008, Master Collector came through and released a boxed convention set featuring the Headhunter characters and original figure molds. However, these figures were not met with the fanfare that might have been expected just a few years earlier. The result is a decent set of figures that have largely failed to endear themselves to the modern collecting community. Of the figures released, the Headhunter Driver has the most interesting story, even if he the most similar to his vintage counterpart.

Originally, the Headhunter Driver was going to be part of a vehicle/driver combo set. Thus, his name would make a lot more sense. The figure was intended to be the driver for a repainted Cobra Rage that would have been the Headhunters signature urban assault vehicle. However, production costs and other factors kept this vehicle from coming to light. (And, with the fiasco of the Maulers from 2007 still fresh on their minds, the decision to err on the side of caution can only be viewed as a wise one.) However, as the figure had been made, there was no reason why it couldn't be used for another promotion. So, the figure became the attendee bonus figure for those who purchased boxed sets. As just that, a bonus, the figure works nicely. It is decently colored though not overly complex and has a specialty that allows for compulsive collectors to scale back their desires for multiples. But, as a bonus figure, the Driver also suffered from decreased availability. Collectors could not just buy up multiples of them unless they found other attendees who purchased full sets who wanted to part with the Driver. The result was an increased demand for a figure that was nearly never to be the first place.

Much was made of the coloring of these Headhunter figures. Initial fan reactions were adverse as the figures appeared to be a light blue color. This was quickly explained away, though, as the photos not showing the "true" color which was revealed as "arsenic". In name, this is a cool color. And, in form, it would be good, too. However, this profile uses the hex code for arsenic as the background color. You can compare that background color to the color on the various Headhunter figures and make your own determination as to how true to the color of arsenic the figures actually are. The bigger issue for me, though, is that this Driver is just so close to the original Headhunter figure. At least the more common Headhunter Guards were done in all arsenic bodies that differentiate them from the original figures. This Driver does not. As such, if a collector is forced to choose between a high priced, low production run figure or the more available and cheaper vintage figure, there is no compelling reason to take the more modern rendition. It is so similar that there isn't a great reason to spend copious amounts of time and money tracking down additional Headhunter Driver figures.

The Driver figure is the opposite in coloring from the Guard figure, though. As such, any collector who tracks down a few of the Guard figures can now use the Driver as a commander or lead figure for those Guards. Much like the 2007 Rip It being a near inverse of the Wal Mart Hiss Driver, the Driver figure takes on an additional potential use by being the opposite of the more common, unnamed figures. The fact that both figures also feature the distinctive Headhunter logo helps pair them together. This logo incorporates Cobra into the Headhunter theme and helps to merge the two factions. It is distinctive from any vintage appearance of the Headhunter faction and is a nice addition to these figures. Though, it is brittle and will rub off easily if the figures are used too much.

One of the nice things about seeing figures like this revisited is that it brings a new opportunity to appreciate the mold. As it was released in 1992, the Headhunter is a figure that most modern collectors found affinity for long after their childhood. So, there aren't as many collectors to whom this figure was a vital part of their formative Joe years. These new figures, though, help these molds get some of their due. When you look at the Headhunter figure, the mold is full of possibilities for other uses. One of the most influential customs I recall from my earliest online days was a Cobra Commander by the immortal Evilface. This figure creatively used the Headhunter head as a new take on the Commander. It showed an ingenuity that, if properly applied, could be used as inspiration for many new Joe figures to be created from the molds we know to be available. While people are quick to point out that the number of ARAH Joe molds is "dwindling", the reality is that there are enough parts that an entirely new line of new figures and characters could be created only out of newly colored amalgamations. It's probably too late to see this pipe dream fulfilled. But, it does show that there is potential out there for molds like the Headhunter to be used in different ways that could more greatly expand the collecting experience.

The Headhunter Driver's accessories are interesting in that they are the only appearance of the bomb pack that is included. This orange explosive was originally intended for release with a Sigma 6 figure that was cancelled and never saw production. As such, the only way to get this accessory is with this Headhunter Driver. The bomb pack is cool enough for this reason, but really extraneous...especially when you consider this figure was intended for use a vehicle driver. He also includes 2 shotgun pistols. These are not the shotgun from the vintage figure and are, instead, from the new sculpt Joe line. The give the homage to the original accessories, but are inferior and don't really fit well with the figure. But, for what they are, at least they make sense. But, if you can find them, extra vintage Headhunter accessories make all the difference in the world for these figures. (Especially if you augment them with an Alley Viper gun, too.)

The Headhunter mold has been used for 5 unique figures now: the 1992 and 1993 Headhunters, Brutus from Brazil and these convention Headhunter Guards and Headhunter Drivers. All of these figures, though, feature the same basic paint masks (though, the Guard and Driver figures do have some additional gold paint that is missing on the vintage and foreign figures) and colors. Only the Guard is not done with a black body and he features black highlights. As such, though there are 4 unique uses of this mold, there are really only 2 versions that are greatly different and even those are still similar in appearance. As such, this mold still has some great potential. Headhunters in Cobra blue, dark grey or even crimson might be a nice way to make the mold more diverse. At this point, that's probably unlikely to happen any time soon. But, the existence of the mold does at least offer the possibility that the figure might, one day, be revisited in more distinct coloring.

The Headhunter Driver figure was the attendee bonus figure at the 2008 convention. As such, the only way to get one was to buy a boxed convention set and then attend the convention. As such, this figure is rather hard to find. Within a week of the convention ending, mint and complete with filecard Headhunter Driver figures were selling in the $125 range. (If you could find them at all!) In the months since, the figure has seen a slight decrease in popularity, but still routinely sells for ~$80. Really, that's WAY too much for this figure. Sure, he probably has low production numbers and is somewhat hard to find. But, this figure really offers nothing that you can't get from the original Headhunter figure. And, most collectors would much rather buy 6 or 7 vintage Headhunters than one of these figures. I know I would. Still, for what it is, the figure is rather well done, if uninspired.

1993 Headhunter Stormtrooper

One of the most common themes that I've promoted throughout the history of this site has been the hidden quality of many of the later release Joe figures. While I have long conceded that many of the color schemes used on those figures from '92-'94 were less than stellar, the figure designs themselves were of equal, or greater, quality than many of the figures from collector favorite years. Recent repaints of some of these later molds have shown how a hated figure, redone can become a very nice piece of a collection. However, even in the neon years, there were a few figures that were just done right. They are few and far between, especially as a retail release, but can be a great way to add some depth to a collection without sacrificing the standards laid down by previous Joe years. If an average Joe collector has one figure from 1993 in his collection, it is usually the 1993 Cobra Commander. If he has a second figure from '93, though, it tends to be the Headhunter Stormtrooper.

This figure is nothing short of incredible. He combines solid colors, a cool concept and an incredible mold into a package that creates one of the best Cobra figures ever released. He starts with an awesome head sculpt. He has Range-Viper-esque skull teeth molded into his mouth socket which are bracketed by insect-like pincers that give him an other-worldly, frightening look. His more bulky body sculpt is accentuated by spikes on his arms and chest. These are, according to the filecard, body armour that is designed to fend off would be tacklers in an urban warfare type environment. His chest is covered in molded on weapons and additional body armour that leave you with the impression that an army of Headhunter Stormtroopers would not be something you would want to run into in a dark alley. The subtle blends of charcoal grey and blacks give an overall dark impression of the figure, but his golden highlights bring him to life. Really, photos don't do the figure justice as his darker elements tend to be lost in a digital image.

The Headhunter Stormtrooper serves a dual role in my collection. As I have but one of him, he sees some time as the Headhunter field commander. He is in charge of the Cobra Headhunter units as they sweep the streets and alleys of an attacked urban center. His units follow behind the more aggressive and less thorough Alley Vipers and ensure that the "Cobra Urban Death Squad" of which he is a part completely finishes their duties. At some point, I'll probably promote the character portrayed by the figure (much like I did with the character portrayed by Decimator when I promoted him to Urzor) and find a named Cobra for him to take over. Until then, though, I like this guy's look at the lead of a Headhunter unit.

Many collectors (at least, those lucky enough to have multiples of this figure) use the Headhunter Stormtrooper as an army builder. In this capacity, the figure also works incredibly well. He is the unique figure whose mold allows him to be both unique enough to be a named Cobra character yet uniform enough that he can also function as an army builder. Again, the versatility is the extra little attribute that pushes this figure beyond just having a cool mold in good colors. I think that figures who take a few chances often end up being among the best in the history of the line. As most of the new re-releases of classic molds have been vanilla, that would be something for Hasbro to consider as they go forward. From the looks of the upcoming Python Patrol, though, the Hasbro designers are getting a little bolder. The end result appears to be something very interesting that has the potential to become a collector favorite. Looking back at the success of figures like the Headhunter Stormtrooper helps nurture the same ideas that made this figure work and gives them a better chance to be incorporated in still-to-come figures.

I've noticed something in the past year or so in the Joe hobby. When I first joined the online Joe world, the general consensus was that the last great Joe year was 1987. There were even a few people who said that '87 had some serious problems. Recently, though, I've seen that consensus "last great year" move from 1987 up to 1990. In fact, there are more and more fans who are even saying that the '91 basic figure assortment should be on equal standing with all the prior years. What has happened is that the the influx of new fans to the online Joe world are now of the age where their childhood memories consisted of figures from later in the line. Their only exposure to the '82-'85 years was either through hand-me-downs from older siblings or re-runs of the cartoon. As such, much of the nostalgic flair for many of the earliest figures has simmered down while many figures from the late '80's and early '90's are starting to see their popularity rise.

I would love to see the Headhunter Stormtrooper re-released. He, along with the original Headhunter, would be a most welcome repaint in the new series. However, like the Headhunter, the Headhunter Stormtrooper mold was sent to Brazil. Around 1995, he was released down there in a very similar color scheme as a glider pilot named Asa Negra. The figure is similar to the American figure and makes for a neat companion piece to any Headhunter army. Unfortunately, many of the figure molds that were sent to Brazil for these late release Brazilian figures were probably not returned. We have not seen any figure molds from those series of figures in the re-releases. With the knowledge that Hasbro has had some difficulty in re-acquiring molds from South America, it is very possible that both the Headhunter and Headhunter Stormtrooper will not ever appear on American retail shelves again. It is unfortunate as both these figures are great examples of later American figure molds done right that the collecting world has relatively ignored.

***Update 1/23/09***   The Headhunter Stormtrooper mold did reappear in 2008. Instead of a cheap retail release, though, the figure was offered in an expensive convention set. Worse, though, was that the figure from 2008 is a worse color scheme than this version from 15 years earlier. (The convention figure also featured the legs from the Rock Viper rather than the original legs.) It was nice to see the mold again, but seeing it a substantially worse rendition than the original was a disappointing waste of a high quality mold. Maybe it will appear again one day in much better colors. But, for now, this original version remains the best edition of this mold that is available.   ***End 1/23/09 Update***

Headhunter Stormtroopers can be expensive. Scanning Ebay, you can find carded ones for around $25 while loose, mint, complete figures go in the $15-$18 range. These prices make the Headhunter Stormtrooper the most expensive regular, retail release figure from 1993. However, you can get lucky. I found a carded Headhunter Stormtrooper on March 8th, 2003 at a used book store in Mesa, Arizona for $8.00. (They also had a 1994 Metal Head, 1993 Mutt (himself a hard figure to find!), a 1993 Headhunter and a 1994 Cobra Blackstar all for the same price.) Most 1993 figures found retail release in odd outlets. As such, there are still a whole lot of carded '93's out there that are sitting in weird second hand stores just waiting for a collector to find them. The great thing about the Headhunter Stormtrooper is that he isn't a character that the average toy dealer/collector/seller knows much about. While they will sell easy-to-find versions of Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow for ridiculous prices, they may not be aware that the current items of high desirability in the Joe world are the army builder figures. As such, guys like the Headhunter Stormtrooper are often modestly priced at outlets that are not frequented by Joe collectors. This makes the possibility of acquiring this figure for much less than the going rate a distinct possibility. With a figure of this quality, though, I wouldn't mind paying a bit more. The Headhunter Stormtrooper is one of the coolest figures released after 1992 and is certainly a deserving figure to be in anyone's collection.

I've got one Headhunter Stormtrooper. While I would like more, I know that anyone reading this page isn't going to let them go cheap. ;-> Do you like this figure? Who is your favorite figure from 1993?  Let me know.