I was aware of the Metal Head character from the comic and a kid down the street had the 1990 figure that I had seen after I had quit buying Joes. So, I jumped at a chance to get a new version of him: purple weapons and all. Like most of the later run figures, there's not a ton of content out there in regards to the figure. But, here's what I could come up with:
Metal Head Profile
Metal Head at JoeADay.com
Metal Head Dio 1
Metal Head Pre-Production at YoJoe.com
Metal Head Dio 2
Metal Head at 3DJoes.com
Metal Head Dio 3
Metal Head at Wikipedia
I guess his heavy use in the Dic cartoon led to this second version. Seems odd now, as he's been largely ignored in media and toy lines since.
ReplyDeleteThe sighting device over one eye and the fuschia are reminiscent of Voltar. Wish they had not made his waist that color, as now he appears to be wearing a leotard. The moppish hair, the crazy grin and the crosshairs eyepiece definitely make this recognizable as Metal-Head.
Rock-Viper legs. They work, though they got those angled toes.
Great Head Sculpt and no fragile pegs sticking out everywhere. Not as memorable as the 1990 figure which had better colors and accessories.
ReplyDeleteKind of hard for me to decide between the Version 1 and the Version 2/Battle Corps Mold which I prefer in regards to Metal-Head. While elements of his Battle Corps Mold makes more sense(Such as the chest plate armour), when I think of Metal-Head, it's usually his Version 1 design, as I assume it's thanks to DIC cartoon, especially when he was featured in the opening credits firing his backpack missiles.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the Battle Corps Mold, I think I like the Convention Exclusive Iron Grenadiers deco a little bit more, but I can't deny that the Battle Corps deco is still good, even with the Pink on him.
I will say that the "Metal Head Dio 1" link from JoeDios, I do like how his Version 1 Missile Launcher Backpack looks on the Battle Corps figure.
It does make me wish that instead of the Hand Missile Launcher he came with, that Hasbro instead took the time to create a Backpack Twin Missile Launcher for this figure. Though I'd imagine it wouldn't have the ability to go up and down as I would assume the missiles would always be pointing forward or at an angle, instead of having the ability to change to attack targets from ground to air. Mind you, another option Hasbro could of done is given him the Flank-Viper's Spring Loaded Missile Firing Backpack instead, making it a bit more similar to his Version 1 look. Eventhough at the time I didn't know Metal-Head's name at the time(Truth be told, there were only a small handful of Joes and Cobras names I knew during the 1980's-1990's), I think if I had saw it in stores with a Backpack Missile Launcher, and realize the beard and the targeting eye, I think I would of realized it was the same backpack missile launching character I saw in the cartoon series.
Course if you really wanted to give Battle Corps Metal-Head a crazy missile launcher, 1992's Duke Version 3's sit down missile launcher would fit the character as well.
If I ever decide to get the Battle Corps Mold of Metal-Head(Regadless of deco), I think I would have to try and also get either his V1 Missile Launching Backpack with Missiles or Flank-Viper's Backpack With Missiles loose.