2019 Top Ten Posts

In general, site traffic was down this year.  Each new post got about 1/2 the volume that the winners in prior years had seen.  Most of this was attributable to algorithm changes by big search engines...especially in regards to how social media sites link to content.  But, still, over 115,000 people clicked on various links and stopped by to say hello.  The year was dominated by Black Major figures with several making the top 10.  Rarities Month was kind of a dud, but one post managed to pop up.  The rest of the most popular posts are the usual, somewhat eclectic mix.

10.  2019 Black Major Slaughter's Marauders Snake Eyes

Black Major shows up on the list right away.  This Slaughter Marauders inspired Snake Eyes is one of the highlights of the Snake Eyes repaints.  The Marauders are the forgotten subset of the Joe world and have gotten little love since their original release.  So, this Snake Eyes was a welcome addition.

9.  1984 Firefly - Around the Web

The Around the Web features are a fun way for me to publish new photos of figures that were profiles years and years ago.  Generally, they are about 1/3 the popularity of full on profiles.  But, in 2019, the first Around the Web features popped into the top 10.  For Firefly, it makes sense.  He's one of the most famous and loved figures in the line.

8.  2018 Black Major Python Patrol Storm Shadow

Black Major shows up again.  This time, it's a Stormshadow repaint.  Getting a V1 Stormshadow in Python Patrol inspired colors was a great way for me to expand my early Python Patrol collection and bring a new character into the fold.

7.  2005 Comic Pack Zartan

I remember profiling this figure at some point in the past.  But, I couldn't find it.  So, I wrote up a new one.  And, due to Zartan's enduring popularity and the fact that this version is pretty close to the vintage in appearance, this post showed up in the top 10.

6.  Mortal Kombat Movie Edition Shang Tsung (Ninja Commando Budo)

Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter Movie Edition figures ebb and flow in popularity.  However, since the Mortal Kombat Movie Edition Shang Tsung was originally intended as the 1995 Ninja Commando Budo, collectors have long coveted it.

5.  Rarities - Unproduced 2002 Shock Viper

The 2019 Rarities month was kind of a dud.  There were some things that happened behind the scenes that lead to that.  So, while prior years saw several Rarities posts in the top 10, there is just one from 2019. This Shock Viper repaint would have been better than the copper colored one we actually got at retail.  We never got the story as to why Hasbro changed it, though.

4.  1986 Zandar

The Zartan family is very popular.  And, that carried over to Zandar.  I had postponed profiling this figure for a long time.  But, when I finally got around to it, Zandar found an audience.

3.  Funskool Chuckles

Of the 2000's era Funskool releases, Chuckles is probably the most obscure.  He was only available on a Russian card and was never offered by any of the American Funskool sellers.  Fortunately, he's still affordable and easy to find today.  As foreign repaints go, this is barely one.  But, it's always fun to track down some of the less popular Funskool variants.

2.  2019 Black Major "Purple Haze" Cobra Invasor

The final Black Major figure on this list is also still my favorite release of the past year or so.  This purple Snake Eyes repaint, sold as an Invasor, is a great update for the Snake Eyes mold and is a lot of fun to have around.  This figure was very popular at the beginning of the year.  But, he kind of faded away as newer paint variations were released.  It will be interesting to see how this figure holds up over time.  But, he remains a personal favorite.

1. 1983 Cobra Commander

Cobra Commander was part of the Cobra Convergence event in the summer.  This is a collaborative effort of Joe content creators put together by HCC788.  All of the cross promotion lead to the most popular post on the site in 2019. The combination of one of the most famous figures in the line's history and the cross promotion from one of the biggest video reviews of G.I. Joe figures out there figured into this profile's placement.

Thanks again for dropping by in 2019.  2020 will see the continuation of my Anniversary series looking back at key moments in the site's history.  Rarities Month will return in June with a broader selection of content for this year.  Guest Reviews will appear.  And, I've got a nice slate of profiles planned as the year plays out.  I hope you and your families all have a great 2020!