Steeler was the only original 13 Joe team member I didn't own as a kid. Now, though, he's one of the few that I find unique enough to still use in many photos. He's a fun figure who's far more at home in the Slugger or Mauler than the craptastic MOBAT. I love the subtle differences between his chest holster and Clutch's and wonder why Hasbro went to so far as to make a distinct chest piece for a driver sold with the highest price point vehicle.
Here's various photos I've taken of Steeler over the years. He still holds up pretty well. I don't actually have any of him with his proper headgear. I'll need to fix that at some point.
The lower arms look...not original?
ReplyDeleteWhat's that blue Crimson Guard from?
I think the arms are just discolored. The elbows, especially, are starting to go.
DeleteThe blue CG is a Black Major release from like 2011-2012 or so. Hopefully, the new CG's coming later this year will have a similar figure among them.
It really is a tragedy that the plastic Hasbro used for the Joes is not withstanding the test of time. Kenner's Star Wars figures are doing far better by comparison, but they will start to melt down in time as well.
ReplyDeleteI'll give them a pass on vintage stuff as they had no idea they'd still be desired 40 years later. But, the crappy quality of the 2000's is unforgivable.
DeleteI am saddened to see that '93 and '94 figures are starting to go. Their elbows are cracking and fading with great frequency. So, we're still up for more deterioration.