2004 Urban Assault Night Creeper - Random Photos of the Day

Time has been very kind to the 2004 Urban Assault set.  The blue,  black and silver figures have held up overtly well.  They seem more an example of how Hasbro could get it "right" back in the early 2000's.  Sure, the Stormshadow is still one of the worst versions of the character.  But, every other figure in the set seems to be appreciated, today.

While the Nullifier remains my favorite figure from the set, the Night Creeper has always fascinated me.  My introduction to the Night Creeper was in the comic.  And, it was years later before I acquired the 1990 figure on which the comic character was based.  The figure didn't quite live up to the comic portrayal.  But, it was really close.  In 1998, the Polar Assault version of the Night Creeper showed me more of what the mold could be.  But, the environmentally specific paint job limited him...especially as I lived in a desert at the time.

But, this 2004 Night Creeper might be the best of all.  It is a near perfect Cobra coloring with enough flair to stand apart from other figures of his era.  The cammo can be overkill.  But, it also adds depth that the figure utilizes well.  His gear was the weak spot.  But, it still made sense for a ninja.  Despite my enjoyment of the design, though, I don't use this guy all that often.  I was surprised to find, though, that I had a ton of unpublished photos of him.  Some of these are 8 years old.  It turns out he is a figure I use with a bit of frequency.  But, I never think of when it's time to write something up.

So, take a look at the photos below where I attempt to showcase my appreciate of the figure.  There's still something about him that makes him cooler than I can ever properly capture in a photo.  And, I  like to use him as something more than a simple ninja who bridges the classic '80's ninjas and the more elaborate Ninja Force of the line's final years.