I'm working on 2 profiles right now. Both are arout 85% done. But, we got a foot of snow and had a pipe burst. So, didn't get them done. Did manage to get the photos, though. So, I'm hoping to drop one on Wednesday or Thursday of this week. I want them both to fully flesh out the full story of the figure, though. Otherwise, I'd probably just publish as is.
In the meantime, here's a quick Around the Web showcase of the 2001 Double Blast. Like most of the more obscure A Real American Hero releases, he's tough to find much content on. Some of the figures just aren't different enough from their originals to warrant usage. If you want a realistically colored 1984 Roadblock figure for a photo, you use the 1984 Roadblock. The only thing Double Blast offers is that he's cheaper and less prone to breakage. But, you want a Roadblock. You settle for a Double Blast.
Which isn't to say he's a bad figure. 25 years ago, when he was released (yes, that's right, this figure is 25 years old!) the swarm of bland, drab figures allowed him to be swallowed in banality. Now, though, you can find value in him. He looks like Roadblock. He has all of Roadblock's gear. And, the quality has held up fairly well. So, it's not terrible to have a Double Blast lying around for when you need something just a little different for a Roadblock photo.
2001 Double Blast by jonita_rodriguin
2001 Double Blast by idealisticcrusader
2001 Double Blast by corpscommandercody
2001 Double Blast by offc0ur5e
2001 Double Blast by thedustinmccoy
It took me a long time to get over the “Double Blast” name, but once I did, it became a fairly valuable figure.
ReplyDeleteIt’s a nice take on the Roadblock v1 mold, and the plain green tank top is one of those changes that really makes a difference
There sure was a lot of "blasting" going on in the world of G.I. Joe in 2001. If Double Blast had defected to Cobra, I can only assume he would have been tasked with starting up an elite squad of Double Fast Blast Vipers. :)
ReplyDeleteAs a standalone figure, he's fine. He works as an alternative for people who don't have the original Roadblock (or want a bit of a change). I feel like Hasbro knew everyone would just use this guy as Roadblock. Otherwise, I can't help but feel they would have given him a newly-sculpted head to try and promote him as more of a unique character.
He's a better Roadblock than Roadblock v2, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteThat's fair to say. I wish the v2 Roadblock had gotten a proper repaint at some point (the Stars & Stripes Rock & Roll doesn't count :) ). It would be interesting to see if he made for a more appealing figure in a better color scheme. The basic sculpt is solid enough (aside from the head...I don't mind it, but I can definitely see why some people might not prefer it).
DeleteI don't know that it's accurate to say he's less prone to breakage than the 1984 original. The plastic Hasbro used for figures in the early 2000s was pretty crappy. Many of my figures from that era have cracked or broken just from standing or sitting on display, without even being moved in years.
ReplyDeleteVery good figure, he was always just Roadblock to me.
ReplyDelete