1987 Tunnel Rat

1987 was the last real year that I collected Joes in my childhood.  Sure, I bought a few 1988 figures.  But, that was done with after the first few months of the year.  1987 was the last time I tracked down every figure and attempted to get every vehicle.  As these were the last figures from my youth, I have fond memories of many of them.  While they didn't span multi-year play patterns like some earlier figures, they were the backbone of my final adventures.  For many collectors the 1987 series is special because of their attachment to the G.I. Joe movie or cartoon.  I, though, am overly sentimental about the '87's due to their unique place in my personal collecting chronology.

As a kid, the notion of a tunnel specialist was a great addition to the Joe team.  However, it is rather difficult to have actual play adventures in a real tunnel in the dirt.  So, Tunnel Rat was most often a hidden weapon who would emerge from a tunnel or underground cavern and assist the Joes.  The tunnel was a hook to get him into the action.  But, once the shooting started, he was, at his core, an infantryman more than a specialist.  As such, I have many memories of taking Tunnel Rat outside to play in the grass, dirt and weeds that were my Joe world in my backyard.  I dug holes for him from time to time.  But, mostly, he was used as a basic Joe.  Occasionally, I would outfit Tunnel Rat with the pistol from either the 1986 Hawk or the 1987 Backstop figure, give him Outback's flashlight and actually use him as a real tunnel rat.  I had read an issue of the 'Nam comic that featured a short story about a tunnel rat who actually bore some resemblance to this figure.  That inspired some solid adventures.  But, it was Tunnel Rat's appearance in the Special Missions comic where he was the team's designated light machine gunner that most inspired my use of the figure.

In this role, though, the figure found great use.  In short order, my figure exhibited playwear and I lost his flashlights and broke the handle on his gun.  This shouldn't be out of the ordinary for a child's toy.  But, I took great care of my Joes after 1986 and kept many of them in pristine condition.  For a figure that entered into my collection so late to take such abuse was a testament to the amount of use the figure saw.  But, the quality of the mold and excellent accessory complement were more than enough to keep the figure as an essential member of my Joe team.  Even when I returned to Joe collecting in the early 1990's, Tunnel Rat was a vital member of my collection.  While his original gun was long gone, I replaced it with the black version of Sub Zero's machine gun that was included with the Sgt. Savage Iron Panther tank.  It was a suitable replacement and kept the character viable until I was able to secure high quality, and complete, replacements.

As Rock and Roll had been long absent from my collection and the 1984 Roadblock's accessories had long been broken and I didn't like the 1986 Roadblock, Tunnel Rat became the main machine gunner for the Joe team.  In my backyard, there was a slight indentation on one side where the ground sloped down to a garden.  I had this as a road for my convoy of Cobra vehicles.  Naturally, the Joes lay in ambush with Tunnel Rat at the head: ready to pick off the multitudes of Cobras as they vacated their vehicles to take cover from the Joes on the high ground above the road.  I recall this outside adventure as it took several days in the fall to put together and the convoy was made of the combined collections of myself and the kids who lived down the street.  The idea of having 4 Hiss Tanks, 2 STUNs and 2 Maggots all together was simply amazing.  How would the Joes defeat such a large force?

The final day of the battle was ended when a rain storm sent us all inside, leaving the Joes out in the elements for several days as we waited for the rain to leave.  When it did, though, we had moved on to new adventures.  Eventually, I picked up the toys from the yard and brought them in.  It was the last time I would play with Joes with my friends.  As 1987 wound down, sports and other pursuits were starting to take our time.  I moved the toys inside and into my bedroom.  From there, I would have some great final adventures using the major players from 1987.  But, that last battle with Tunnel Rat at the head of the attack is something that I'll never forget.  The following spring, the kids from down the block were over and we were playing soccer in the backyard.  The ball went out of bounds into the garden by the convoy attack spot.  When I got the ball out, I found an Armadillo manned by Heavy Metal that had ridden out the winter hidden in the ivy.  I pulled it out and we all recalled when we had put it there to attack the Cobras.  We had a laugh, I took the tank inside and we played out our game, giving the toy little thought.

Tunnel Rat's accessories are both awesome and ridiculous.  His huge backpack is well detailed and would be great for a long range infantry trooper for survivalist.  The flashlights that plug into the top of the pack and are removable are a stroke of genius and a great addition to the figure.  The explosive satchel is a great add on for the figure and follows the EOD roots of the character.  The light machine gun is large, but not unwieldy.  It is well detailed and a perfect fit for a light machine gunner.  The ridiculous part of this, though, is that the figure is named Tunnel Rat.  In a tight tunnel or crawlspace, a weapon the size of Tunnel Rat's would be impossible to maneuver.  The huge pack would get stuck and impede his movement.  So, for a light infantry/machine gunner, the accessories are great.  But, for someone who crawls through cramped, dark spaces, the size of the gear is non-sensical.

The Tunnel Rat mold has seen a good amount of use.  Hasbro released the figure in 1987, in Night Force colors in 1988 and as part of the Super Sonic Fighters line in 1990.  Around 1991, Hasbro also used the mold for the European exclusive Tiger Force Tunnel Rat.  From there, the mold went to India.  There, Funskool released a Tunnel Rat figure that was similar in color to the Sonic Fighters version for many years.  Tunnel Rat was one of the first 18 molds Funskool returned to Hasbro in 2003.  Hasbro quickly used the mold in the 2004 Night Force set, the 2004 Desert Patrol set and a comic pack (but with a new head) in 2005.  The mold hasn't been seen since then.  But, considering the amount of use it got in a short time, most collectors are content with the amount of Tunnel Rat figures available to them.

In the early 2000's, Tunnel Rat figures were very popular.  So much so that mint and complete versions sold for $20 or more.  Slowly, though, the demand for the figure sated as collectors were able to either acquire the figure or pick up a modern repaint.  Still, though, many people think that the figure is worth the $20 price tag.  If you are selling a mint, complete with filecard version, you can get that amount without too much trouble.  But, if you are buying, a little patience shows that the same figure can be purchased for around $10.  At $10, this figure is a must have for every collector.  It's a popular figure, vintage mold, and solid character.  You can't ask for much more than that for such a cheap price.

2004 Unproduced Anti Venom Mutt

In 2004, collectors were likely to lament the figure choices that Hasbro has offering in the ARAH-style.  The year had started off strong with the Cobra Infantry.  As such, anything following that was going to look worse than it really was.  Plus, in 2005, Hasbro continually lowered the bar in terms of figure offerings.  As such, the 2004 figures have fared much better in retrospect and even the Joes have found some after market life.  However, originally, many of the Joes offered in 2004 had very different looks.  Most times, collectors would never know of these alternate designs.  But, in 2004, Asian Joe sellers were able to get their hands on large quantities of unproduced Joes and made them available to American collectors.  At first, people went nuts for these alternate figures.  Then, demand died down and prices fell: dramatically.  Since the, though, the source of most of these figures has dried up and we are finally able to look back on the figures for what they were: a great opportunity to augment a Joe collection with rare, unproduced, full production level figures.  In many cases, though, the choices that Hasbro ultimately used at retail were the right ones as some of the unproduced figures are awkward, uninteresting, or just plain goofy.  But, in some cases, collectors missed out on a great rendition of a character.  Such is the case with the alernate Anti-Venom Mutt.

Mutt is one of my favorite early characters.  I liked him in the comics and his figure was one of the most interesting offerings in the first three years of the line.  Plus, to this day, I am a dog lover and find an affinity for those who care for their animals properly.  As such, Mutt got a lot of use in my childhood collection...until I broke him.  After that, it was many years before I was able to acquire another, high quality Mutt figure.  To this day, it is a great temptation whenever I see a nicely conditioned, complete Mutt for sale at a cheap price.  While I don't have any real use for multiples of the figure, I do like to have extras of my favorites lying around.  (I have several V1 Flint figures and try to acquire one every so often for the same reason.)  Mutt fits that category.

But, I was highly disappointed in Hasbro's Anti-Venom Mutt figure.  The tan coloring really didn't do anything for me and the lack of V1 accessories made it hard to enjoy the figure.  The worst part, though, was the painted head.  I hate painted heads when the dominant color is flesh.  It makes no sense to me to paint a figure that way, especially one with a removable helmet.  The paint rubs all too easily and leaves you with a damaged figure after just a few uses.

This figure remains one of the best versions of Mutt.  While I like Mutt's combat roots and look of the V1 figure, I actually see him as more of a law enforcement type.  As such, having a version in blue is perfect.  He can match the 2000 Law figures, Supercop and the vintage versions of Shockwave.  I have law as the leader of the Joe law enforcement forces.  He is the most tenured but also the most battle hardened.  As such, for going after the types of criminals who require the Joe's attention, Mutt is the perfect the leader.  He is the type of hard core fighter who will get nasty when he has to and isn't afraid of the consequences.  To Mutt, the ends justify the means and he isn't going to let law, rules or pro

There are lots of theories surrounding these figures.  First, there are two distinct versions of unproduced Anti-Venom figures.  There is the more common light blue set which features the subject of this profile.  There is also a much more scarce dark blue version.  It is likely that the dark blue set was a failed concept due to its similarity to Cobra colors.  From there, the blue was lightened.  But, that was also rejected for whatever reason.  That ultimately lead to the tan colored figures who were released at retail.  Of course, that is only the theory.  The true story has not come out at this point and it is unknown if it ever will.  But, these figures are now part of the collecting mythos and should be treated as such.

The V1 Mutt mold has had a long life.  The figure was released in the US in 1984 and 1985.  It was also available in various gift sets.  In the late '80's, the mold went down to South America where it was released in Brazil and Mexico.  For some reason, though, the mold was altered in South America and the tell-tale patch on Mutt's chest was removed.  In 1989, Estrela produced a Mutt as part of the Slaughter's Marauders subset that was released in the US.  This figure is also missing the insignia.  In the early '90's, Hasbro reacquired the mold and produced another exclusive Mutt figure in Europe.  This figure was also missing the insignia.  After that, the original Mutt mold disappears.  The mold used for this figure is actually a re-make based on the original.  You will see that the insignia has returned.  If you take Mutt parts from the Anti-Venom Mutt and try to match them with arms and heads from any vintage Mutt, you will find the parts do not match.  The look on this Mutt is similar to the original, but is actually an all new mold rather than a product of the Hasbro warehouse.  As it was so new, I find it odd that the figure was not used again beyond the Anti-Venom set.

If you want an alternate Mutt, the days of easily finding one are gone.  For a time, these figures went in the $15 range on Ebay with some going even less.  There were many samples, though, that went for substantially more than that during the availability window.  These days, though, you are pretty much going to have get lucky and go through a collector who either bought multiples or who is liquidating their unproduced collection.  As such, you're going to pay a premium for this figure, too.  While it's not going to set you back $70, it might cost you $50.  Truth be told, there are hundreds of these figures out there.  But, they were absorbed by the collector market and the type of individual who tended to be interested in these figures when they were available is also the type who is unlikely to part with the figure unless they have extraordinary circumstances.  But, it can be done and those patient enough to seek out figures like this Mutt can do so.  From my experience, the search is very worthwhile as this is one of the best versions of Mutt ever created...even if he is unofficial.

1985 Ripper

Buzzer, Ripper, Torch.  Tom, Dick and Harry.  Winken, Blinken and Nod.  Any way you look at it, the original three Dreadnoks can not really be discussed individually without also including them as a group.  They are just so tied together in character and even figure design that they really have to be discussed in both contexts.  As a group, they are one of the most famous sub-teams in the line's history.  Collectors continue to enjoy them today.  But, as individuals, the Dreadnoks run the gamut from a fully developed character like Buzzer to someone like Ripper who was little more than an illiterate thug.

The Ripper mold is exceptionally detailed for a 30 year old action figure.  The designers really approached the Joe line with a degree of professionalism, love and attention to detail that translated into the classic figures that are still being derived from today.  Ripper is no exception.  From the Mohawk to the teeth of his necklace, the entire mold shows a remarkable attention to detail.  Ripper has a bulk to him the other Dreadnoks are missing which helps provide some diversity in their physical builds.  It's not so much as to make the figure unusable with vehicles from the time.  But, it is a visual difference in the three figures.  The half shirt and sunglasses are a bit dated.  But, taken ironically, Ripper could be considered a hipster in the modern Joe line.

Ripper's accessories are nothing short of exceptional.  His gun has the basic body of the 1983 Snow Job rifle.  But, Hasbro added on a scope, clip and a monster cutting blade that took a basic weapon and made it something signature.  Once you get past that, the Jaws of Life are a great accessory for someone hell bent on destruction.  (I only wished they had actually opened when I was a kid!)  The plug from the jaws to the generator on Ripper's pack was just a wonderful plus.  But, the great play feature was that the jaws could be hung from the prongs on Ripper's pack.  Or, it had a small clip that allowed it to attach to the pack's frame.  The result is a self contained accessory set with magnificent detail that defines Ripper as a character.

I have told the story of find the Dreadnoks prior to Christmas of 1984 many times.  Of the three Dreadnoks, though, Ripper was the one who I never, technically, owned.  While I got Torch and Buzzer for my birthday and Christmas, Ripper was actually given to my younger brother.  Since the figure was not actually mine, I didn't have as much of a chance to develop the character to the extent that I did for the other two Dreadnoks.  Even as Ripper lost my brother's attention and was integrated into my use rotation, I always used him more as a one off character than anyone who was actually part of my overall Cobra hierarchy.  My only real memory of the figure is that in the early of months of 1985, I took all the Dreadnoks out in the snow to play.  As I was carrying the figures back into the house, Ripper's gun fell out of his hand and into the snow.  I could not find the silver weapon against the white backdrop.  A few weeks later, we had a warm day with heavy rain.  This melted off the snow and created a thick fog over my entire neighborhood.  Naturally, all the kids got together to play in the haze as it made our "war games" that much more fun.  As I ran across my front yard, I spotted a flash of silver and resurrected Ripper's gun from oblivion.  I stuffed it into my pocket and have, basically, the only specific memory of Ripper as a figure from my childhood.

While the Dreadnoks should be tethered to Zartan, I never really saw them as his minions.  While I may have used the 3 bikers in conjunction with the shape shifter for a few months after my initial acquisition, I quickly found the Dreadnoks being more of their own subgroup.  Mostly, this was due to issue #30 of the G.I. Joe Marvel comic where the Dreadnoks simply couldn't resist destroying Joe Skystrikers.  This lead me to use the Dreadnoks as more of a rogue group.  They would work for Cobra from time to time.  But, they would also attack the Joes out of general spite with no help from Zartan or the Cobra organization.  In time, though, this played itself out.  With the exception of Buzzer, the Dreadnoks simply didn't have the strength of character to remain prominent players in my collection.  By the end of 1985, they were mostly gone from my play rotation.

Ripper's jaws of life found more use, though, as I commandeered them for various rescue teams that would save Joes trapped in burning aircraft or the hull of Whale.  The silver color worked well with a variety of Joes.  The Ripper figure slowly became more of a generic bad guy who would often get killed as he undertook some nefarious, criminal endeavor.  He was not Ripper, per se, but a nameless criminal the Joes could kill or imprison without affecting the character.  Eventually, my main Ripper figure was taken apart and his legs and arms used for various custom figures in my collection.  I distinctly recall an accessory pack M-60 wielding heavy machine gunner using Buzzer's torso and lower body, Ripper's arm and Duke's head.  That was basically the end of Ripper in my collection until I reacquired one as a adult.

The Ripper mold has an interesting history.  After his use in the U.S., the mold was sent down to India.  In the mid 1990's, Funskool started producing the figure.  The most famous variant is the extremely rare purple Ripper figure that features a purple shirt and glasses.  This figure was then replaced with a version that is very similar to the American figure.  Funskool stopped producing Ripper prior to 2000.  As such, no version was readily available for many years.  In 2002, though, a major retailer in India commissioned Funskool to run another batch of Ripper figures.  Some American dealers were able to tack on to the overstock and brought a nice batch of Funskool Ripper figures to the U.S.

The reality, though, is that over the years that Funskool produced the Ripper figure, they made several major and minor variants.  Many of the more obscure Ripper figures that feature color differences were put into vehicles as bagged pack ins.  As such, there are probably 6 to 12 major Ripper variants out there for OCD collectors to track down.  In 2003, the Ripper mold was one of the first 18 molds that Funskool returned to Hasbro.  Master Collector quickly swooped in and released a version of Ripper in the 2004 Dreadnok Convention set.  This red and blue figure is something different for Ripper.  But, it's not, necessarily, an improvement upon the original.  In 2005, Hasbro released Ripper in a Dreadnok themed comic pack.  This figure featured a new head and colors similar to the original release.  While the figure gets points for including the original accessories, the reality is that the pack was a colossal flop that was clearanced for as low as $3 each.  The Ripper mold doesn't really lend itself to great repaints.  (Though, a black version to simulate biker leather might work.  But, it's likely the mold would appear more Village People and less Sons of Anarchy.)  But, collectors have quite a gamut of figures based on this original mold to track down.

Ripper was a popular figure released as part of a popular subset at the height of Joe's retail power.  As such, the figures exist in huge quantities and are rather easy to find.  However, Ripper features four points that make a mint figure problematic.  First, the blue plastic used on the figure's legs is very prone to sun fading and discoloration.  Second, the smallest details on the figure are done in highly fragile gold paint.  Finding a Ripper with perfect gold on his armband, knife, necklace and, especially, rings is very difficult.  Third, the mohawk and beard on his head have a number of angular points that make them very susceptible to paint chips.  Finally, the black paint on the figure's belt, holster and boots is also prone to wear.  If you can find a truly mint Ripper, though, he still won't cost you much.  The figures tend to max out around $12 if the figure is gem mint and has the filecard.  But, even slight wear can cut that price in half or more.  Every collector owes it to themselves to have the original three Dreadnoks.  Even if the overall theme went too far, the original three are a great way to both remember the '80's and appreciate the Joe line's heyday.

2006 Lt. Gorky - Oktober Guard

In general, the G.I. Joe comic packs weren't great.  The featured a lot of repetitive colors and molds and only, occasionally, produced something visually distinct.  As the series wound down, though, Hasbro finally seemed to get a better idea of what the comic packs could have been.  Many of the final packs in the series featured some solid figures in colors that were more distinct from the earlier releases.  Of course, by the time this happened, it was mostly too late to save the concept.  But, figures like Lt. Gorky show that Hasbro still had great opportunities to create high quality figures even at the end of the line.

Gorky uses the entire body of the 1994 Action Soldier/Action Marine/Joseph Colton figure. He has a unique head that was sculpted exclusively for this release. This body, being a late addition to the vintage line, has its limitations as it is a bit bulky. But, it works for this figure. Adding the grey base color, the Russian blue and white undershirt and the holster accessory makes all the difference for this figure.  Instead of a rehash of something before, it breathes new life into the mold and creates something that stands out in any collection.  The large torso also gives the figure some heft and makes him look like a ridiculously strong individual.  This helps define the character for me.

The figure features a molded chest holster.  It is a neat accessory, but has the pistol as part of the mold.  Instead of going with something like Chuckles' working holster with removable pistol, Hasbro just molded the whole thing.  The visual effect is decent.  But, the reality is that there was no reason why a 2006 molded accessory should not have had the removable pistol.  It's a small point, but something that seems a little antiquated for a Joe of this vintage.  Beyond that, the figure includes an array of nondescript weapons as were common to the comic packs of the time.  The holster does break up the look of the figure and is a nice touch.  But, the rest of the weapons are not very special.

In my collection, Gorky has found himself a niche. The look of the figure got me to recognize it and from there I was able to create a character that was useful and missing. I see Gorky as a young officer who is somewhat ambitious. His focus is security and law enforcement. He spends his time chasing down some of the most dangerous criminals in my Joe world. Among these scofflaws are the characters represented by the Funskool Red Dog and the Funskool Mercer. These two individuals are known for their ability to escape capture...often by killing their captors through brute force and fighting knowledge. The Mercer character, in particular, is known as one of the most ruthless hand to hand combat fighters in the world. Here, though, Gorky is his match. I see Gorky as someone who spent his youth learning various fighting styles. But, he also possessed the world class athleticism that allowed him to utilize these skills at the highest levels.

Now, Gorky is obsessed with tracking down the Mercer character. He has already defeated him in hand to hand combat once...only to have the Red Dog character successfully free him a few hours later as Gorky was filling out his paperwork.

So, this character is one who slowly becomes obsessed with tracking down this criminals.  At some point, he will either complete his goal or perish in its pursuit.  At this point, though, I like the character enough that he may actually get his two main quarry.  (I've had them running amok for over a decade now.  So, it might be time for their reign of terror to end.)  We'll see where he ultimately ends up.  But, the decent mold, striking color and blank slate of a character gives me a lot of leeway in how to use the figure.

Lt. Gorky figures are not hard to find. The last wave of comic packs were widely available and most languished on the shelves of Toys R Us stores for more than a year. These days, the entire pack can still be purchased MOC for under the $12 original retail price. By himself, Gorky will be lucky to get $4 or $5. At that price, the figure is simply a must buy. Gorky is different enough that his appearance alone warrants his inclusion in any collection. He is useful for custom fodder, too. All told, this is a figure who's distinct look has made him more relevant than his character ever could.

Coyote - Argentine Exclusive Footloose

There are many examples of foreign Joe figures out there in the market.  Some are rare and pricey.  Some are rare and cheap.  Some are easy to find and stupidly expensive.  And, some are easy to find and really cheap.  It's the full gamut.  While I appreciate all of the foreign exclusive G.I. Joe repaints, I have found that it is the Plastirama series of figures from Argentina that hold the most interest to me as a subset.  This is mostly due to the number of swivel arm figures produced that is small enough to track down without too much hassle, but also large enough that you don't complete the series in a couple of weeks.  The series features some great, original figures and characters as well as a full complement of slightly repainted American characters.  Since most of the molds used fall within my sweet spot of 1983 - 1985, I find the whole set provides a great deal of collecting satisfaction.

Footloose was one of the first two newly released figures I acquired back in the February of 1985.  The figure's strong mold, great colors and amazing accessories really worked for me and made the figure one of my favorites.  But, I had upgraded my American Footloose as one of the first priorities when I returned to collecting in the late 1990's.  Having a chance to get a new take on the figure was something I hoped would happen during the early days of the Joe relaunch.  When that did not occur, I found that Footloose had two South American releases in Brazil and Argentina.  On top of that, the Plastirama figure from Argentina, named Coyote, was actually readily available for about the same cost as a mint, complete American Footloose.  With that, I had a new version of Footloose in my collection.

As a figure, Coyote is well done.  He follows the basic tenants of the Footloose figure, but uses slightly darker hues for the greens on his uniform.  He has a few accouterments painted differently than the American figure.  But, on quick glance, is basically the same figure.  Side by side, though, the differences come out.  The red insignia on Footloose's left arm is gone, but the greens and browns are shades lower than the American version.  The darker colors give the figure some greater depth than the American release.  The figure appears more combat ready.  It is a good look for the character and helps give me greater opportunities to use the mold.  Overall, the paint applications on this figure are well done.  Many Plastirama figures can have sloppy paint.  But, Coyote's don't appear to have this problem to the extent of other figures.  It all helps to shape a high quality release that is worthy of carrying the legacy of a classic 1985 mold.

Coyote includes the full complement of Footloose accessories.  His pack is substantially darker than the American version.  The M-16 and rocket launcher, though, are pretty much the same as the American accessories.  (There are slight variations to color and texture of the two due to the different plastic make up.  But, they are black.)  He also includes the unique helmet.  The foliage on the top of the helmet, though, isn't painted in the same detail as the American figure.  It still has the paint application to keep the two toned look.  But, it isn't as sharp as that of the American figure.

One of the things I most enjoy about foreign Joe collecting is getting new versions of childhood favorites.  Figures like Coyote, Risco and Muralha give a chance to relive the joy of getting Flint, Footloose and Alpine for the first time.  The foreign versions offer something slightly different without being so different that they lose their nostalgic appeal.  That allows me to use a figure like Coyote as Footloose.  It's just a different take on the character that keeps him from getting stale from using his one version all the time.  That is the value I find in figures like this and is the reason why foreign Joe collecting has been such an important part of my Joe collecting world.

Footloose saw substantial release around the world.  He was used in the U.S. for Footloose with his head being adopted for Claymore and Rumbler.  From there, the mold was sent to South America where it was released in both Argentina and Brazil.  The mold seems to have died in South America, though, as it never appeared again.  Both the Plastirama and Estrela figures, though, are similar to the American figure.  So, Footloose is definitely a mold with untapped potential.  Seeing the figure in a more desert theme or as a member of Night Force would have been an excellent addition to the Footloose pantheon.  But, neither the mold nor the character resurfaced during the repaint era.  So, collectors are left with another example of a mold with untapped potential.

Coyotes are moderately difficult to find. A large number of them were brought to the United States when the large overstock of Plastirama figures was found around 2000. But, the quantities were much smaller than those of the wave that included Satan and Ninja-Ku. So, Coyote tended to disappear rather quickly. Today, you see a few of them up for sale every year, usually carded. The prices fluctuate greatly, though, with some carded figures selling for over $50 and others resting in the $25 range. Even at these prices, the figure has merit. The different colors are more pleasing than those of the American figure and add some nice diversity to a collection. He's hard enough to find that not everyone has him, so he definitely adds some diversity to an American collection.  I have found the figure well worth owning and he is a way to appreciate Footloose all over again.