Jonny Quest- 1996 Quest Porpoise By Past Nastification

You might be wondering why the 2002 Cobra Mantis Sub is in banana yellow.

This is the original version of that toy, the 1996 Quest Porpoise, a sporty two-person submarine in Galoob’s Jonny Quest line.  The Jonny Quest toy line ran from 1995-1996, parallel to Hanna-Barbera’s The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest cartoon (which itself was a reboot of the 1960’s Jonny Quest cartoon).  The figures were ever so slightly smaller and squatter than ARAH Joe figures, but they still feel like 1:18 figures.

By 1995, I had already left collecting toys behind for several years and wouldn’t cycle back as an “adult collector” until the Stars and Stripes Forever Set of 1997.  I didn’t have any awareness of Jonny Quest toys when they were new, so my first exposure to them was probably picking up a few pieces mixed in with GI Joe lots on eBay.  The Jonny Quest toy line is wonderful in that it generated what are essentially “civilian” action figures plus a smattering of weird translucent figures (the Matrix-like “Questworld” figures) and some hammy bad guys.  Many of the figures have an updated Adventure People feel, but with articulation and sculpt much closer to ARAH Joe.  The vehicles are so good that I never would have realized that the Night Landing Craft and the Quest Porpoise were rebranded had it not been for yojoe.com pointing it out.     

The Quest Porpoise and the Quest Wave Ranger were two vehicles Hasbro recycled as GI Joe/Cobra vehicles after acquiring Galoob.  The Quest Porpoise became the Cobra Mantis Sub; The Quest Wave Ranger became the Night Landing Craft.  Despite the slight scale mismatch between Jonny Quest and ARAH Joes, the vehicles would work just fine when repurpose for Joes 6 years later.

This particular Quest Porpoise is missing its antennae and part of its grabber claw, but you can still see the overall design.  It looks vaguely dolphin-like, much like the real world Seabreacher vehicles, but those didn’t come in existence until 2009 or so. Galoob was about 20 years ahead of the curve with its sleek design.

Ignoring that it was destined to become a Joe vehicle, comparisons to the GI Joe Sharc seem inevitable.  Both vehicles are submarines, although the Quest Porpoise isn’t a flying one (or I don’t think it’s supposed to be).  The shape of the QP looks more natural and aquadynamic than the Sharc.

The bright colors capture the tone of the Jonny Quest line.  Fun, carefree, and adventurous. 

The QP’s cockpit could even hold two back-to-back figures (think Empire Strikes Back Snow Speeder).  An ARAH Joe won’t fit in the rear-facing seat, so I believe there was some slight modification for the mold’s re-use as a Cobra vehicle.

The QP is decked out with features:

*Grabber claw
*Torpedo (sorry, no picture to show)
*Swiveling lights
*Periscope
*Opening canopy
*Two small side propellers and a large wind-up rear propeller
*Side mounted light array
*Underside hatch with line and claw
*Mostly hidden wheels

That’s a ton of details.  Unlike early Joe vehicles of the early 90’s, the features on the QP feel organic to the vehicle, not clunky or randomly thrown on.

As this vehicle came from the Jonny Quest line, a quick look at the included “Deep Dive” Jonny Quest figure is in order.  It’s not too deep a dive, because Jonny’s only wearing a wetsuit, not a full-on Deep Six style pressure suit.  The wetsuit is banana yellow to match the QP.   As a teenager, the Jonny Quest figure is smaller than the “grownup” figures in the line (as well as ARAH Joe figures).   The body has 11 points of articulation, but suffers from having swollen elbows and inexplicably wide hips.  If you’re not familiar with the bodies in this toy line, they are similar to ARAH ones, but lack lateral shoulder movement and the front/back is one piece from the bottom of the neck to the bottom of the crotch.  There is no separate waist piece or o-ring.

The wetsuit features a dive belt, a dive knife, and un-zipped zippers at the sleeve and pant leg cuffs (a simple, but nice touch).  Jonny has a scuba tank with a mask that looks more like a space helmet.  And two flippers for his feet.     

This is a great vehicle.  It’s easy to see why Hasbro repurposed it.  The figure, given that it’s not a Joe, isn’t too bad, either.

2001 Major Bludd - Around the Web

Sometimes, Hasbro gets it right.  And, in late 2000/early 2001, one of those rare perfect repaints was released.  The 1991 Super Sonic Fighters Major Bludd was a good mold, but in different colors.  Hasbro repainted it into Bludd's classic motif and a star was born.  Sadly, though, Bludd's wave of figures was overproduced and eventually clogged the pegs so badly that it lead to the cancellation of the ARAHC figures.  It's an unfortunate fate for one of the best repaints of the 2000's.  Here's the best of him from around the web.

2001 Major Bludd Profile

Major Bludd at Half the Battle

2001 Major Bludd Prototype at Treasure & Toys

Major Bludd by Nekoman

Major Bludd by Past Nastification

Major Bludd by thedustinmccoy

2018 Red Laser Shimik

In the very early 2000's, foreign Joes were an unknown element of collecting.  There were a few early adopters who did the initial research into the international releases.  But, many figures were unknown and a few were known yet simply did not exist to buy.  Over the next decade, two things happened.  First, foreign Joes became much more common...to the point where pretty much every collector owned at least one.  Second, massive amounts of research was done and foreign characters and designs began to infiltrate Joe media, convention figures and even the anniversary line.  The veil was lifted off of foreign Joes and any collector could learn about them with relative ease.

Learning about them, though, and actually acquiring a certain figures, though, was drastically different.  While Series 2 Plastirama figures were very available in the early 2000's, they remained expensive both due to the lack of quality samples as well as the perceived rarity.  For collectors of vintage style Joes, though, there were no other avenues to acquire these foreign characters outside of customs.  Finally, with the advent of factory custom figures, collectors have access to the famous characters who were one to rare to afford and, certainly, use in any meaningful way.  With Red Laser's release of Shimik, I finally had a chance to acquire a character I'd wanted since 2002.

Shimik was interesting to me for a couple of reasons.  Having additional diversity on a team comprised of original Joe molds based on the 1982 figures was nice.  And, Shimik brought some color to the team that complemented Snake Eyes without copying him, directly.  The Grand Slam head in black looks different enough.  And, the painted on mustache gives Shimik additional uniqueness that sets him apart from other Joes of the same parts.  The bandoliers of bullets across his chest also give Shimik an identity.  There's no reason for this ammo.  But, it's there and adds an air of mystery to the character.

It should be stated that there is small group of collectors who were VERY against Red Laser releasing these Argentine homages.  So much so, that Red Laser actually went out of his way to alter the coloring on the figures just enough that they won't match the vintage figures.  Mind you, the vintage Series 2 Plastirama figures are all straight arms, Master Collector themselves released a Cobra Mortal 12 years prior and that Plastirama figures use different plastic with much poorer quality paint masks than Red Laser.  In short, these complaints had no basis.  Except for the fact that some people very much wanted to keep these characters out of the hands of other collectors who didn't want to bother with the originals.  The fear of factory customs isn't rooting in fakes or the integrity of the community.  It's rooted in the fact that a few deep pocket guys want to keep their collections special and prevent other collectors from having access to some cool items.  Those are the type of people who govern many online conversations and private groups about Joe.  Don't forget that.

One of my great collecting regrets is from 2002.  At that time, an incomplete Shimik sold for a whopping $17. I missed it.  A few sold for more than that, but still really cheap prices for a few months before prices crept back up again.  But, for a fleeting moment, I thought Shimik could be mine.  I've long loved race changing figures and the Rock and Roll chest was criminally underused in the vintage Joe line.  So, this all added up to a figure that simply had to have.  Slowly, I created a character for him and started to integrate him into story ideas.  But, as prices rose, the reality of owning a Shimik moved further and further away.  So, I never completely fleshed out Shimik's role in my collection or where he would really fit.

With this Red Laser figure in hand, though, my dilemma was finally solved.  Not only was Shimik cheap and available, but he was also upgraded with swivel arm battle grip.  (A reason I've not partaken in any Cobra De Aco repaints.)  The character could now join my early Joes and fulfill the role that I started to create for him more than a decade and a half ago.  Paired with Manleh (the only other character from the Second Plastirama Series I really wanted), Shimik helps to round out the team of international heroes who helped to track Cobra as they spread their coils around the world.  My vision of early Cobra is that there were many operatives in different countries who never lived to see the Commander's vision come to fruition with Cobra Island.  Many of them lost their lives to Shimik, Manleh and others who weren't G.I. Joe team members.  But, who were dedicated to stopping Cobra's spread around the world.

The Red Laser Shimik only includes an M-32 modeled after the one originally included with Stalker.  This is based on the original figure including the same weapon.  However, that Argentine release also included a backpack, helmet and visor from Steeler.  It would have been nice to get a helmet with the Red Laser figure since it's not easy to find original 1982 style helmets in black these days.  But, the weapon works well with Shimik.  Many other figures in the 2018 Red Laser Army series include M-60's, though, should you want to give Shimik a weapon to match his ammo strapped across his chest.  In the photos below, you'll see I've outfitted him with Action Force weapons.  It makes no sense that a guy wrapped in bullets would carry a radio.  But, it's a weird look that's grown on me and is about the only way I display Shimik any more.

Shimik is a character I've long wanted.  After Manleh, he was my most wanted unique foreign character.  So, having a chance to get one was an opportunity I could not pass up.  While the Argentine homages have proven very popular, they are still available.  You can get a Shimik anywhere from $10 to $18: depending upon various sales.  I'm not too keen on paying ~$20 for factory custom figures.  But, that's where they start and you miss some waiting on prices to come down.  For me, the higher price was worth it.  For others, though, the $10 price range might be the sweet spot for a figure like this.  With factory customs, I always recommend paying what you think is fair with the full knowledge that some of them plummet in value while others shoot up.  If you pay what you think is a deal, then future price changes become less of an issue and figures like Shimik retain their value to you, even as it fluctuates for other collectors.

1992 Eel - Around The Web

I've grown to enjoy the 1992 Eel.  It's bright, ludicrous and the complete antithesis of the original 1985 figure.  But, the neon is something I find fun and the design has some merit.  Hasbro could have gotten this mold back in the 2000's and a repaint in 1985 colors would have been awesome.  But, it didn't happen and we're left with the super bright figure seen below.  Here's the best of him from around the web.

1992 Eel Profile

1992 Eel by Slipstream80

1992 Eel at JoeADay.com

1992 Eel by Toysandtomfoolery

1992 Eel at 3DJoes.com

2005 Sgt. Misha

It's easy to forget now.  But, in 2002 and 2003, G.I. Joe was a hot property.  So hot that, as 2003 marched into the holiday season, Hasbro couldn't produce enough Joes to meet retailer demand.  The last two waves of the year ended up only being available to the big retailers because Joes were selling so briskly.  As the calendar turned to 2004, though, something changed.  While Spy Troops had flown off the shelves, the first wave of Venom Vs. Valor quickly stagnated.  The figures in the first wave were no different than the last waves of Spy Troops.  The packaging color remained the same with a few, cosmetic, changes.  But, Hasbro did ramp up production and VvV quickly appeared at big retailers, small retailers, grocery stores, specialty stores and online.  The cracks were there. 

Before the year was out, Hasbro had cancelled their 2005 theme, Robot Rebellion, and pushed the release of many products.  At the 2005 convention the death knell was announced as Joe went on "hiatus".  All was not lost, though, as Joe's death at retail preceded the creation of HasbroToyShop and the entire Direct to Consumer experiment.  Hasbro created a strong lineup of figures and vehicles that were to be sold at online dealers only.  Of course, this failed, too.  Joe doesn't have the brand viability to survive in a niche.  (It still doesn't!)  But, Hasbro pulled out all the stops for the final waves.  Among the last figures Hasbro released during Joe's first renaissance was an Oktober Guard pack featuring a new Dragonsky, Lt. Gorky and the subject of this profile, Sgt. Misha.

One of the great mysteries of the 2000's was that the Oktober Guard never saw another release.  All of the figures were released in comic packs.  The first wave from early 2005 saw a limited production run due to the unsold stock of Wave 1 and Wave 2 that were still being clearanced all over the U.S. at the time.  The Oktober Guard then appeared in this late wave comic pack.  It was always odd that the figures didn't appear in a convention set.  The figures were incredibly popular.  There were many collectors who could not find them at retail and were missing the characters from their collection.  And, the figure molds lent themselves to repaints.  The fact that not even collector favorite characters like Horrorshow or Daina ever appeared shows that either Hasbro was unwilling to release the figures or that the club simply failed to properly gauge the demand.  (Guess which scenario I think is more likley....)  Either way, the Oktober Guard remains an underutilized subset in the ARAH form.

While the Sgt. Misha figure looks spectacular, it does have a serious flaw.  Misha's hands are painted.  The paint globs on to the hands.  And, for some reason, the hands in general are somewhat small.  The result of a small hand mold and extra thick paint is that very few Misha's can actually hold weapons.  (It doesn't help that the figure includes a good looking rifle that has an extremely thick handle.)  This greatly limits the figure's usefulness since most weapons simply pop out of his hands shortly after you affix them.  You have to find weapons with small handles for Misha to hold.  You can, on occasion, get his rifle to stay in his grip.  But, it's usually short lived.

Misha uses a mish-mash of parts: most notably Red Star's chest and Snow Job's (among others) legs and arms.  The head is all new.  What was exciting, too, was that he included some new accessories.  First off is the hat.  Misha's hat is all new and is the main piece that drives the figure's uniqueness.  The removable bandolier is also exclusive to Misha.  Hasbro introduced two new chest straps in this comic pack: Misha's piece and Gorky's holster.  These two new pieces help to make Misha more unique than his overused parts otherwise suggest.  He's rounded out by the JvC AK-47 based rifle (which isn't bad) and a knife.

Misha's coloring is very well done.  The green base is more interesting than the bland colors of 2000 and 2001.  And, the cammo pattern is subtle and not overbearing like many of the convention cammo patterns can be.  His five colors aren't too bad considering the late date of Misha's release.  The mold details are well painted and help breathe life into the parts. But, the hands were designed as gloves.  So, seeing them flesh painted can be a bit off-putting.  Had the hands been black, the overall coloring would have been about perfect.

The fact that we actually got a Misha is astounding.  But, since the DTC experiment was heavily geared towards collectors, it made sense that there were more collector focused figures offered.  The sad fact, though, is that DTC was a monumental failure.  So much so that Hasbro ultimately sold all of their G.I. Joe overstock to Toys R Us who then sold it in stores.  The upside of this was that Misha became available at retail stores around the country and was sold to collectors unable or unwilling to buy online or who were just in the dark that the DTC option ever existed.  Most of the final comic packs ended up being clearanced out online.  I don't, specifically, recall $4 Misha sets.  But, I bought a lot of Gas Mask Troopers and Dreadnoks for about a buck per figure and I have a few sets of the Oktober Guard, leading me to believe I stocked up on them at clearance, too. 

Pricing on Misha figures is tough to determine, mostly because the supply of them is limited.  You don't see the masses of overstock and cheaply acquired doubles of the comic pack figures like you did just a few years ago.  So, desperate collectors overpay.  You'll see Mishas routinely sell between $25-$30...just because that's what dealers price them at.  Yet, carded sets of the comic pack will only sell for $20 when left to open auction...implying that Misha is probably really a $7 or $8 figure on his own.  But, it may take you a year before you come across a seller liquidating one on the open market.  For under $10, this is a solid buy and a must have.  But, at $25, there's no way I'd consider Misha at all.