2008 Convention Exclusive Hotwire

I was very high on the 2007 convention exclusive figures. I felt that figures like Zap, Lt. Claymoore, Flash, Grand Slam, Starduster, Steeler and Doc were all figures that can stand tall among figures from any year of the line. The 2007 figures featured a nice mix of molds that blended well to create fresh takes on stale characters. In short, it was the way I wanted to see convention sets continue. When the 2008 set was shown, I was under whelmed. While it was nice to see the Headhunter, Headhunter Stormtrooper and Gristle return, their colors left me flat. The set, overall, lacked the daring of the 2007 set. On the day of the Convention when the rest of the exclusives were revealed, the feelings were prolonged. While the Urban 3 pack is decent, I didn't find it as interesting as the Jet Pack Troopers from 2007. The Headhunter Driver is a nice re deco, but not a figure who is infinitely superior to the other Headhunter figures available. Of all the figures released, one really stood out to me, though. Just one figure seemed to follow the spirit of the 2007 set and showcased the originality that was so splendid in the prior year. It is a flawed figure for sure. But, Hotwire is something that is new and exciting in the ARAH style Joe figure world and that's worth something to me.

If you allowed me to create 1000 of my own ARAH style Joe figures, I would never have even considered Hotwire as a possibility. But, if you let me create 1000 ARAH style Joe figures, I would also have never even remotely considered this mold combination as a way to create a new and interesting figure design. While the difference in those statements is subtle, it is my way of saying that I didn't even realize I wanted a figure like this Hotwire until I saw him available. With over 1000 ARAH style figure available throughout the world, it's quite an accomplishment to come up with some creative and unique that fills a niche is the collecting world. While this figure isn't perfect by any means, it is a perfect example of how a solid idea can overcome limitations in the available molds and proves that there is still a significant number of high quality figures that can be made from existing ARAH style parts.

Hotwire was created using the torso of Hardball, legs, waist and arms of the Laser Viper and Blanka's head. The result is a surprisingly strong rendition of a mad scientist. It's not perfect, but works better than the use of Headman's body for the 2004 General Flagg. If you look at the body, though, it is also a dead ringer for Dr. Venom. One thing that Master Collector has done the previous conventions but did not do this year was recast some existing parts or sculpt new heads for their figures. They did this in 2005, 2006 and 2007. They did not do this in 2008, though...even though a new Dr. Venom head would have been the perfect topper for this body. However, at the convention, Master Collector mentioned that they were looking at a way to bring Dr. Venom to ARAH Joe form. Lamely, he's planned to tie into the Adventure Team as a means to force 3 3/4" fans to buy 12" Joe characters. But, if that figure does come to fruition, I'd wager that his parts combo will be very similar to Hotwire, only with that missing new head.

As a mold combo, the parts work quite well. The big news is the appearance of the Hardball mold. Every year, Master Collector pulls out some new molds for their exclusives and 2008 was no exception. As the original Hardball figure is a decent sculpt, but in less useful colors, a new version of that character would be a welcome future possibility. The figure also recycles the Laser Viper parts we saw in 2003 in the Python Patrol. The Blanka head is the oddball. It makes sense that Hasbro has access to many of the Street Fighter molds. But, many of them are likely less useful (though some Street Fighter heads worked well on the 2004 Dreadnoks and on Lt. Claymoore last year) and would be difficult to incorporate into realistic figures. Blanka's head falls into this category. But, in a way, it works. The newly colored mold looks like a cross between Eddie Munster and Igor. (The figure's German roots are an all too obvious homage to Frankenstein, too.) You can kind of see him as the claymation scientist from Robot Chicken, too. It is a somewhat cliched look, but works in the Joe context because it is something that is totally unique.

Now, don't get me wrong. The Blanka head is overly large for this body and is a bit caricaturish. The permanent smile with the bright white teeth is off-putting. But, it can be used as a point of characterization for Hotwire. You could see it as a maniacal smile, a grimace of intense pain caused by an unseen physical ailment (Maybe his large head is diseased and his teeth are forever gritted in agony.), or just a guy who can't keep his mouth shut. The included lab coat does help to temper the head's size. But, the larger 1993 part does stand out against the smaller, slimmer parts from 1988 and 1990. It is a small point, but one that will affect this figure's long term desirability. He is not perfect by any means and has some issues that will sour many collectors on the design. But, it is unique and not a part I would have even considered were I building exclusive figures.

The figure's colors are strong. The stark white is juxtaposed against standard Cobra blue pants with black details. The figure features 2 delicate Cobra logos. Included with Hotwire is the requisite battle stand, a grenade pistol and the flamethower from the 2003 Blowtorch figure. This weapon is a quite odd, but fits with Hotwire perfectly. It is the right size for a freakish scientist and has that oddball quality you would associate with someone like Hotwire. Both these weapons are cast in the standard Master Collector gray. The figure also includes a while, hard plastic lab coat. It is not pliable but works well with the figure. it isn't an overwhelming complement of accessories, but does match the figure.

As a character, Hotwire first appeared in the G.I. Joe Trading Card game. He was listed as the BAT mechanic. Originally, Hasbro's plan for 2005 was "Rise of the Robots" or "Robot Rebellion". Basically, the BATs were going to be an integral part of the story line. However, the Joe line tanked at retail, Venom vs. Valor was extended into oblivion and parts of the BAT toy line were interspersed into later DTC runs. (The mech included with Hotwire is the unreleased version that was planned for the BAT line.) It was likely that, had the BAT story line come to light, Hotwire would have been a new sculpt figure released at some point in 2005. It is unlikely that anything was ever sculpted for him...at least in any meaningful way. So, this character was available for Master Collector to use. They kept the BAT Mechanic angle, but added more characterization and made him more of a mad scientist. I always viewed a BAT mechanic as being more techy than Gothic horror novel, but the new look does work within the context of the character's definitions.

For me, the character is a bit more difficult to use. BATs are not a significant part of my collection and really hold little interest to me. I have hated mechs since they were the SNAKE back in 1983 and find them useless in my collection. As such, I see Hotwire fulfilling his role as Dr. Mindbender's lackey in the bowels of secret Cobra laboratories. Here, he would conduct experiments on poor performing Cobra troops and help develop the next generation of Cobra weapons. The downside to this is that the figure becomes one that isn't used with any frequency. But, these days, that's less of an issue. Having him out on display is about the extent that can be expected of a lunatic in a lab coat. With a little more time, it's likely that I'll develop a better characterization for Hotwire. But, for now, I'm content to just have the figure in my collection.

Hotwire is going to cost you in the short term. The figure and mech sold out at the convention and post con pricing seems to run about $100 for the figure and vehicle. (You can be sure that most of that price is in the figure, though.) However, these figures aren't selling as quickly as some of the other exclusives. And, history has shown that most expensive convention items (that aren't Roddy Piper!) come down in price over time. As such, long term, I don't think this price is sustainable for Hotwire. Plus, if the body is reused for Dr. Venom at some point, that will further diminish demand for the Hotwire mold combination. If you really want the figure, find a price you're comfortable with. But, be prepared for this figure to be available for substantially cheaper in a few years. For me, there is no way I'd pay that kind of money for the figure. I initially balked at paying 1/2 that amount. But, the Joe market is still very odd these days with so many fair weather fans who are flocking to the hobby for a few fleeting moments. So, I try to buy items at fair prices. If I can get a Hotwire for $9 three years from now, so be it. In the meantime, he's a unique addition to my collection and a figure I can enjoy.

1989 Slaughters Marauders Mutt

Hasbro wasn't shy about trying out celebrity marketers for the Joe line. Sgt. Slaughter started it off in 1986. He was supposed to be followed by Rocky Balboa the next year. But, that never happened and, instead, the Fridge became the spokesman. The Sarge, though, seemed to take on a new life as the Joe marketer and he was rewarded with 4 figures in a short time span of the vintage run. His swan song came in 1989 when Hasbro produced an entire sub-team focused around Sgt. Slaughter: Slaughters Marauders. This group didn't seem to have much purpose besides wearing similar colors and selling more action figures for Hasbro. But, the gimmick worked as many of the Slaughters Marauders figures are well done. They are certainly different than their vintage counterparts and they offer some unique schemes into the modern collection. Of the characters included in this team, it was the Mutt mold that underwent the most drastic change and is the subject of this profile.

All of the Slaughters Marauders figures were actually manufactured and packaged in Brazil. The figures were made by Estrela under license from Hasbro for sale in the US. It is likely that Hasbro did this either as a cost cutting move, or simply because the molds for the figures they wanted to use were all located in Brazil and it was cheaper to have them produced there than it was to ship the molds to China. Since these figures are Estrela made, they are a great way for the modern collector to understand the differences between Brazilian made and Asian made Joe figures. All of the Slaughters Marauders are much more susceptible to crotch and thumb breakage since the plastic used in Brazil is harder and weaker than that used for the American and European Joes. You can see the effects of time on Slaughters Marauders figures as many of the samples you find today will feature broken parts...even when the rest of the figure is good condition.

As for the figure itself, Mutt is decently done. The deep blues and greens coupled with the black undertones makes for a visually impressive figure. While not in traditional colors, Mutt still works within the context of his specialty and within the line as a whole. I wouldn't go so far as to say that this figure is better or even as good as the original. But, it offers a different look for the Mutt character that still allows him to be used in realistic settings. In that regard, the Slaughter's Marauders subset of figures succeeds in a way that Tiger Force and Python Patrol did not. Those figures, while different and visually striking, were harder to use in more standard settings. While the Slaughter's Marauders figures are still very colorful, they can be more easily meshed with other, more traditional figures from the vintage line.

There is also an accessory change to this Mutt figure. Instead of the classic helmet from the original version, the Slaughters Marauders Mutt features a black version of the standard 1982/1983 helmet. It doesn't fit the figure's head as well and loses something over the more distinctive helmet of the original. The inclusion of this helmet is a mystery since the helmet mold subsequently appeared with the European exclusive Mutt figure. All of the rest of Mutt's accessories are the same classics as were included with the original figure: a leash, Junkyard, a silenced MAC-11 and a nightstick. The Slaughters Marauders versions of these accessories are visually different from those of the V1 Mutt. The most notable difference is that Junkyard is solid black and no longer has the brown belly of the original. The rest of the weapons feature more subtle differences, but you can see them when you compare the weapons side by side.

Mutt is a character of whom I'm somewhat fond. He had an interesting personality and his look was visually distinctive enough that he stood out in my mind for many years. As a child, my Mutt figure did not hold up well. As such, I never had the opportunity to use the figure as much as I would have liked. This carried into my modern collecting as now use various versions of Mutt more often than many of my childhood favorites. For the figure, though, he pretty much is what he is. The awesome accessories made Mutt for me. And, to this day, I feel that the complement of gear that accompanied the 1984 series of figures was as major a step towards Joe's success of '85 through '87 as was the leap from the '82 to '83 series of figures. These accessories showed what could be done with a toyline and allowed Joe to surpass its contemporary competitors and become the iconic toyline it remains today.

The Slaughter's Marauders subset did not seem to have much of a purpose. And, as a result, today, collectors don't pay it much attention. The figures are mostly side pieces of a collection and are almost never used as default or primary versions of their characters. The vehicles, though, are a different story. They were well done re-molds of popular vehicle bases and have become rather difficult to find these days for cheap prices. It is these pieces that often define Slaughter's Marauders to the modern collector. But, as a niche subset, these figures blend together better than their Tiger Force counterparts. Though, they are not nearly as numerous. Hasbro has yet to revisit the coloring of the Slaughter's Marauders figures. (Though, the unproduced Wal Mart Low Light from 2003 does feature the paint masks of the Slaughter's Marauders Low Light.) In the grand scheme of sub-sets, this one ranks lower on the collector radar. Perhaps it's the smaller nature of the set. Or, the relative infrequency that Slaughters Marauders figures appear. But, this is a solid subset of high quality figure molds that is fun to collect. (And, for you buffs out there, international exclusive Slaughter's Marauders figures were released in India and Europe. So, you don't need to stop with just the American figures if you want to chase the design.)

The Mutt mold was a world traveler. After it was used in the US, the mold was sent down to South America. There, Estela modified the mold by removing the patch on Mutt's chest. They then released the figure in colors similar to the V1 American Mutt to the Brazilian Market. The same figure with the modified chest also showed up in Mexico. When Estrela produced this figure on Hasbro's behalf in 1989, the signature patch was also missing. Sometime around 1990 or 1991, Estrela returned this mold to Hasbro where it was then used to create the European exclusive Mutt figure. After that, Hasbro claimed the mold was missing for many years. In 2004, Hasbro resculpted Mutt's head and chest for release in the Anti-Venom set. This time, though, Hasbro brought back the patch on Mutt's chest. Today, no version of Mutt has surpassed the original. And, while I wouldn't, necessarily, mind the return of this mold, I don't think it is a necessity since all of Mutt's original accessories were lost and any new figure would be missing his most trademark items.

When I took my Mutt out of storage to be photographed, I made a horrible discovery. When I touched Junkyard, the figure was slick. I have written previously about Brazilian soft plastics and their slow degradation over time. However, this is the first time I have experienced its occurrence after a figure was in my possession. I acquired this figure back in 2004. Since then, he has been stored in an acid-free plastic bag, inside a plastic tub, inside my house, in a dark closet. The figure has not been exposed to prolonged heat or light. When I first acquired the figure, the Junkyard was normal plastic and had no signs of decomposition. But, four years later, the dog is slick and Mutt's mask and Junkyard's leash are starting to soften quite a bit. It is an unfortunate side affect of the cheaper Brazilian plastic and something that is starting to occur on even figures that have been properly stored.

Mint and complete Slaughters Marauders figures are actually somewhat tough to find. The brittle plastic, short release period and general unpopularity of the figures during their own time has made them much harder to find than their counterparts from Tiger Force or Python Patrol. And, you will pay a premium for them. While Mutt is one of the cheaper and easier to find figures in mint condition, they still tend to hit in excess of $12 for mint and complete figures. If you throw in the tough to find filecard, the price heads up towards $15. Mutt is about middle of the road for Slaughters Marauders pricing as the Sarge and Spirit tend to be more expensive. BBQ is about the same price or a little cheaper. And Footloose can usually be had for a little less. All told the figures in the Slaughters Marauders set mesh well together and are a unique subset to collect. As individual figures, they are certainly not the originals, but are done in acceptable colors that allow them to be used outside their limited intended purpose. Even at a higher price point, they are figures that are well worth acquiring and certainly add an element of distinction to any Joe collection.

2008 Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark)

In the early months of 1984, my parents owed me a present for my top notch report card. However, in those days, the early months of the year were devoid of new toys. I was left with few options since I had already acquired all of the 1983 Joe figures and vehicles. I distinctly remember scouring the toy aisle at a local Kohl's store and finding only one single carded G.I. Joe figure: the 1984 Duke. (Of course, I already had Duke thanks to the mail away premium from the year before.) I was desperate to find something since my parents typically would only remember they owed me something for a few weeks and if I went too long without cashing in my reward, I lost it. There was only one other action figure in the store in which I had any interest: the original Kenner Indiana Jones figure.

I held it in my hand and thought long and hard about buying it. But, in the end, the prospect of finding new Joes who were shown the back of Duke's package was too tempting and I passed the figure by. (This worked to my advantage when I found Firefly a few weeks later.) I quickly regretted that move and wanted to acquire an Indiana Jones figure for many months. Alas, I was not able to find the original figure again and ultimately settled for Indiana Jones in the Nazi soldier disguise. This was a pale imitation of the original and it did little to sate my desire for the original character design.

When I returned to toy collecting as a adult, I focused my efforts on first acquiring all the Joe figures that I could still find at retail. From there, I branched into the newly released Star Wars figures. I then turned to vintage Star Wars collecting and finally ended at vintage Joe buying. This left little disposable income for collectibles outside my primary focus and Indiana Jones fell off my radar for a while. As my collection grew, though, I got more focused and started looking for the vintage Indiana Jones figure. However, by this time, the figure was somewhat pricey and I was more interested in spending that kind of money on Joes since they were so cheap. Plus, I was really hoping that we might, one day, see a new Indiana Jones done up in the style of the new Star Wars figures. But, more than a decade went by with no satisfaction. The Indiana Jones theme was used on some periphery products and even a small run of action figures. But, these were not really something I found to be in scale with my Star Wars collection and had no real interest in them. Finally, in 2008, Hasbro has come through with a modern Indiana Jones and the elusive title character finally calls my collection home.

For me, this is the perfect figure of Indiana Jones. I'm sure many will complain about some minor articulation point, or the inaccuracy of a certain element of his outfit. But, to me, this figure accomplishes all I would ask from a figure of such an iconic character. At it's core, if anyone who had only a passing knowledge of pop culture saw this figure, they would recognize it as Indiana Jones. The figure captures the essence of the character. It isn't obscured by irrelevant articulation points that cut into the figure's aesthetic. Nor is it buried under tons of useless "play features" that take away from the figure's usefulness. This figure is what it is: a toy that looks like you expect Indiana Jones to look.

Standing on a shelf about 12 feet from the floor in my downstairs office is my small collection of Star Wars figures. Most of these figures are more recent editions as I have largely cleared out my '90's versions of the characters. The versions of characters that I choose to buy are largely dictated by how many of that character I have in my collection, the quality of the figure, and whether the character is someone I care about. As such, I don't have many EU characters standing there (with the exception of some EU clones...) as the EU has never been part of my Star Wars experience. I also don't, necessarily, have the "best" version of each character. If I buy one that is good enough, it's unlikely I'll go back and get another unless the new version features a specific accessory or other enhancement that makes it worthwhile. The primary thing that motivates a Star Wars purchase, though, is how the figure looks. As such, standing front and center on my shelf is the 4 armed General Grievous from Revenge of the Sith. Most collectors wouldn't call this the best Grievous, nor even a good Grievous. But, standing in front of all my other figures, with his arms extended and fully armed with 4 lightsabers, this figure looks great. I'm not 9 years old any more, so the play value for Star Wars toys isn't as important as the look. I want some articulation since that gives freedom of pose. But, I don't want that articulation to come at the expense of the aesthetics. (This is one of the main reasons I dislike the anniversary style Joes. The joints are too pronounced and take away from the toy's look.) Grievous is flanked by Boba Fett, both VOTC and Animated Debut, IG-88, Ceremonial Luke Skywalker, Kit Fisto (Ep III and Clone Wars), Commander Cody and the generic Clone Commander from Ep III. As soon as I get the ladder out again, Indiana Jones will take a place front and center among my favorite figures.

This figure hits on all the points that are important to me. He looks like the character. He has great accessories. He is decently articulated. And, he is in scale and look of the Star Wars figures with whom he shares space. The figure includes the perfect complement of accessories and also features something I have never seen before in 3 3/4 scale: a holster with a working flap. Indiana Jones includes his standard pistol that fits into the holster, a fully extended whip, the bag from which he removed the sand that replaced the idol from the opening sequence of Raiders of the Lost Ark, a coiled whip that attaches to a hitch on the figure's waist, a removable coat and the golden fertility idol that started it all. Basically, everything that any version of Indiana Jones who appeared in this outfit would need. (As a neat little Easter Egg, the holster is positioned in a way that lets it sit just as it did in the movie when Jones handed his pistol over to Belloq after exiting the cave.) The extended whip's sculpting is a bit awkward and is difficult to get into believable positions. But, the figure can stand while holding it and that takes away from the sculpting deficiencies. The figure has articulation at the head (ball head), elbows (ball jointed), shoulders (ball jointed), hands, waist, knees (ball jointed) and feet (swivel). It is, basically, super articulated. Though, the purists will say otherwise since he's missing a few key points. The figure isn't perfect for everyone, but matches my expectations and desires exactly. (Also, it should be noted that Indy's likeness isn't that of Harrison Ford. So, if you're looking for a Harrison Ford look a like, this isn't the figure for you.)

Many collectors have complained about the lack of quality in the Indiana Jones line. Many people have reported finding figures with paint applications that make the figure appear disfigured. At this point, I have only seen one of this figure and it is the one in the photos below. Mine came out just fine and I don't see it. Perhaps, had there been a few more samples at the store, I might have noticed a difference. But, as the paint applications appear to be an issue, it is something to be on the lookout for. This figure also includes a "relic" and a sticker that can be used to redeem a mail away figure. Both are cool ideas that add some value to this purchase. The relics are particularly fun since there are so many and they are such an eclectic mix. However, this version of Indiana Jones includes a somewhat flat relic: a green mask. It isn't as exciting or useful as some of the other offerings. But, since the figure includes the standard idol anyways, it is acceptable.

There is a lingering question among collectors as to the longevity of this line. While Hasbro has publicly stated that have a multi-year commitment to the Indiana Jones line, the reality is that the panoply of characters from which they can draw new figure inspirations is substantially more limited than the same from the Star Wars movies. The Indy characters that did move from film to film retained much of the same look. While there were many background characters in the films, they haven't taken on the afterlife that was afforded many of the more obscure characters from the Star Wars movies. The fact that it took a new movie to finally bring a toy line that seemed so obvious to light speaks to Hasbro's confidence in the market to sustain this line over a long period of time. However, while I don't foresee a full blown retail Indiana Jones sustaining itself much more than a year or so, I can see that Hasbro has laid the groundwork to keep new Indy figures in the marketplace. The reality is that Hasbro produced a ton of molds for the movie figures and it's likely that, in the future, they can tweak these molds at little cost to produce new figures. Aside from that, look at the upcoming San Diego Comic Convention Cobra Commander in suit figure. His suit looks suspiciously like Toht. Hasbro is getting to the point where they can now take parts from one toy line and integrate them into another toy line. So, new molds could be made for future Indiana Jones figures and then be co-opted into G.I. Joe, Star Wars or some other licensed tie-in that would help offset the cost of the mold.

Hasbro also has two distinct distribution options for a reduced Indy line. They could easily package a new Indy figure or two into cases of Star Wars figures. The two fanbases cross over heavily and this way a few random figures would make it to retail without having to support a full blown line. Hasbro has already toyed with this idea when they shipped Titanium Battlestar Galactica ships in cases of their Star Wars Titanium assortment. It keeps retailers from having to program new products or make large commitments but allows for some fan favorite Indy characters to still appear at retail. The other option is the DTC model. A line like Indy would likely work better in a DTC type environment than G.I. Joe did. Indy has dedicated fans and it would be easy to stock online toy stores with enough product to justify production...in small amounts. It would keep some of the main characters alive at retail and allow collectors to fill their niche desires, too. Either option gives Hasbro the ability to keep fans happy and keep the line alive even after it is no longer viable at the traditional retail outlets.

This figure is just now shipping and will likely be widely available through the year. The new movie will spark a decent amount of figures at retail stores and it's likely that they will still be available for the inevitable DVD release sometime this fall. As this is probably the signature figure in the line, it should ship for ample time in ample numbers in ample case assortments and anyone who wants one should be able to find one at retail. It is likely that Hasbro will revisit this character again and again if the line continues for more than this year. And, it is likely that those future versions will have increased articulation, better accessories, higher quality paint applications or other features (removable hat!) that will make you want to buy the same figure yet again. For me, though, this is just what I've wanted since I passed by the original Kenner figure back in 1984. It is Indiana Jones and has all the things that are iconic to the character. He will proudly stand among my small collection of Star Wars figures and it is doubtful that I will ever expand my Indiana Jones collection beyond, maybe, another version of Indy and the Ark. But, 10 years from now, if someone comes to my home and sees the figure, they will know who it is and the significance of the character. For a toy like this, that's all I can ask.

1988 Tiger Force Frostbite

When you think of the Frostbite character, it is likely that one of two things comes to mind: 1. the well done classic vehicle driver from 1985, or 2. the overabundance of low quality Frostbite figures that Hasbro heaped into the early years of the new sculpt line in 2002. It is a stark contrast between the two perceptions and shows how classic characters can easily become corrupted in the modern toy world. Sandwiched between those two realities, though, is this largely unrecognized Tiger Force Frostbite. As a subset, Tiger Force is generally well liked by collectors. As a mold, Frostbite is largely appreciated by the collecting world. As a combo, though, the Tiger Force Frostbite is a figure that is somewhat problematic. It is a solid mold in a popular subset, but the figure itself is somewhat difficult to use. But, that summarizes Tiger Force as a concept rather succinctly, too.

My first encounter with Tiger Force was in the early months of 1988. I was pretty much done with Joe as of 1988. Frankly, I was too old and had probably over-reached my youth by staying interested in the toys through 1987. But, even as a newly turned teenager, I found the lure of Joes hard to resist. I spent my final toy allowance from my parents (earned for good grades) on two new Joe figures who were available in the early stages of the year: Hardball and the Tiger Force Roadblock. I purchased Hardball because I was a baseball fan and justified his purchase through that angle. I rationalized Roadblock by saying that I had been missing his accessories since 1984 and this was my only chance to get a nice, fully accessorized version of him. To me, the fact that Roadblock featured a yellow helmet was of significantly less importance than the fact that he did include a black version of his gun. As such, for years, my only impression of Tiger Force was that they were good ways to get differently colored versions of oft-lost accessories like Flint's shotgun, Roadblock's stand or Duke's binoculars. It was an impression that permeated the early collecting world, too.

When I first found online Joedom in late 1997 and early 1998, there wasn't much discussion going on. In reading what material was available, though, the general consensus was that Tiger Force figures were "rarer" than their original counterparts since so many collectors passed them over since these were just repaints of figures they already owned. For the collectors who were online then: that was largely true. Most of us were of the same age and had come into Joe in 1982 or 1983 and had been collecting since the beginning. Most of us had our heyday during the '84-'86 period and were largely gone by the time of the animated movie. What was missing from that original group was the next generation of collectors who started collecting in 1986 or 1987. To them, these Tiger Force figures were the originals since they had not been collecting when the original molds were available at retail. As these collectors came of age, it became more and more apparent that there were ample supplies of Tiger Force figures in marketplace since so many of these younger collectors had viewed these repaints as entirely new figures and characters.

The Frostbite mold is quite well done. He was designed at a time when vehicle drivers were still given the same paint applications and mold designs as the figures released on the single cards. As such, you can see the level of detail that slowly became absent on later vehicle drivers. The mold also has an interesting secret: the head was molded after a real person. Frostbite's distinct face was a direct result of it being based on a Hasbro employee. In fact, there are anecdotes around that this employee still looks much like the Frostbite figure even today, more than two decades after the figure's design. The second Easter Egg in Frostbite's character is his name. Named Seward and born in Alaska, Frostbite is an in joke to "Seward's Folly" which was used to refer to the Alaskan acquisition. The figure itself actually features some variants in the eye and eyebrow color on Frostbite's head. Some look better than others, but none of the variants are really any more desirable than another. The figure also features Frostbite's signature rifle. This oversized, scoped rifle was the reason I traded to acquire a second Frostbite in my youth. (I gave the rifle to Stalker to match his comic book appearance.) Beyond that, there isn't much too the figure and what you see is pretty much what you get when it comes to the Tiger Force Frostbite.

As a character, Frostbite held a position of distinction in my childhood collection. As I first acquired the 1985 figure during the summer months, I didn't have much use for Frostbite in his own environment. However, rather than put away my new toy until the winter, I decided to make Frostbite a visiting dignitary from a northern country. He was there to teach and learn from the Joes. In time, they made him a full fledged Joe himself. But, I was able to explain away the winter coat in the jungle by saying that Frostbite was proud of his heritage and refused to change from his winter fatigues. This lead Frostbite to a position of leadership and, for many years, he was among my highest ranking Joes. When I returned to collecting, though, my focus was less on the character of Frostbite and more on the figure. As I did with just about every figure in the late '90's, I army built Frostbites for a while. They were cheap, I liked arctic figures and he had a really cool gun. However, in my first big collection purge, the Frostbite figures were among the earliest duplicates to go. I returned the original character to his more traditional roots and he is rarely seen out of his Snow Cat today.

This figure's fate is even less interesting. Really, I have no use for him. It is a neat figure to have around and is necessary for any Tiger Force display. But, beyond that, he doesn't have much purpose in my collection. The odd assortment of yellow, orange and brown doesn't lend itself to a wide variety of uses. I suppose I could see him as a winter, desert fighter who focused on arid climates during the winter. (It can get downright cold in the desert.) But, that's hardly a duty that can offer this figure more than the obligatory appearance in a few photos. (It is rare for a vintage Joe figure to appear nowhere on this site. Yet, this was the first time that the Tiger Force Frostbite has appeared in any of my photography.) But, I am an ARAH style Joe completist and if figures like Frostbite can serve no other purpose, at least they offer me fulfillment towards that end.

As a subset, Tiger Force remains a collector favorite. It wasn't the first theme to bring repaints to the Joe world, but it was the first that saw a full retail release. For many collectors, this was their initiation to some of the classic characters from the comics and cartoons. Today, Hasbro has brought the idea of Tiger Force into their modern ARAH style figures, the new sculpts and there is at least one Tiger Force figure rumoured to appear in the Anniversary style lines. The problem with Tiger Force, though, is that the figure designs that are produced for it tend to inferior to other paint jobs of common characters. The brown, orange, yellow and green hallmarks of Tiger Force don't really lend themselves to great figures. But, Tiger Force is a concept that was exported to Brazil, Europe, China and even India. (though to a lesser extent, there) This widespread influence of the basic theme coupled with the high profile characters who comprise much of the Tiger Force roster has kept Tiger Force a popular collecting theme. Many collectors who would ignore figures in these colors were they on their own will gladly buy them if they are aligned with Tiger Force since they want to complete their set. Tiger Force offers a nice collecting niche and is a way to justify repaints...even if they are a bit wacky.

The Frostbite mold has been conspicuously absent since 1988. It was only used the two times: for the original figure and then for this coloring. However, the original Frostbite figure was available as a mail away premium for many years and it is likely that Hasbro was still using this mold rather than relying on overstock to fill those orders. The mold was never released in any other countries and, like his contemporary Crankcase, has not appeared in any of the modern Joe renditions. The Frostbite character, though, has been done to death by Hasbro in the new sculpt line where the figure received several versions and sculpts...none of which were really an homage to this original design. Part of me would like to see another modern take on Frostbite. But, his mold is rather specific to the arctic and you really couldn't significantly upgrade the look of the version 1 figure to justify his inclusion in any of the precious ARAH style Joe slots that we see these days. As such, even if the mold were available, it would take something remarkable for me to really clamour for this mold to return.

Tiger Force Frostbites are not the easiest figures to find. The Tiger Force vehicles weren't the sellers that the figures were and a yellow vehicle that was originally designed for the arctic didn't, exactly, endear itself to the toy buying world. (Though, to be fair, the Snow Cat worked better in Tiger Force colors than any other arctic themed vehicle of the time would have....) On top of that, Frostbite is very susceptible to paint wear on his red and gold highlights. His elbow joints, like those of all the Tiger Force figures, is prone to cracking. So, finding a mint version of this figure can be challenging. But, it will also be cheap. Mint and complete with filecard, you can find this figure for around $6. Take away the filecard and the price will drop in half. It's not a figure that most collectors care about and will likely never be a figure that really captures the attention of the collecting world. The figure has its place as a member of the Tiger Force subset, but that's about the extent of its usefulness. For what it is, the figure works. But, the practical application of something like Tiger Force is difficult to utilize so it is likely that this figure will forever languish in obscurity.

1991 Dusty

The original Dusty figure is a classic mold from the most popular year of the Joe line's original run. The Dusty character is fairly popular overall, too. During the vintage line, Hasbro was wont to keep their most recognizable names fresh. But, as the line progressed, many of the updated versions of classic characters produced figures that were less than memorable. In the case of Dusty, though, the updated version of the character is actually a high quality design that perfectly matches his specialty. Unlike the clunky original figure, this new version is rather sleek and looks more like a rough and tumble desert fighter. But, it's so obscure that most collectors simply gloss right over it.

There is no denying that the original Dusty is an iconic standard of the Joe line. The new sculpt renditions of Dusty were more true to the original design than any other and it is likely that if we do see a Dusty in the Anniversary style figure sculpting, he will hearken back to the classic '85 look as well. But, that doesn't mean that this newer version of Dusty isn't a solid figure in its own right. Many great figures from the line's later years were overshadowed by the original version of that character. But, this was often a testament to the incredible quality of the original design. Many of the figures created after 1982 were designed in the perfect storm of toy sculpting budget, increased awareness of the military and media exposure. The impossible to recreate standard takes many figures from ordinary toys and transcends them into iconic looks that are forever associated with particular characters. For figures like this later version of Dusty, it is an unfair standard of comparison. But, it has left this figure as a way for the modern collector to either re envision Dusty or to create an entirely new desert fighter.

As a figure, this Dusty isn't perfect. No desert survivor worth his skin would dare wear a sleeveless tunic leaving his arms exposed to vibrant desert sun. The folly of this uniform flaw is made more glaring by the fact that this version of Dusty features red hair. The fair skin that accompanies such a trait would be burned to a crisp in the desert sun if left uncovered. Really, this is a minor point, but one where the style of the figure was considered over the practicality of the design. The red hair is a rare feature in the Joe line and the subject of controversy. The original Dusty figure featured black hair and that is the look that most collectors associate with the character. The red hair, though, is a more distinguishing characteristic and gives the figure a bit more personality. (It also offers a way for the enterprising collector to use this figure as someone new and have him appear alongside the original Dusty in any adventures.) For me, it's something of note about the figure, but nothing that affects his characterization in any way. Beyond that, the figure mold is rather stark and simplistic. He features the standard straps and holsters with a molded chest grenade. The figure doesn't feature that many colors or paint applications. But, the look is still well enough designed for you to believe that he would blend into a desert environment. The final touch is the beret. It is a far cry from the cloth bearing battle helmet of the original. But, it makes this figure appear more sleek and modern. This isn't a soldier who will go into the desert for weeks to fight. He is a quick strike expert who is in and out rather quickly. It is a different look for Dusty and one that helps offer the diversity that many characters designed for such specific themes lack.

As I live in the desert, you'd think desert figures would have more use to me. Until recently, they were a larger part of my collection as my backyard featured desert landscaping. But, this has changed as I put down some grass to help with the heat. Now, most of my desert surroundings are in the front of the house. That has once again reduced the significance of desert figures in my collection. However, as you look at Hasbro's take on desert themed figures over the years, you realize how far the paint application technology has come. All of the desert figures in the vintage line, including those from the final years, had very basic cammo patterns applied to them. The figures were nice...but, they were not overly intricate. When you compare this Dusty to the desert cammo applied to figures from the Desert Patrol Set, you realize how much more Hasbro can do with paint applications these days. I'd very much like to see some of the vintage molds like the '93 Duke, this Dusty and even a few other, non desert figures, receive modern updates using this new cammo type. It is unlikely that will happen at this point. But it does show that there is still a great deal of untapped potential in many of the original figure molds.

In my collection, this figure has remained relatively forgotten. I acquired my first version back in the late '90's. He went into a baggie and was put away. I acquired another version shortly thereafter, but sold him off back in 2000. Since then, I have not had another of these figures come my way...even though I was notorious for buying large collections of 1990-1993 figures during my heavy Joe buying days. Since this figure remained relatively unavailable to me, I don't have much in the way of stories regarding the figure. My main memories surround the modern, non desert versions of this mold. I do have difficulty, though, seeing this figure as Dusty. I still prefer the original version and find it hard to replace many of the '85 characters with later renditions since that was probably the main year of my childhood Joe collection. As a new character (named Sandstorm rather than leaving that name for a coyote....) this figure works better for me. It allows me to use the high quality mold and accessories without precluding the appearance of the equally well done original Dusty figure. But, the truth is that this figure hadn't been out of his baggie since the turn of the century when I opened him up for this profile. So, while the figure is good, it isn't one that will likely ever occupy a prominent place in my collection. And, since you don't see this figure appear in too many pictures, dios or stories in the community, it seems I'm not alone in that.

This figure includes decent accessories. At the time, the gun with a movable stock was quite innovative and it is the only example of such technology in the vintage line. However, Hasbro has made Dusty's rifle, pistol and backpack the de facto standard for their modern renditions of Cobra Troopers and Officers. As such, these days, it's hard to see Dusty's accessories as anything other than somewhat common. (His weapons have also been reissued with a variety of other figures in various sculpt types. So, black versions of the gun, pistol, stock and pack are EXTREMELY common.) It's hard to realize that, at one time, these weapons were as distinctive to this version of Dusty as the FAMAS with bi-pod is to the original version. Dusty also included a coyote named Sandstorm. This cur has been repainted a few times as the modern take on Snake Eyes' trusty wolf companion Timber. So, all of this Dusty's accessories were reused in the modern line for a large variety of purposes, factions and figures. The original versions, though, remain the only uses of these molds in the desert brown. So, at least this figure retains that bit of originality.

This Dusty mold has seen decent use. After it was used to make this figure, the body was used around 1994 to make the Chinese Flint figure. After that, it was pulled into production in 1995 as part of the Street Fighter Movie line where it was used for the under appreciated Rock Fighter Guile. Hasbro dusted the mold off again in 2000 where it was part of the A Real American Hero Collection and again in 2002 when then head was used for the Night Rhino Dusty and the entire body was used by Master Collector for the highly underrated and very hard to find Paratrooper Dusty. At some point, this mold was also considered for release in 2001 as the driver of the Desert Striker. This mold in new "chocolate chip" cammo was seen at an early 2001 toy convention. The figure surfaced again as part of a diorama at the 2002 G.I. Joe convention. But, it was never actually released and there are no known versions of this figure outside of Hasbro. For fans of this mold, this is probably enough. While the mold is decent, it is now available in the solid desert scheme as well as colors that are more conducive to other environments. As such, if the mold remains retired, I think that collectors have enough versions of it available to feel the mold's potential was fulfilled.

Mint and complete, this figure is actually somewhat hard to find. All of the 1991 Joes save the few that included spring loaded weapons were only released during that one year. As such, they are not as common as most other figures. As this Dusty is a well done figure and includes two easily broken or lost accessories, dealers tend to charge around $12-$15 for a complete version. But, if you're patient, you can get the figure for about half that from online auction sites. Even for that price, I have yet to add another version of this figure to my collection. I have the one and it's good enough for me at this point. But, even if you have the original Dusty, this is a figure worth getting. The overall quality and design is just a perfect blend for this character and gives you a more sleek version of Dusty that can be used in conjunction with the original. This figure is a prime example of how obscure the 1991 lines remains in the modern collecting world. It is a year full of great figures with solid accessories and this Dusty just drives home that point.