2003 Crimson Guard Immortal Profile
Saturday, March 6, 2021
2003 Crimson Guard Immortal - Around The Web
The 2003 Crimson Guard Immortal is a solid repaint. It's different enough to stand on his own. And, he's not so bizarre that he's too out there to be enjoyed. During the heyday of Joe collecting in the early 2000's, this figure was rather popular. Now, he's seen less often just due to his obscurity. I had to go way back to find much of this content on him. And, old-timers like me will see many names from collecting ages long gone. I hope that much of the now 15 year old material that remains is saved from destruction. There was so much excellent Joe content back in those days. Now, you see less and less of it. And, some of the extravagance that made for excellent shots has been lost. Enjoy this trip down memory lane, though!
2003 Crimson Guard Immortal Profile
2003 Crimson Guard Immortal Profile
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Arctic Assault - Action Force Exclusive
In the early 1980's, the European toy company, Palitoy, created a series of toys based on military adventure. The fact that they coincided with G.I. Joe may have been insider industry knowledge or just pure coincidence. But, the two lines debuted close enough together that the timing is a bit suspect. The European line, though, featured 5 points of articulation, in the style of Star Wars figures that dominated the marketplace. (And, coincidentally, were distributed in Europe by Palitoy.) The line featured a fully integrated assortment of vehicles and playsets that augmented the figures. And, in the second year, also featured a well thought out and developed bad guy. In short, had G.I. Joe articulation (and Hasbro marketing muscle) not changed the landscape of action figures in 1982, it's possible that Action Force may have had a very different history. But, Joe won the military action figure wars and the original Action Force line has become a bit of a cult favorite among Joe collectors. For my look at Action Force in general, I chose the Arctic Assault figure as the subject of this profile.
Had I acquired this figure after August of 1983, I would have hated it. At that point, G.I. Joe had taken hold and was now the only figure type that I really wanted to play with. Prior to that, though, this figure would have found a tremendous home among my Star Wars figures. Frankly, this figure is closer to the Hoth Rebel Commando that I always wanted than the vintage Star Wars figure is. He would easily have joined my Hoth forces and fought against the AT-AT and Snow Troopers. Now, he is also compatible with the current Star Wars figures that were available at retail just a few years ago (and, sometimes, still are!). The 5 points of articulation figures that Hasbro has been peddling for the past couple of years are pretty much the same quality as Action Force figures. Frankly, it would be kind of fun to see a 5POA line of Action Force inspired homages. But, only if they retain the uniqueness of the originals and aren't a niche, kickstarter type thing. You can see how the Arctic Assault figure stands up with a Hovertank Pilot released in 2017 below. There's really nothing other than the '80's style eye paint that would tell you one figure is about 35 years older than the other.
The figure itself is very detailed. The suit is bulky (befitting arctic insulation) and is adorned with pouches, pockets and a detailed belt. The boots are solidly sculpted, too. The head features a comm device that is sculpted to the face (one less little accessory to lose!) as well as sculpting showing a helmet with a skull cap/hood underneath that exposes the figures's face. The design was substantially stronger than what Kenner was doing at the same time with their Star Wars figures. And, the added paint applications and accessories would have really made Action Force stand out among toys on the pegs in 1982.
Had I acquired this figure after August of 1983, I would have hated it. At that point, G.I. Joe had taken hold and was now the only figure type that I really wanted to play with. Prior to that, though, this figure would have found a tremendous home among my Star Wars figures. Frankly, this figure is closer to the Hoth Rebel Commando that I always wanted than the vintage Star Wars figure is. He would easily have joined my Hoth forces and fought against the AT-AT and Snow Troopers. Now, he is also compatible with the current Star Wars figures that were available at retail just a few years ago (and, sometimes, still are!). The 5 points of articulation figures that Hasbro has been peddling for the past couple of years are pretty much the same quality as Action Force figures. Frankly, it would be kind of fun to see a 5POA line of Action Force inspired homages. But, only if they retain the uniqueness of the originals and aren't a niche, kickstarter type thing. You can see how the Arctic Assault figure stands up with a Hovertank Pilot released in 2017 below. There's really nothing other than the '80's style eye paint that would tell you one figure is about 35 years older than the other.
The figure itself is very detailed. The suit is bulky (befitting arctic insulation) and is adorned with pouches, pockets and a detailed belt. The boots are solidly sculpted, too. The head features a comm device that is sculpted to the face (one less little accessory to lose!) as well as sculpting showing a helmet with a skull cap/hood underneath that exposes the figures's face. The design was substantially stronger than what Kenner was doing at the same time with their Star Wars figures. And, the added paint applications and accessories would have really made Action Force stand out among toys on the pegs in 1982.
For me, the real value in Action Force figures are the accessories. The early figures all featured weapons exclusive to the Palitoy line. While the backpacks are over the shoulder harnesses in the mold of the Kenner Star Wars accessory packs, the guns look very similar to Hasbro weapons. The weapons are excellently detailed and scaled to work with Joe figures. As such, I find they are a great way to accessorize Joes with different weapons that you don't see all that often. Action Force featured weapons in a few different colors, too. So, you get additional diversity from those changes. The later Action Force figures featured recolored G.I. Joe weapons. While the light blue Uzis aren't all that interesting, the black Zap bazooka from the Red Shadows figure is. The whole line features an array of gear that is an excellent supplement to the Joe line. And, since the figures tend to be inexpensive, you can acquire the gear for cheap prices to outfit Joes.
The Arctic Assault figure includes a few different items. The first is a silver version of the SA-80 rifle that was common in the Action Force line. This is significant as silver is a logical color for weapons that is very distinctive. One reason for that, though, is because Hasbro didn't use silver as the color of their weapons very often. Silver accessories didn't appear in the Joe line until 1985. And, it wasn't until the 1990's that it become even somewhat commonplace. Seeing the color on an early weapon really brings distinction to it.
Aside from the rifle, the figure also includes a white backpack and a white ladder. The back is bulky and well detailed. The fastening plastic straps are a design that works well, but also doesn't tend to withstand long childhood playtimes where they are taken off and put on again over and over. They also hinder interchangeability as not all of them fit on all figures in the line. The Hasbro design of the peg in back of figures allowed not only for greater uniformity and compatibility, but also lessened the wear on functional points of the accessories. And, it was a solid step forward...even if the straps on this pack are more realistic. The pack has a cargo slot into which fits a folding ladder. I'm not sure of the intent of this piece of gear. But, the fact that it folds up is pretty cool. As a kid, things like toy ladders were necessary when playing on the stairs. So, it's a cool addition to the line and the type of thing you don't really notice until you get one in hand.
Like most Palitoy offerings, this Arctic Assault figure's mold was used several times. Aside from this white and blue winter offering, you can get the figure in desert camo or all white. If you look on the package of the Arctic Assault, there is a version of the figure painted in green cammo carrying a black SA-80. I can not find that this figure was ever released. If you have knowledge of it, please let me know. There are many variants in the Action Force line in terms of the way the faces are painted and even the cammo patterns. So, keep your eyes open for those, too. The head appears on a couple of other figures (notably the Naval Assault figure) as well. There are lots of reused body parts in the Action Force line. But, they experimented with different arm positions and such to a much greater extent than Kenner ever did with the Star Wars line. And, you can find familiar pieces used in a variety of unique ways.
While Action Force does have it's pricey figures, the line is, in general, very inexpensive to collect. (As long as you steer clear of the Hasbro G.I. Joe repaints, that is!) Palitoy created a line for Western European children. In 1982, the target populations for Palitoy's line in Europe and Hasbro's line in the U.S. were about the same. So, this explains the large volume of toys that were made, sold and survive to this day. Plus, Action Force only lasted for about three years before it, basically, became rebranded G.I. Joe. So, the target market for Action Force childhood collectors is much smaller than that of G.I. Joe. As such, you can get mint and complete figures like this Arctic Assault figure for around $10.00. Dealers will sometimes get $20. But, incomplete figures are nearly worthless. In lots, these go much cheaper and you're more likely to get the accessories. You can usually find European collectors with spares, too, who might be willing to trade for Joes. If this style of figures is something interesting to you, the cheap price makes them an attractive acquisition. For me, they are fun additions to a collection. But, they are not something I'm looking to complete. But, getting a few spare accessories is a good way to arm some Joes with new weapons that look like they could be from the vintage line but definitely aren't.
Like most Palitoy offerings, this Arctic Assault figure's mold was used several times. Aside from this white and blue winter offering, you can get the figure in desert camo or all white. If you look on the package of the Arctic Assault, there is a version of the figure painted in green cammo carrying a black SA-80. I can not find that this figure was ever released. If you have knowledge of it, please let me know. There are many variants in the Action Force line in terms of the way the faces are painted and even the cammo patterns. So, keep your eyes open for those, too. The head appears on a couple of other figures (notably the Naval Assault figure) as well. There are lots of reused body parts in the Action Force line. But, they experimented with different arm positions and such to a much greater extent than Kenner ever did with the Star Wars line. And, you can find familiar pieces used in a variety of unique ways.
While Action Force does have it's pricey figures, the line is, in general, very inexpensive to collect. (As long as you steer clear of the Hasbro G.I. Joe repaints, that is!) Palitoy created a line for Western European children. In 1982, the target populations for Palitoy's line in Europe and Hasbro's line in the U.S. were about the same. So, this explains the large volume of toys that were made, sold and survive to this day. Plus, Action Force only lasted for about three years before it, basically, became rebranded G.I. Joe. So, the target market for Action Force childhood collectors is much smaller than that of G.I. Joe. As such, you can get mint and complete figures like this Arctic Assault figure for around $10.00. Dealers will sometimes get $20. But, incomplete figures are nearly worthless. In lots, these go much cheaper and you're more likely to get the accessories. You can usually find European collectors with spares, too, who might be willing to trade for Joes. If this style of figures is something interesting to you, the cheap price makes them an attractive acquisition. For me, they are fun additions to a collection. But, they are not something I'm looking to complete. But, getting a few spare accessories is a good way to arm some Joes with new weapons that look like they could be from the vintage line but definitely aren't.
Saturday, February 27, 2021
2002 Gift Set Firefly - Around The Web
This "poo-headed" Firefly has aged much better than many figures of his era. While he's still not a good figure by any means, he's something completely different from other figures from his time. The paint masks are strong, the colors are unique and his gear makes little sense. But, that's what makes the figure interesting. He's fun to photograph since he stands out so much. Here's the best of the 2002 Gift Set Firefly from around the web.
Gift Set Firefly Profile
Gift Set Firefly by strikeforce_codename
Gift Set Firefly by fun_time_at_serpentorslair
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Chinese Toxo Zombie
Eco Warriors are awesome. They have been awesome since 1991 and the fact that it took nearly 30 years for the rest of the Joe community to come around on them shows how little taste Joe collectors tend to have. Zombies were never awesome. They were kind of interesting. Then, they got stupidly overexposed and are more cliche than scare-vehicle these days. But, the intersection of the two from 1992 is awesome. It's awesome because the Eco Warriors neon purple outweighs overdone zombies. But, it's also awesome because the character isn't an undead. Instead, it's a toxic mutated Toxo Viper who has lost his humanity due to a rotting body and mind. Sure, it's a bit out into the sci-fi realm. But, Joe has always been sci-fi, despite the best efforts of military purists to re-define it. And, the notion of the Toxo Zombie works quite well in the context of the super-villain like Cobra.
In the mid 1990's, Hasbro produced Joe figures for release in China. Most collectors know these figures from the Chinese Major Bludd, Flint and Duke variants. But, there are also several other figures: some common and some really rare that were produced. The series of figures produced in 1994 are the most common and remain easy to find to this day. This is due to the fact that many were sold to American discount retailers in the 1990s and were actually available in the US. There are other series, though, that are harder to find and didn't see the same US distribution. Among these is the Toxo Zombie figure.
In the mid 1990's, Hasbro produced Joe figures for release in China. Most collectors know these figures from the Chinese Major Bludd, Flint and Duke variants. But, there are also several other figures: some common and some really rare that were produced. The series of figures produced in 1994 are the most common and remain easy to find to this day. This is due to the fact that many were sold to American discount retailers in the 1990s and were actually available in the US. There are other series, though, that are harder to find and didn't see the same US distribution. Among these is the Toxo Zombie figure.
As a figure, the Toxo Zombie is pretty good. The entire premise is that a Toxo Viper was mutated into something less than human. As such, the Zombie uses the Toxo Viper's uniform and replaces parts with worn away pieces that show the rotting flesh beneath the compromised suit. The pinkish color with light green highlights make the figure look like a bleached out Toxo Zombie who fell into terrible chemicals. Grisly grey flesh is exposed on the figure's left arm and foot. Some of the armor is worn away and the pants are pock-marked. The face shield is cracked to reveal a dismal visage with pink flesh, a sunken eye and a permanent grimace of pain. For 1992, the sculpting is amazing. But, must of the detail is lost by lack of paint applications. This was also common in 1992. With a differently colored face, blackened teeth and more hollow eyes, this figure could have been a work of art.
I've long been an Eco Warriors fan. And, the 1991 Toxo Viper is among my preferred later Cobra army builders. It was fun to have a single Toxo Zombie around to enhance photos. But, I never really found a lot of use in an army of them. With a few in hand now, though, there is some fun in having a Joe or two flee from a horde of brain dead monsters who only have evil intent. But, it's also something that has little substance. The idea of Dr. Mindbender or Cesspool having a few of these creatures in the basement of some warehouse is fun enough. But, making them an essential part of a Cobra army doesn't work. With no cranial capacity left, the Zombies are just listless masses that meander around the battlefield. You could drop one or two into a Joe base for some chaos. But, they would also be quickly dispatched since they don't really have any abilities beyond the scare factor.
It's here that my interest in the Toxo Zombie kind of ends. I have no real story built around them. Instead, the purely visual treat that is the pink and green help bring some photos to life. So, I do tend to use them with some frequency as they bring much needed life to many displays and photos. And, for that reason alone, the figures are very valuable to me. It's always nice to bring color to a photo and the Toxo Zombie works for that end. Maybe if they were $10 figures, I might be inclined to pick up a few more and find something to do with them. But, the zombie craze made all Toxo Zombies desirable and the relative scarcity of the figure has helped his inflation outlive the fad.
There are a few noteworthy features about this figure and his card. The first is the most obvious. This Toxo Zombie includes a gun and backpack. They are the same weapons that were included with the Sludge Viper and Toxo Viper from 1991. It never made sense to me that the Toxo Zombie didn't include accessories. So, seeing them here seems more correct. The next noteworthy detail is that the card is printed in Chinese. In many cases, foreign cards feature stickers placed over American carded figures. That is not so in this case. The card is printed in Chinese, just like the more common figures that were released in 1994. This brings up the final point. The cardback features a 1995 copyright. So, this figure was produced by Hasbro in 1995. Now, we don't know if the figures were leftover stock from the 1992 run or a new production run altogether. But, this late date is very interesting since the line had been cancelled in the US by then.
American Toxo Zombie figures have never been easy to find. But, they have gotten much more desirable in the past couple of years. Carded American figures sell in the $40-$60 range. Loose figures are offered by dealers in the $30-$40 and an appalling amount of them sell for that price. Left to their own devices, Toxo Zombies are around $25 figures on the open market, though. This Chinese version is both somewhat common and also obscure. You can get carded figures in the $75-$100 range. Though, the price will ebb and flow based on the number in the market. The figures are the same and loose versions are, supposedly, indiscernible from the American releases. So, loose, the only real differentiating factor is that this figure would have gear (that could have been pilfered from a Toxo or Sludge Viper) and the unique filecard/cardback. It's doubtful anyone would pay an extreme premium for that.
There are a few noteworthy features about this figure and his card. The first is the most obvious. This Toxo Zombie includes a gun and backpack. They are the same weapons that were included with the Sludge Viper and Toxo Viper from 1991. It never made sense to me that the Toxo Zombie didn't include accessories. So, seeing them here seems more correct. The next noteworthy detail is that the card is printed in Chinese. In many cases, foreign cards feature stickers placed over American carded figures. That is not so in this case. The card is printed in Chinese, just like the more common figures that were released in 1994. This brings up the final point. The cardback features a 1995 copyright. So, this figure was produced by Hasbro in 1995. Now, we don't know if the figures were leftover stock from the 1992 run or a new production run altogether. But, this late date is very interesting since the line had been cancelled in the US by then.
American Toxo Zombie figures have never been easy to find. But, they have gotten much more desirable in the past couple of years. Carded American figures sell in the $40-$60 range. Loose figures are offered by dealers in the $30-$40 and an appalling amount of them sell for that price. Left to their own devices, Toxo Zombies are around $25 figures on the open market, though. This Chinese version is both somewhat common and also obscure. You can get carded figures in the $75-$100 range. Though, the price will ebb and flow based on the number in the market. The figures are the same and loose versions are, supposedly, indiscernible from the American releases. So, loose, the only real differentiating factor is that this figure would have gear (that could have been pilfered from a Toxo or Sludge Viper) and the unique filecard/cardback. It's doubtful anyone would pay an extreme premium for that.
Saturday, February 20, 2021
2008 Headhunter BAT - Around The Web
The 2008 convention set is one that promised a lot but delivered a little. The Headhunter Stormtroopers were pretty bad. The Headhunters were weird colors. And, the BATs had some issues. For many years afterwards, all of these figures were cheap. You could get BATs for about original cost for quite a while. Now, though, some of the stink of the set has dissolved and you see figures from it commanding a premium, again. This Headhunter BAT has nice colors, perfect gear and matches up quite well with just about any faction you desire. There's not a ton of content on him out there. But, here's what I could find.
2008 Headhunter BAT Profile
2008 Headhunter BAT Profile
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