1990 Metal Head - Redux

1990 remains one of my favorite Joe years. It is full of figures who feature design elements from the '80's but with accessory complements that showed the full progression of the line before it devolved into spring loaded madness. The year is a nice mix of Joes and Cobras that features major characters, high quality minor characters and some of the better army builders ever released. The year is also under appreciated by collectors as it marked the end of the collector-favored '80's and was a time by which most modern Joe collectors had left the market. This has left the year full of unheralded gems on both the Joe and Cobra side. One such example is the original version of Metal Head.

How forgotten is Metal Head? Well, he's so obscure that I forgot I originally profiled him in 2002 on my old site. The figure and character of Metal Head is just one that I don't think of whenever I pull out figures for a specific purpose. In fact, I had racked my brain for a new Cobra figure to profile when I found Metal Head in my 1990 drawer when I was in search of a few Rock Vipers. When I pulled him out, I remembered how high quality the figure actually was.

Metal Head is, basically, a walking anti-tank weapon. He carries a backpack that can launch two missiles and then carries spare missiles on his legs. Fully accessorized, the figure is a bit awkward as he almost has too much gear. As such, I tend to only use him with the pack launcher. He also includes a helmet to protect him from the missile blasts that fire so close to his head. But, I prefer the look of the figure without the helmet and use him that way without much thought as to the practicality of forgoing such protection. Metal Head is very much a figure who's look and function can be changed by adding or omitting his accessories. It is a nice touch as it allows different people to use Metal Head in very different ways.

In my collection, Metal Head is exactly as advertised. I don't use this figure as much of a Cobra leader as he is more of a lone operative. Metal Head is a highly trained individual who goes off in support of other Cobra missions or to take out a specific objective. He can be used to simply attack a convoy of Joe armor. Or, he might be called in to blow up a building or other installation that the standard Cobra Infantry simply can't crack. I see Metal Head as a free lance specialist who is only slightly above the highly trained Cobra anti-tank soldiers. He isn't a key member of any decision making factions...yet. At some point, I could see him being picked up by one of the Cobra political factions. But, at this point, Metal Head remains too much a soldier and not enough of a leader for Cobra to take notice of him and make him a part of their internal political machine.

My key memory of Metal Head was from 1991. I was watching some neighborhood kids while their parents went to the Indianapolis 500. At the time, I was not really collecting Joe figures, but was following the comic a little. However, I really had no idea who Metal Head was. While at this house, the kids and I started playing Joe. As I dug through their bins, I found a couple of figures that were pretty cool but was drawn to Metal Head because I could use his leg missile holder as a holster for his gun. For me, this was enough to make the figure a winner. We spent the day playing with the figures and the kids' beat up Imperial Shuttle from the Star Wars line. As this memory lingered, I made Metal Head one of the earliest figures I acquired when I first returned to collecting. Upon acquiring him, though, I found that my recollections of Metal Head's cool leg holster were far greater than it's actual function in that capacity. My disappointment on that point had dropped the figure from my mind. I prefer to keep him as a good memory who is only used occasionally rather than ruin my perception with the reality of the figure.

The Metal Head figure features a slight variation. He is available with either thin or thick tabs on his legs. These tabs were designed to hold his leg missile holders in place. However, the thin tabs proved too brittle and were often broken. As such, Hasbro fixed the figure and later releases (including the Funskool mold) feature the thicker tabs. Finding a thin tab figure with intact pegs can be problematic but it's still a variation that has yet to really take hold in the collecting. But, be careful when you are buying a Metal Head and ensure that both of the leg tabs, whether thick or thin, are intact.

The Metal Head mold was just used the 1 time in the US. Interestingly enough, the character's original Code Name was going to be Salvo. It was changed and Hasbro used the name on a Joe released in the same year. The character was resurrected with a new body and head mold in 1994. In 2002, Funskool dusted off the V1 mold and produced a very interesting version of Metal Head for release in India. The Funskool figure actually has more painted details than the American version. (You can see the Funskool figure in the final picture below.) In 2005, Master Collector brought back the 1994 Metal Head mold as part of their Convention Exclusive set. As Funskool has returned most of their molds to Hasbro, it is conceivable that we could see a new version of Metal Head at some point. I would welcome a repaint of the V1 figure as I think that a lot can be done with the mold that would give collectors a little different take on the Metal Head character. As we seem to be in a time of diminishing ARAH style Joe releases, I don't know how likely a return of Metal Head actually is. But, I know that I would find a decent Metal Head re-release far more interesting that that of another Cobra Commander, Baroness, Viper, Cobra Trooper, Cobra Officer or Alley Viper.

Metal Head figure's aren't too hard to find. While finding one with intact tabs or the correct leg launchers might take a little time if you are trying to do it on your own, dealers with any stocks can do it easily. Unfortunately, as the figure is fairly high quality and includes many easily lost or broken accessories, he can set you back more than $10. Currently, many of the figures from the '90's are experiencing a renaissance of sorts. Many collectors originally passed them by in favor of the '80's figures they remembered from their youth. Now that they have finished those years, though, they are starting to spend more and more time focusing on the figures from the '90's. As they do this, many collectors are discovering that lower production numbers and a high number of accessories makes some of these figures more challenging than they may have originally realized. As such, you see some price inflation on a few of these figures. In time, I think that prices on some of these figures will come down as more collectors have filled these gaps in their collections. Traditionally, regular release Cobra and Joe non-major, named characters haven't been able to sustain high price levels for long periods of time. As such, I'd be inclined to put off adding this Metal Head to your collection unless you can find one for a good deal. I know he is a nice figure and does add some depth to the Cobra ranks. But, did I not already own one, I doubt I would actively go out to purchase one now.

2004 Red Ninja Viper

In the time I have been profiling figures, I have actually examined very few ninjas. Sure, I've reviewed a few versions of Snake Eyes and Stormshadow and even went to far to dust off T'gin-Zu. But, for as strong a role as ninjas play in the Joe mythos, I have not really explored their overall role in my collection. In the past, this has been primarily due to the fact that most of the ninja figures from 1992-1994 were very poor molds who were saddled with action features, different construction methods and poor color choices. In recent years, though, Hasbro has offered collectors some better ninja alternatives: especially if you are collector of the new sculpt figures. One such ninja uses a good mold in collector demanded colors. Even though it is a blatant rip off of an obscure South American figure, the 2004 Red Ninja Viper has filled an important niche in the Joe collecting world.

First and foremost, this figure is just a rip-off of the Argentine Satan figure. Only, Satan was a vibrant shade of blood red and is actually superior in design to this figure. When I first saw the early pics of the Ninja Strike set, the only thing I could see was two unimaginative attempts to capitalize on superior foreign designs from 16 years earlier. As such, I didn't have a lot of enthusiasm for the set. While I do not personally own a Satan or Ninja Ku figure, they are both very common and easy to get. Granted, they will cost you a lot, but it's not like they aren't available. As such, I would have rather seen this figure in Cobra blue, a deep green, or a shadowy grey. Those would have been colors that fit the nature of the set and offered collectors something they could not get anywhere else. I am the type of collector who would rather see something completely new than see a cheaper version of something already done. I think that's why the more recent comic packs have been such disappointments to me. Basically, they are the same molds in the same colors as what was previously released. The one or two new parts aren't enough to get me interested in those figures over their original versions. Whereas, figures like Clutch and Steeler were somewhat interesting because they were completely new takes on the character. That's they way I think all the figures Hasbro releases should be done. But, I digress....

After I actually acquired a few of the sets, though, I did find myself warming up the Red Ninja. I had long wanted an army of red ninja figures and figured that, some day, I would be able to make a foray into Argentina and build my ninja forces that way. Now, though, I don't have to wait. This set did offer the best way for ARAH figure collectors to quickly accumulate the nameless, faceless Red Ninjas in army building numbers. So, I took advantage of that and built up a decent little force of the Red Ninjas with the thought that they would likely not ever be as cheap or easy to get as they were in this set.   The figure itself is decent enough. The deep red hues and long sleeves make them different enough from Satan that they can stand apart from him. The figure does suffer from an overabundance of paint wipes, though. The entire figure is washed in dark paint that gives the uniforms a more worn look. Paint wipes are always an issue of strong opinion in the collecting world. In this case, I think they neither enhance nor hinder the figure. It would be a good figure without them and a is a good figure with them. The figure definitely has the look of the Red Ninja (even if the uniform is a deviation from their comic appearances) and is useful either as a stand alone character or an army builder.

In the early days of Joe collecting, there were a few staples among the customizers of the day. Everyone had their own take on the Oktober Guard, Dr. Venom, Kwinn and, the red ninja. The idea of the red ninja was ingrained from issue #21 and was one of the easiest repaints to do, especially when you consider that in the mid '90's you could easily find non-mint, discolored V1 Storm Shadow figures for ridiculously cheap prices. As such, there has long been fan demand for this figure and even the large supply of overstock Argentine Satan figures did little to sate it. As such, after some reflection, it is difficult to fault Hasbro too much for this choice. If anything, they should be faulted for the absolutely TERRIBLE Vypra figures that were forced into the set.

For some reason, the Ninja Strike sets suffered from spotty quality. Many sets featured brittle figures and poor paint masks. The Red Ninja Viper was especially susceptible to this and is the figure who is most often cited as breaking right out of the package. I can feel a noticeable difference in quality between the ninjas and the Desert Patrol which was released at the same time. It is unknown if the poor quality was the result of a cost cutting attempt or if the V1 Storm Shadow mold is just finally wearing out. But, if you do purchase after market Red Ninja Vipers, be aware their original quality was poor and you need to be on the lookout for the better samples.

The other area where the Ninja Strike set failed was with the accessories. While it did include a few swords and knives, it also included an M-16, a front bar and an arrow for a crossbow (without the actual crossbow) and a duffel bag. In an of themselves, some of the superfluous weapons aren't bad. But, most really didn't fit with the Ninja theme. Plus, when you see a V1 Storm Shadow mold, you expect V1 Storm Shadow accessories to accompany it. As this set did not include any of the original Storm Shadow's accessories, there was no way that any accessory complement could be anything other than a disappointment. The Red Ninja Vipers themselves included swords that at least made sense with the figures. But, they are very large sword molds that don't really seem to fit the scale of the V1 Storm Shadow mold. Unfortunately, V1 Storm Shadow accessories aren't exactly common or cheap on today's second hand market. So, if you army built this set at all, you are going to be hard pressed to find cheaply available quality accessories to re-outfit your figures with. What is especially infuriating, though, is that the reason for the lame accessories was the depth of paint masks used on the Vypra figures. Had the set included only one Vypra (rather than ruining her characterization by making her an army builder) and another Red Ninja Viper, then we might have actually seen quality accessories in the set as well. But, the design money was wasted on the Vypra paint masks and the entire set suffered for it.

While the Ninja Strike sets hung on the pegs during their release period: their overall time on the shelves was very short. The set was released just before Christmas and very few of them were left after the holiday shopping season was finished. As such, if you took a few months off, it's likely you missed the set at retail. However, as collectors had plenty of advance notice on the set and it wasn't the type of set that was hoarded by army builders, if you went looking for it in November and December of 2004, you were going to find it. Hasbro produced roughly 20,000 of these sets (compared to about 16,000 Desert sets) and that number, except in the case of the Cobra Infantry, has historically proven to sell out without being scarce at retail. This pretty much sated collector demand for the set and now you can buy sets on the second hand market for just slightly above the original retail price. Of the figures in the set, though, the Red Ninjas are the most popular. Individually, they will set you back about $8 each. As such, if you are looking to army build then, I'd just buy full sets, keep the red and black ninjas and sell off the Vypras and Stormshadow. You'll save a little money in the long run. Personally, I have found the idea of having an army of Red Ninjas to have been more exciting than actually having one. The lack of decent accessories and the frantic number of other figure releases that were sandwiched around this figure has pretty much dropped these guys from my collection. They are cool to have around and do come in handy once in a while. But, for the most part, they stay packed away. I have a feeling that, in a few years, I might have more appreciation for this figure. Until then, I'll just sit on my small army of ninjas and use them in the rare cases where their specialty is required.

1989 Backblast

The Joe line is peppered with minor, obscure characters. Some of them were simply boring specialties and figures while others were characters or figures who seemed to be needlessly similar replacements for other, more popular characters. Such is the case with Backblast. While he is a decent figure in his own right, he forever suffers because he just seems to be a pale imitation of Zap. Beyond that, though, the figure features a solid mold, good colors, unique accessories and a blank characterization that allows for a diverse range of roles for the figure in anyone's collection.

1989 was the year where Hasbro brought back many old favorites. The Joe line was 7 years old and most of the kids who had grown up with the early Joe characters had grown up and moved on. To the new generation of kids playing with Joes, these old characters were new. Original Joes Rock and Roll, Stalker, and Snake Eyes all appeared with new molds while characters like Spirit, Mutt, Footloose and BBQ were all repainted for subsets. It has seemed to me for some time, though, that two other original Joes were slated for new molds in 1989 but were changed to new characters at some point in the design process. Both Downtown and Backblast are obvious homages to Short Fuze and Zap. Two characters who, in 1989, had not appeared in the toy line for over 6 years. Both Downtown and Backblast share more than specialties with their predecessors as their designs suggest they were heavily based upon the other characters. Perhaps this was just coincidence. Or, maybe Hasbro simply didn't want too many old characters re-appearing in the same year. But, the similarities are there.

Backblast's strong point is his accessories. His huge missile launcher is rather ridiculous looking from a realism standpoint, but is a cool piece to have as part of a display. It just looks so imposing that it fits with some of the more hyperbolic elements of the Joe line. He also includes a nicely detailed combat knife and a bright yellow bandoleer that is the one sore spot of his accessory complement. The thing about Backblast is that he looks cool when he is fully outfitted with his gear: regardless of how unrealistically heavy an actual missile launcher of that size of would be. He is a great example of how the proper accessories can accentuate even a less than stellar figure.

Backblast's mold is not terribly intricate. In fact, it is rather simple in some parts. However, what keeps the figure from being another Armadillo is that he does have some nice details that juxtapose nicely against the plainness of his basic design. His color scheme is basically black and army green. This, though, makes the little details stand out. Backblast features a knife holder molded onto his left arm. Really, it doesn't make much sense for this to be there, but it is a neat little feature: even if the knife falls out easily. He also features a scribbled notepad on his left leg. This is covered with mathematical equations designed to reflect the trigonometric nature of artillery warfare. (Though you will notice that one of the formulae on the sheet is actually the square root of a negative number. I'm not sure how imaginary numbers would fit into artillery calculations, but it is a note of interest nonetheless.) The final piece of interest on Backblast's mold is the sound mufflers molded onto his helmet. Most Joes would have gone deaf from some of the contraptions they were purported to use. As Backblast would have been launching missiles from right next to his head, it makes sense that he would have some hearing protection. It is a little detail, but one that grounds the figure in more realism.

In my collection, Backblast is a role player. As his weapons are so large and cumbersome, he is mostly relegated to bases or working out of large vehicles. He is, though, more mobile firepower for any Joe team that is within support range of a vehicle large enough to carry his equipment. In that regard, he is valuable as he can provide and anti-aircraft support for his team even if he is not physically with them. I also use Backblast as the gunner or co-pilot in a number of my tanks or heavily armoured vehicles. He looks like a tank driver and fits well with that element. As you can see, though, his roles aren't all that glamorous or high profile. Backblast is the perfect background character who looks good when supporting more prominent characters and is a great way to add some depth to any diorama.

After Backblast was discontinued in the U.S. in 1990, he was sent down to Brazil. There, between 1992 and 1993, he was released in colors similar to the American figure as Leontor. He was the least unique figure of the 4 member Forca Fera set. This was, though, the last time the Backblast arms were seen. In 1993, most of the figure was re-used for the V2 Backblast that was part of the Battle Corps series. That figure is also somewhat similar to this figure in terms of color and design. As such, there really aren't that many alternatives out there for Backblast fans. Each of his releases was similar enough that they are nearly indistinguishable.

On some levels, I wouldn't mind a return of the Backblast mold. It is decent enough. But, I would want to see it in a color scheme drastically different from the 2 previous American releases of the mold. But, at the same time, this mold really isn't all that compelling enough on its own to create an exciting repaint. As such, I think this mold would be better served as parts of a newly Frankenstiened figure. Backblast's head could easily be used to represent both Zap and Bazooka: two characters that have a much greater fan following. In that capacity, I think the return of Backblast would be much more interesting.   Backblast figures aren't too hard to find. Even with his range of accessories, it won't take you too long to track down a complete version. As it should only cost you about $6-$7, he is also affordable enough to warrant owning: even if he isn't a major player in your collection. I searched for a complete Backblast for a few years. He was always a figure that I meant to acquire, but could never just actually take the time to purchase. When I did finally get a nice sample, though, he was quickly shuffled off into the '89 drawer and forgotten until this profile. That is indicative of this figure's plight. He isn't a bad figure, but is one that no one remembers to use. There are just too many other more popular characters who are looked to when an artillery/anti-aircraft specialist is needed.

Funskool Streethawk - Spearhead Chest Variant

I have found it surprising that it has taken me this long to get to a Funskool figure on this new site. In the past, Funskool offerings have been one of the most innocently fun parts of Joe collecting. However, Funskool ceased producing new G.I. Joe figures in early 2004 and that has really lessened their overall impact on the hobby. Funskool Joes, though, remain one of the more interesting subsets in the Joe world. Their combination of bizarre colors, off-beat mold combinations and funky card art has made them both the toast and the laughingstock of the collecting community. I have long admired the Funskool line and enjoy the quirky offerings they have produced. Buried among the neon repaints, race changing figures and notorious mustaches, though, Funskool has also produced some really nice figures that are actually superior in design and color to their American counterparts. Some figures, though, have no American counterpart. Such is the case of the Funskool Streethawk figure.

The Streethawk figure has long been one of the most popular Funskool figures. He is, arguably, the best paint job of a quality Cobra mold and includes an awesome rendition of the RAM motorcycle in black. As such, many collectors have army built the Streethawk figure and he remains one of the few Funskool figures who have sold out from the larger dealers from time to time. It is not entirely clear what Streethawk's purpose was. Odd American television shows have found second lives in foreign countries. (I distinctly remember watching a Spanish dubbed version of the A-Team during prime time in Barcelona in 1993.) As such, it is likely that this figure was meant as a way to promote the newly launched G.I. Joe line in India by cross branding it with a popular TV show. Funskool had a few instances of this. Aside from the Streethawk, there is infamous Superhero figure. The package, though, is clearly labeled G.I. Joe, even though the figure has no other information that puts as part of the line. (You will also note the MRF on the tires on the Streethawk package. This is another cross sell with the co-owner of Funskool, the Madras Rubber Factory: a large tire maker in India.)

In my collection, the Streethawk figures has multiple roles. The version that has the TARGAT body has found a life as a generic Cobra pilot who is seen flying various Cobra aircraft. It is the Spearhead chest version, though, that has become a bit more interesting. I use this figure as a Cobra coyote. For unfamiliar with coyotes, it is the term for human smugglers in the Southwestern United States. These people (and I use that term loosely) smuggle desperate immigrants across the border in the worst conditions possible. They think nothing of leaving women, children and the elderly in the back of a tractor trailer in 110 degree heat with no water or ventilation while they stop for lunch. They are prone to incredible violence and have been known to get into gun battles right on a US highway. They are not good people in any sense of the word.

However, Cobra does have a use for people like this. The coyote is able to find the most desperate souls who are willing to sacrifice everything for a chance at a better life. These are the type of people that Cobra can use as they are easily malleable into the Cobra philosophy and create a dedicated base of loyal troops who will do the Commander's bidding under any circumstance. These people don't go on to become Vipers or Crimson Guardsmen. Instead, they are the cannon fodder for scientific experiments or the simple laborers who are the backbone of the Commander's most ambitious construction projects. (Like a tunnel from Cobra Island to the mainland US.) The Streethawk character can also serve as a means for Cobra officials to slip into and out of the U.S. across unsecured borders. The character is not really a part of Cobra (which is why he has no Cobra sigils on his uniforms) but is contracted with them and does lots of work for them.

This assigned role kind of fits the look of the figure. I see the bullet strap across his chest as a stereotypical homage to the Banditos of old. The helmet, though, offers protection both against the hard ground in case of an accident, but also against the powerful Southwestern sun. While the black may be a bit much in the desert heat, I see this character mostly driving across the deserted highways at night as he out maneuvers border patrol, Federales, local police, ranchers or civilian militant groups. Now, I just need to come up with a name for him....

There are several variants to the Streethawk figure. Page 55 of The International Action Figure Archive by Ron Conner and Derek Anderson lists 4 distinct versions of the Streethawk figure. The first, and most difficult to find, is a repaint of the V1 Snake Eyes figure. The third and fourth versions are basically TARGAT repaints. Version 3 features Spearhead's waist and legs while version 4 only features Spearhead's legs. The version 2 Streethawk figure, which is the subject of this profile is a completely repainted Spearhead body with only the TARGAT head and arms. (You can see a comparison photo at the bottom of this profile.) It is the second most difficult version of the Streethawk figure to find as it was discontinued just before Joe dealers began importing mass quantities of Funskool figures into the United States.

Much has been written about the quality of Funskool figures. They range in quality from nearly equal to American figures for the early Funskool stuff to really poor examples of workmanship with weak joints, cheap plastic and horridly applied paint. The key is knowing how to pick which figures are of the better quality. For some reason, certain Funskool figures are more prone to poor quality. Fortunately, it has been my experience that the Streethawk is not among these. All the Streethawks I have are well made. They feature tight paint masks and plastic that is more sturdy that many of the most recent Hasbro ARAH-style Joe releases. If you are still worried, though, there is another way to pick better quality Funskool figures. In April of 2003, Hasbro came down on Funskool for their quality. As such, any Funskool figure with a manufacture date subsequent to April of 2003 tends to be of much higher quality than those that were made prior to that date. As the Streethawk is a more popular figure, those that are still left at retail have a higher likelihood of being produced after April of 2003. So, even if you've had a bad experience with the quality of other Funskool figures, I would recommend giving them another chance with some of the later made figures. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

This version of Streethawk is somewhat tough to find. While he was not imported in the quantities of the later variations, though, he was one of the more popularly imported Funskool figures during the early days of foreign Joe collecting. As such, you can find them both loose and MOC with a little work. This version will probably run you over $20, though, if the sale is properly labeled. As many collectors, though, are unaware of the differences in price among some of the more significant Funskool variations, you can get good deals on this figure should you come across a sale with a blurry picture or poor description. However, unless you are a variation nut, I would highly recommend just spending $6 and buying one of the newer versions. It is much easier, the figure is high quality, and you would be able to quickly add this character to your collection.

I've found that the Streethawk figure in particular and Funskool figures in general are great ways to expand a collection. While Funskool figures are not as special as they once were, they still offer something distinctly different from many American releases and give any collection the diversity it needs to distinguish itself. Of all foreign releases, I count Funskool variants as the most common international figures in my collection. It is a distinction well earned and, if you have yet to take the Funskool plunge, is worth exploring.

1994 Payload - Black & Blue Version

Fortunately for Star Brigade, most collectors still hold the Eco Warriors as the worst subset ever in the Joe line. If there had been no Eco Warriors, though, Star Brigade would surely hold that dubious honor. If you are looking at the Star Brigade figures from 1993, this reputation is probably somewhat justified. However, if you look at the 1994 Star Brigade offerings, you see that while the colors are bright, the figures themselves are appealing in many ways. As a team, they have a cohesiveness that is aesthetically pleasing while using molds that complement each other and that are visually interesting. I have long been an ardent supporter of the Star Brigade concept and think the figures deserve another look from most collectors.

Originally, this mold was not intended for use as Payload. If you look at the back of the earliest 1993 Star Brigade cardbacks, you will see a V1 Payload mold painted in green and black. This was the original intention for the Payload figure and would have made sense in a series of astronauts. However, Hasbro could not locate the V1 Payload mold (most likely because it was in Brazil where Estrela released it as Orbita) so they dusted off the Barbeque mold from the now cancelled Eco Warriors line and used it for Payload.

In the spring of 1995, I purchased my first 1993 green Payload at a KB Toy Liquidators in Indianapolis. Initially, I wanted to use the figure as a pilot as, at that time, I was really interested in pilot figures. After I got him home, though, I found the figure's design was not in line with what I wanted from a pilot. However, it was in line with another specialty that had long been part of my collection.   When I was a kid, I used Joe army builders. I felt that the Joes would need bailing out in certain situations and that they had a highly trained support force that was available to help them on large missions. These "Special Missions Commandos" (Yes, they were named after the Joe comic of the same title. I was 12....) were represented by the 1983 Ace figure as I felt they would wear suits capable of deep sea diving or surviving gaseous environments.

My Ace figure got lots of use due to this assigned role and eventually died from overuse. When I looked at the '93 Payload, though, the similarities between his design and the original Ace became apparent to me. So, I updated my specialty unit to now be only comprised of Payload figures. I give them all various grey or dark blue versions of the weapons that were included with Payload and give them either Torpedo's or Psyche Out's backpack. The resulting look is a specialty unit that is more modern, more militaristic and very useful.   As this figure has 3 distinct coloring variations, I use each paint scheme for a different specialty. The green figures are the most basic combat troops. The white figures are more geared towards rescue or medical operations. This blue figure, though, is somewhat problematic for me. I never really had a role into which he fit. As he is the hardest to find, though, this Payload has ended up being the unit commander for both other colors of figures. Much like the colored clone commanders, this figure uses his color as a designation of rank. It's a somewhat useless designation, but does explain the color differences and allows me to use the rarer figure as someone a bit more prominent than the more common army builders.

The exact origins of this figure are not known. In 6 years of searching and after having viewed hundreds of carded Payload figures, I have come to the conclusion that the black and blue Payload was only released on a 1994 Star Brigade card. He did not appear on the '93 cards as some collectors may suggest. This is puzzling, though, as this figure uses the same paint masks as the '93 Payload yet the '94 Payload card art clearly depicts the red, white and blue Payload that is the more commonly seen '94 figure. It is possible that the blue trimmed figures were either early samples to test the paint mask, or later samples to test the blue paint. Hasbro then made enough of them that they just went ahead and released them in the earliest shipments of '94 Star Brigade Series 1 figures. Of course, that's all speculation as no official information has ever surfaced in regards to this figures origins. The other notable change in the figure, though, is the clear visor. Every green 1993 Payload I have seen has a yellowed visor. However, the blue versions feature clear visors. So, it could have simply been a visor test in an attempt to get clear plastic.

The 1994 Star Brigade figures were split into 2 series. The first series is more common, though you are starting to hear some complaining among collectors at how it is somewhat difficult to track down a few of Series 1 figures like the orange Star Brigade Roadblock. Series 2, though, was the short produced wave that featured the 3 Lunartix aliens. Supposedly, these figures were limited to a production run of only 10,000 figures. While the aliens themselves aren't too hard to find, the three Joes who shared a case with them: Countdown, Ozone and Effects, have become rather difficult to find. As such, you don't see too many complete 1994 Star Brigade Joe displays. You will see a figure here or there, but it's rare to find a collector who has taken the time to assemble the complete team, loose. This is nice as it allows you a way to distinguish your collection a bit if you do have the full array of Star Brigade figures. (I know that when I view pictures of other's collections, my personal measuring stick is how many obscure 1993-1994 figures they have out on display.) It can also be frustrating, though, to track down all the figures and then find a place to display them if you do not own the Defiant.

All of the 1994 Star Brigade figures are somewhat hard to find. None were produced in great quantities and many collectors were long gone by that time so they are figures that are often absent from modern collections. The fact that this was a paint variant that was quickly replaced with white version of Payload leaves the black and blue figure as one of the harder figures to find in the entire line. That isn't to say he's rare or anything, though. If you go looking for this figure, you'll find him soon enough and he will likely be cheap. If you just hope for one to show up as part of random purchases over the years, though, that is less likely to happen as this isn't a figure you see too often. Since Payload is Star Brigade, though, he is always cheap. While I've seen MOC versions of this figure sell for over $20, I've also bought loose samples for $1. The price at any given time will reflect who is in the market. If only a few people are actively searching for this figure, you will probably find him MOC (which is still the easiest way to acquire him) for rather cheap. If you are at a time when a more than a few collectors are looking for this version, then you might see the MOC price closer to the $20. But, those prices are usually short lived. As Star Brigade will never be considered a must have subset by the collecting community as a whole, you will never see the figures priced in accordance with their rarity in relation to figures from the rest of the line. The demand will simply never be there. If you are like me, though, and find the redeeming qualities in the Star Brigade line, the cheap prices make it easy to start, finish and multiply your astronaut collection. I know that I have done so for years now.