2001 Funskool Crimson Guard Immortal - Around the Web

16 Years ago today, I profiled the newly released Funskool Crimson Guard Immortal figure.  At the time of this figure's release, it was one of the most anticipated army builders of all time.  Collectors salivated over being able to buy them by the dozens.  And, they did.  Dealers constantly sold out of the figure as people built up massive armies of CGI's at insanely low prices.

There area  few variants of the figure with him having gold, silver or black bullets on his leg.  You don't see much interest in those variances, now, but they were something fun to differentiate the figure back in 2001.  Today, the Funskool Crimson Guard Immortal is harder to find and is no longer a cheap army builder if you buy carded examples.  And, with lots of army builders to now choose from the limitations of the mold are more evident.  But, this figure is a reminder of a much different time in the Joe world when every month brought news of an upcoming release.  Here's the best on this figure from around the web.

Funskool CGI Profile

Crimson Guard Immortal at Serpentor's Lair

Crimson Guard Immortal by funskoolrony

Crimson Guard Immortal at JoeDios

Crimson Guard Immortal Dio

Funskool CGI by yihad77

Funskool CGI by The.Faceless.Master

Funskool CGI by viper_space

Diorama - Through the Looking Grass

Eels on patrol.

2004 Anti Venom Barricade - Around the Web

The Anti-Venom set was pretty well done and it a nice update of many figures.  Barricade is among them and this was his only release in the repaint era.  It was good to see him, though, in a color scheme that really made the mold more valuable.

Barricade Profile

Unproduced Anti-Venom Figures - Dark Blue

Barricade at GeneralsJoes.com

Barricade at JoeADay.com

Barricade at HalfTheBattle.com

2003 DVD Snake Eyes - Around the Web

Hasbro dropped a surprise DVD Snake Eyes repaint in early 2003.  Bagged samples first showed up in 2002 and, due to the similarity to the Toy Fare Snake Eyes figure, may collectors thought it might end up being an unproduced figure which lead to insane pricing.  But, this figure turned out to be readily available and anyone who wanted one could get him.  It's a great Snake Eyes repaint and something a little different for the character.  I thought there would be more on him out of the web.  But, the content was pretty sparse.  Here's the best of what I could find.

2003 DVD Snake Eyes Profile

DVD Snake Eyes at JoeADay.com

Snake Eyes at Comicbookbin

1997 Alley Viper - Around the Web

At the time of his release, the 1997 Alley Viper was generally reviled.  Most collectors didn't care for him since vintage army builders were so cheap.  Now, though, a lot has changed and this figure is one of the better colored and desirable Alley Viper figures.  Here's the best on him from around the web.

1997 Alley Viper Profile 1

1997 Alley Viper Profile 2

1997 Alley Viper at JoeADay.com

Alley Viper at JomiToys.com

Hand Painted Alley Viper at YoJoe.com

Unproduced Boxed Set Alley Viper at YoJoe.com

1997 Alley Viper at Serpentor's Lair

Alley Viper at HalfTheBattle