AWE Striker with Leatherneck G.I. Joe Modern ERA Review

[Shogi]

This is the same AWE Striker we saw as a Target exclusive earlier this year. With all the same minor updates like thinner pegs and now ridge on the hood. However, now it's in a desert deco. I no longer have to use my Stargate "All-Terrain Cruiser" as a desert AWE Striker. The only problem I have with this version is that the engine cover is a dark grey instead of the same tan color as the rest of the body. Just like the original, the engine cover and engine are removable. There are still two issues that were apparent with the Target AWE Striker, the hose connecting the camera to the roll cage is very thin and creases way too easily. Also, the antennas are attached while in the package which makes them permanently bent backwards. In the best of cases this gives them the look of blowing backwards in the wind, however, the worst case is that some are bent too much and have stress marks. Unlike the Target AWE Striker, this one has more updated stickers, now with very small writing instead of lines.

The AWE Striker is a classic and iconic vehicle, it's nice to see them in more environment specific colors, but this should have been the exclusive while the typical green one was the mass release.


Vehicle Rating: 8 out of 10

[Shogi]

Leatherneck is made using Gung-Ho's head, Buzzer's torso, Duke's arms and Snow Job's legs. He's made up in the version 2 "Special Missions Brazil" deco, so he has a nice desert theme that compliments the AWE Striker he's included with. Buzzer's belt and the shoulder pad on his torso throws the look of the figure off a bit, while the Duke arms are more accurate. Some Gung-Ho hands would have almost matched the original perfectly. The rifle that comes with Leatherneck is the same one we got with Duke, but now it's grey, oddly enough, this is the same type of rifle that came with the original Leatherneck. Leatherneck comes with a Pistol, Rifle and GI Joe Stand.

I stare at Leatherneck's head, knowing that it's just a repainted Gung-Ho head, but all I see is Leatherneck. I hope to see the same head used for a green version of Leatherneck, I just would like a newer body.


Figure Rating: 7 out of 10

[Roadblock Recall]

i'm with you on the head dude.

all the pictures I've seen, I've been disapointed that it was a GH head. But now that I have the figure standing on my desk, all I see is Leatherneck's face, not gung ho's

[Xerofall]

Totally looks like Leatherneck, even more than GH looks like GH. The Buzzer thing is weird.

At least I can customize this AWE versus my Target exclusive... I like the original AWE colors.

[Tomahawk]

awesome, thanks

[arch2b]

thanks, confirms my dislike for this awe striker

[art2614]

Is this out at retail yet? Oh and as always thanks for the graet review!

[stride23]

yeah I didn't know this was released already? I thought just the Firebat and the Sharc were out? Anyway ever since I first seen this I didn't like it. I didn't really like the tan color(even though I do like desert theme) and I for sure didn't like Leatherneck a.k.a. Gung Ho. Yet after reading Shogi's review(great by the way) I kinda feel like getting it. I'm picturing Leatherneck and Dusty battling the Cobras from the Extreme conditions Desert set. That would be so cool. Shogi's pictures and reviews always hype me up!

[Monkeywrench]

Great Review. I can't wait to pick up a Leatherneck. The vehicle I will pass on.

[xFlintx]

Great Review. It's funny how, even with the Frankensteined parts, it matches the original pretty well (with some artistic license of course). And the head does look like Leatherneck, perhaps the big H had that planned from the beginning) As for the Buzzer parts, my guess is they used it since they hadn't used it for anything else.and wanted to get their moneys worth. ;)

[teemu8]

I just want leatherneck myself....any chance we'll get the oringinal corrected color version in green? carded?

[Monkeywrench]

I just want leatherneck myself....any chance we'll get the oringinal corrected color version in green? carded?

I hope so. I a Q&A they said there were no plans for a V1 in 08. Hopefully in 09 he will come.

[Shogi]

Is this out at retail yet? Oh and as always thanks for the graet review!

I haven't heard it being at brick and mortar retail yet, I got all the new vehicles from SidDarth, so online retailers have these.

[Unclassified]

i found hose on ebay that is way thicker an better then hasbros crap. i got 30 inches for 2 bux free ship! i replaced the target awe an the dreadnok

[Barefoot Jedi]

I like this and it's good for a re-release.

Though it has my major pet peeve about the new line: While I don't mind Hasbro re-using body parts over and over and over and over, I think if it's a new specific (i.e. not army builder/soldier) character IT SHOULD GET A NEW HEAD. The fact that Gung-Ho, Leatherneck and Cutter are all identical triplets is very unappealing to me.

[artiepants]

i could deal with it if not for the Buzzer torso, that just does not work for me. at all.

[THALASTDRAGON]

there go those arms again...jeez. tha awe striker is probably my favorite vehicle out of tha joe line, but tha tan doesnt do it for me, i still prefer tha green. i have a vintage one, and i might pick up a 25th one as well. but im passin on this one

[MAJOR WOLF]

Awesome Awestriker review! :)

[mandingo_rex]

Yeah, I for one see Leatherneck too... I do want a V1 version, with a better torso... Maybe the Viper's torso and vest? I dunno, it'd take a little creativity, but it matches as well as the Buzzer torso, although I don't think it's exactly terrible...

This head works great as Leatherneck, not much of a reason to remold one since the Gung Ho head looked so close... He actually looks more like Leatherneck than Gung Ho anyways... Almost like the V2 Gung Ho coming out in the comic packs needs a new head sculpt to better match...

Having hair also helps. Cutter, though, does not work, I'm sorry Hasbro. Leatherneck, good use... Cutter, just cheap.

[Iron Will]

Leatherneck is made using Gung-Ho's head, Buzzer's torso, Duke's arms and Snow Job's legs. He's made up in the version 2 "Special Missions Brazil" deco, so he has a nice desert theme that compliments the AWE Striker he's included with. Buzzer's belt and the shoulder pad on his torso throws the look of the figure off a bit, while the Duke arms are more accurate. Some Gung-Ho hands would have almost matched the original perfectly. The rifle that comes with Leatherneck is the same one we got with Duke, but now it's grey, oddly enough, this is the same type of rifle that came with the original Leatherneck. Leatherneck comes with a Pistol, Rifle and GI Joe Stand.

I stare at Leatherneck's head, knowing that it's just a repainted Gung-Ho head, but all I see is Leatherneck. I hope to see the same head used for a green version of Leatherneck, I just would like a newer body.


Figure Rating: 7 out of 10

I very much agree. I was gonna pass on this one specifically because I was tired of seeing split personality Gung Ho everywhere, but after viewing your pics I just see Leatherneck.

[quintonarledge]

I like that they made an homage to the Special Missions Brazil Leatherneck, but I too wish they put a new head on ol' Wendell. Mayber they'll fix that if he ever gets released single-carded w/ his green BDU's.

I like the AWE Striker, but always have a problem with getting the decals to stay on the roll-bars. I'd rather have a desert colored VAMP Mk. II instead, though.

[Gung.Heaux]

looking forward to the tan awe striker....too much green around with the vamp and the upcoming sky hawk and moccasin.
the grey engine cover...i like it, breaks all that tan up as does the black rollbar and bumper.

im not a fan of the re-use of gung ho's head. blah blah i know why hasbro does it....i just think if youd compare gung ho's head with say, flash's...flash looks more "everyman" than does gung ho.
bad enough i have gung ho, and cutter.....starting to look like attack of the clones around here.

[ParatrooperCarbine]

Do the Buzzer sholuder pads come off? I will probably replace the belt and strap with web gear from another figure, but those shoulder pads just won't do.

[mech-grunt]

Thanks for the review. I personally can not wait to fined it at the stores.

[DPrime]

It's not the worse reuse of a head, but what he really needs is a new torso. It'd be nice if we got the corrected Duke arms on this, too (hopefully they also have a better range of movement?).

I always wanted an AWE Striker in desert tan colours, but the black really ruins it for me. I think I'll pass.

[RolandofGilead]

You know, looking at the figures side by side, he's not bad at all. I'll take one. Anyone unhappy with their Leatherneck, or looking to army-build the tan AWE Strikers is welcome to sell me one if they'd like. I want the figure, not the vehicle.

[Xerofall]

I always wanted an AWE Striker in desert tan colours, but the black really ruins it for me. I think I'll pass.

You could always paint the cover tan... I plan on doing that with mine. I could even do it for you.

[Saboteur]

I hope they re-release him in green camo.
Sab

[txbart]

Leatherneck says "Disco is Life!"

[Shogi]

Do the Buzzer sholuder pads come off? I will probably replace the belt and strap with web gear from another figure, but those shoulder pads just won't do.

Actually it's only one shoulder pad and no, it doesn't come off. It's part of the torso

[Roadblock Recall]

I haven't heard it being at brick and mortar retail yet, I got all the new vehicles from SidDarth, so online retailers have these.

they're at retail. I found it at Walmart 2 days ago.

[mandingo_rex]

The vest bugs me, although I actually like Leatherneck better than most... I think he should have been in his classic deco though.

A modified Firefly vest (comic pack) could almost work... The stripes on the vest are on the wrong part, but the high collar could be trimmed lower, to go on top of a Gung Ho or Viper torso and work much better... A paint app could fix the vest to match closer to Leatherneck's original color/design...

The skull belt bugs me, as well. Not even a cover-up belt?

[Snow cat]

Im mixed on this set. I like leartherneck but i dount care for the color of the awe striker. Once i see it in person im going to like it.

Great review.

[Jase]

I'll be buying this one. I like the color scheme of the AWE...seems more like a sand terrain vehicle anyway. Everything doesn't have to be green!

Leatherneck looks decent, regardless of those horrid Duke arms.

[VIPER 48]

I agree about the head. The more i look at it, i just think Leatherneck. Great review...

[tigpoppa]

why does it have a camera?

just stupid who thinks of this nonsense?

[Dutchmaster29]

I waited 20 years to get an A.W.E. Striker and got the Target Exclusive. I love it but just don't see the need to get another one. If there is anything we are sure of is that we'll get a repaint of Leatherneck so I'll wait until he comes out carded.

The only thing I don't dig on the Striker is the top cannon. Wish they'd updated it to either a more realistic looking TOW Missle, grenade launcher, or a heavy machine gun with pegs so a fig could man it. Never got the camera/laser sight on the passenger seat too. They should have mounted a light machine gun. Oh well, despite my complaints it still is cool to have an A.W.E.

[nighthawk]

You mean you'd like one updated similar to this one?
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/Picture1434.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/Picture1431.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/Picture1427.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/Picture1683.jpg

It's for sale for anyone who's interested.

[flywheels]

Don't want the vehicle, but I'd buy Leatherneck in a heartbeat!

[oliverbox]

Nighthawk,
I'm fairly new to the forum, but your AWE Striker custom is amazing. And if you're still selling it, I would really be interested in purchasing it. Please let me know. I've been working on some custom figures that would really, really work well with that AWE Striker. Thanks very much.

As for the item being reviewed, I cannot be more excited. Anyone remember the Desert Patrol Squad? Anyone recall that their logo was the silhouette of an AWE Striker in the desert between two palm trees? Where was the DPS's Awe Striker? I mean it should have been pretty important to the DPS given that it was the focal point of the whole logo! I've been an AWE Striker fan for years. As a kid, I just loved that the front wheel could steer. I thought it was a great toy, and what military situation isn't suitable for a good jeep? It was just an all around great replacement for the VAMP.

So the DPS finally gets it's AWE Striker. Way to go, Hasbro, it only took like 3.5 years. But I'm really excited. The DPS was a great set... great paint jobs on a great selection of characters. Now, with this AWE Striker and Leatherneck the DPS is even better. I'll buy several of them when I can find them. Just in time for the Holidays - Merry Christmas, Desert Patrol Squad!

[G.I. Joe sniper]

I picked mine up yesterday at Wal-mart. Wasn't in awe(pun intended) when I first saw it, but bought it anyway. It has grown on me. I like the figure, but whats up with the Saturday Night Fever pose.

[Gung.Heaux]

so i find the new AWE striker today and i pick it up......
now i usually dont gripe too much about pack-ins...and, quite frankly, duke arms dont bother me as much as they do some here on HT.

but...

Gottdamn hasbro, if youre going to use duke arms...fine. but can the ruttin fleshtones match?
leatherneck looks like hes wearing dishwashing gloves.