View Full Version : REVIEW: GI Joe: Retaliation Zartan
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Final Thoughts
The GI Joe: Retaliation Zartan represents a very different take on the line. And whether you like him will depend entirely on what your thoughts are on these changes.
On the one hand, we've the articulation changes, weak weaponry, generic movie packaging and lack of a stand. But on the other, there's something refreshingly vibrant about this toy. I like that it makes me feel as if I'm an eight year-old buying my first Joe and being excited about it. I could see kids absolutely loving how this figure looks and feels, as it's a remarkably tactile plaything that feels as if you could spend hours playing with it without it breaking or losing any of the accessories. And if that appeals to you - even as an adult - it really doesn't matter that his ankles don't bend. He can sit in vehicles. He can stand. He can do awesome Ninja kicks and jumps. And that's all that matters.
Even as a collectible, he's not without merit. The basic figure's look is great and although his weapons may be look like something from the Nerf range, there's nothing fundamentally wrong with the figure and he looks no more out of place on the shelf than any other GI Joe. If his gear bothers you that much, replace it or paint it. Just don't pass on this toy because it looks ''childish'' or the reduced articulation is putting you off, because if you do so then you're missing out on a great figure.
A very, very pleasant surprise.
Final Score: B+
That Figures: REVIEW: GI Joe: Retaliation Zartan (http://that-figures.blogspot.com/2012/06/review-gi-joe-retaliation-zartan.html)
I like this Zartan. As people have pointed out, it's similar to a Renegades Zartan.
The accessories are nice. I can get past the colored weapons, although I do wish they were cast in black.
My main gripe is why do the alternate heads need lightpiping? I get that it's to see Zartan's glowy eyes. But since you have to remove the entire hood/chest straps anyway, just leave out the light piping feature so he at least the alternate head tries to resemble a disguise. It's a true pain to remove the hood only o put it back on so you can enjoy a lame feature on his disguise faces.
I like this Zartan. As people have pointed out, it's similar to a Renegades Zartan.
The accessories are nice. I can get past the colored weapons, although I do wish they were cast in black.
My main gripe is why do the alternate heads need lightpiping? I get that it's to see Zartan's glowy eyes. But since you have to remove the entire hood/chest straps anyway, just leave out the light piping feature so he at least the alternate head tries to resemble a disguise. It's a true pain to remove the hood only o put it back on so you can enjoy a lame feature on his disguise faces.
Yeah, there's a definite Renegades vibe about him. It does make you wonder if he was originally intended to be released as part of that line-up...
And I didn't find the harness too difficult to get on and off but - as you say - it's a pain to do it every time you want to switch disguises. Clip-on face plates would probably have been a better way to go, especially given that his head can't move much when the hood is on anyway!
pyro678
06-15-2012, 12:30 PM
Even though he lacks articulation and has blue weapons. He is def. My top zartan. He just looks so damn creepy. I mean imagin that face emerging from the shadows. His black aroynd the eyes would of been nice
ChadVamp
06-15-2012, 12:36 PM
Like this zartan a lot. With some part swaps on the feet and hands, then cutting the hood free from the web gear and reoutfitting him with some bitchin gear I got an ultimate zartan. I especially like that he's a. Bit taller then other releases. He looks very good leading the noks around.
Even though he lacks articulation and has blue weapons. He is def. My top zartan. He just looks so damn creepy. I mean imagin that face emerging from the shadows. His black aroynd the eyes would of been nice
Yeah, I like that nasty look he's got going on. Very creepy indeed. But true, some eye make-up would've been neat.
Like this zartan a lot. With some part swaps on the feet and hands, then cutting the hood free from the web gear and reoutfitting him with some bitchin gear I got an ultimate zartan. I especially like that he's a. Bit taller then other releases. He looks very good leading the noks around.
Cool - do you have any pics of him?
spot138
06-15-2012, 12:51 PM
You've got a point about the ankles.
The only ret figure I have is Roadblock, and that was just to make a Slaughter out of. I realy thought the ankles were going to bother me a lot more than they ended up doing and even though I had every intention of replacing them, I just dont think it'll be worth the extra effort. They do look great and they do function well enough that I'm happy with them.
V
You've got a point about the ankles.
The only ret figure I have is Roadblock, and that was just to make a Slaughter out of. I realy thought the ankles were going to bother me a lot more than they ended up doing and even though I had every intention of replacing them, I just dont think it'll be worth the extra effort. They do look great and they do function well enough that I'm happy with them.
V
I didn't have any issues getting Zartan to pose how I wanted him to, to be honest. Much as I'd have liked to see more articulation, this cutback isn't really something that bothers me that much.
MJjoe4life
06-15-2012, 02:02 PM
Thanks for the review. I really like the version of Zartan. The reduced articulation doesnt bother me and he is still very poseable. I really like the different heads he comes with. The weapons dont bother me b/c i switched them out.
Thanks for the review. I really like the version of Zartan. The reduced articulation doesnt bother me and he is still very poseable. I really like the different heads he comes with. The weapons dont bother me b/c i switched them out.
To be honest, I kept the pistol and the swords with mine. Sheathed they don't look so bad and the blue gun isn't horrible. I might swap it for one of Duke's spare plasma pistols from the Renegades line. Or I may just leave it.
nighthawk
06-15-2012, 07:00 PM
This Zartan was actually much better than I expected after I got him in hand. I still only kept the heads and the backpacks and swords. I gave his quiver backpack to Zandar.
TYPHUS
06-15-2012, 07:31 PM
Yep he's a great figure,he freaks my girlfriend out,he has a creepy aura that i'v not really seen on a figure since the V1 Zartan,i love that he's tall and slimmed down,it adds to his creepiness,the ankle articulation isnt even a problem,and whilst i dont mind the blue swords and pistol,i would have prefered them in black or silver. The green lightpiping on his "natural" head looks amazing,but i would have liked him to have had the trademark Zartan facial tattoos/markings as well. He's definitely my favourite Zartan,and to sum up,i would say pictures REALLY dont do him the justice he deserves,and he's definitely worth picking up!!
This Zartan was actually much better than I expected after I got him in hand. I still only kept the heads and the backpacks and swords. I gave his quiver backpack to Zandar.
Oh, good idea about the quiver. I may have to do that!
Yep he's a great figure,he freaks my girlfriend out,he has a creepy aura that i'v not really seen on a figure since the V1 Zartan,i love that he's tall and slimmed down,it adds to his creepiness,the ankle articulation isnt even a problem,and whilst i dont mind the blue swords and pistol,i would have prefered them in black or silver. The green lightpiping on his "natural" head looks amazing,but i would have liked him to have had the trademark Zartan facial tattoos/markings as well. He's definitely my favourite Zartan,and to sum up,i would say pictures REALLY dont do him the justice he deserves,and he's definitely worth picking up!!
I've been surprised reading the responses to this Review - I honestly expected to be defending my score, as I was under the impression people really hated him (or at least I expected that response.) So it's good to see so much love for the figure.
ChadVamp
06-15-2012, 11:04 PM
Having problems uploading pics from my iPad check out my Pintrest page for the pics, chad Harris.
ChadVamp
06-15-2012, 11:06 PM
Anybody else want to fill in the light piping on his hood? Any ideas on how a guy would do that? I think a tiny bit of sculpy and a brown hood repaint would do this figure wounders. I also like the alt heard for a few zombie or faker gijoes...any thought?
Having problems uploading pics from my iPad check out my Pintrest page for the pics, chad Harris.
I don't see them. But thanks for all the midriffs. :)
i really like this version of zartan...like the op,i was also pleasantly surprised when i got this figure in hand.i added the resolute zartan chest armour along with a hk mp5 and a supressed pistol to give him some realistic weapons.
I still have my Resolute pack to open... But yeah, I really didn't expect to like this figure as much as I did. Part of me is even wondering about the Wave 1 Duke now...!
Dreadnok Rocksteady
06-16-2012, 11:45 AM
I'm glad there's so much love for this figure, I think he ROCKS! I am slightly biased, as I buy everything Zartan and Dreadnok related, but I think this figure is absolutely brilliant. Great review, man!
Steeler58
06-16-2012, 12:32 PM
I have not purchased Zartan yet, but I want to he is awesome looking. I don't care about the lack of articulation or the color of the weapons. These are kids toys. I think having bright colors for weapons make them easier to find for kids. I am sure everyone who has dropped a weapon on the ground knows what a pain in the ass it can be to find it on a carpet or grass. Especially when the weapons are earth tones or black.
The only things that have bugged me so far about this line is the key hand for RB, vehicle drivers, and price. Great review, now I have go buy this guy today.
I'm glad there's so much love for this figure, I think he ROCKS! I am slightly biased, as I buy everything Zartan and Dreadnok related, but I think this figure is absolutely brilliant. Great review, man!
Glad you liked it. And yeah, the PoC Zartan was my first Joe, so I've always had a soft-spot for him, too.
I have not purchased Zartan yet, but I want to he is awesome looking. I don't care about the lack of articulation or the color of the weapons. These are kids toys. I think having bright colors for weapons make them easier to find for kids. I am sure everyone who has dropped a weapon on the ground knows what a pain in the ass it can be to find it on a carpet or grass. Especially when the weapons are earth tones or black.
The only things that have bugged me so far about this line is the key hand for RB, vehicle drivers, and price. Great review, now I have go buy this guy today.
THANK YOU. I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets the whole toy/kids appeal thing.
urrutiap
08-04-2012, 06:49 PM
I managed to spot a few GI Joe Retaliation figures at both Walmart and Target.
Both stores had only one Zartan while the rest were Roadblocks along with one Snake Eyes, 2 Storm Shadows and one Duke and one Cobra Trooper that has that parachute thingy.
Was tempted to get one of those figures but the Zartan figure kind of turned me off. Maybe its the eyeless head disguises or something about the whole Zartan figure that I just don't like for some reason.
I managed to spot a few GI Joe Retaliation figures at both Walmart and Target.
Both stores had only one Zartan while the rest were Roadblocks along with one Snake Eyes, 2 Storm Shadows and one Duke and one Cobra Trooper that has that parachute thingy.
Was tempted to get one of those figures but the Zartan figure kind of turned me off. Maybe its the eyeless head disguises or something about the whole Zartan figure that I just don't like for some reason.
I really dig the head sculpt on this new Zartan - there's a superb creepy look to it but I guess it's probably not for everybody.
footloose
08-05-2012, 10:28 AM
i really didnt care for this fig to much. cool figure but not really a zartan.. turned my into a retaliation wraith
http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z455/johno2tired/ass3.jpg
http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z455/johno2tired/ass2.jpg
Baron EisenBlut
10-30-2012, 04:12 PM
I bought Zartan & wasn't impressed.
The reduced leg articulation makes him very stiff looking.
The head-swop feature is a pain.
The coloured weapons look very cartoony.
His normal head lacks the tattoos that make him so characterful.
He has some weird sheath in his backpack that doesn't seem to work for anything.
No stand either.
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