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02-25-2013, 01:09 PM | #1 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2,161
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More pictures and insights at: http://www.zedsjoesite.com/review/jo.../joeretal.html
First up I am going to argue a bit with many reviewers I have read on the web. I really don't think the head sculpt is a good likeness of Adrianne Palicki. That isn't to say the head sculpt is bad but when you compare it to the actress well... Her body is a recycled Renegades Scarlet which is both a good and bad thing. I'm not sure if Lady Jaye actually wears an outfit like this in the film but I have yet to see one like this in the stills from the movie. Surprisingly she does not come with some gimmick weapon but instead has a nice complement of different guns, rocket launcher, and other weapons that have been done before but at least give her a healthy supply of options. Not sure if all this gear reflects anything she does in the movie but I guess we all will figure that out soon enough. Overall verdict is she is worth it but I doubt she will substitute for the DVD set Lady Jaye at this point. Roadblock (unlike Lady Jaye) has a fantastic likeness of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. So much so that you want to scream "Do you smell what the Roadblock is cookin'?" (HAHA, see he's a chef and, uh, yeah). Rock had another figure last year with some limited articulation and a weird tab thing attached to the hand. That was an easy pass for me. My major knock is the huge holsters on the thighs. Their placement and size are reminiscent of Wild Bill from the 25th line, only this time it's much worse. The "Battle Kata" concept is kind of weird though. Apparently Rockblock uses handles and switches out weapons (I suppose after he has broken them or something). I like the figure overall but I think I would have to recommend holding off until the "Ultimate" version coming very soon. How big a role Colton plays in the story (Some have suggested this is only a cameo appearence) remains to be seen and really is a subject for another day). Now up front I will say I am a bit confused by the multi-colored wrist band on the left arm. I want to say it's "American" due to the Red, White, and Blue. However, truth is it's just kind of weird. Is it a watch? Friendship bracelet with the Rock? I mean what? So I guess my major knock would be (GASP) the head sculpt. Overall it looks spot on but there are angles that it looks sort of goopy (straight on for instance like in many of the press pictures). It's not wholly terrible but enough to notice. Also the reuse of the torso seems unnecessary. As far as we know this is the only Joe Colton we got. I figure we need to make it a good one with ALL original parts ect. Hasbro doesn't see it my way, oh well. I would have to catagorize this figure as a "Must have" figure. Some minor flaws but he is going to be notable in GI Joe History I am sure. His likeness has some minor issues but not near as many as some of the Rise of Cobra Joes. When we first saw this guy he had Wraith's head (for whatever reason). Somewhere along the way someone grew a brain and left that head out leaving the head for the Crimson HISS driver and thus we have a Tron Ninja for our Cobra forces. Of course the lines and the way they are painted on this figure remind me of Tron, but in a good way. It's an interesting design with nice and different form to him. Granted he is mostly recycled but it works. I kind o wish such ingenuity went into Lady Jaye as well. Who is the Cyber Ninja, is it an individual? Is there a Cyber Ninja in the movie maybe? The back of the card gives up a minor write up that tells us virtually nothing beyond he combines high tech with ancient fighting techniques (gee thanks genius, his name kind of clued me in on that fact). Cyber Ninja's arsenal is a mix. There is the hot glue gun looking things he borrowed from Rise of Cobra but his swords are very cool. He has a lame zip line suction cup thing too which I will skip. His weapon complement is pretty solid with the exception of his giant stapler of doom: I would have to recommend this figure, when I first saw the press pictures I thought he would be an easy pass but I am kind of glad I did get him. Next the Invasion pack |
02-25-2013, 01:14 PM | #2 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2,161
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One aspect of these packs that boggles my mind is the fact that they are $23 while the regular figures are around $10. If you do some very basic math that works out to be a really good deal but at the same time one has to wonder how they can cut the costs so easy. There are some strong arguments out there that suggest the prices lately are much more arbitrary than we want to believe and I have to say the 3-packs kind of back up such claims. Of course if one says that too loud we run the risk of upping the prices on the 3-packs (if the arbitrary nature of the price turns out to be true) so you run into a bit of a double edged sword with that. This figure is a prime example of "looks good on paper." He has all the necessary articulation (including wrists) and of course the weapons are good (really the only aspect I gave the figure any stars was his weapons). But this figure is just horrid. First off, what the crap is up with the gray spot on his mask? Did Storm Shadow throw up? Sneeze? Forget to take his mask off before drinking some protein shake. It just looks weird and stupid. Adding to the issue is the gray under the armpits that somewhat look like he has been exercising and his antiperspirant failed. So I have dubbed him "Aren't you glad you used dial" Storm Shadow. In addition the arms and legs are ultra bland with no detailing whatsoever (the arms have some, but it almost looks like it's just there to be there). A few wrinkles aside he is very static. I suppose that might be why the gray is in place for the figure in order to break up the blandness but the placements just add to the "WTF!?" factor. As I said, the accessories are good although they are recycled. However the lacking accessories for DG Storm Shadow give such accessories a good home to go to. The Storm Shadow burn out continues but really if you can avoid this part of the pack do so. He is a tired character and is a huge letdown after 30th or DG Stormy. He really had no business in this pack other than Hasbro wanting to add a "central character" to the mix. Next up is a figure that I freely admit surprised me. So on the name, I admit Cobra Invasion Trooper almost makes it sound like Hasbro just ran out of ideas and went with whatever. Still the effect of the figure isn't too bad at all. I gave him the vest that sat with Firefly since Firefly is probably not going to get any use out of it and it looks just like the vest that came with Shock Trooper. Part of me feels it was intended for Cobra Invasion Trooper but who knows. The figure has a decent complement of weapons and accessories. He works well with what he has. The color isn't nearly as bright as I expected either so although he is an odd shade it's not so terrible as to not buy him (unlike Alley Viper which is entirely too bright). Now to the star of the show: So the major thing here is that Hasbro finally fixed the bandolier that has irritated me since the 25th version. That alone makes this figure worthwhile. It wasn't until I got him in hand that I realized the irony of this figure. He has many recycled parts from Lifeline. It works and works well. I didn't recognize it until I had him. Pretty sure not all of the parts come from Lifeline but the legs absolutely are from him. Still it works. Now for whatever reason the camera (and I have noticed this on other reviews) is not picking up on the camo pattern in the body, legs, arms, ect. Not sure why this doesn't show so well but at first I thought the figure was just all gray. However, he actually does have a camo pattern similar to his version one. I think they should have went a bit darker but what can you do. Some have dubbed this version "Ultimate" Firefly. Not sure I would go that far but it is the best version done in the Modern Era (and is loads better than either the Single Pack version out now or the "Ultimate" version slated for later this year). He has some differences from the Version 1 but the differences are not a huge thing that detracts from the overall figure. I would have to say if you get any of the Firefly's this would be the one. So that's it for this round of GI Joe. Good to see them back on the pegs in force. So until next time "knowing is half the battle, the other half is big honking missiles." |
02-25-2013, 10:11 PM | #3 |
Hisstank.Com General
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 8,089
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Great reviews as always. Funny that SS got only one star... I don't recall you giving a Joe that low a score before. LOL. And as awesome as the new 3 pack Firefly is... I still really like the POC one and how bulky he is... he's still my default FF.
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02-25-2013, 11:06 PM | #4 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2,161
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I think I did once, but I am stumped on who it was LOL
I do love the POC one, that much hasn't changed. I just like this one too. |
02-25-2013, 11:30 PM | #5 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Louisville, Ky
Posts: 2,810
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Nice review man.
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02-25-2013, 11:37 PM | #6 |
W.O.R.M.S. Commander
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Back in the US of A! (NoVA)
Posts: 10,649
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Great reviews as always. Is the Cyberspace Ninja an individual or a troop builder?
__________________
Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome. |
02-25-2013, 11:49 PM | #7 |
The Viper is Not Coming
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Cobra-La
Posts: 1,532
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I've always liked your site and your reviews. I think you were way harsh though on the Storm Shadow and way too nice on the Cyber Ninja. The only thing I don't really like about the SS is the grey on his mask but other than that he was good. and of course he will not compare to the DG or Renegades version!
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02-26-2013, 09:57 AM | #8 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2,161
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02-26-2013, 10:00 AM | #9 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2,161
|
Quote:
I've always liked your site and your reviews. I think you were way harsh though on the Storm Shadow and way too nice on the Cyber Ninja. The only thing I don't really like about the SS is the grey on his mask but other than that he was good. and of course he will not compare to the DG or Renegades version!
Cyber Ninja, I will just say I was expecting so much less that he ended up being liked. Honestly I wasn't even going to buy him at first but once I got him I found myself gravitating to the figure. Guns I don't like but the rest I think is kind of cool. |
02-27-2013, 08:02 PM | #10 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Greece
Posts: 1,760
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great review!
thanks! |
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