[Otomo]

Ever since I was a wee schoolboy, I was drawn to the Crimson Guard. That striking blood red and black and silver color scheme with an evil masked countenance not unlike a Stormtrooper or Darth Vader instantly made him one of my favorite GI Joe toys.



Alas, I didn't get to own one of my own until about 15 years later, when I bought a (pricey) but worth it figure in VERY good condition with great paint apps and all the accessories. It's always great to cross something off a list you made 15 years earlier.

Around 2004, the mid-sized toy company Palisades was experimenting with GI Joe statues of various sizes. Full 12 inch statues; busts of just heads, and just a few full bodied 6 inch statues.

THIS was what I always wanted. A SIX INCH GI Joe figure accurate to the 80s source material.

What I did NOT want, however, was a fixed pose piece of painted resin.




Well...nice sculpt I guess but no articulation. That's a fail in my book. The wait continued.

And yesterday, more than 15 years since Palisades released theirs, Hasbro finally game me exactly what I wanted. THIS is what I saw in my mind's eye all along. THIS is THE figure. I am absolutely overjoyed and I can't wait to own this beauty in...well...a year. But anyway...we WILL own it. We'll own SEVERAL.

Just bask in the glory that is the perfection of the CLASSIFIED CRIMSON GUARD!!!

[DarkLordMordred]

I had three of them, as a kid, which was unheard of for me. I just liked them that much. Bought two of the Classified ones and if they ever release a Crimson Guard troop builder pack, I'll buy that, too.

I also had two of the Crimson Guard Immortals, which are also really cool looking.

[sbartek1974]

I love the vintage Crimson Guards. I'm a little disappointed that Hasbro is not giving them their vintage style backpack.

[DarkLordMordred]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbartek1974

I love the vintage Crimson Guards. I'm a little disappointed that Hasbro is not giving them their vintage style backpack.

From what I could see, the only difference is that it's black, instead of red.

[ShadowNinja]

I wont get it. Not cause I don't like it but cause I don't really do the scale. That being said though it is a awesome figure. Looks like a mirror image of the original.

[captain mal]

Crimson Guard was the one figure I was afraid that they'd screw up. It would have been so easy to. Could have messed up the helmet, or made him too 'updated' and techy. They could have messed up the boots - or the emblems.

But no, Lenny and the team really stuck the landing on this one. 10 out of 10. I'm impressed - and it shows great hope for the line going forward.

[FredVIII]

The helmet is a little on the narrow side to my eyes and I'm disappointed by the weapon choice, as the original was so iconic to me and an M-16 will always be a "Joe" weapon in my mind. I don't look forward to the trouble (and expense) of having to replace it.

But I'm just being picky because I love CGs so much. (See avatar.) I still give it a solid 9 out of 10 and look forward to having it in hand. The promo shots definitely show it off the great effect.

[CG Steve]

It does look pretty spot on. We'll see how difficult their availability is before I get excited. I have still yet to see a single "troop" in a store.

[PatientMental]

Destro somehow managing a deal to get Cobra American weapons for the Crimson Guard! Always that was interesting

[wmichben]

Yes! I am so looking forward to getting my Crimson Guards along with Tomax and Xamot!