[DarthBrett]

Released as part of the Classified Series deluxe assortment in October 2024, Raptor and his pet falcon have finally made it to the Classified Series. Often regarded as one of the more unpopular ARAH-era figures and labeled as "lame" by many fans, Raptor has an interesting history with fans. Whether you liked the character/figure or not back in 1987, there is no mistaking that the Classified figure takes the concept and updates it enough to actually make Raptor more interesting, and even "cool" now.

Raptor is a perfect mix of re-use and new parts and re-uses Zartan's torso, neck piece and hands along with re-using Storm Shadow's upper arms, while also featuring all-new head sculpt, new forearms, a new crotch-piece (aka the "diaper"), all-new boots as well as some new accessories, all-new web gear and new holster/strap gear as well. The feathers on his forearms and sharp talons on his boots are fun nods to the original and are faithful to Raptor's avian influences. Raptor also still has his red jeweled necklace, distinct belt buckle with giant bird of prey and masquerade mask, which help him pass the "Squint Test". His old feather cape is now long gone and has been updated and replaced with a very "Vulture-esque" mech-winged jetpack that features multiple points of articulation that allow you to configure and display his wings in numerous poses.

Hasbro chose to give his falcon pet static wings in a "relaxed" position and featuring a head sculpt with the bird's cowl/hood on. But many Classified fans have mentioned their disappointment with the fact that Raptor didn't come with another pet falcon figure with its wings spread open for flight and without the hood on its head. Or at least alternate wings and an alternate head for General Ledger.

Raptor and General Ledger come packed with the following gear and accessories: a removable and articulated C-M2 Daedalus Jet Wing Pack, a removable "raptor head" cowl, (2) removable gauntlet claws, a pistol, a knife and a pet falcon companion ("General Ledger", who can be plugged and perched onto Raptor's arms).






Using the poll options, rate the figure and vehicle on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being a total miss and a 10 being plastic perfection, based on what you feel the figure (and vehicle) deserves. Ratings should take overall design, sculpt, paint apps and paint deco, accessories and articulation into consideration.

Thanks for voting and Yooo Joe!!!

If you haven't already voted on your favorite G.I. Joe Classified figures, please click on the link in my signature below and make sure to do so! The more votes, the better!

[Diablogunner]

Gave him a nine because of the bird. Really wanted something similar to Freedom so he could be flying around with him. The back of the box has flying birds. Otherwise, a perfect figure. Love the wings and even with them on he stands pretty well. Heated the claws a bit to get them all the way on and they look menacing now. I also like that even with the wings off, the headgear and vest remind me a lot of the OG version. I love the updates to this one for sure.

[firmpulse]

8. Fantastic figure. Love what they did here with the exception of General Ledger. It's terrible. By far the worst pet in the line. A complete afterthought with a inexcusably soft sculpt.

[DFender]

7/10

Love the figure, but the bird was an after thought, the headdress has it's issues and he has zero neck articulation which is really rough for a flying figure.

Otherwise I love the updates and the design. The wing pack is really awesome.

[DarthBrett]

Gave him an 8/10. I deducted 2 points for not including another raptor pet or at least alternate wings and head for Ledger; and because the jet pack system should have had more plugs and he should have had more back ports, or at least he could have used a harness system to help keep the wings more fastened and secured better.

Even though I would have preferred he had more bird-like wings with actual feathers, the mech wings have grown on me and look good.

Overall, he's a very good figure.

[opiumcake]

7 (7.2308)

Raptor is one of the few ARAH figures that I refused to own...but mostly because I love real raptors (especially Peregrines) so much, and he turns them into a joke...

The Classified version is pretty good. The sculpt is excellent with some nice details in Raptor's hood, especially. Love the mohawk/mullet hair sculpt. Love the serious look on his face even though he's insane.

But the clear stand-out in this one is the RIP WING. Essentially, it's a vehicle set. DarthBrett is correct - it needs a better attachment system for the size and weight that it is, but very posable and unique to GI JOE.

Hits: RIP WING, fun sculpt

Miss: Ledger's permanent blinding hood and lack of dynamic wings. Poor attachment of RIP WING to figure

[Spidermaniac]

Raptor is a victim of Classified trying to serve all fandoms at once. In RAH, he was a goofy character beloved by some and despised by others. In the past, Classified has leaned into the goofiness and stayed true to the RAH figure (Croc Master, Big Boa, Chuckles), but in this case they decided to make him edgier and "more realistic" and I think the result ultmately doesn't satisfy me either way. A man with a flying wingpack dressed as a bird is still inherently silly, and giving him claws and a more aggressive styling loses much of the camp factor of the original figure.

With that being said, the wing pack is the star of the show. It looks great for what it is and the posability is fantastic. The overall look of Raptor is sleek and he has a nice visual presence.

Putting the conceptual issues aside, there are some notable misses here. The hood and claws fit poorly, reminding me of Metal-Head (and not in a good way). General Ledger is pretty unforgivable -- no posability and only a hooded portrait. If they didn't have the budget to articulate, I would have prefered a falcon unhooded and in flight and would have liked to see the steel claws promised on the original filecard. As it stands, if I put Raptor in a dynamic pose, which the wings need to shine, there is no place for Ledger in the scene. Wasted opportunity.

Overall, I would rate Raptor as 6. He is not a disaster that would deter me from buyng, and I think most people who purchase him will be happy enough. But, he is not a "must have" figure and I don't think anyone will miss him in a Cobra display.

[Mavrick]

He's a eight for me. Really like the figure. Its a toss up between him and OAMCC for my favorite deluxe of the year. The only reason I didn't rank him higher is as many people have said General Ledger not coming with a alternative sculpt of his wings spread and the fact the claws don't fit on his hands properly. I don't mind reuse but if it doesn't actually fit on the figure properly its a miss in my books and it seems to be happening more

[SpottedEagleSvn]

8/10, which is a great score for what should be a throwaway character. I really like RIP WING despite it being a little science-fictiony, less crazy about how the claws attach to his hands or General Ledger.

[DarthBrett]

The feet/talons on my Ledger are pretty soft and gummy, which makes plugging him into Raptor's arm a little difficult.

Anyone else have that issue? Other than that, my figure was QC-free and great!