G.I. Joe Classified Series (1:12)

[nacho]

My other Dial-Tones arrived from Pulse... only five months after the first one from Amazon.

I got a "shipping soon" notice from Pulse on the Snake Armor... but deep in the text of the email, it says the estimated ship date is 9/1/25... so it's hard to know what's going on.

 

[ThunderDan19]

New DTs showing up is good news. I'd still like to pick him up at some point, given the opportunity. I suppose, in a way, the rarity has drawn my interest (as well as having recently picked up other non-top tier figs).

There is a PO option for him on DD, but I think I'll hold out until he comes into stock. One dice roll at a time is enough for me.

 

[ThunderDan19]

I ended up with some unexpected solo time today, so I opened up and displayed FV, FL, BT and even CBAT. I had opened up and displayed Road Pig and his dog a couple nights ago. I displayed him with is classic (if ridiculous) CB hammer and the shield, but without all the other stuff he really didn’t need to come with. He’s not bad and fits in pretty well with the other D’noks, who are now all there together, just waiting for MW to arrive and complete the gang.

Of the new three I opened today, all are decent, with Footloose rising to the top for me. The only dumb thing is that they didn’t make his LAW rocket compatible with the rocket blast effects (at least from what I could tell). I clumsily fixed it by drilling in a pin that holds it in a rocket blast effect and have him firing his LAW. It ain’t perfect, but it looks pretty good for something I jerry-rigged. I also upgraded his rifle for the 21st century. He displays well, prominently front and center.

Second would be Blowtorch. He looks pretty cool too, if in a whiz-bang, but not very useful way. I’m glad his colors are muted, so much that he barely stands out, but he does reside over to one side in the display, chilling with Snow Job and Spirit. He is opening up with the flamethrower, but I chose the smaller of the effects. He really doesn’t need to draw too much more attention.

Frag-Viper is actually a pretty cool looking fig in person. I was able to make his throwing device work pretty well and got him to look like he‘s tossing from the midst of the Viper teams. I also dropped the Crimson BAT in the middle of my crimson crew. He fits right in, though what defines an elite BAT? He doesn’t shoot troopers by accident? Doesn’t break down as often? Meh, he’s pretty much just cheap filler to help keep the sides more even.

I also moved some figs around a little, trying to make some space in anticipation of the others that are coming, hopefully sooner than originally estimated. I’m most looking forward to upgrading CoCo and adding MW. Looks like Cobra will be catching up a little more here in the near future, at least until Budo and Law/Order show up.

Alright, off to spend what‘s left of my free time with some more comics! It’s like I’m a kid again!

 

[nacho]

Snowcat is as expected. Classic look, modular parts, can be converted to troop carrier. Lots of play features (camping stuff, cup holders, LED console, ski missiles, stowage, engine covers, loading ramp, LED exterior lights, etc)

Included- Frostbite
1st unlock (10k) - arctic Lady Jaye
2nd unlock (12k) - arctic bivouac playset
3rd unlock (14k) - arctic Flint



EDIT:
It's a BIG boy:

 

[nacho]

I have to say, the promo video was hysterical. Few things are funnier than sarcastic CoCo.

"You'll burn your retinas with all those lumens!"

"Are they a fighting force, or a sporting goods catalog?!"

If I had to guess, it sounds like Mark Hamill doing the voice... I definitely got notes of Batman Animated Joker in there. Whoever it is, they're doing a solid Chris Latta.

Also, he makes a crack at the end "Destro, slap some white paint on those HISS tanks and stickers; we're going to have to dominate some weather!"... which I think is a clear indication an arctic HISS is coming and that '26 will see a WD theme, much like this year's MASS theme. They don't make comments like that haphazardly. Plus, the inclusion of LJ and Flint as tiers (as opposed to Scarlett and SE from the MASS mini), further fits with the WD theme.

I would totally be all over a 1/12 weather dominator, although it's likely just going to be the three search-the-globe pieces, not an entire device. They'll probably leave the controls, snake head, and pedestal to the 3d printer folks.

 

[ThunderDan19]

Yeah... I get that it's large, as illustrated by displaying it with the other vehicles and repeated over and over. It's... definitely... an improved Snow Cat, with lights and a kitchenette, and ski-pedoes (now fashioned to look like real torpedoes ) in storage crates, and snowboards. And it transforms into a troop carrier... playset. And you get Frostbite and LJ and Flint and a bivouac and utensils (and fire, fish and sausages). Cool.

Despite it being a regular favorite back when I was a kid, I just can't get very excited by it. It doesn't have the wow factor that the Dragonfly or Rattler had. I didn't buy those either so H'bro probably cares less about my opinion of it, but yeah, for the first time, this one is an easy pass for me. I even had a little harder time passing on the HISS, at least until I knew there was no chance of an ASP as an unlock.

Much like with the HISS, I would rather they had made it without lights, extra figs and other playset extras (similar level of detail as Stinger) and just charged $200 at retail. That I might have been able to swing, for the HISS and for the Snow Cat.

I wish them the best, but, unlike the Rattler, I don't expect even a twinge of FOMO.

 

[nacho]

I expect the stripped-down artic HISS repaint to be in the $200 range, no haslab, probably only including the driver, no electronics or extra armaments.

It's tough to pin down a reasonable price on that repaint. If it's too cheap, haslab HISS backers will feel ripped off, but if it's too expensive, people will be like "WTF, we already paid for you to make the tooling, why is it so high?!"

 

[ThunderDan19]

Yeah, the AHISS will likely be the (cheaper) foil to the SCat, since it's highly unlikely that we'll ever see the Wolf for the CS. And honestly, that's okay. I don't really see there being enough interest in a Wolf for a Haslab, and it's likely not cost effective for retail without one.

Having seen the quality of the Stinger, if they ever make a regular (not arctic, crimson or light blue) stripped-down HISS for $200, I'm in. Same would be true for a stripped down DFly or Rattler, though I'd be hard pressed to remove those from the boxes, unless I rethink the hung aircraft in my home office.

But you are right, where does H'bro walk the line between rewarding the backers and getting cheaper (though I'm sure still profitable, with all the tooling done as you mentioned), stripped-down vehicles to the larger market? I mean, if they take away all but the basic driver: no other figs, lighting, stands, blast effects, alternative weapons, extra bolt-ons, patches, alternate stickers and playset accessories, $200 seems like the magic number, psychologically for sure.

Will it ever happen? Heck, I'd settle for an easy and obvious repaint like the VAMP Mk II to start. Maybe then we go from there.

Anyhow, back to the current. The Snow Cat is almost halfway to 8k already. The demand on this is higher than I would have expected. Maybe there is something to that market research stuff...

Here's hoping it knocks it out of the park. The better it does, the better for the line.

 

[nacho]

While I'm not bowled over by the offering, I am a big fan of Flint and LJ, so that + fomo likely pushed me over the edge.

AND I'm expecting a slew of other artic stuff to be coming next year if "weather" is the theme. There's a lot of characters from the toon and comic they could rerelease in arctic dress. So I'd want these two heavy hitters at the front.

The bivouac is a nice touch, as I had planned to 3d print my own rather than spending $100 on the gridiron version, but it makes little sense with a snow vehicle. Who is going to sleep in an open-air lean-to in the arctic? Seems like a real tent would have been more practical. But then how would you tell campfire stories and roast salmon-on-a-stick?

All that being said, getting verification that it's not a tank (boooooo), I went ahead and ordered a 2nd and 3rd Hunter from Ramen along with the Wolverine attachment. I'd already ordered one base with the Bridgelayer kit, but it seems we're never getting any of the three from hasbro ever. And I like Ramen stuff better than 3d printed, as it's better engineered and has a nicer finish.

 

[ThunderDan19]

I was also disappointed when the tanks were taken out of the running, but credit where credit is due: They did improve the SCat vehicle in a lot of ways. I would not have boxed the Snow-pedos or made them look more like actual Torpedos, would not have included camping or fishing gear, or a kitchenette, but I'd say the good significantly outweighs the bad.

They did a pretty good job reducing the amount of glass on the driver compartment, made the front look more like it could handle deep snow and rough terrain, made the front wheels able to turn, gave the rear tracks movement and a rocker joint. All of this is improvement over the original, and, with the addition of all the lights and such, really brings the SCat to the CS as a pretty solid Haslab entry.

I'd consider the troop carrying as a neutral change, as it requires the removal of the missile rack to do it. I really don't have interest in having my regular Joes in arctic gear, so Flint and LJ don't add value for me (basically like Baroness and CoCo didn't in the previous entries). I would rather they offered Tundra Stalker and Blizzard or Iceberg.

So, this one was never really a question for me. It was never going to be worth Haslab investment level cash for me. That said, if a stripped-down version made its way to retail for a lot less, would I consider it? Hmm, I'd still say probably not for what it would have to cost. That said, I never intended to get a Stinger either, but when the price dips low enough, anything is possible.

 

[nacho]

It's funny, you can practically predict what a Joe haslab will do based on the first day backers. Both HISS and Dragonfly ended the campaign with approx 2.8x what they did on the first day. Rattler was an outlier because the campaign started in the evening, and thus the first day was atypically light due to being very short. But if the trend holds, SnowCat is barely going to break 14k and unlock Flint.

I'm gonna be P-I-S-S-E-D if we end up getting LJ and a plastic campfire but not Flint. That would blow goats.

 

[ThunderDan19]

It's too bad they couldn't get the price down to just below $300 for this one. It doesn't have the same appeal as the DF and Rattler did, and I think getting it below that psychological barrier would have driven it higher. That said, I still think it'll get there, but probably won't blast well past the three unlocks.

Slight peeve of mine: I know they weren't drawn that way in the cartoon, but how about at least a little artic camo for Flint and LJ? Would it have been that hard to at least give them white parkas and hats? Dark colors in the arctic aren't exactly tactical.

Oh, I forgot, it's more of a camping and ice fishing trip.

 

[nacho]

Who needs camo when you're making s'mores and skewering trout?

But at least you have your ice cooler... stored directly beneath your TWIN 9.0L turbo diesel engines...

 

[nacho]

6100 backers so far... not horrible, but not great. It'll fund for sure, but I'm rather skeptical whether or not it'll hit all the tiers.

Someone suggested that at SDCC they're likely to show off renders or name reveals for some 2026 snow themed stuff that might help juice sales. It's gonna need something. If they don't unlock flint, I'll be sorely tempted to cancel at the end.

 

[nacho]

A few weeks back, I picked up a second Metal Head on clearance to have one in the studio, finally got around to opening him up. Never had the ARAH version and really only got him because he was basically Destro's Scrap-Iron equivalent, and the IG forces are still pretty thin.

I had truly forgotten how much I disliked this figure. So many fiddly bits. Just taking him out of the package, nothing wanted to come out of the plastic shell, but at the same time, if I wasn't trying, half the pieces fell out on the floor, requiring me to hunt them with a flashlight. Putting the figure together wasn't much better. $#!% falling off randomly, rubbery plastic, and missiles that don't fit in the launcher without blast effects. WTF Mattel.

No matter how much I hate this figure, it's not enough.

 

[ThunderDan19]

Yeah, MH is a huge dud. They’d have been better off releasing different ranks and variants of the IGs instead. Maybe they’d have made one or more that I’d have considered worthy to buy. Not this guy, at any price.

Admittedly, I have no nostalgia for him (thought he was dumb and out of place with IG Corps then and now) and was surprised when he was announced, before IG Destro no less. Must have been a favorite of Lenny’s or something. I always considered the IGs as more serious and formidable as a unit, and he looks like a crazy, just-blow-up-the-world type.

 

[nacho]

I really considered just pitching his gear in the bin, but he has giant ball-joint studs on the side of his legs, so you can't display him without the ridiculous contraption.

It's bad enough I bought him, but I did it twice! I'll end up cutting that junk off and making some kind of rocket-launching troop out of him, maybe let him man the eventual IG MMS. I don't mind having a scrap-iron type with a personality in the IG ranks, but he can't be ridiculous. Apparently in the DIC toon (which I've never seen), he was over-the-top. Can't have that nonsense.

 

[ThunderDan19]

Ok, so I said I wasn't going to roll the dice twice for DD, but I am weak, and... circumstances. I just PO'ed CG and TV with them. They just updated their expected delivery for that wave from 7/15 to 7/22. I'm hoping it's them narrowing in and not just kicking the can down the road. Either way, it's still a heck of a lot sooner than WM's estimate of 11/1.

I felt the need to act because I might be out of pocket around the time they are scheduled to drop and don't want to miss the boat. I've seen a few of CS figures drop off their inventory page once they sold out. My FOMO was too strong.

I still have the PO for those two at WM as well, and should have plenty of time to cancel it, even if DD is off by a month. I tend to believe DD will beat WM on delivery either way, based on WM still not having FL's wave in stock. Getting them early would be worth giving back the couple bucks I saved on the FL wave.

I didn't feel the need to PO BACC or MW because their estimate is only a week earlier than WM for those. As for Law & Order, I'm not willing to pay an extra $10 to get them a couple weeks early either. I'm not proud of what I did, but I'll sleep better.

 

[Videoviper]

DD has never cared about release dates. They buy the damaged goods & expect everyone to be happy.

The packaging may be dinged up or perfectly fine. As long as you aren’t the guy who buys 12 of each for the perfect card (then returns 11 to f up the inventory system.) It will be fine.

 

[ThunderDan19]

Dinged up packaging doesn’t bother me at all. Heck, I buy the discounted “used” figs on AMZ any time I see them on something I’m getting anyway. I just did that with Road Pig and he showed up just fine.

 

[nacho]

I've never gotten what I thought to be substandard packaging from DD. Heck it's usually better than Amazon after they stick it in an envelope to be crushed. My only issue with DD was when they merely forgot to fill a PO and then gave me a ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ when I asked what was up. But I've never felt I was getting scratch-n-dent merch. Maybe I've just been very lucky.

 

[ThunderDan19]

I think the only time I’ve gotten semi-mangled packaging was on early retro from Walmart, when they decided that thin carded figs should be shipped in envelopes. Even that didn’t really matter since I hardly ever leave Joes on cards or in packages.

 

[ThunderDan19]

I forgot to mention that I have swung by my local Ollie's a couple more times with zero success on seeing any 60th figs, just the usual cluster that is my local store with no noticeable changes to the (literal) pile o' toys they still have around. I also searched recent Ollie's toy hunts on youtube and have seen no additional sightings since the original one I stumbled upon.

That reinforces to me that, if the documented find in NJ was not entirely a fluke and we ever will see these en masse, it'll likely be during the Christmas toy bulk up that'll likely begin at the end of the summer or later.

Also, no significant prime day deals on CS besting what I have already seen for the masses over the past few weeks. The Stinger is the same price for prime members as I got it for at Father's Day. Similar with Road Pig. Walmart has dropped prices on a couple of their leftover exclusives though, so there's that.

 

[ThunderDan19]

Out of curiosity I took a look at the Snow Cat Haslab this morning. Is it just my imagination or is it now lagging significantly behind the previous Haslabs?

 

[nacho]

Out of curiosity I took a look at the Snow Cat Haslab this morning. Is it just my imagination or is it now lagging significantly behind the previous Haslabs?

Oh absolutely. As I said the other day, the data trend is not good for the Flint unlock. It'll fund, no doubt, but the tiers are going to need some juice... either from an announcement of more complementary snow stuff to come next year, or directly juice the campaign with a bonus Kwinn figure or something.

It's pretty cheap for there to be only one figure in the base offering. I've said all along that the figures will make or break this campaign (an enviro-specific half-track just isn't THAT exciting), and while it likely won't suffer the fate of the Rancor, a kitchenette and some plastic fish aren't going to light anyone's (little plastic) fire.

You have to wonder how many people will cancel if it becomes clear that Flint's a goner. A lot of Haslab purchases are made to resell or part out for profit. With only one or two figures, it becomes a lot less attractive to that contingent. The rancor went backwards for a while when sentiment turned and it became clear hasbro was willing to let it fail. The 'Cat likely isn't in that situation, but the enthusiasm clearly isn't there.

 

[ThunderDan19]

I totally agree that Joe fans typically have a lot less interest in a kitchenette, coffee cups, ice drill and plastic fish and sausages than missiles, guns and military gear. This offering is way too "arctic adventure" and not enough arctic battlewagon. You take off the missile launcher and, with the boxes closed, there aren't even visible weapons on it.

It's the polar (pardon the pun) opposite of the Rattler, which was 80% gun, bomb and missile laden war machine, 10% badass pilot and 10% hot pilot Baroness. I feel like, after the huge successes of the heavily armed predecessors, they somehow still managed to misread their market. I don't get it. Who the heck decided to "give peace a chance?"

I'm actually kind of regretting not going in on the Rattler (despite the patches ) at this point, as everything else I've seen of the final product looks pretty fantastic. I don't remotely anticipate having that kind of reaction if/when the SCs are delivered. I know they've talked over and over about "story telling," but what happens when that story is boring?

I've never been a "playset" kind of guy anyway and there simply isn't enough awesome here for me to justify the cost. It seems like quite a few others feel much the same. Oh, and I make up my own (war) stories, thank you very much.

 

[nacho]

I know they've talked over and over about "story telling," but what happens when that story is boring?

THIS right here. I know they've said over and over about world building, but there are limits to the things I want to happen in my fictional good vs evil battle.

Maybe next year the hydrofoil will come with an unlock tier for a washer-dryer set... because even cobra troops need clean undies! 2026 will see the release of the much-anticipated Lawncare Viper, and as an added bonus, the retro greenshirt will come with tiny half-peeled potatoes so that we can pretend to have KP duty.

 

[nacho]

DeepDiscount apparently has last year's SDCC Starduster figure in-stock for $36, and today is the last day for the "SUMMER" 15% discount code on in-stock stuff. So he can be had for $30+tax (free shipping).

I snagged another one and threw in a Joe x TF Kup/Slaughter/Leatherneck collab on the cheap as well. With the discount, it was only $68, and I can't buy the carded figures alone on ebay for that.

 

[nacho]

Ace from Ramen Toy dropped into the chat on latest 3POA podcast saying they will work on the Mauler... and I assume that doesn't mean the limited tan Mobat. I think that repaint sold well enough to justify an actual mauler wannabe product. That makes me feel even better about scooping up the three not-Joe vehicles that are currently in the Ramen pipeline.

 

[nacho]

 

[ThunderDan19]

Hmm, wow! I did not expect new renders today. Definitely getting Sci-Fi and probably the Grim(?) Viper. I want to like Wet-Suit, but might have to wait to see his IRL kitted version. He's always been a marginal character for me, being a SEAL, but with the BRIGHT COLORS!!! I'll probably end up with him down the road, but might need to see about getting a red Cobra diver to pose him against if I do.

I have no use for a giant actual scorpion and I don't see anything else from that DS fig that would make me want to buy him. If it had been some kind of robotic scorpion drone or something, maybe. I'd rather just have a desert kitted/colored trooper, officer or Viper.

Heck, they should be dropping renders of snow environment figs though, to try to get some more traction for the Snow Cat. Still hasn't broken 7,000 backers (though it's finally getting close), and I've seen a lot who say they'll cancel unless the unlocks get funded.

This is a nice surprise though, if a little late for GI Joe June.

 

[ThunderDan19]

Also, some insider info on the SC Haslab, etc.:

 

[nacho]

Many are speculating that these are the renders that would have been in the unreleased YoJoeJune video that got deleted because of the Legacy Policeman.

It's weird that they made a "Grim Viper" when Grimskull is already a character from a repainted Range Viper. Why not just make that existing character?

 

[ThunderDan19]

I'd agree with this likely being bumped from YJJ. Whether it was solely with the PoPo drama or if they just couldn't pull this together for an extra month, who knows? Better late than never.

I've never heard of Grimskull before now. This fig doesn't look much like original GS though. Hard to say. I'm pretty sure he'll just be my version of Range-Viper, with more appropriate battle colors. I doubt I'll use his minigun either. The CS version is just so huge vs. the sleeker Vala ones I got for RB and my HD. RV will likely just get a solid light machine gun, and stand out front with SAW Viper.

I'm still a little weirded out by the brain helmet(?). I'm not sure exactly what they are going for there, but it certainly seems like an actual exposed brain might be a liability on a battlefield... Maybe a brain shaped "Russian tanker helmet" for shock value along with the skull shaped ballistic mask? That's what it'll be in my Joeverse at least.

 

[nacho]

I'd agree with this likely being bumped from YJJ. Whether it was solely with the PoPo drama or if they just couldn't pull this together for an extra month, who knows? Better late than never.

I've never heard of Grimskull before now. This fig doesn't look much like original GS though. Hard to say. I'm pretty sure he'll just be my version of Range-Viper, with more appropriate battle colors. I doubt I'll use his minigun either. The CS version is just so huge vs. the sleeker Vala ones I got for RB and my HD. RV will likely just get a solid light machine gun, and stand out front with SAW Viper.

I'm still a little weirded out by the brain helmet(?). I'm not sure exactly what they are going for there, but it certainly seems like an actual exposed brain might be a liability on a battlefield... Maybe a brain shaped "Russian tanker helmet" for shock value along with the skull shaped ballistic mask? That's what it'll be in my Joeverse at least.

Sorry, Skull Buster is the figure I was thinking of. Grimskull is one of the Plague who looks like a Range Viper in the lore but the crappy figure looks nothing like him.

Skull Buster is the Range Viper leader that was just a repaint.

 

[ThunderDan19]

Yet another render drop:

Hasbro G.I. Joe Classified Series Blaine ?Mainframe? Parker Figure

Shown below via our sponsor Entertainment Earth is a look at the new G.I. Joe Classified Series Blaine ?Mainframe? Parker Figure from Hasbro. When more infor

toynewsi.com

He looks pretty cool and fairly true to the original. I'll probably get him at some point.

 

[nacho]

I'm surprised that they went with the toon look of a two-tone outfit. I would have expected it to be a solid light grey. I guess now that S7 ultimates are tits-up, they feel better about doing more sunbow inspired decos.

 

[ThunderDan19]

So is the S7 demise official then?

 

[nacho]

There has been no official announcement or anything, but the S7 guys said on a podcast that Classified basically ate their lunch. From what I've heard, the Flint and Destro TF/PP repaints are going to be the swan song.... unless something changes.

I had hoped that they were taking the route they did with Thundercats and turning them into cheaper "deluxe" figures to get them into mass retail. But I guess TC doesn't have an official line from the mothership competing with it the way Joe does.

Kinda bummed about it, but I do hope that if it's the end, the current figs will go on super-clearance so I can buy up a bunch for customs. Ordered three Gung-Hos today, as they're going to make excellent base figs for the three main dreadnoks. With the ability to 3d print heads at any scale, the biggest custom problem is basically solved.

ASIDE: I've been setting up the ABS printer this afternoon. Running a test print now. Hope to figure out the slicer software and filament profile settings in the next couple of days so I can start printing something nifty over the weekend.

 

[ThunderDan19]

Looks like the SC Haslab finally broke 7k backers. So if they do hit 8k, but then a bunch of people pull out when they realize they won't be hitting all the unlocks, does it then defund, or does H'bro have to honor the ones that stayed on to support it, delivering just the SC/driver, and whatever had unlocked (though I don't see it going past 10k and then back under 8)?

It's weird to be wondering this with a Joe Haslab. I really think they should have gone with a MOBAT, crewed by the remaining OG 13s (maybe semi-modernized versions so they could still release carded retros). I think they might need a better focus group.

Then again, I suppose H'bro might have been spooked by the cheaper(?) 1:12 tanks/kits being offered. But they should be confident that they could deliver a much better product, as well as in-demand unreleased figs, at the HL price point. I dunno, maybe they'll get a big bump at SDCC and might even be able to somehow pull off some desirable enough surprise to really get the enthusiasm up, but what's left that would be that attractive to add?