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

[ThunderDan19]

I also have no place for an oddly colored Duke figure, but I do have a gap in my retro MOC wallpaper .

The (not stupidly ruined by the artwork redos ) retro cards make great backgrounds, especially when I already have a modernized version of that character loose anyway.

 

[nacho]

I've got to start taking some pics. In recent weeks, I've finished up building Classified versions of the Cobra Missile Command, my Cobra inspired variant of the Endor bunker, Tactical Battle Platform, Wolverine, Cobra WOLF, and I'm currently printing a STUN. I'm also working on a ton of dio pieces for various Cobra weapons labs and manufacturing facilities. And I still haven't taken proper pics of the Water Moccasin, SHARC, and Devilfish. It's madness. I don't know where it's all going to live.

The Wolverine, WOLF, and STUN all have rubber treads/tires printed in flexible TPU. They're pretty awesome. I'm toying with replacing all my GridIron VAMP and Stinger wheels with proper vintage-styled rims and rubber tires too. The only downside is that the TPU parts are a bit shiny. I've got to figure out how to dull them up a bit. Otherwise, I'm super-impressed with the material, as it's like rubber but a zillion times tougher.

 

[nacho]

Holy crap, we're getting a ketchup and mustard 2-pack!

 

[ThunderDan19]

Cool. I guess. If you have enough space to display a Rattler on the ground being prepped for flight. And they are just a little late to the party...

 

[nacho]

I like them just for the novelty of it. I think I would use them as comic relief. Who wouldn't love a Mustard-Viper?!

 

[ThunderDan19]

I know, right?

 

[Videoviper]

Isn’t there a Hot Dog cart, that can go with these guys?

 

[ThunderDan19]

Maybe that's what's in the crate.

 

[nacho]

Zanya up for PO... and some other stuff I wasn't paying attention to.

EDIT: Dino-Viper is also up... ugh.

 

[ThunderDan19]

I've been teetering on the edge of whether to PO Zanya or not for the last couple days while I worked out a snafu on some gift card play money. That set is in that weird place of being exclusive enough to never actually go on a deep sale before selling out, but is also a fringe enough character that it might not sell all that well. Plus, that's the only way to get Zartan's Chameleon (for better or worse) at retail.

Yeah, I'm torn. First world problems...

 

[nacho]

Yeah, it's easy to see it going either way. It could disappear, never to return like Serpentor and the Arctic BAT... and it could be $23 on black friday like a Trubble Bubble. The fact that it's not a pulse exclusive means that production numbers are likely higher than some, but probably nowhere near a mainline figure. I'm not sleeping on it, but I definitely understand the impulse to consider waiting.

 

[ThunderDan19]

I went ahead and locked it in at AMZ. With the play money worked out it cost way too little out of pocket to not at least get it PO'ed. If I change my mind, I apparently have until May to bail on it, so there's really no risk that I can see.

 

[nacho]

PO's go up for 250th Duke and DIRE Night Creepers this morning... "WM Con". A few pieces will be on pulse but will disappear within seconds during the Premium window. Or you can order at WM and flip a coin if your order will be randomly canceled down the road, only to have them hit clearance a week after release... except in the case where they don't and become unobtanium.

I'm fortunate that I don't care much this time around. I definitely couldn't care less about the DIRE thing... unless I want to upgrade my Plague night creeper (I'm using an Articulated Icons ninja body currently). And 250th Duke... I kinda want one for the novelty of it, but I definitely would never use the figure with that deco in any display capacity. Like you say, first world problems.

 

[ThunderDan19]

Yeah, I would like to get that Duke for use as wallpaper in my display. I will have to hope he comes back into stock and sticks around long enough to go on discount because there is no way I am paying $28 for it. Maybe down the road he and Zap will go cheap together for a combined total of just enough for free shipping.

I also have no use for the Dire stuff, or for any of the new dino, cowboy or whatever else characters. I'm firmly in the "release all the OG figs before I will even seriously consider any new characters." I don't mind the generic anniversary hero characters, but I have no real interest in any of the new lore, and no intention of spending what is now way too much for any new subgroups or characters.

 

[ThunderDan19]

Hasbro G.I. Joe Classified Series 6 Retro Card Wild Bill, Techno-Viper, & Grunt Figures

Shown below is a look at the new G.I. Joe Classified Series 6 Retro Card Wild Bill, Techno-Viper, & Grunt Figures from Hasbro. When more information is avai

toynewsi.com

Hasbro G.I. Joe Classified Series 6 Iron Grenadier Destro & Despoiler

Shown below is a look at the new G.I. Joe Classified Series 6 Iron Grenadier Destro & Despoiler from Hasbro. When more information is available we will be s

toynewsi.com

Definitely getting Wild Bill and Destro. Might pick up retro Grunt for wallpaper at some point.

 

[nacho]

Yeah, I'll be getting those. I was never a huge IG Destro fan, but it's solid, and I'll find a use for him. The retros are good, will pick them up, but I don't know why they used the webgear with the crossbar for Grunt when Stalker's correct gear exists. Hasbro gonna hasbro.

-------------------------------------

If a body ever wanted to get into ultimate Joes while they still exist... I'd say there is zero chance they're getting cheaper.

https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/Search?HideInStock=false&HidePreorder=false&HideSoldOut=true&InventoryStatus=i,p,sa&PageSize=100&SortOrder=Discount&Company=279&Brand=2363

 

[ThunderDan19]

Oh yeah, I remember thinking something wasn’t quite right with Grunt, but wasn’t looking closely since I‘m not planning to open him up anyway. I may just skip that one unless he gets really cheap or maybe I’ll get him and Zap at the same time if they go on discount together.

I’m more interested in getting Wild Bill in hopes that a MTO Dragonfly may be on the way. It‘ll be interesting to see if they offer it with a troop builder pilot with that or what, with WB being offered otherwise. I don’t think Lift Ticket would be appropriate, but who knows.

I might not have bothered with IG Destro had they not gone so basic with the original one. I really don’t even need the Despoiler, but know full well I’d probably pay well over single figure price for a loose one anyway. Plus, it does look to be pretty well designed. I’ll combine the best from both versions to make an “ultimate” version like I have for other figures whose versions have left me wanting more.

In my Joeverse, Destro hasn’t fully divested from Cobra. The IG are just his elite guard. I’m hoping for better versions to eventually add to the Cobra ranks. I have no use for all the whackier IG characters, just the troops.

 

[nacho]

Yeah, I agree, Destro in my world doesn't run an independent army... he has a security team and a few specialists (who demonstrate MARS gear and train lesser cobra troopers on said gear), but Destro shouldn't have an army-army.

Metal Head has served as a lower-half donor for improving Mainframe. The first IG is clearly a fancy officer type who will serve that role when we get a retro IG trooper. I got a Darklon only because of his role in the comics, but he will most definitely die early in the great wars.

Speaking of IG troops, I just printed a head for a Ferret, assuming we're never getting a D.E.M.O.N... should be easy enough to customize a body for him. It'll give destro a ground transport driver of sorts, fill out his entourage without more wacky named dorks.

 

[ThunderDan19]

Hmm, now you got me thinking. Maybe I do have a use for the CS IG as a non-combat officer type now that IG Destro is in the works... Time to go hunting!

 

[nacho]

Yeah, I only bought two of the first one, knowing I didn't want to army-build a figure that was so far removed from the original that a retro was practically guaranteed. But he looks like an officer type with the long coat tails and fancier uniform. That was always my plan on how to use him.

I'm a little surprised that we haven't seen a regular IG already, but with the new Destro coming, they'd be insane not to slot him as the troop builder in a retro wave pretty soon.

 

[ThunderDan19]

I completely agree and would be shocked if a proper retro IG isn't already in the works with all these other IG characters dropping and now IG Destro finally getting previewed. Looks like I will have to get the CS IG from BBTS, which seems to be the only store with them still in stock. It will cost a little more than I'd prefer, but will still be a few dollars cheaper than the aftermarket.

I didn't originally get the IG because of the too-dressed-up-for-combat approach H'bro took with him. I've since bulked up my CGs (standard black mask and silver "officers") for T/X and added additional Crimsonized troops/BAT to that faction. I will take a similar track with the IGs for new and improved Destro. Despite my early rejection, I might even have to pick up an IG BAT... when the price is right.

All this faction planning does leave me a minor dilemma though. If I keep IG Destro in the Despoiler and display him with the IGs, where does that leave the Baroness? I might have to take the same tack I have with CC and SS. Each version has a place on a different shelf. OG SS goes with OG CC on a shelf with early Cobras. V2 SS goes with SE and crew with the Joe ninjas. Battle Armored CC goes with the later Vipers and such. I'm thinking OG Destro and Baroness may keep their place with mid-line Cobras while IG Destro gets a new spot with the other IGs.

I love real time (first world) problem solving!

 

[nacho]

Oh yeah, I've gotten to the point with ML X-Men that I have to stage my display in "eras". I have far too many Cyclops and Wolverine (and everyone else) figures to display just one of each, so I make teams from different time periods and pose them together. So I definitely get the urge to apply that to Joe in spots where there are multiple good representations of a character.

IG destro will go with the black and gold troops, while regular will stay with the '83 crowd. I think baroness will stay with the original group... unless they make a retro blue/comic deco that will be more at home with the early cobras... or an IG Baroness that clearly belongs with the MARS troops. I could see them doing either or both down the line. The Rattler baroness looks like it was pretooled for the blue suit, so I expect that one in the next year once the "new/exclusive" wears off that mold.

All that being said, I refuse to own a black and gold BAT. That one just never sit right with me. Arctic BATs and jungle BATs... ok those are enviro-specific. But Destro having his own special BATs rubs me wrong in the same way Destro having a real full-on army does. It seem like too much. If he's still an integral part of cobra, why does he need his own flavor of fighting robots? That goes beyond weapon specialists and a security force in my world.

But I have a similar problem with crimson BATs (and PP BATs). What purpose do they serve? How are they better than regular ones? Why would T/X need them when CGs are mostly a bunch of lawyers, politicians, and accountants? I'm probably overthinking it, but they need a good in-universe reason to exist, and so far, I haven't come up with one.

 

[ThunderDan19]

Got some play money this weekend so I went ahead and ordered a 60th SF figure. I‘m willing to buy the first one at retail, but will wait for discounts to get any additional ones (which I’m really hoping for because he looks like a great fig). Supposed to arrive on Thursday from AMZ!

I also see that my retro fCG is finally processing at EE, so she’s probably a week out. That is the last of my PO’s besides Zanya. I’ll wait for significant discounts for Zap and SE Dawn.

Rumor is that we‘ll get more POs for Pulsecon on 4/1. I‘ll likely order Destro and WB if they are included.

 

[nacho]

I haven't convinced myself to get the SF trooper yet... just not sure where he would fit, despite being a nice looking figure. Maybe if he does hit clearance. I'm still waiting on a big discount on the cop. Not sure what I'll do with him either, but it feels like he'd have lots of various uses and background roles. Or maybe I've just been watching too much OPL.

 

[nacho]

New retro wave and IG Destro/Despoiler up for PO. Oddly, Destro isn't a pulse exclusive, available on amazon too.

 

[ThunderDan19]

Yep, got IG Destro/Despoiler and WB PO'ed on EE since I had a little play money and don't want to miss out on those. I've got no need for recycled Grunt and Techno-Viper, late to the party Ketchup & Mustard or the minor Marauders. I'm also not at all excited by any of the reveals - except maybe for "rugged" Duke . Most of the others were from the well-past-its-peak of the line and at least one I had never even heard of - Armada???

I'm just over here waiting for them to finally fulfill the promise of finishing out the OGs. Full coverage of the event:

G.I. Joe Classified April 2026 Hasbro Fanstream Coverage

Lenny, Bmac and Tony are back with another G.I. Joe Fanstream to kick off April. We will be seeing the new wave of Retro figures, 6 Iron Grenadier Destro & D

toynewsi.com

 

[nacho]

Yeah, based on the current pivot to the 90s / late ARAH era, I expect the Duke to be a v3 "Desert Duke", which does nothing for me. Total zeroburger.



Mistress Armada was introduced in the early 2000s Devil's Due comics. IIRC, Destro in that series was actually his half-black son impersonating OG destro, which is why Armada was a younger black lady, i.e. his equivalent of a Baroness-like character. I have no real love for Armada, but if it's a well done figure, I might take a flier. We'll see.

I got the retro Bill, Grunt, and TV just for the MOC retro collection, and a spare Bill for the studio figure set. No need to get the usual triplicate on those. I do like retro Grunt's helmet though, very classic.

I want Ketchup and Mustard just for the novelty of it. They make me laugh.

Ninja Force 2-pack.... (barf). Not in Hasbro's wildest dreams would I ever spend money for that. I wouldn't pick it up for $5 at Ollies unless I planned to steal the parts for something useful. Total waste of effort on their part as far as I'm concerned.

We need Deep Six, Ace, Flash, Grand Slam, Ripcord, Thunder, Cutter, a few comic figures (like Kwinn and Billy) and a few do-overs (like a new Lady Jaye using the haslab head, properly colored Shortfuze, desert Clutch/Grunt, etc), and I'll be good. We're getting a spot-on Dr Quest / Dr Venom from the Monster Force line at BBTS (due very soon... but every quarter, they slide to the next quarter ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )



Not that I wouldn't buy more figures from other eras or decos if they're good and catch my fancy (the Stall trio comes to mind), but I won't have any burning needs. Of course, that all changes the minute they decide to fill the S7 Ultimates void with a sunbow/comic subline. Then it's game-on.

 

[ThunderDan19]

Now that I have a WB coming, I also ordered him an aviator (it's actually the tanker one, but looks more like a helo pilot's) helmet from Gridiron. I thought it was pretty smart when the later versions of 25th WB came with an actual helmet (undersized as it might have been) for when he's piloting - even though ironically we never actually got an actual DF for that series. This way he can properly pilot and still don his Stetson when he exits the vehicle, just like the Air Cav pilots he was patterned after. Airborne already has a helmet close enough for his gunner position.

I'm really hoping they do a MTO DF coming up in the winter like they did for the HISS, though if it's the TF version, I'll have to go to the aftermarket to get an original. At least it might help to drive DF prices a little bit lower.

I am curious to see how much I like the Gridiron helmet. I hope it's worth the price, 'cause nothing comes cheap from over there. I do know that if I ever came into a significant play money windfall, I would so get one of those Phalanx APCs and the turret kit for Steeler and the Joe team. It would take up just about the entire top of my desk nook, but it would be amazing!

 

[nacho]

Gridiron helmets are nice, good quality. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

I have no interest in a MTO Dragonfly of any flavor. One is enough, and even the one I have is so big I've never done anything with it. Reminds me of the Spotcat or the BMF... just so big it's more like furniture than a toy... giant, extremely fragile furniture. And the DF is so long and skinny, the amount of real estate they take up is staggering. I know I'd have FOMO if I hadn't ordered one, but in hand, even though I like it, it's not my favorite piece.

 

[ThunderDan19]

If I do get one, I know I will have to hang it, and in so doing will have to supplant another large piece. Right now the most likely candidate is the 21st Super Cobra. And eventually I believe the Rattler will replace the BBI Apache for hanging spots above my desk. I've already asked my daughter to see if she can get back in touch with the toy guy who bought out the remains of my 25th collection as well as a bunch of 1/6th scale figures a while back. I'm not in a hurry, but I do think it's just a matter of time (and a little extra cash) at this point.

 

[ThunderDan19]

I received my Legacy SF Trooper this past week and opened him up today. Dang. Easily the best/most useful of the Anniversary/Legacy figs in my opinion. He looks pretty legit all kitted up and has quite a few options to build troops if anyone is so inclined. That would not be me at $43 a pop, but if they somehow make it to Ollie’s or one of the other closeouts, I’ll pick up a few more.

I’ve put him on the team in a probationary role for now, as typically happens in my Joeverse. Even a Tier 1 operator remains a probie and has to prove himself before officially making the team. If he passes muster, he’ll get a codename, and a lot more freedom regarding weapons, kit and uniform. None of those generic greenshirts on actual missions in my world. Those guys are just base support and nothing else. Keep that YoJoe cola machine stocked up!

The RPG is slightly out of place with the SF Trooper, vs. a proper NATO AT launcher (like Footloose has), so I gave it to the original (Target excl.) Cobra Trooper and made him an Anti-tank Trooper, like the one from the 25th. Only thing really missing there is some kit to carry extra rockets. It’s likely we’ll end up with an official one of these in the future since they have produced this well detailed RPG. It’d be a waste if they didn’t.

I also received my IG earlier and set him up a few days ago. My opinion that he isn’t suitable for front line combat remains, but I do appreciate him in a ceremonial guard role, now that we have IG Destro happening. He looks good like that, especially after I gave him the red accented rifle that came with the Cobra Diver (never could have predicted I would find a use for that ). His fancy pistol can stay securely holstered on his back. Similarly with the sword securely on his waist, cool as it might be.

 

[nacho]

My retro Zap, Crazy legs, and girl CG shipped, even got a discount on CL with the prime preprder guarantee, got him for less than $25.

I'll probably swap his head with the DF/NF version, as I'm not a fan of the screamy-face, but the '87 shelf demands his presence.

 

[ThunderDan19]

That's a welcome surprise! He's back up to $30 now - gotta make up that lost profit on the late comers I guess. I had CL back as a kid, but he was never a big player in my adventures. Just a little too brightly colored for his role IMO, and now with that O-face... I'll still be on the lookout for a somewhat reasonably priced NF CL in the aftermarket, but won't spend too much for him, as that version still leaves some room for improvement as well. The head swap definitely gives the best original version.

My PO for Zap got lost with my stolen WM account - pretty sure I remember having gotten a pretty good deal on him too . No way to even check on that now. I'm hoping for the usual markdowns down the road for him, wallpaper Grunt and IG BAT (because I need IG troops, but not weirdos like HM or Darklon though - I'm complicated). I'd probably also bite on DM and maybe Lifeline and/or HV, if the discounts were deep enough - pardon the pun. But I can't see paying today's prices for any of them.

I suppose if I'm being honest, if I saw Sarge and all his Marauders discounted to Ollie's prices, I'd likely pick them up too. I'd have to catch them all at once though, as they are really only any good as a full team. And they are nowhere near worth what they are asking at full retail. I guess we will have to wait and see how well they estimated demand for those as well as for the new legacy figs. Maybe some in-person toy hunts in the fall?

 

[nacho]

Sure, I'd pick up the Renegades at 80% off too, but not the blue/green/brown Marauders repaints that are an assault on the eyeballs. I don't like the Renegades much, but they'd add color to the shelf and/or might have some useful parts. Mercer is a cool enough character on his own, however, they killed any chance I'd buy him by making him very small AND packaging him with yet another useless Sarge figure. Barf. Zero chance I'm paying anywhere near retail for them.

Now that I think about it, the Renegades actually break my long-standing pledge to support anything they make from the '82-'87 era. I just care that little about them. I'd even buy BF2000 figures first. I even stooped low enough to impulse buy a BigLob, only just to have the full movie lineup. (He's not a bad figure, but they made him 7ft tall, to the point he stands out way too much. Sniper's dream target. Nice knowing you, BL.) But Renegades 2-packs at MSRP are a bridge too far, even for me.

Heck, looking back, I bought the original Renegades in '87 on clearance. I had some mad-money burning a hole in my pocket, and while TRU was covered up with nothing but peg after peg of Crystal Ball, SneekPeek, and Psyche Out, Children's Palace down the street had the Renegades and Cobra La 3-packs on clearance. I didn't even feel bad about it.

 

[ThunderDan19]

Ha, you just fully exposed how little I'm actually invested in either of them! I used "Marauders" when I meant "Renegades." And I had the Renegades 3-pack as a kid, and exactly zero Slaughter's Marauders. Wow, too many sub-teams...

Yeah, I still have zero interest in any "Mad Marauders." I did end up with a Blue/brown/green BBQ from Mercari, but only because he came with the regular one for the total price of one. But I have no interest in the rest at any price. It's the Renegades that I would probably pick up at Ollie's prices (like I did the original CS Sarge), and only if I could get the whole team at once.

 

[nacho]

That's funny, my only Mad Marauders figure is also Barbecue... because he was on super-sale and he's not bright orange. I always figured I'd paint him a solid OD or something but never got around to it. Now I'm convinced that we'll probably get a better BBQ that isn't a repainted Destro, probably in the retro line or something. He needs a redo, but I'm not fussed about it because he's not a major player in my joe universe. He's basically support staff, right above the greenshirts.

 

[ThunderDan19]

It took me quite a while to get BBQ because he remained rare enough as a Target exclusive that he didn't drop in price until well after the second one dropped. I wasn't ready to pay full price or more for a back row character at best. In my Joeverse he currently has nothing to do besides to stand in the back, admittedly looking fairly cool with his axe at the ready, with his teammate "Backdraft" and wait for fires to fight.

I seem to remember there was one comic that featured him doing some aggressive firefighting on a WHALE or something like that. And then there was whole "Viper" episode of the cartoon, where I'm not sure he even donned his helmet. Other than that, I don't recall him getting much screentime outside of one or two PSAs.

For what it's worth, he was kind of an early favorite for me back in the day, sparked at least in part by that comic appearance (not so much the cartoon). I actually did include him on a lot of missions with vehicles, to fight the inevitable fires caused by enemy hits. And of course his helmet and "metal" gear were bulletproof, so he could kind of wade into the fight and... hit people with his axe and... spray them in the face with retardant... yeah. I was a kid.

Ultimately, that old nostalgia (he does look OG legit) did finally get me once there was a really good deal to be had for the pair loose. I'm pretty sure that happened during a dry spell in the new releases as well (that's usually when I end up getting the less useful characters). Together it was more than I could bear...

 

[nacho]

Yeah, that issue of the comic was in the early 40s, somewhere in the gulf around the time of the formation of Cobra Island.

That Rod Whigham art was stellar during that run from the early 30s to the mid-50s, definitely my favorite Joe era of the comic.

I just never liked the character for his bright outfit (yet Blowtorch's never bothered me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯), his non-offensive specialty (what good is this guy on a covert mission?), and then that "Viper" episode of the cartoon where we had to listen to his boston accent for 22 min.... ugh, no thank you. I only hated him slightly less than Bazooka, who was portrayed as borderline retarded. WTF Mattel, how LOW are the requirements to make this "elite" squad?!

'85 was arguably peak Joe (some say it's '86, and it technically was sales-wise, but a lot of '86 sales were '85 product that was still on shelves). I would argue the end of the flat logo era was better than the 3d logo era. And yet, the character lineup was a mixed bag. We got Flint, Lady Jaye, Shipwreck, Dusty, ninja SE, the crimson guard and twins, the OG dreadnoks.... really, some of the best characters in the whole line. And we also got Bazooka, Barbecue, Airtight, Tollbooth, and Mail Away Slaughter. That's two ends of a WIDE spectrum. The best and the worst the franchise has to offer.

 

[ThunderDan19]

Yep, that was definitely some peak comic era action right there. Clever and pretty original compared to most, in addition to the artwork. As for the bright uniforms, the both make sense if you are hiding inside a fire, right? At least as a kid it made sense...

Yeah, in addition to the nobody-ever-gets-shot and laser-pistols-can-kill-armored-vehicles, that was a big reason why I always considered the cartoon as far inferior to the comic. I get it that they had to make each character unique enough to differentiate them, but did they have to make half of them dumb and/or annoying? The Dreadnoks get a pass, but like you said, the Joes shouldn't have anyone on the team who doesn't strike you as even all that likely to pass the ASVAB, let alone rise to the top.

While the dialog in the comics can get a little tedious with Hama constantly passing along his immense military knowledge via exposition, at least you feel like all his characters know which continent they are on at the moment. Plus, as a kid, I felt like I learned a fair bit just from reading them. Heck, even some of the OG blueprint creators probably could have benefitted from spending a little more time with Larry and then maybe not confusing millimeters with caliber on some of those weapons.

 

[nacho]

Ketchup and Mustard are up for PO. Honestly, I'm surprised that they aren't more gouge-y. They're only $59 for the set. I assumed Hasbro would try to tack on an extra $20 because of the plastic box accessory.

G.I. Joe Classified Series Cobra Ramp Rats Action Figure Set - Hasbro Pulse

The G.I. Joe Classified Series Cobra Ramp Rats is collectible action figure set of 2 6-inch figures with 18 accessories.

www.hasbropulse.com