[Glue]

I don't see the prob with Bludd at all. As far as I can tell, he seems to have all the visual elements of the original figure I saw on yojoe. In fact, I'd be tempted to say Zartan's body looks like it was modeled intentionally to be Bludd. Could use a holster on the thigh and that bit of green on his left forearm, but it looks terrific. These look like the same pre-release pics we saw earlier so the delays for Bludd suggest there may still be some differences in the final version?

Snake Eyes I don't really get. When reading he had a parka, I sorta expected it to be a white one like generally used in the show. And are those alien skulls on the necklace?

I figured this was MASS Device Baroness since she has the more rectangular looking green glasses and CC has the radioactive crystals. (Maybe we'll see the other two elements or even a MASS Device gimmick?)


I'd really like them all to be single card packaged but.. beggars and choosers.

[iostream71]

ugh. hasbro, please stick to the '82-'87 years

[Devilbat]

Roadblock: I loved the original Version 2, so therefore I love this one. I think it's interesting they're calling this version the "City Assault" Roadblock. Hmm...

TF Flint: Yes!! Major flashback when I saw this one. As a kid I was so intrigued by these weird new repainted "Tiger Force" versions of my old favorites I found in a Fred's store one Sunday afternoon with my mom. I had to have them. They were just so unexpected to me; bizarre and surreal. I kept a mint set of them for years and years until one day I noticed they started suffering from "CES" (Cracked Elbow-joint Syndrome) that so many figures from that time seemed to develop. So I sold them all. I did keep my TF Bazooka, which is still mint and complete to this day...somewhere. (lol) I just hope they decide later on to release this mold in place of the first one in his classic colors.

Snake-Eyes w/parka: Ahh...I'm drawn to this figure naturally since he's my favorite character, but...like I said in another thread, I prefer the figures that are a straight-up homage to the original toys. But this is one of those figures that feels like maybe it could have existed back in the day. I would honestly rather have seen Version 4, even though he's being released over and over. (I know they're saying Version 4's coming out in Wave 7 or whatever, but that's actually Version 3. I don't know why no one's corrected them yet.) I'm still on the fence on this one...

Baroness: I loved the 'toon, but...meh. I could care less for cartoon versions of my Joes and Cobras. Sorry...

Cobra Commander: Looks cool, but same as Baroness...

Python Patrol Cobra Officer: Meh...never liked the original, but it may grow on me since I like the concept.

Major Bludd: Can't help it. I like this figure and I think that the Zartan body suits him well. I'm just glad that after some twenty-five years we're getting a vintage-esque Major Bludd with an ARTICULATED cybernetic arm. (lol) That always bugged the hound outta me as a kid, how his arm was molded without an elbow joint. It was like his arm was always in a cast or something. (lol)

[Tazzzman]

Pit Viper, on Jan 24 2008, 08:23 PM, said:

I think these figures look fine. I think everyone fooled themselves into believing that these were customs and are now acting like Hasbro killed a puppy when they were proven wrong. Don't be mad at Hasbro, be mad at yourself for thinking that Hasbro wasn't going to reuse body parts. They have been doing it since Wave 1 of the 25th line! How is this a shock? It's also not as if we are never going to see any new sculpts ever again. When the 25th line is all said and done I for one am going to be happy that we got these versions of the characters rather than them not being made at all.

LOL, completly agree! I am sure that new parts/molds will come as the success of the line continues.

If ya don't like em, don't buy em'

[Tazzzman]

CapnJeffro, on Jan 24 2008, 03:57 PM, said:

Well, its not even Feburary and we already know what the first 4 waves as well as 4 waves of comic packs. Apparently there is going to be a ton of new product this year, and waves like these allow some filler. Either Hasbro is giving us everything RIGHT now (and nothing new at Toy Fair, SDCC, or Joecon) or we're still going to be seeing another 3-4 waves.

I would prefer a wave or two like this along with good new product. I'm already going broke from what we've seen - we don't even know what else they might throw at us.

I highly doubt that they would not have anything new to show at SDCC or the Joe Con, they always have had something, especially for the joe con. I think this is to keep the buzz going and because due to the leaked images, HASBRO put out the pics on what they are working on. If anything, it appears that they are starting to have new profuct between 1-2 months on shelves or for order at online stores. There is so much product that I have to budget for the convention becuase I am sure that there will be additional surprises there too. As for toyfair, it is anyones guess if they debut anything else that we have not seen. It is nice to see that product is coming out quicker though, every 1-2 months is cool to me.

[jjlecaros]

i like them

[pesatyel]

Show me ANYONE that wasn't surprised to see TF Flint with gloves.

Whitewolf, on Jan 24 2008, 06:35 PM, said:

People...some of you act shocked that Hasbro would reuse parts to this degree. C'mon!

The standard mantra that we've been hearing from Hasbro in the Star Wars Q&A sessions for the past year and a half is that "New molds/more articulation simply cost far too much to reinvent each and every character from scratch." And unfortunately, that even means specialty figures like the 25th Anniversary line. To hear Hasbro talk, it practically bankrupts the company each and every time they DO make a new figure...so frankenjoeing (if that's a word) figures over and over is common practice (read: saves big bucks) in the modern era at Hasbro.

And I dunno if anyone else noticed, but the HISS Driver is nothing but a regurgitation of Flash (with the exception of the legs) with a new head sculpt and paint job, so in effect, they are doing nothing different where Major Bludd is concerned. The only reason its more noticable with Bludd is the fact that his colors so closely resemble those of Zartan.

I agree, to an extent. Some figures work, like using Gung-Ho for Torch. But the fact that Zartan's body "vaguely resembles" Major Bludd doesn't mean we want to see it used as such. They could have at LEAST used some different legs.

Show me Destro's body reused, among others.

[jhester]

I love this wave. The only one that looks off is Baroness but I think thats just the proto. Looking at Bludd it appears that they made Zartan from the Bludd mold not the other way around. To me it seems that they were having trouble with the face for some reason and decided to go ahead with Zartan and wait for Bludd to be right. If they want to fix something just fix the thighs otherwise it is a great figure. Love the Snake Eyes and we finally get a CC with the C4 tamper proof helmet, I've been waiting for this for a long time.

-Jason

[Stygian]

Whitewolf, on Jan 24 2008, 03:35 PM, said:

People...some of you act shocked that Hasbro would reuse parts to this degree. C'mon!

The standard mantra that we've been hearing from Hasbro in the Star Wars Q&A sessions for the past year and a half is that "New molds/more articulation simply cost far too much to reinvent each and every character from scratch." And unfortunately, that even means specialty figures like the 25th Anniversary line. To hear Hasbro talk, it practically bankrupts the company each and every time they DO make a new figure...so frankenjoeing (if that's a word) figures over and over is common practice (read: saves big bucks) in the modern era at Hasbro.

And I dunno if anyone else noticed, but the HISS Driver is nothing but a regurgitation of Flash (with the exception of the legs) with a new head sculpt and paint job, so in effect, they are doing nothing different where Major Bludd is concerned. The only reason its more noticable with Bludd is the fact that his colors so closely resemble those of Zartan.

I can accept this explanation. I realize the cost of oil which is used in the manufacture of the plastics for these figures has gone up, and costs are up period, but this 'excuse' doesn't explain why someone like let's say Major Bludd would have been pushed back several times simply to give us a figure who is almost entirely a Frankenjoe! Not only that, but Hasbro (if the pics of Bludd are to be believed) didn't even remove Zartan's wrist chains or skull belt buckle when creating this "new" figure! This is just sloppy IMHO and somewhat of an insult to our intelligence..heck our eye sight!

Frankenjoe to save money, fine. Frankenjoe for the sake of simple laziness, not fine.

[Stygian]

jhester, on Jan 25 2008, 07:21 AM, said:

I love this wave. The only one that looks off is Baroness but I think thats just the proto. Looking at Bludd it appears that they made Zartan from the Bludd mold not the other way around. To me it seems that they were having trouble with the face for some reason and decided to go ahead with Zartan and wait for Bludd to be right. If they want to fix something just fix the thighs otherwise it is a great figure. Love the Snake Eyes and we finally get a CC with the C4 tamper proof helmet, I've been waiting for this for a long time.

-Jason

You're somewhat alone in your exhuberance regarding this Wave, but I don't fault you for that. I do, however, doubt your theory about Bludd. Too many of the elements in the Zartan mold are specific to that character, which is why I surmise that so many are up in arms over Bludd seeming so unlike his trademark 80's self.

Where are Bludd's trademark jodhpurs? Why does Bludd have a skull belt buckle? Why does Bludd have what are very obviously 80's era Zartan boots? Granted, they removed the knife sheath for the Bludd version- thankfully- but that's about it. The rest is very obviously Zartan specific. You can argue your point if you wish, but I feel that many would agree with my assessment...for what it's worth.

[Sgt. Rocco]

I think most of us concur about the gripes - things that are fixed are coming out on new versions instead of fixing the old ones, and new versions of figs are coming out with the same mistakes.
Very frustrating, and I figured this would happen with Flint, because I didn't think they'd flood stores with the same Flint figure with new gloves.

I do hope it's true that we see classic Flint with gloves in a comic pack or something.

I think they're going to regret the pegs warmed by comic pack versions of characters on single cards.

No one has mentioned this yet: While I like the vest on the new Roadblock (that's the first version of Block I ever had) - we still have the tiny head with NO EARS, and well as the black bands, the open hand, and no double knees. (Although he's sort of fine with no double knees.)

So, now we have TWO versions of Roadblock with no ears.

[umanumanamo]

Bludd, I can deal with. Him and Flint will be the only ones I'll grab from this wave. Maybe Snake-Eyes. The rest I'll definitely pass on. I don't understand why they're releasing the same CC like this just to include a new accessory and the helmet stripe. Why to cheat collectors and fans, if you ask me.

I'm ready to hear about wave 9 now... lol.

[kingmoredred]

I like the snakeyes for customizing reasons. I think roadblocks vest looks sloppy maybe it will be better in person. Im disappointed about blood because of the delay to improve him and then them useing mostly zartans body, but ill still get him.

[Stevy Maximus]

FlyingFigg, on Jan 25 2008, 11:06 AM, said:

As many complaints about Bludd as there are (and justifiably so). I wonder how many of us won't by him? I will, but as I've stated before I can deal with it, the re-used Zartan body doesn't bother me to much. But that's me.

Bah, it is just like Star Wars, half the board will #$#@# and moan about the figures, but come six months from now, half will be saying "I can't find Bludd, I really want him!" or something to that extent. Most of the wave (minus maybe SE and Cobra Commander) will end up bought by most fans because they are just different enough from the existing figure or come from a RAH concept.

[EvilGenius]

I have to say that I like them all, especially Bludd!

Zartan has been the only figure in the 25th range that has had good proprotions. All the other figures are gangly and stretched with ridiculous long legs.

I happened to have Zartan, & the Noks stood next to Officer Cass from Star Wars on my desk. The Noks being 4 inches tall looked really out of place compared to 3 3/4 figures like Cass & Zartan.

The Zartan legs and body are a great choice Hasbro!

Now show me the face.

[TheRealDubya]

Love this wave -- lots of tributes to the cartoons and comics. Tiger Force and Python Patrol were after my time, so I will probably pass on those, but that Snake Eyes from "Panic at the North Pole" is a dream figure. The weasel skull necklace is a thing of legend for fans of the original Marvel series. Great kitbash of other parts. They have to put out a Kwinn figure now, right?

And I'm sure the version of Bludd we are seeing here is still a rough prototype copy. I'll bet the final version ends up a fan favorite.

[DPrime]

Glue, on Jan 24 2008, 08:04 PM, said:

I don't see the prob with Bludd at all. As far as I can tell, he seems to have all the visual elements of the original figure I saw on yojoe. In fact, I'd be tempted to say Zartan's body looks like it was modeled intentionally to be Bludd. Could use a holster on the thigh and that bit of green on his left forearm, but it looks terrific. These look like the same pre-release pics we saw earlier so the delays for Bludd suggest there may still be some differences in the final version?

Snake Eyes I don't really get. When reading he had a parka, I sorta expected it to be a white one like generally used in the show. And are those alien skulls on the necklace?

I figured this was MASS Device Baroness since she has the more rectangular looking green glasses and CC has the radioactive crystals. (Maybe we'll see the other two elements or even a MASS Device gimmick?)


I'd really like them all to be single card packaged but.. beggars and choosers.

I'm surprised this hasn't been answered yet. Anyway, it was from one of the earlier comics (I believe issue #2, but I'm at work so I can't check), a really great story about a mission in the Arctic that featured Kwinn the Eskimo for the first time. He wore a necklace with what I believe were weasel skulls for some reason, and at the end of the story Snake Eyes is wearing it. The whole figure is based on how he looked in that comic, not the cartoon.

As far as Bludd goes, others have pointed out the details that are clearly designed to be on Zartan, not Bludd. For me the biggest giveaway are the thigh pads - those just SCREAM Zartan to me. Basically this looks like a decent custom, not something Hasbro should be putting out.

[Tazzzman]

Stevy Maximus, on Jan 25 2008, 02:02 PM, said:

FlyingFigg, on Jan 25 2008, 11:06 AM, said:

As many complaints about Bludd as there are (and justifiably so). I wonder how many of us won't by him? I will, but as I've stated before I can deal with it, the re-used Zartan body doesn't bother me to much. But that's me.

Bah, it is just like Star Wars, half the board will #$#@# and moan about the figures, but come six months from now, half will be saying "I can't find Bludd, I really want him!" or something to that extent.

Completely agree, I can't find this, can't find that lol. Always the same story

[Draven79]

I think its sad how many of you justify the reuse of Zaratn for Bludd......... some of you will just be happy with anything I guess. ......
Draven

[slim19722]

People say the DTC Bludd is better than the upcoming one, but yet the DTC version uses parts from Black Out & Firefly. And DTC Bludd looked nothing like the original, the upcoming one does.

[Blackmada]

I did not like the DTC Bludd either. Before that was the Python Patrol Major Bludd with Zaps body. Why does he always get the shaft?

[pesatyel]

The thing about Bludd is this, if we DON'T complain and just accept him "as is", that's all we get. But we are almost certain to get a "classics" style version of Serpentor (and Zartan) so whose to say we won't see a "correct" Bludd also? I'm fairly certain that is the ONLY reason we are getting Tiger Force Flint, because of all the complaint about the gloves.

But, to me, that body just says "Zartan" too much. Like I said in an earlier post, I expect to see body reuse. I just think they were being a little lazy that they couldn't REALLY frankenjoe the parts.

Some figures just really DON'T work as other figures. MAYBE Scarlett's mold, for example, could be reused as Ninja Force Scarlett.

Others are really good like Gung Ho working VERY well as Torch, for example.

As for Major Bludd, looking at his picture at yojoe, he's VERY boring. So, given that, "spicing him up" a little isn't that bad an idea. Zartan's body is close, but I don't think it works (had it been split waist like RAH, yeah, it might).

One interesting aspect of the 25th line is how "bland" some of the figures are until you add the accessories (the body shared by Beach Head and Firefly is a good example). In Bludd's case, I think they could have easily used, say Duke's body with a "body armor" accessory over the top. I Duke's upper legs would work better too.

[Rama Sha]

Now when people say "What does complaining get you?" I can say. "It got me a Flint with Short Sleeves and Gloves."

[DPrime]

Rama Sha, on Jan 25 2008, 11:33 PM, said:

Now when people say "What does complaining get you?" I can say. "It got me a Flint with Short Sleeves and Gloves."

Very good point! I say we keep complaining about Bludd (and Zartan and Serpentor) until we get the versions we want. And we'll still need a "classic-style" Flint with the new arms too...

[Blackmada]

I hope we get a singles carded Breaker with the right short sleeves now.