Review: Here comes Shockwave (err…Shockblast)!

 

SWAT specialist Shockwave (now renamed Shockblast) is a welcome addition to the 25th Anniversary line. This figure, packaged with pilot Destro, is definitely a worthy homage to the Joes’ doorkicker. He retained his urban SWAT uniform (light blue color with darker hues to complete the urban camo scheme). The figure also has fair to good articulation of joints. Another plus is the use of 25th Anniversary Snow Job legs and feet, giving Shockblast more stability in standing.

Though it is a bit disappointing that he didn’t come with his Ingram machine pistol, backpack and Bowie knife, Hasbro did come up with a few surprises, like a removable cap. In this picture, I let him handle a pump shotgun from Marauders.

Among the nice stuff came with is this gas mask, for those time when he and his team have to use CS or tear gas grenades before entering a room.

Hasbro tried to compensate for the missing Ingram by giving him two pistols instead. I didn’t know he’s ambidextrous. A Kevlar helmet was also thrown in, so you can have several choices of headgear (cap or helmet) or gas mask.

Shockblast, at home in the urban jungle.

Review: Lumberjack Wolverine

A couple of years after its release, I finally found a use for one of the 1:18 figures from the Wolverine movie, specifically the Lumberjack Wolverine figure.

Though I’m not a fan of Marvel Superheroes, I decided to buy this figure primarily because of its civilian attire. I need some non-military looking characters in my collection who can serve as either civilians, militiamen or even OpFors.

Lumberjack Wolverine comes with his basic trademark–his retracting claws:

However, instead of looking menacing, the supporting plastic in between the claws make the whole thing appear like an elongated version of the webbed feet of ducks instead:

The saving grace of this figure is a set of normal hands (unlike the others in the series wherein Wolverine gets two sets of hands with extended claws).

In the accessories category, it’s a bit disappointing as he gets only an ax (yeah, I know he’s a lumberjack but perhaps a chainsaw could’ve been also thrown in?)

One unique feature of this figure is the articulation of his upper legs (which in my opinion doesn’t add any value; the Joes’ 25th line articulation is still better).

And one other complaint I have is the way the lower legs are twisted so much that it’s difficult for me to pose Wolverine in a standing position. I have to use a figure stand everytime. I’m not sure if this is only a defect of my action figure or if the others also suffer from this anomaly.

OK, so far, I’ve been ranting. Now let’s go to the good part.

As I’ve said, I like this figure for its potential as an anonymous/non-military addition or even paramilitary figure to my 1:18 collection.

Wolverine’s head has to go, of course. His visage is so well-known it won’t serve well in my dios/photos, unless the concept calls for it.

Here’s one simple custom I did: A private military contractor figure. I used the Pit Commando’s helmet, and utility belt, flak vest and an assault rifle from Marauders.

I used also one of the heads of the Green Shirts.

 

 

I also used this figure in a dio depicting Fred VII’s shooting of Cobra Commander.

Over-all, this figure, despite its shortcomings, can still be a good addition in your custom/cannon fodder corner.

Iron Grenadiers!

Cobra’s one-time weapons supplier has decided to become a warlord himself. Destro, 17th in a line of a family of arms merchants, has formed his own army, the Iron Grenadiers.

Cover Girl’s back on the saddle

More than a year ago, I was able to buy a vintage Wolverine missile launch vehicle from a US-based seller. It didn’t have driver Cover Girl but I still bought the vehicle as it is nearly complete (lacking only the tow rope) and is in good condition. I knew that the search for Cover Girl, as with any G.I.Joe driver issued in the early- to mid- 80s, would be a long and expensive quest. I was wrong on both counts.

A few months later, another online seller abroad turned up selling a Cover Girl in good condition for a lot lower price than I was expecting. I immediately purchased it, so finally, man (or rather, girl) and machine were reunited.

Folks, meet Cover Girl and her ride:

Back in the Philippines, Cover Girl is one of the hard-to-find and hard-to-get figures. Even if you find one, you’d be fortunate to get it at less than P800.  Or come up with similar hard-to-find Joe characters that the seller might demand for if you go for a figure swap.

Cover Girl is an interesting character in the G.I.Joe Universe. She is among the early batches of female figures, along with Scarlett and later on, the Baroness. According to her profile, she was a former model who had a change of mind and joined the Army. You would have expected her to be the military’s, uhm, poster girl, to get more recruits. But no. She went on to attend Armor School in Fort Knox and became a tank driver. One can imagine her all immersed in grease and stinking of diesel fumes. Her card also says she’s proficient also with a variety of light and heavy anti-armor missiles, so Cobra troops riding HISS tanks better wipe the smirk off their faces and head for the nearest cover.

Over-all I’d rate the figure’s condition when I bought it at 8.5. Almost no paintwear or scratches at all. The joints are still tight.

Last year, Hasbro released version 3 of Cover Girl in time for the Revenge of Cobra movie. Though I didn’t want to start collecting another Joe line, I was enticed to buy one since no version of Cover Girl was released in the 25th Anniversary line. Though she now sports a blonde hair in version 3 (after the actreess who played the role inthe film), Cover Girl here has a better sculpt and articulation and is garbed in an urban camo.

As an added bonus, she has weapons! Version 1 didn’t have any, but this latest one has a bullpup type rifle and two pistols.

One minor downside, however, is that the new figure does not fit in the Wolverine as snugly as the first version does. It would take  a little push and manipulation of version 3′s knees and legs to make it fit better.

Here they are, versions 1 and 3. Now, I’ll be looking for version 2, aka Agent Courtney Krieger.

Paraviper has landed

Some studies of a Cobra Paraviper who just landed.

I had just finished shooting the snipers when my son Paulo started egging me to take picture of his Paraviper (he got it for Christmas). So we looked for an open spot in the park, someplace ideal for a DZ. It would’ve been better if I had a parachute and paracords for the paraviper, but well, we have to make do with what we have. So in this scene, the paraviper is assumed to have already shucked off his para gear and is getting ready to move out. I like how it turned out. I love the paraviper’s details: the balaclava, the MP5, the wrist altimeter, the oxygen tubes. Hhmm…I’m thinking of army-building this unit!