[Chain Base Comics] #018

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[Acquisitions] G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra 2009 SDCC-Exclusive Clan McCullen Destro Two-Pack

Before going to China Square Central two Sundays ago, I prepped myself up for what could possibly be the biggest toy splurge of my life. I had set aside a huge budget for toys and I was willing to blow it all in one day if that was what it would take to plug some glaring holes in my collection. Alas, most of the figs that I need stayed elusive and I was only able to use less than ten percent of my budget during our CSC visit. I was really disappointed not to find my targets there but my frustration turned into excitement when I found this 2009 SDCC-exclusive Clan McCullen Destro two-pack in one of the shops on the second floor! I checked the whole thing out for damages or any other oddities and after confirming that it's in fantastic condition, I pulled the triger on the deal. It may be hard to believe but the seller actually sold this bad boy to me for only 40 SGD (1360 PHP or 31 USD)! 1360 PHP for one of the best G.I. Joe exclusives ever? No-brainer! So, even though I didn't get to buy a ton of stuff at CSC, the visit was definitely worthwhile. 

[Acquisitions] G.I. Joe Combat Heroes Wave 2

After getting hooked on Hasbro's Super Hero Squad toys, I guess it's only natural for me to also like the squadies' American cousins: the G.I. Joe Combat Heroes. These figures have been on the shelves for years but they don't seem to be selling all that well. I think that today's kids aren't really familiar with the G.I. Joe brand as a whole and when you couple that fact with a very steep price range, then you have the recipe for a sure-fire toy aisle stinker. I know it's a bit harsh but that's the truth and trust me, I don't like it too! As a huge G.I. Joe fan, I want the property to succeed but there are things beyond our control and we, as collectors, can only do so much to help propel the brand. So, let's talk about the toys and see why they actually deserve some appreciation!

[Acquisitions] G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra Attack on the G.I. Joe Pit Headquarters

I don't know how the heck it happened, but it did. I bought this set way back last June and I totally forgot to write about it. I have a short list of acquisitions that I still have to write about, and my list doesn't include this bad boy. Tell me, am I getting old or what?

[Review] G.I. Joe: 30th Anniversary Hazard-Viper

What's nastier than a psychopath wielding a gun? Uhm, a psychopath wielding a gun that discharges toxic sludge instead of bullets seems like a good answer. So peeps, without further ado, let me introduce you to the bearer of the dreaded Compound Z, Cobra's toxin specialist, the Hazard-Viper.

[Acquisitions] G.I. Joe: 30th Anniversary Wave 2 Figures

 

Got myself some new toys, Renegades-style! Uhhhhmmm, sort of.

[Spotlight] G.I. Joe: Marauders/Dreadnoks 7-Packs

Hasbro revealed their new sets of G.I. Joe battle packs two days ago at the New York Comic Con and we're taking a look at those bad boys today!

[Acquisitions] G.I. Joe: 30th Anniversary Sgt. Stalker and Hazard-Viper

The first and second waves of the G.I. Joe 30th Anniversary figures had finally reached our shores several weeks back, cutting short the impervious Joe drought. The figures were made available at SRP via Playkit's distribution scheme that occured last September 3-4 at Robinson's Place Manila. It's nice to know that even though Playkit had long decided not to put Joes on the shelves any longer, they still cater to loyal Joe collectors by frequently staging those Joe distribution events. I've actually never benefited from any of those distribution events since I live very far from the metro and an open schedule is one luxury I don't really have, but I'm glad I can get my Joes from GreatToysOnline at the same price.

[Acquisitions] G.I. Joe: Pursuit of Cobra Wave 5 Figures

 
Here's another batch of items from my Greenhills trip last June 3.Yeah!

Is the Pursuit of Cobra line the best G.I. Joe line ever or what? Well, for me it is, hands down. But for those of you who are still on the fence, Hasbro has released another wave of figures to convince you. Like what we've come to expect from the Pursuit of Cobra line, Wave 5 features some top-notch figures like General Hawk, the Cobra Trooper, and the Steel Brigade soldier. There are also a couple of good figures in the form of the Jungle B.A.T. and the City Strike Cobra Commander, but there's also a head-scratcher in the form of Blowtorch. Overall, three great figures in a set of six isn't bad at all.

[Review] G.I. Joe: Pursuit of Cobra City Strike Iron Grenadier

Wow. I can't believe that my last post was two long weeks ago. Well, we're really busy at work, and that's going to continue until the middle of next month. I usually go home very tired, and I can't seem to find the passion to write reviews anymore. I've been spending my spare time following my fave NBA team's playoff run, I've been watching games and those pre-game and post-game analysis shows, and I've been reading a lot of basketball-related materials from various sports websites. Honestly, I'm a Miami Heat geek as much as I'm a toy geek. Yup, I'm a big Miami Heat fan sine 2003, but may be we can talk about that some other time.

[Review] G.I. Joe: Pursuit of Cobra Desert Battle Cobra Viper

 

To be completely honest, I wasn't aware of the Cobra Vipers' existence until the 25th Anniversary line came out. The G.I. Joe toys that we had as kids consist mostly of Battle Force 2000 characters and the neon-colored figures that fans would later love to hate. Though we enjoyed our Joes back then, I never thought that we were actually missing out on a lot of good stuff. The classic Cobra Viper is probably one of the most sought after army-builder figures, and it's because the design of the figure is so iconic you just have to own some. So, when I first met the Cobra Viper while I was expanding my 25th Anniversary  collection, I instantly got hooked. The G3 figure looks nice, but it suffers from a lot of fundamental errors that later turned the figure into one of the most-lambasted G3 figures ever. I was able to look past the faults of the G3 release (permanently angled hands, removable goggles that won't stay in place, bad ankle articulation), and I, even up to now, consider the figure as one of my favorite figures from the TFAC era. Responding to criticism, Hasbro tried to make improvements on the base figure on later releases, and they somehow got the figure right. And now, with the POC line consistently giving us modern takes on our favorite characters, a new Cobra Viper has emerged, and this new figure puts every single variation that came before it to shame.

[Acquisitions] G.I. Joe: Pursuit of Cobra Wave 6 Figures

Back when I still had extra cash (about a month or so ago), I pre-ordered these figures from Great Toys Online. Looking back, I think that I really made a very wise decision spending my dough on these figures while they weren't out yet. If I hadn't done so, I don't think that I'd still have the money to buy these figs today, 'cause I'm pretty sure I would have spent my dough on something else. Aaahhh, such is the life of a cash-strapped toy collector.

[Chain Base Comics] #006

[Review] G.I.Joe: POC Cobra Shock Trooper

I've always been a fan of urban warfare and close quarters combat, and I'm really glad that Hasbro decided to include a MOUT (Military Operations on Urban Terrain) theme into their Pursuit of Cobra line.

[Review] G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra Tiger Snake (Rip Attack Vehicle)

The Rip Attack Vehicles are one of the last Rise of Cobra toys released by Hasbro prior to the shift to the Pursuit of Cobra line. Like the 5th wave of ROC toys, the Rip Attack Vehicles already carry the environment-specific themes that would later be a staple in the POC line.

[Review] G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra Mantis Attack Craft

Note: This review was originally posted at TS118's Proboards site on August 12, 2009.

Today, we'll discuss the difference between a manta ray and a mantis, just because Hasbro failed to distinguish one from the other. So, let's consult the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary!

Manta ray (noun): any of several extremely large rays (genera Manta and Mobula) that are widely distributed in warm seas and have enlarged pectoral fins resembling wings

Mantis (noun): any of an order or suborder (Mantodea and especially family Mantidae) of large usually green insects that feed on other insects and clasp their prey in forelimbs held up as if in prayer 

So, what do we really have here, a Manta ray or a Mantis?