REVIEW: GI JOE 25th Anniversary Set - COBRA Legions

Mostly repaints, but set has some bite...

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There are two types of toy lines for me: Ones I’ve grown out of and ones I will collect forever. Marvel and DC (in all their forms) will always have a place on my shelf (and my son’s). Transformers I loved in the '80s, not so much now. Star Wars had its day with me and Lord of the Rings is over. But G.I. Joe refuses to be categorized. Every time I relinquish it to the “rah rah Reagan” '80s, Hasbro finds a way to pull me back.

This time it’s the 25th Anniversary line. I had no compulsion to own yet another Snake Eyes, but the detailing and the promise of the first new 3 ¾” body in 25 years was too tempting to pass up. Like most fans, I grabbed the two box sets as soon as I could find them. I don’t have all the single card figures yet, but I’m very happy I’ve got this new army builder set.

The packaging is like the other box sets but it still strikes me as classy and unique. The changes in the box this time around is in the chrome cover (which photographs horribly) and a smart looking Cobra rally diorama inside. There are detailed instructions on how to open the figures and preserve the display, but the inside blister will get so mangled the first time you take the figures out, it’s not worth ever putting them back.

All five figures are repaints. In fact, three of the five figures are repaints of the exact same body. But it doesn’t matter, since each is so well done they appear unique.

The first is a standard COBRA Soldier He works so perfectly, just take a close look at those eyebrows. That’s a soldier who’s actually menacing, with a red veil that’s reminiscent of the animated series! He comes with two COBRA variants, a driver and an air trooper.

The Stinger Driver struck me as a hacky repaint in 1983 and the color scheme doesn’t do much for me now. He wears the Cobra Officer’s gear with a rifle and removeable helmet.

The Air Trooper is even cooler with a helmet from the recent Lady Jaye comic pack and the jet pack from 1982. His flamethrower is removeable and he keeps the knife sheathed on his thigh. Don’t forget to look under the included bases for his rifle and standard COBRA helmet!

COBRA Commander is here again in his faceplate mode. I can’t remember him ever wearing black but it’s awesome. I also love the gold COBRA sigils on the epillets instead of the chest. However I still have a problem with the helmet.

Like the first release, it looks good, but doesn’t stay on snug. I worry that it will be the first thing lost for most fans. I’m also a little surprised the plastic explosive on the back of the Commander’s head is unpainted, since it was on the first release. Maybe Storm Shadow blew the paint budget.

Storm Shadow was my favorite figure of the original line and the first 25th Anniversary set, and this version holds up to both. He seems the most changed but it’s a clever repaint, matching him to the recent Devil’s Due comic series.

G.I. Joe has sold more figures with cartoons but Hasbro has taken steps to honor their comic counterparts as well. It’s a method that instills such fierce loyalty in older collectors and this repaint carries on the tradition. His accessories are identical to the first release, featuring his two swords, a bow and a dagger in his belt.

The success of the 25th Anniversary G.I. Joe figures caught Hasbro off guard. Since announcing the entire 3 ¾” line will follow this new style, the company has been scrambling to get more product out there. This is one of those moves and it’s a winner. The upgrades should appeal to most Joe collectors and the sharp designs of the characters should grab today’s kids the way they did my generation 25 years ago.

Looks like I’m a G.I. Joe collector again.

Review and Photos by Jon Clarke

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