Having received my G.I. Joe Club Magazine in the mail today -- it also being the only thing interesting in today's mail -- I've had a chance to have a good look at Waves 2 and 3 from the Retaliation line, as well as the vehicles and the SDCC exclusives.

Nobody really catches my interest that much in Wave 2. In Wave 3, however, I'm impressed with the Dragon Ninja, reasonably impressed with the Alley-Viper (wish he had a bit more body armor), and extremely impressed with the Cyber Ninja. My only cncern is that, as Wave 3 -- how long will we have to wait for these to come out?

I rather like the "Kim Arashikage" figure from Wave 4. It does have something of a Sigma 6 vibe to it in a way.

I'm not all that concerned with the SDCC Kims, but I SERIOUSLY want that Shockwave HISS with the impressive Destro and the tennis-ball-green BAT! I know it's too early to really ask, but if anyone's going to SDCC that would like to do me a monumental favor...!

I like the vehicles. The Wheel Blaster Bike is a bit -- eh -- but the other two are cool, and anything from the Bravo Wave and Delta Wave is definitely of interest to me.

I sincerely hope for the sake of these vehicles and the future of G.I. Joe in general that the movie is a hit, and so are the toys.

... or Hasbro is utilizing their super-successful Thor strategy to pack 1-2 new figures in the last few waves of the line.

Trooper in hand images
http://toynewsi.com/news.php?catid=9&itemid=18483

Looks pretty cool.

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Trooper does look pretty good, though the head sculpt doesn't look as good as I remember. Lack of paint apps on the figure kind of stinks, but at least the accessories are good.

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It's hard to make much out with the pictures being so dark, but I agree with Crosshair that the head sculpt doesn't look quite right. Hopefully it's just the lighting and perspective. I definitely see this figure as being an individual character rather than a generic Joe Trooper.

I think this was the first look at the cardback, and it looks like no more file cards. That seems unfortunate, but it doesn't seem like a lot of effort has been put into them for years now, so it probably isn't that big a loss.

It's not a bad figure, but due to the package style and colors, it's very "toy" looking. Like very kiddie looking. Swimming pool toys, or yard toys. Has that Eco-Trooper look in colors. Actually that might be what ends up happening with some of these for me, but it'll be interesting to see what kids actually do with these. I think the Rock will be hard to find and Snake Eyes figures may be harder to find this time around. Both due to popularity and Hasbro not getting quantities out there. Get em when you see em... again.

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'Ultimate Ninja Commando Roadblock'?

I do see a future Dreadnok sporting that head though...

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"Led by ultimate ninja commando Roadblock®..."
Who would've thought that we would read that on a GIJoe packaging back in 1984 when his first figure was released?

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Dude, they were going to make Road Pig a ninja in the vintage line. Apparently anyone can be a ninja these days.

Now he needs to get into a bizarre ninja showdown on a cooking show with kitchen themed Cobra ninjas...

"Ninja Showdown on the next Hell's Kitchen!"

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I'm glad they made at least one super poseable figure with loads of accessories (and no giant spring loaded rocket launcher). Thank you Hasbro.


Now lower the SRP to $5.

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No. Just, no. Might go for the leftover Cobra troops from the 30th line, but this guy looks like an easy pass, otherwise I'd be spending the $9ish for a helmet.

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That was actually in an issue of DDP's Joe comic "Frontline": http://www.yojoe.com/comics/frontline/frontline18.shtml

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Yeah something is off.

It's not the head sculpt, it's how bad the hair is painted.

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