G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary Update: Hama Time
This week Hasbro announced a wave of three two packs that is sock knock off worthy. Each of the packs is going to be a comic pack, but the sweet part of it is that instead of being a reprinted comic, they will consist of three new comics written by Mr. G.I. Joe himself, Larry Hama. What’s super cool is that the comic also expands upon the classic silent issue of the Marvel series.
While there are four packs, I’m not sure how the whole thing works out to only have three comics. Anyway, let’s get to the super awesome figure goodness!
Tomax and Xamot
I can’t tell you how sweet this is. I love Tomax and Xamot because they were a set of figures I received as a birthday gift from an aunt and uncle. They were a couple of the earliest Joes I remember having and I fell in love with them. I think it helped they weren’t some lame sweater like I’d normally get from parts of the extended family.
I only have one point of contention though. Take a look the arm on the twin on the left. I’m really hoping they will not use an obviously armored arm that is colored a caucasian skin tone. It’s slightly disturbing to see that odd ass bump there.
Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow
I know, I know, I can hear the screaming of thousands of Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow haters. Why another set of these guys that aren’t much different than the last few waves? Well, these two make the most sense in this wave of figures considering that the comics are basically about them. They’re also pretty cool figures. Storm Shadow in a poncho? Count me on board!
Crimson Guard and Cobra Officer
Here’s a pack for you army builders. These two don’t look a whole lot different than the releases of these figures, but if you want a big army this might be a decent way to help it grow.
Ace and Wild Weasel
So we get Ace and Wild Weasel figures… but nothing for them to ride in? Come on Hasbro, let’s get rocking with some awesome jets for these guys to pilot.
There isn’t any info on when these figures are supposed to be available at the moment, but I’ll pass that along as soon as I find out.
December 13th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Tomax and Xamot’s quaffs are really what make those figures shine. I’m liking these nicely detailed waves of figures, but sometimes it feels they’re overdone.
And why are Storm Shadow’s weapons blue and yellow? If a ninja came after me with neon colored weapons like that, I’d just laugh at him and tell him to leave.
December 13th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
I think the colors are because he’s based on his “comic book” look thing they are doing with these comic packs.
December 14th, 2007 at 12:36 am
Damn. Those are some sweet figures. Although Storm Shadow looks like he ran headlong into Strider from LOTR.
Couldn’t tell you why, but my favorite part of my Tomax / Xamot figures were their wicked, turned-up collars. Nothing says bad-ass like a turned-up collar. Unless you’re some frat boy in a polo shirt, in which case you’re probably a douche.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:11 am
It helped that the turned-up collars were solid metal. If polo shirts had metal collars, fratboys would be cool.
“Tomax and Xamot’s quaffs are really what make those figures shine”
Their… ability to drink? Huh?
“It’s slightly disturbing to see that odd ass bump there.”
Those are called “muscles,” something people who don’t sit inside at a computer all day talking about toys have.
So not me, in other words.
Actually, I just looked at the bigger picture, and now I see what you mean. But take a closer look - that’s a “5″, which means it’s a molding artifact, not armor. You’ll see a similar “H” on Tomax’s arm…
December 14th, 2007 at 3:19 am
What’s the use of putting Ace and Wild Weasel together without jets? I don’t think it would be ideal fighting in those cumbersome flight suits on the ground.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
I can never participate in G.I. Joe discussions…it was the one major boys’ toy line of the ’80s that I wasn’t into.
I did enjoy Larry Hama’s run on Wolverine…at least until it got a little too ridiculous with all the conspiracy stuff.
December 14th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
Good contribution, Diane…
December 16th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
[...] Now that Hasbro has announced some upcoming TFAC two-packs, I thought I’d post a couple particular issues that I really want to see figures from. [...]
yo - Joes!
December 16th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
Storm Shadow has a Little Red Riding Ninja thing going on with that poncho, fighting for his grandma’s cookies against the Big Bad Snake Eyes. As for the “comic book” look of the weapons, I don’t remember Storm Shadow ever having bright yellow arrows in the comics.
December 16th, 2007 at 11:24 pm
Bright yellow arrows is Hasbro’s idea of comic book colors I suppose.
December 17th, 2007 at 2:29 am
it’s like the baby blue Stormtroopers with dark red eyes, or tri-tone Chewbacca…
December 17th, 2007 at 8:42 am
Or Darth Vader in light blue with green eyes, or a clone commander with a stormtrooper head, or guns that are coloured bright colours.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:00 am
[...] revealed Wave 4 of the comic two packs in the 25th Anniversary line. These packs feature comics written by A Real American Hero file card and comic scribe Larry Hama like the previous waves of comic packs. Let’s take a look at this wave and see if we have [...]