Integration

Alyosha · 12-22-2008, 07:42 PM

Got these guys in the mail today from the good folks at Good Stuff To Go - Action Figures (thanks Gail & Ken for the hook-up!), and I can't say that I've ever been happier to get a package right before Christmas! As you can see from the following pics, these figures are (on the whole) pretty darn good as far as comic pack repaints go.

First for Pilot Destro. While most folks have been reticent to express anything postitive about the figure, I like it. If I want slavish copies of stuff from the 80's I'll go dig out my RAH figures and be much more pleased. I expect the the new Joes must be something new-ish with the same flavor, and Destro is very reminiscent of the RAH Star Brigade version. He has a cool removable headset and mic (sans ear though, so it's hard to keep them it in place), with detailed backpack/hoses, a well designed chestplate and very cool painted hog-leg.

While the crampons may be a bit over the top, they do look cool and go well with the overall design. The web harness and gear are all removable so posability is good. Overall- 8 out of 10 (mostly because it's new).

Pilot Destro

Next is Storm Shadow in what looks to be some kind of battle armor. The gear is all well detailed and the colors are overall muted. I expect to see a lot of Budo customs utilizing these parts. He comes with a spear which has two heads and is almost identical to the ones that came with the Ninja Battle Pack from a few years ago (one of my fave repaints in the modern era).

I'm not certain (Destro can give an answer here) but I belive the head may be the version which was originally to come on the DD style SS from the famous and well recieved two pack with Firefly. He also comes with a dead ringer for Dice's unique face armor, and again I expect that we'll be seeing a boatload of customs using it shortly. Overall- 8 out of 10 (again, because it's a new look, see a trend).

Storm Shadow

Up next is Shockblast (wave). Honestly, I am disappointed with this figure. The Cobra Soldier body and arms are way too skinny to look right, regardless of how many people used them for custom versions anyway. There were much better choices available, and it's a pity they weren't used.

The new head sculpt is very accurate to the mask the original wore (same striping pattern) and thankfully it's not Beach Head melon sized like the old RAH version. Unfortunately, dueto the sculpt, he is always looking slightly up. Forgivable. The interchangable headgear and gasmask are very well done and are a nice bonus. The cap needed a little dremel lovin' right off the bat though. The side of the hat were thick-ish and made it stick out WAY far on the sides of the head. Bad enough that I couldn't wait until I took pics.

The new lower leg and boot sculpts are great, although I think someone at Hasbro loves the cold weather boots with the ribbed uppers. The knife sculpt is nicley details. The holsters are functional (read BIG) but again if your slavish, you'll be happy. The left side being a bit larger and sticking out a bit farther than the right. The pistols are re-sized copies of the vintage one, which was a nice suprise. Altogether not a bad rendition in the current format. Overall- 7 out of 10 (could have been higher with a better torso and arms for sure!)

Shockblast

Lastly, our boy T-Rat. Those of you who are scale freaks will love this, as he's short. Short and fugly. I guess it works, but I'll be changing the head out for one of my casts right away.

As you can tell, not a fan of the headsculpt. As a matter of fact, I find it almost offensive in a stereotypical way given the eyes and how over the top they seem. The flares of the jawline are also a bit off-putting, as well as the head sitting low on the neck for a deliberate "shorty" look.

The legs are new, and I suspect from the upcoming needless Shipwreck re-sculpt. The torso and arms are decent choices, and the removable gear is well done. The holster and pistol fit so well together you almost can't tell it's removable. The ridiculously sized machine-gun is also present, but being a new sculpt I'll cut it a break. Overall- 7.5 out of 10 (a better headsculpt, and it's a 9 easy).

Tunnel Rat

And there you go. My first official review. Hope it helps inform and maybe even convince you that these are worth a look.

12-22-2008, 07:42 PM	#1
Alyosha Nemesis Creator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 212	Got these guys in the mail today from the good folks at Good Stuff To Go - Action Figures (thanks Gail & Ken for the hook-up!), and I can't say that I've ever been happier to get a package right before Christmas! As you can see from the following pics, these figures are (on the whole) pretty darn good as far as comic pack repaints go. First for Pilot Destro. While most folks have been reticent to express anything postitive about the figure, I like it. If I want slavish copies of stuff from the 80's I'll go dig out my RAH figures and be much more pleased. I expect the the new Joes must be something new-ish with the same flavor, and Destro is very reminiscent of the RAH Star Brigade version. He has a cool removable headset and mic (sans ear though, so it's hard to keep them it in place), with detailed backpack/hoses, a well designed chestplate and very cool painted hog-leg. While the crampons may be a bit over the top, they do look cool and go well with the overall design. The web harness and gear are all removable so posability is good. Overall- 8 out of 10 (mostly because it's new). Pilot Destro Next is Storm Shadow in what looks to be some kind of battle armor. The gear is all well detailed and the colors are overall muted. I expect to see a lot of Budo customs utilizing these parts. He comes with a spear which has two heads and is almost identical to the ones that came with the Ninja Battle Pack from a few years ago (one of my fave repaints in the modern era). I'm not certain (Destro can give an answer here) but I belive the head may be the version which was originally to come on the DD style SS from the famous and well recieved two pack with Firefly. He also comes with a dead ringer for Dice's unique face armor, and again I expect that we'll be seeing a boatload of customs using it shortly. Overall- 8 out of 10 (again, because it's a new look, see a trend). Storm Shadow Up next is Shockblast (wave). Honestly, I am disappointed with this figure. The Cobra Soldier body and arms are way too skinny to look right, regardless of how many people used them for custom versions anyway. There were much better choices available, and it's a pity they weren't used. The new head sculpt is very accurate to the mask the original wore (same striping pattern) and thankfully it's not Beach Head melon sized like the old RAH version. Unfortunately, dueto the sculpt, he is always looking slightly up. Forgivable. The interchangable headgear and gasmask are very well done and are a nice bonus. The cap needed a little dremel lovin' right off the bat though. The side of the hat were thick-ish and made it stick out WAY far on the sides of the head. Bad enough that I couldn't wait until I took pics. The new lower leg and boot sculpts are great, although I think someone at Hasbro loves the cold weather boots with the ribbed uppers. The knife sculpt is nicley details. The holsters are functional (read BIG) but again if your slavish, you'll be happy. The left side being a bit larger and sticking out a bit farther than the right. The pistols are re-sized copies of the vintage one, which was a nice suprise. Altogether not a bad rendition in the current format. Overall- 7 out of 10 (could have been higher with a better torso and arms for sure!) Shockblast Lastly, our boy T-Rat. Those of you who are scale freaks will love this, as he's short. Short and fugly. I guess it works, but I'll be changing the head out for one of my casts right away. As you can tell, not a fan of the headsculpt. As a matter of fact, I find it almost offensive in a stereotypical way given the eyes and how over the top they seem. The flares of the jawline are also a bit off-putting, as well as the head sitting low on the neck for a deliberate "shorty" look. The legs are new, and I suspect from the upcoming needless Shipwreck re-sculpt. The torso and arms are decent choices, and the removable gear is well done. The holster and pistol fit so well together you almost can't tell it's removable. The ridiculously sized machine-gun is also present, but being a new sculpt I'll cut it a break. Overall- 7.5 out of 10 (a better headsculpt, and it's a 9 easy). Tunnel Rat And there you go. My first official review. Hope it helps inform and maybe even convince you that these are worth a look. __________________ Last edited by Alyosha; 12-22-2008 at 07:53 PM..