Friday, August 18, 2023

Action Figure Review: Scrap-Iron & Anti-Armor Drone from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   I always love reviewing G.I. Joe: Classified Series figures! It's still my favorite action figure line out there and probably has been since it came out in 2020. Today I'm checking out Scrap-Iron & Anti-Armor Drone, another "deluxe" release that ships in a larger box with a significantly larger than normal accessory. While there's been a good bit of mockery in regards to what Hasbro refers to as deluxe these days, Scrap-Iron really does fit the bill. I'd wager to say that he's one of my favorite Classified Series releases this year to date. I never had Scrap-Iron as a kid (the vintage figure was "Scrap Iron" with no hyphen) as he was released before I was old enough to play with G.I. Joe figures, but I did have his missile system from the Cobra Battle Gear Accessory pack #4. It was a very impressive accessory in the vintage line and Hasbro has done a great job of not just updating it but modernizing it and improving upon it. This guy is incredible and is another great example of what happens when Hasbro's G.I. Joe team fires on all cylinders. Let's check out Scrap-Iron and the Anti-Armor Drone after the break...





The Facts: Scrap-Iron

Height: 6 1/4ths inches

Articulation: Swivel/ hinge ankles, boot swivels, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, ball jointed drop down hips, ball jointed waist, mid-torso hinge, butterfly pecs, swivel/hinge shoulders, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, ball jointed neck base, and a ball jointed head.

Accessories: Pistol, helmet, and remote control.



The Facts: Anti-Armor Drone

Dimensions: 4 3/4ths in. long, 3 7/8ths in. wide, 2 3/4ths in. tall.

Articulation: Balljointed legs and balljointed launcher.

Accessories: 2 missiles, 2 missile trails, and 4 explosion effects

Non-Scalper Price: $45 dollars

The Positives:

* Scrap-Iron is a character who didn't really need an update from the vintage line. To me, some characters really need the Classified Series upgrade as their vintage outfits and gear are seem woefully outdated for a modern military line, but Scrap-Iron just needed some minor tweaks. He's very true to the vintage figure, but he still feels perfectly modern. Dark blue field gear and a crimson padded vest with black highlights really does seem pretty timeless. As usual, the figure is covered with fantastic textures and details. He's sporting a Cobra emblem on his right bicep, too. 

* The headsculpt is really good, especially considering there's not really any preconceived idea of what Scrap-Iron should look like. He has a buky, non-removable helmet on his vintage toy and the 25th Anniversary editions only had removable goggles with a scarred, but largely nondescript face underneath. This guy rocks. He looks serious with a grimace on his face, lots of serious scars, and a cool high and tight haircut. Hasbro's Joe team has really done a great job with most headsculpts in the line, particularly the Cobra guys. 



* Check out the left side of his face. Man, Scrap-Iron has seen some stuff, hasn't he? He's really been through it. This is amazing sculpting and paintwork, particularly considering this is a mass market release.



* Of course Scrap-Iron comes with his helmet. It fits snugly on his head and looks pretty good. It's not as oversized as the vintage figure's hemet. You've got a stylized Cobra logo on there along with a shinier black paint app for the goggles and some grey paint applications on the ear protection.




* The detailing on Scrap-Iron's armored vest is so cool and I'm loving his grenades, too. The vest is a separate but non removable piece sitting over his torso, and it reallys gives him an armored, padded up quality.


* As is typically the case with the Classified Series, I'm pleased as punch with the articulation here. Scrap-Iron moves well, can take a great variety of poses, and interacts nicely with his pistol and drone controller. These are really sturdy, durable figures that have some of the best articulation out there. The only place where there is a bit of restricted motion on Scrap-Iron is his toso, as he's wearing that heavy vest. 


* Scrap-Iron comes with a really cool pistol. It just has a really neat look to it. I believe it's actually a .22 magnum of some sort, which seems odd for a guy like Scrap-Iron who is piloting a missile launching drone, but his vintage file card also talked about how he's "methodical and precise." Maybe that's why he prefers a .22 magnum? 30 rounds, low recoil, and a tack driver, this allows him to put some hurt where he needs it.




* His pistol fits perfectly in the holster on his right hip. I imagine he doesn't have to use it often but, when he does, it's there for him.




* Scrap-Iron also include the control device for his drone. I love it! It kind of looks like a Nintendo Switch, but much more rugged and with some additional antennae on it to cut down on interference and lag. The little red viewscreen is pretty neat, too. 



* Now let's talk about Scrap-Iron's Anti-Armor Drone. This thing is pretty large and is a solid chunk of plastic with a really cool look to it. Instead of the tripod of the vintage release, this launcher is now a drone and has tank treads, allowing it to operate independently from Scrap-Iron's location.



* There's quite a bit of writing on the Anti-Armor Drone, including the MARS logo and details about the piezo-electric launcher. Serial numbers, a unit designation; lots of little stuff like that. 



* The back of the drone has some taillights and a Cobra logo.You can see lots of equipment mounted on the top of the launcher, too.



* The Anti-Armor Drone does have some articulation: The top of the "legs" are balljointed, as is the main turret on top. This allows for the drone to pose and sit on uneven terrain and to take better firing positions for multiple angles. This thing is sturdy, too.




* The missiles are large, "lazer-guided," and you get two of them. They fit securely inside the drone's turret.





* Want to make the missiles look like they're flying? Then use the two included missile trails! There are two separate pieces, one longer and one shorter, and they fit into the missile launcher and the missiles attach to the trails. This is such a really cool effect!




* The set comes with four other flame effects, too. First up is kind of a swoosh. This is a large effect with a wall of smoke and flame rushing across the ground. 






* The second looks like the results of an impact, a mixture of smoke and fire bursting up into the air!




* Last up are two pieces that look like something has just hit the ground, causing an impact and leaving a trail of smoke and flame. 

The Negatives:



* The treads look cool on the drone, though I am a bit disappointed that they don't actually move. I was hoping they would function. You know, at least rolling around. 

   Scrap-Iron and the Anti-Armor Drone is probably my favorite G.I. Joe: Classified Series release of the year so far. Scrap-Iron is just such a cool figure with a phenomenal headsculpt and the drone is a very cool, very versatile accessory. Usually, for an August release, I'd say this is Epic set is probably going to be my favorite for the year, but with Lowlight, Tunnel Rat, Big Ben, Shooter, Grunt, the HISS tank, and others, there's still to much coming that could surpass this line keeps impressing me and it's clear that Hasbro's Joe team is passionate about the line. This set just feels like a deluxe effort and is absolutely worth it.


This is the first figure of Scrap-Iron I've reviewed on the site. For more G.I. Joe: Classified Series reviews, check out the following:
Flint  













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6 comments:

  1. GIJigsawAugust 19, 2023 at 7:50 AM

    This is an amazing set. Actually can't believe I found one out in the wild.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barbecue17September 1, 2023 at 11:56 AM

      Yeah, Hasbro seems to be shipping full cases of this one as I've seen a shelf full of the set at a few places.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousAugust 19, 2023 at 4:44 PM

    Really impressed with this figure, I was overwhelmed by how many different blast effects he comes with. If there was one thing I would change, aside from the drone actually being able to roll, is somewhere on the drone to slot in the control device for storage, or even something on Scrap Iron to put it in, like Cover Girl had for her tablet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barbecue17September 1, 2023 at 11:57 AM

      I was thinking that too! It really would have been cool for there to be a slot on the back of the drone for Scrap-Iron's Nintendo Switch, err, I mean his drone control device.

      Delete
  3. Big ToneAugust 19, 2023 at 6:53 PM

    Really digging this one! Scrap Iron should have gotten way more screen time in the cartoon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barbecue17September 1, 2023 at 11:58 AM

      Yeah, he never got much time there, or even in the comic.

      Delete

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