Here comes the third team member of the Haslab Dragonfly crew: Rip Cord in his Night Force gear. Rip Cord was the first tier/ stretch goal figure unlocked (at 13,000 orders) and, since he's decked out in his Night Force gear and was part of the 1984 series, we'll likely see a standard version (or Retro version) at some point in the near future. While Rip Cord isn't one of the A-list Joes like Snake Eyes, Duke, Roadblock, Scarlett, Flint, or Barbecue, he definitely has some recognizability due to appearing in one of the most popular years of the vintage line, appearing in the Sunbow animated series, having a pretty well remembered storyline (when he date Candy Appel, A.K.A. Bongo the Balloon Bear, and goes on a solo mission to rescue her from Cobra Island), and appearing in 2009's G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra where he was played by Marlon Wayans. Rip Cord / Wallace Weems is an interesting character as he has all of those accomplishments and appearances and yet he only received one vintage figure and seems to often be confused with other characters, or intentionally renamed. Also, sometimes his name is written as Ripcord with no space, while other times he's Rip Cord (with a space). Has Rip Cord received any action figures since the vintage line?
Yes, has. In 2003, as part of the G.I. Joe Vs. Cobra: Spy Troops, there was also a figure that was named HALO Jumper, Ripcord's MOS, with the file name Wallace Weems. The name was changed during the run, however, and the figure became Sgt. Airborne instead, now with Airborne's classic name of Franklin Talltree. Airborne wasn't a HALO Jumper but a helicopter assault trooper. In 2009 as part of the 25th Anniversary Collection, Airborne was released in the Assault on Cobra Island set....just kidding, no he wasn't. It looked like Airborne but the figure was named Spc. Altitude and given the file card name Phillip Arndt, like the Sky Patrol Altitude figure with the file name of Freefall. Who the heck was this guy supposed to be anyway? That same year there were four Rip Cord figures released as part of the Rise of Cobra line, all called Wallace "Ripcord" Weems and based on Marlon Wayans' likeness. None were outfitted as paratroopers/ HALO Jumpers, though they were pretty cool, especially the one outfitted in full camo. Lastly there was a Ripcord figure in 2011 based on the short lived G.I. Joe: Renegades who did have paratrooper gear and favored the Marlon Wayans take on the character over any other previous versions. While he wasn't part of the vintage Night Force subset, a Night Force Rip Cord did come out as a 1/18th scaled figure with the Haslab Skystriker a couple years back (2022), which seems to be what this figure is based on. Why'd I spend all that time on this? I just find it interesting. Thanks for sticking around! Let's dive in to the main review after the break...
The Facts:
Height: 6 1/4th inches
Articulation: Double swivel/ hinge ankles, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, ball jointed drop down hips, ball jointed waist, balljointed mid-torso, butterfly pecs, swivel/hinge shoulders, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, ball jointed neck base, and a barbell jointed head.
Accessories: Helmet, visor, goggles, air mask, parachute container, pistol, long rifle, short rifle, 2 magazines, altimeter, and suppressor.
Non-Scalper Price: N/A- Stretch Goal with the Dragonfly (XH-1) HasLab.
Comparison:
* Night Force Rip Cord is on the left while the Classified Series Action Pilot: HALO Jumper is on the right. I didn't review that figure back in October when I received him but I did note that he shared a lot of parts with Rip Cord. They're not the same figure, though. Much of the body is different; the Halo Jumper shares a body with Airborne mostly while Rip Cord shares much of his body with Wild Bill.
The Positives:
* Even without his parachute container and straps on, Ripcord still has a lot of OD green on him thanks to his main harness. It's a separate piece but not removable or anything. His flight suit/ jump suit has plenty of pockets and zippers and the harness has plenty of buckles and little rings and such. With no camouflage, Rip Cord's simply wearing black and green, though his grey t-shirt poking out of his suit does give him just a bit of color, I suppose.
* I think this headsculpt makes Rip Cord look a bit younger than his vintage figure looked. That seems fitting, though, as while Rip Cord is highly trained and skilled, he's also a bit brash. I mean, he assaults Cobra Island on his own to rescue Candy Appel. That takes guts and a little bit of ego. He's a redhead and Hasbro did the hair well, even giving it a wash to bring out some more detail rather than making it look flat.
* We've seen this rifle quite a few times now, though I still do like the sculpt and the color scheme used here is pretty nice. This rifle clearly looks like some variation of a SCAR designed for a marksman.
* This compact carbine version is also one we've seen, though it now has that nice green and black color scheme. The plastic on the accessories feels great. Not brittle but not at all rubbery or bendy. Perfection.
* Both rifles have the same removable magazine, too, so you can change them out. Or just give Rip Cord one rifle and have him carry an extra magazine.
* The suppressor for the SCAR-ish weapon is also included and it can fit in either weapon's barrel.
* This pistol is one we haven't seen in quite some time, isn't it? It's the pistol so many of the early figures came with. I like it, even though it doesn't look like any specific model. It's still kind of futuristic yet looks like it would really function.
* There's a holster built onto the left leg strap of Rip Cord's harness, so he's ready to drop into battle with his sidearm at the ready.
The Negatives:
* My only negative here is that the opening flap on the parachute container really looks like it already has some stress marks. While it's cool to store his gear in here, be careful opening and closing it over and over. it might eventually just snap off.
Rip Cord turned out to be an incredible figure! I like him a bit more than Crazylegs (who was a vintage favorite of mine), though I'm not sure if I like him more than Glenda. Maybe just by a hair. He looks incredible all kitted out with a rifle, helmet, goggles, air mask, harness, and his parachute container. This guy just rocks. I'm really curious to see if we'll see the standard Ripcord in the basic line or if Hasbro will include him in the retro carded series with a FN FAL battle rifle. I could be fine either way. This guy, though? He's Epic. I'm loving the Night Force squad in the Classified Series and he's another excellent addition to the ranks.
This is the first figure of Rip Cord/ Ripcord/ Wallace Weems that I've reviewed. For more G.I. Joe: Classified Series reviews check out the following:
Blue Ninjas
Buzzer
Carl "Doc" Greer
Chip "Raptor" Talon & General Ledger
Chuckles
Clutch with VAMP (Multi-Purpose Attack Vehicle)
Buzzer
Carl "Doc" Greer
Chip "Raptor" Talon & General Ledger
Chuckles
Clutch with VAMP (Multi-Purpose Attack Vehicle)
Cobra Viper
Cobra Viper Officer & Vipers
Cobra Viper (Python Patrol)
Copperhead
Courtney "Cover Girl" Krieger
Craig "Rock 'N Roll" McConnel
Crimson Guard
Crimson Strike Team
Crimson Viper
Croc Master & Fiona
David "Big Ben" Bennett (Night Force)
David "Crazylegs" Thomas (Night Force)
David L. "Bazooka" Katzenbogen
David L. "Bazooka" Katzenbogen (Tiger Force)
Desert Commando Snake Eyes
Cobra Viper Officer & Vipers
Cobra Viper (Python Patrol)
Copperhead
Courtney "Cover Girl" Krieger
Craig "Rock 'N Roll" McConnel
Crimson Guard
Crimson Strike Team
Crimson Viper
Croc Master & Fiona
David "Big Ben" Bennett (Night Force)
David "Crazylegs" Thomas (Night Force)
David L. "Bazooka" Katzenbogen
David L. "Bazooka" Katzenbogen (Tiger Force)
Desert Commando Snake Eyes
Profit Director Destro
Python Crimson Guard
Python Patrol Officer
Quick Kick
Range Viper
Recondo (Tiger Force)
Python Crimson Guard
Python Patrol Officer
Quick Kick
Range Viper
Recondo (Tiger Force)
Storm Shadow
Stuart "Outback" Selkirk
Stuart "Outback" Selkirk (Tiger Force)
Techno-Viper
Tele-Viper & Cobra Flight Pod (Trubble Bubble)
Tomax Paoli
Tripwire, Aspara, & M.A.C.L.E.O.D.
Tunnel Rat
Tunnel Rat (Night Force)
Vincent R. "Falcon" Falcone
Vincent R. "Falcon" Falcone & Quarrel (Night Force)
Vypra
Stuart "Outback" Selkirk
Stuart "Outback" Selkirk (Tiger Force)
Techno-Viper
Tele-Viper & Cobra Flight Pod (Trubble Bubble)
Tomax Paoli
Tripwire, Aspara, & M.A.C.L.E.O.D.
Tunnel Rat
Tunnel Rat (Night Force)
Vincent R. "Falcon" Falcone
Vincent R. "Falcon" Falcone & Quarrel (Night Force)
Vypra
No comments:
Post a Comment
What'chu talkin' 'bout?