Friday, January 30, 2026

Wrapping Up 2025: Ralph "Steeler" Pulaski and Short-Fuze from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 


It's been nearly a week since I last reviewed a G.I. Joe: Classified Series figure and today I've got a two for one review for you: Ralph "Steeler" Pulaski and Short-Fuze. When they're doing a two-pack, don't you wish they would have just called Short-Fuze Eric "Short-Fuze" Freistadt instead? I think it would have definitely been nicer. I know why Hasbro has to use the real names on some figures but in a two pack why not just do it for both figures? Of course, I guess you can call them whatever you want when they're out of the package, right?  Steeler and Short-Fuze are two of the Original 13 G.I. Joe team members and just because of that fact alone the have a special place in most fans hearts. Overall, though, they're not the most memorable characters. Short-Fuze was known for being cool and calculating... until he wasn't. Yes, the guy had a bit of a temper. Steeler was a bit reckless, was the driver of the M.O.B.A.T., and did have a few small but important roles in various comics and cartoons over the years. If not for being part of the first series, it's doubtful either would be remembered as fondly. Still, I love the dynamic of the early team with a small, focused group of specialists. Hasbro is slowly completing the Original 13 and all we have left are Zap (coming soon in the Retro Series), Flash, and Grand Slam. Getting two of the original team at once is nice, although initially this set did put me off a bit as both figures felt rather bland unlike some of the other Original 13 members who got something of a nice update. Having them in hand, though, they're better than I originally thought, though not without their shortcomings. The set is a Target exclusive with a limited Hasbro Pulse release, and it's cheaper at Target. Heck, as of  publishing this Target has the set on sale online for $45 dollars, which is a pretty solid buy. Ready to check out Steeler and Short-Fuze? Then join me after the break...

(Note: This set does come with some accessories and effects that aren't clearly distributed to either character.)

The Facts: Ralph "Steeler" Pulaski

Height: 6 1/4ths inches 

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

Accessories: Helmet, Uzi, pistol, suppressor, holster, knife, rifle w/ removable magazine, and 9 firing effects pieces (shared with Short-Fuze).
The Facts: Short-Fuze

Height: 6 1/4ths inches 

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

Accessories: Helmet, glasses, pistol, knife, rifle w/ removable magazine, shovel, backpack, 4 piece mortar launcher, mortar, and 9 firing effects pieces (shared with Short-Fuze).

Non-Scalper Price: $55 to $63 dollars

Year of Release 2025

The Positives:


* Steeler is one of those figures that's not too different in design from the vintage figure, though he doesn't really feel outdated too me. He's sporting an OD green jumpsuit, black gloves and boots, and a harness and belt combination with his gear on it. Not bad. He's not the most exciting figure but I do like the more subdued appearance of the Original 13 members. The belt/ harness with holsters are one separate piece though it's not removable. Plenty of little sculpted details are present like the pockets on the sleeves, some little rings for clipping on equipment on the belt, and a ribbed shirt or sweater visible underneath his jumpsuit. There's not a lot of paint here but the little present is near and clean. 






* The portrait is really good, giving Steeler some pretty slick hair and a handsome face. He definitely looks like he could be a bit of a rebel as his file card alludes to. He's even sporting a little five o'clock shadow. 


* Steeler's helmet is unique to him so far as best as I can tell. It looks well armored with two shades of green a large visor, and attached ear protection and communications equipment. It stays on well and has a microphone positioned just right for communicating with the rest of the team while rolling the M.O.B.A.T. through the worst of whatever Cobra can throw at it.






* The visor is hinged and can flip down to cover Steeler's eyes. The visor does have a lens (it's a bit smoky) and while I'm sure it functions as eye protection, I think it's also supposed to be some sort of optical enhancement as well. I imagine it could have a holographic HUD inside with information that Steeler needs to see at a glance while operating the M.O.B.A.T.







* There are quite a few reused accessories in this set, the first being an Uzi. This is shared with the original Snake Eyes Classified Series figure, which was true of the Uzi in the vintage line; both Steeler and Snake Eyes came with one. It's a decent weapon for providing a bit of defense if the M.O.B.A.T. and some Cobra troops get too close. 








* The Uzi can easily store in this holster on Steeler's left hip. There's also a little pouch on the front for storing extra gear.












* The pistol is also reused from that original Snake Eyes figure. it still has a removable suppressor (which can be used on the Uzi) and an extended magazine. 








* The pistol fits into the holster on the front of Steeler's harness. The holster can be removed (though it's a pain to get back on) and it can rotate, allowing for Steeler to draw it from different angles. The strap that holds the pistol in place works really well. 







* This knife was first seen with Outback and is an excellent sculpt with a silver paint application for the blade. This honestly could be intended for Short-Fuze but I think it fits better in Steeler's sheath.









* The sheath is on Steeler's right hip and there is a storage pouch, the sheath for his knife, and a spot for holding the suppressor. That means he can hold all of the gear we've looked at so far and still have his hands free for driving. Nice!








* Short-Fuze has always been one of the plainest figures in the Joe series, even from the Original 13. The Classified Series definitely feels a bit "old school" compared to most other figures though he does have more pouches for carrying gear, an improved backpack, and a pistol and sheath for carrying some weapons. I like the use of two different colors of green on Short-Fuze with the lighter green sweater and the darker green pants. It adds a nice bit of variation to the figure. His belts and gear are black and brown and while they're separate piece, none of them are really removable. Even his holster, sheath, and thigh pouch aren't removable due to how tightly they're on the figure. I mean, yeah, if you used heat or disassembled the figure you could do it, but why bother?




* Some of these characters from the Original 13 shared headsculpts in the vintage line, so it wasn't until the Marvel comic that they had a distinct look. Flash, Hawk, Steeler, and Short-Fuze all shared the same portrait in the 1982 Joe line! Short-Fuze is blond and has glasses. Seriously, that's about all I expect. Well, he's blond here, and it's a good portrait with a shorter, modern hairstyle. The glasses are a separate piece which we'll get to in a minute. 







* The helmet also features two shades of green paint with a brown battery pouch in the back. It's really similar to other helmets we've seen on Original 13 members though it's the exact same mold as the Col. Hawk figure that comes with the M.M.S. as both have the protective visor attachment. 








* The visor flips down and offers some decent protection from debris and such. The glasses are also on in this picture and, with the helmet helping to hold them in place, they look pretty good. 







* I like the little radio on Short-Fuze's right shoulder strap and the painted pouches on his sleeves. It's all greens, browns, and blacks, but the color choices and variety do still make him pop. 















* Short-Fuze has plenty of storage space including some pouches on his belt and this larger pouch on his right hip. 




* He's also sporting the same pistol as Outback. Three of Outback's accessories are reused here, likely because Hasbro wanted to use the shovel. This is a really interesting pistol that seems like a heavily modified Colt M1911A. It seemed like it should have been unique to Outback but maybe Outback helped Short-Fuze modify one for his own use.






* The pistol can easily be stored in the holster on Short-Fuze's left thigh.









* We saw the Uzi, suppressor, and pistol from the original Classified Series Snake Eyes release so now we've got the knife. It's a wicked little blade with a curve to it. I'd assume that Short-Fuze uses it more for tinkering around with his equipment rather than slaughtering Vipers, but who knows? Maybe Short-Fuze goes nuts when he really loses his temper!






* There's a sheath on his left hip(that doesn't really slip off easily) for storing the knife. 







 
* Part of what made the original Short-Fuze dull is his mortar launcher. Obviously mortars have a place in battle but the G.I. Joe team was usually depicted as a strike force. Now, granted, maybe Short-Fuze sometimes stayed back, launched a few rounds in right before the Joes hit, but overall it seemed like not the most practical accessory. Still, it's what he did and we have it here nice updated. The tube is hollow, the site rotates, and the design is based on the more recent (2011) M224A1 60 mm Lightweight Company Mortar System. I'm glad he's not carrying the same Vietnam era launcher the vintage figure had. 


* The bipod also is adjustable and the base is on a balljoint. There's actually a lot of articulation here and the M224A1 can be disassembled into four separate pieces. It's a nice design for what it is. Now, if I were in charge of updating the character I would have given him a short range drone for delivering precise attacks while the team is on a missions. Seems more useful for a special strike team than a mortar. Still, I'm sure there are times when Short-Fuze launching smoke rounds or illumination rounds is pretty invaluable. 






* A standard round is included which can fit inside the mortar launcher tube. It's nicely designed, though I wish he came with more than one.







* Besides just being able to fit in the tube, it's also possible to use the firing effects to create a cool looking effect of the mortar firing. That's really a neat extra and a fun use of the firing effects. 






* A short shovel, or entrenching tool, is included to help Short-Fuze dig out positions and find a good spot for his launcher. This is another piece from Outback and probably the main reason Hasbro used the mold that all of his accessories were included on. 









* Short-Fuze comes with an interesting backpack designed to hold the mortar launcher, shovel, and maybe even a rifle. It looks like it's engineered to be lightweight and built with a carrying handle for toting it around. 








* You can pop off the base of the mortar launcher and attach it to the side of the tube, allowing the launcher to fold up and be placed onto the carrying pack. The peg on the backpack (either side) can also hold the entrenching tool. A rifle can go there as well, though it might stretch out the trigger guard a bit.






* There's not a lot to say new about the articulation on either Short-Fuze or Steeler: Both figures move well, are sturdy, and can utilize all of their accessories. They're fun figures and they come with some cool accessories and firing effects which make them even more fun to pose in different ways. I really like the articulation on the Classified Series and both of these guys can take full advantage of it as their uniforms don't really impede the articulation much at all. 





* These two rifles originally came with Recondo and Outback but they're included here, too. Who uses what? I tend to think Recondo's M14 goes better with Short-Fuze while Outback's AR-10  is a better fit for Steeler, but you could swap them up and no one would care at all. They're both nice accessories and some of the better guns in the line to date.








* Both of them have removable magazines as well, so you can have them practice and practice until they perfect the perfect reload. 










* Nine firing effects are included for the set. We've seen these before, sure, but it's nice that we get a set of these once or twice a year to use with multiple figures. The same nine pieces are included and some can be used with the mortar launcher and mortar as seen above. All pieces included fit into the suppressor, both rifles, and Short-Fuse's pistol. Some of the effects can even attach together for more elaborate effects. 



The Negatives:



* I don't have many negatives with Steeler. Just one, really: His chest holster feels a bit large and unwieldy. When it comes off, it's also a real paint in the rear to reattach. 


* Short-Fuze continues the saga of removable glasses and whether or not they're a good idea. Some work great while others don't. Short-Fuze's look good but, unless you're using the helmet with them, don't bother, There is no place to attach them. I wish they had been a permanent part of the sculpt or we'd received two separate portraits, one with glasses and one without.







* The sheath on Short-Fuze's ankle can slip down and it's a pain to keep in place. It's also pretty narrow and doesn't want to slide over the ankle, so I'll have to use some heat if I want to remove it and risk ripping it. 









* Something is wrong with Short-Fuze's right hand. It feels slightly misshapen and it makes it hard for him to hold most weapons properly. Just a QC issue on mine or do other figures have this?







   I do have some quibbles with the set but both figures are really pretty good, especially if you picked this up at Target rather than on Hasbro Pulse (even better if you got it one of the times it was on sale). I wasn't thrilled with such a traditional look for both characters at first but they both turned out really nicely. Heck, even Short-Fuze's mortar launcher is more exciting than I thought. It's a fairly complex little gadget. Including some extra rifles and the effects set again really spices up not just this set but other figures in your collection. It's a Great and a 1/2 set, especially if you're excited about building the Original 13. We're only three away and Zap will be here before long.

These are the first figures of Steeler and Short-Fuze that I've reviewed on the site. For more reviews from the G.I. Joe: Classified Series check out the following:
Destro  
Flint  





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