The most recent series of basic G.I. Joe Classified Series figures have been showing up slowly and I'll start reviewing them by taking a look at the Cobra Officer. The Cobra Trooper and Cobra Infantry have been two of the best figures in the line, so I had high hopes for the Cobra Officer. Since those figures were released earlier in the line, the aesthetic of the figures has changed a bit with the designs more strongly favoring their vintage counterparts. I was a bit concerned that we'd get a downgraded, less modern feeling figure but, fortunately, the Cobra Officer nicely pairs with the Cobra figures we've already received. The vintage Cobra Officer was released in the original 1982 series and has shown up multiple times over the years in different designs. This one takes the cake for me and is an amazing figure. Let's check out the Cobra Officer after the break...
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, forearm swivels, swivel/hinge wrists, ball jointed neck base, hinged neck, and a ball jointed head.
Accessories: Rifle, smg, 2 magazines, sight for rifle, pistol, knife, sheathe, helmet, backpack
Non-Scalper Price: $23 dollars
* Just for comparison, the Cobra Officer is on the left while the Cobra Infantry is on the right. There are some shared parts here (waist, legs) but details like the boots and gloves are really different. The Officer is definitely more traditional, but still quite modern and not wearing a low collared, pajama looking outfit like the cartoon. I'm OK with the Officer's outfit being a bit more focused on design while the Infantry and Troopers have more armored pieces. The helmets and portraits are also different.
The Positives:
* The Cobra Officer looks fantastic with a very standard, all purpose battle uniform. The textures are fantastic and there are places where you can tell there's a bit more padding or armor. The team working on this line does a great job on sculpting different textures on the various pieces of clothing the figures are wearing and it's always a treat to see their work. The gloves are long, nearly elbow length leather looking gloves and the Cobra emblem on the chest is a sculpted detail that has been painted silver to designate the Officer. There's also some unique designs around the collar and a small grid that presumably shows off the Officer's rank.
* The headsculpt is excellent. Yeah, most of it is hidden, but the Cobra Officer looks pretty intimidating. While the mask over his face looks like it's made of something soft and breathable, the hood over his head seems more like something with some armor or protective padding to it.
* Not only is his unique web gear cool (I like the grey details on the straps) but he's also sporting a rank pauldron on his left shoulder. Unless you disassemble the figure it doesn't seem removable as it doesn't fit over the glove easily.
* The hemet is a bit less flashy from the back and sides than the helmets of the Cobra grunts but there is a rank insignia on the front to help the Cobras know who to listen to in battle. It might make a good target for Lowlight, too.
* Like the Cobra troops before him, the articulation on this figure is just amazing all around. He moves really well and looks fantastic holding his weapons in a variety of poses. This is definitely one of my favorites to pick up and mess around with.
* Like the vintage version, this version of the Cobra Officer comes with an AK styled rifle. It's a great sculpt and while I do kind of miss the more sci-fi/ futuristic weapons of the earlier figures in the line, I do like the takes on more real world inspired weapons as well. The rifle has a banana magazine, a loop for a sling on the stock, a hollow barrel for a muzzle effect, and what I believe is a laser target designator on the right side of the handguard.
This is the first Cobra Officer I've reviewed. For more G.I. Joe: Classified Series reviews check out the following:
This is an awesome figure. I need to set up some Classified dioramas this weekend.
ReplyDeleteHe is really cool. This is definitely my favorite ongoing action figure line right now. Each figure is just so unique and well done.
DeleteI love how much stuff the team packs into each figure. I don't love the price hikes, but with this line I feel like Hasbro tries to provide value for the figures. Great breakdown!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Yeah, the G.I. Joe lines thus far has still felt like Hasbro is really including some worthwhile extras. I hate that they seem to want to keep all of their lines at the same MSRP, though. You would think brands they own like MMPR and Joe would be a bit less due to no licensing fees, likeness rights, etc.
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