Action Figure Review: Gabriel " Barbecue" Kelly from G.I. Joe Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   This is it folks: The last review of 2021. Yeah, yeah, I'll be wrapping up 2021 releases well into January but, still, this is the last review for the calendar year and we're going out with a bang. Yes, folks, it's Barbecue from Hasbro's G.I. Joe Classified Series. Hasbro has once again immortalized me in plastic form though, oddly, they left off the 17 from my name and for some reason added the name Gabriel Kelly in there. Who the heck is that, right? It should say Barbecue "Barbecue17" 17. Yeah, that would be more correct. I've had Barbecue for two months now (he showed up during the week of Re-Halloween) and I've had lots of time to go mess around with him. He's really quite cool though, sort of like the Funko POP! Dr. Ian Malcom, he does tend to get himself into all kinds of crazy situations. Barbecue is part of the Target Exclusive "Cobra Island" series but he's been a bit easier to find than most figures. That's because Hasbro didn't underestimate the popularity of this guy. They knew he'd be both a hit with collectors and the ladies. I've also heard he was the most popular toy this Christmas and is expected to become the must have accessory for Spring 2022 fashion. Let's take a look at what might be the greatest action figure ever made, the G.I. Joe Classified Series Barbecue (17), after the break...

Action Figure Review: Alvin "Breaker" Kibbey with RAM Cycle from G.I. Joe Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   October, November, and December were crazy months for action figures this year and I'm woefully behind. Like usual, January is going to be my wrap up month but before the end of 2021 I want to get around to checking out the last few figures from Hasbro's G.I. Joe: Classified Series, which is one of my favorite lines currently out there. The Alley Viper and B.A.T. are actually showing up in stores right now but I haven't managed to get my hands on them yet. Still, I've got lots of new cool stuff to show off, starting with Alvin "Breaker" Kibbey with the RAM Cycle, a Target Special Mission: Cobra Island exclusive figure and vehicle set. Over the last year there has been an interesting in the Classified Series with figures looking less futuristic like the earlier figures in the line and instead looking more like updated versions of the vintage figures. Breaker definitely seems more like an update of the vintage toy (he was one of the Original 13, after all) and while he's "modern" he doesn't have that many futuristic flourishes. In fact, he's rather plain. I managed to walk into a Target back in October and stumble upon this guy which was a real treat. Let's take a look at Alvin "Breaker" Kibbey and the RAM Cycle after the break...

Action Figure Review: Stinkor from Masterverse/ Masters of the Universe: Revelation by Mattel

 

   Today I'm checking out the last figure from series 3 of Mattel's Masterverse/ Masters of the Universe: Revelation line and it's Stinkor, the Evil Master of Odors! I love Stinkor and while he didn't play a massive part in Revelation his appearance in the second episode was pretty impressive and memorable. It was enough to get Stinkor a slot in this line, too. This is a very traditional, very classic looking Stinkor with just a few embellishments inspired by his appearance in the 200x series/ Staction line. This is really an amazing Stinkor figure and even those fans who didn't enjoy MOTU: Revelation ought to give him a look: If you're not wanting to pay over $100 bucks for the excellent Masters of the Universe Classics Stinkor this guy might make a nice consolation prize. Let's take a look at Stinkor after the break...

Action Figure Review: Scare Glow from Masterverse/ Masters of the Universe: Revelation by Mattel

 

   "You will be haunted… by Three Spirits… Without their visits,” said the Ghost, “you cannot hope to shun the path I tread. Expect the first tomorrow, when the bell tolls One."

 

   He's not Jacob Marley but the Masterverse Scare Glow is paying you a visit this Christmas season! OK, I intended for this for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but ended up not getting around to it. Oh well! He's still spooky, it's still the Christmas season, and you're still here. Let's do this! Anyways, Scare Glow has already been released in Masterverse as a Mattel Creations exclusive. He was sold on July 22nd and shipped in September. I even used him as my special Halloween review. This version is not an exclusive, however, and is part of the third series of Masterverse/ Masters of the Universe: Revelation figures. He's not quite as cool as the Mattel Creations exclusive Scare Glow but if you missed out on that one this version of the Evil Ghost of Skeletor isn't a bad consolation prize. Let's take a look at Scare Glow and see how this ghost with the most compares to the previous one after the break...

Action Figure Review: Savage He-Man from Masterverse/ Masters of the Universe: Revelation by Mattel

 

Merry Christmas Eve! How about a big guy and his little helper to kick things off?

   OK, so this isn't exactly what you probably had in mind but I'm pretty excited to be checking out this set so soon after its release. One of the biggest surprises of Masters of the Universe: Revelation part 2 was Adam calling on the Power of Grayskull without the Power Sword and turning into the Savage He-Man, a version of the character that hearkens back to the earliest minicomic where He-Man is a loincloth clad warrior who comes out of the jungle. In the bios for Masters of the Universe Classics, a line that used the idea of multiple He-Man/ guardians of the Power Sword throughout history, this incarnation of the character was called Oo-Lar. Here, though, he's simply Savage He-Man. I'll admit that I didn't love the completely wild and unhinged way Revelation depicted Savage He-Man but I do like the concept (I would have probably toned things down a bit, making him more Tarzan and less a dark and gritty Mr. Peepers). I'm also thrilled Mattel got him out so quickly. The figure is quite a bit smaller and now as crazy as in the show but I'm actually kind of OK with this as it simply makes for a great Oo-Lar/ Jungle He-Man/ Savage He-Man. I'm also loving the inclusion of Orko who was an amazing part of the show, even going toe to toe with Scare Glow. Orko, you are the man and are worthy of all of our love and respect! Let's check out this great set after the break...

Action Figure Review: Fisto from Masterverse/ Masters of the Universe: Revelation by Mattel

 

   The Masterverse marathon continues with another figure from series 3: Fisto! Fisto had very limited screen time in part one of MOTU: Revelation and had a small but memorable role in part 2. Sadly, Fisto didn't live as he and Clamp Champ were turned into zombie-like creatures and then quickly killed. I'll be honest: I wasn't thrilled with those two being killed off like that. I'm OK with a story killing well established characters off, particularly if there death serves a purpose, but Fisto and Clamp Champ's death seemed to happen for shock value and kind of left me aggravated. Remember how the early issues of the DC comic from a few years back randomly and violently killed off characters for shock value? Yeah, that's what this felt like. It's a shame, too, because both of those guys always seemed destined for greatness. Anyways, we do get a really nice Fisto figure out of it. I love Fisto and I really like this figure but mine does have a few annoying quality control issues that sour the experience a bit. Let's check out Fisto after the break and see what's going on with this punchy guy...

Action Figure Review: Andra from Masterverse/ Masters of the Universe: Revelation by Mattel

 

   This mini marathon of Masterverse figures isn't so mini anymore now that we're moving into series 3! That's right, kids, ol' St. Nick came a little early and delivered your boy Barbecue17 some new MOTU toys right before Christmas. Series 3 is a pretty exciting set and I thought I'd kick things off with a look at Andra, a character who has never before been released in toy form. If there's a part of MOTU lore I'm most unfamiliar with it's the Marvel/ Star Comics stories which is actually where Andra first appeared (issue #9). She also was mentioned in the Masters of the Universe Classics bios and appeared in the modern DC comics briefly as well but at this point MOTU: Revelation is clearly her biggest role in the franchise. Andra's a little different in Revelation (the character was originally Caucasian with short blonde hair) but there is a lot of stuff that is also in line with the previous depiction of the character such as her being a friend of Teela's who joins up with Randor's forces and is quickly promoted. I liked Andra in Revelation and I'm really glad that Mattel got her into the line so soon. It's always fun to get a brand new character! Let's take a look at Andra after the break...