Rise of Cobra Paratrooper
It’s been a real pain in the buttocks getting some of the GI Joe product lately. Like Transformers before it, GI Joe is booming. Thanks in large part to the recent movie and a new line of figures that enjoy the same increased articulation and sculpt as the 25th anniversary line, it looks like the GI Joe franchise is going to be around for at the very least a few more years.
The rise in popularity is both good and bad for us collectors. On one hand, we’re getting a deluge of product from Hasbro, who is milking this cash cow like… well, like Hasbro. We’re now seeing re-paints, re-tools, and kitbashes of older models to fill in the line. This includes both vehicles and figures. Some are pretty crappy (like the boring exclusive 2-packs) and a few are a vast improvement on the older ones.
The Cobra Paratroopper is one of the later. If you have the 25th anniversary figure, then you know what to expect here. There are really only three differences between the 25th Anniversary version and the Rise of Cobra movie version.
The first is a purely cosmetic retool. On the right thigh of the 25th Anniversary version, there’s a little doohicky-thingamajig. On his left there are two pockets that store clips. In the Rise of Cobra version, they’re switched. This presents a small problem because Hasbro, in all their infinite wisdom, didn’t switch the sheath for the knife that goes on the right lower leg. This means that the hilt of the knife constantly hits the two clips on the ROC version. A little thing that is annoying as all get out.
The second is the BFG that all Rise of Cobra figures now come with. This Ridoncoulously Huge Firearm is more ridoncoulous than the others I’ve seen. This is mostly because it is also supposed to be a Insanely Unlikely Flight-Pack of some sort. It’s got handles and helicopter blades and everything. There aren’t any instructions and it’s not really obvious how he’s supposed to use this idiotic gadget, but there it is. It’s also got a handle and a requisite projectile if you insist on using it as a Retardedly Ginormous Rocketlauncher.
The third difference is the most obvious and most welcome. The color.
Let’s face it, although the Paratrooper was a great sculpt and came with some nice accessories, they were ruined by the clown colors that Hasbro choose for him. The only time parachutists would be seen wearing purple, orange, and yellow would be during an air show. If you’re jumping from near orbit and opening low, then I sincerely doubt you want an outfit that screams “Here I am! Take me out!” You couldn’t even use his gear for other figures because it was so awful.
So when the Rise of Cobra version came out, most collectors were pretty psyched. Here’s that same great looking toy, but in nicely sinister black, grey, and red. Imagine having an army of these scary bastards raining down on you from on high. I’d piss myself.
Accessories on the new one are the same except for the aforementioned Idiotically Oversized Projectile Weapon. You get his parachute with the tubing, his helmet and removable googles, the harness for his legs, a sub-machine gun, a knife, flippers that can be stored behind his legs, and some kind of dumb looking sniper rifle with a stand and clip.
I tossed the rifle in my extra junk box immediately. It looks kind of awful and doesn’t really go well with a parachutist. No where to store it really. I like the fins, but I kind of wish that some of the extra pockets on his parachute could come off so he would look more in place with a bunch of Cobra Eels. Still, I can’t complain a lot since he looks so great as he is.
Overall, the Rise of Cobra Paratrooper is a great buy. His articulation may be a bit lacking due to his gear, but then for anyone who’s watched Band of Brothers on HBO, you know that’s the case with these guys. if you’re lucky enough to find him at retail, I suggest buying at least one for your collection. 
Final Fantasy XIII
Product shots from Square Enix Products
I don’t normally post news. Mostly, it’s because I know there are a hundred other toy sites out there that can do it better than me. But often it’s because I don’t really find any toy news that I really feel like commenting on beyond to say “Wow! that’s awesome!”
Let’s face it. That’s what forum boards are for.
When I saw the new figures from Play Arts, I couldn’t believe how incredible these seemed. Now, I have barely any idea what the story to Final Fantasy XIII is. Hell, I barely know what the story behind any of the other ones are. I don’t play many video games, so my knowledge is based mostly on the Advent Children movie and a quick run through Crisis Core.
However, I’ve been a fan of the Play Arts line since first getting Cloud with Fenrir a few years ago. It was one of my first purchases as a toy collector and I’ve never regretted getting the set. I’ve tried to get as many of the rest as I can, but considering that these are imports from Japan and run about p1,500.00, plus the fact that they have relatively low runs, means that completists are shit out of luck.
Hopefully, I can save enough money to score these three in one go, but seeing as they’re pretty hard to get, I may have to put down some money to pre-order them. I missed out on the Star Ocean pair, and I do not wan to let go of these.
Oerba Dia Vanille:
This is really where I started geeking out about these figures. Just look at that second picture. She’s got DOUBLE JOINTED KNEES! That is something I’ve never seen outside Hasbro figures. If you’ve never played with a figure with double knee joints, you don’t know what you’re missing. The playability of a figure is increased exponentially.
Plus her little whip/staff/whatever thing folds and hangs at her back. That’s just sweet that is.
Lightning:
Another great female figure. If there was one thing that sold me on Play Arts figures, it was the way they made their female figures. They are flat out the BEST sculpts vs. articulation I can find, out scoring Figma, Revoltech, or any of the superhero lines. Lightning is another great example of it. Sure some of the joints are visible, but they are functional which is by far the winner in my book.
She also has some great details around her, including the same foldable weaponry and POCKETS! All adventuring heroes need pockets.
Snow Villiers:
I’ll admit that this isn’t the one that’s on the top of my list, but I can’t help but want it. It’s not that great a design, it’s not a character I love, and he doesn’t seem to have any of those wicked accessories… but he’s got an articulated coat. Where’ve you EVER seen that? Yeah that’s how easy I am.
If you’re just getting into toy collecting and you want a really good line that isn’t so extensive so as to drain your wallet, of great quality, and a pretty decent license, try for Play Arts. They may be more expensive, but considering you only need 3 per wave, and there’s only maybe 1 wave every year or year and a half, that’s pretty manageable.
If you're looking for biased, one-sided views of toys and other assorted geekery, then you're in the right place. If you want objective, you'll need a blog written by someone who isn't an obsessive geek.
These are my views on various toys, movies, places, and things, along with assorted pictures and the the occasional link to stuff I find sufficiently geeky.
Enjoy your stay and leave a comment.
Slangards
I may give you a half-way serious answer.
