I really think it is inevitable for them to do ARAH designs but just like with other brands they need to pump out the non-definitive versions first and make us wait for the slow but certain release of our favorites. They’ll start with an exclusive deluxe of a character like Zartan I bet. Destro is essentially ARAH so again give it 1 year and we will begin seeing them more commonly.
I’m definitely down for arah, thou I’m liking most of the redesigns too. I agree destro can already pass for arah, though I’d personally like his more ‘boiler suit’ look from the early comics too:
Since we’re on the topic of Classified deluxes, here are the one I think would make ideal deluxes: Zartan Serpentor Flash w/ JUMP platform Steel Brigade Cobra Commander Battle Armor & Fred VII 82 Hawk & Destro (you know Hasbro would do this) Flashback Snake Eyes & Tommy Arashikage 85 Snake Eyes & Timber Tomax & Xamot Croc Master & crocodile 83 Duke & 83 Roadblock Cobra Trooper w/ CLAW Zandar & Zarana
Was watching “Resolute” on the Tubi app last night (best Joe movie ever?), and it’s still a good watch. I know it’s not the ARAH designed characters, but it almost feels like a continuation/closure of that line. I never watched “Renegades” or “Sigma6”, which are also on Tubi, but I can tell “Resolute” is neither of those styles of animation. “Resolute” may be it’s own thing, but it does touch on themes established with ARAH, from the cartoon and comics. From the history and conflict between Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow, the relationship between Destro and the Baroness, the triangle between Snake/Scarlett/Duke (which kinda takes from both the cartoon and the comic), to the training and interaction with the new recruits. It feels like old school G.I. Joe. I liked the blend of classic and new characters from Roadblock and Stalker to Tunnel Rat and a new Dial-Tone. I liked how they played up Gung-Ho being a more eloquent soldier taking a more active leadership role. It had probably the most ruthless portrayal of Cobra Commander on a screen, which was awesome. I like how they left it ambiguous whether or not he survived the Springfield explosion. I think the only character they really dropped the ball with was Zartan. I think he should’ve had a round with Snake-Eyes for killing his master instead of getting shot in the back like a chump. And I was really glad that they resolved this relationship. As much as I wish Snake-Eyes to find some peace and happiness in his life, I think he would understand why these two belong together, at least in the animated iterations. I’m curious to see what they do with the live action characters in the new Snake-Eyes movie (if it’s ever released, damn pandemic). I understand Scarlett is supposed to be in the movie, not sure about Duke. But the way “Resolute” handled this triangle made sense for these characters. Overall, I think “Resolute” is what the G.I. Joe movie could’ve been without all the Cobra-La nonsense. Although “Resolute” didn’t resolve everything about the ARAH like where was Sgt. Slaughter, are Duke and Falcon really half-bros, where was the rest of the team, etc.? I do think “Resolute” was a good foundation to continue the themes from ARAH in a new modern style. It had great action, excellent animation, and well-rounded character development (except for Zartan). All this was just to say this; I’ve missed G.I. Joe and I’m glad they’re slowly starting to make a comeback via the new Classified Series, the live action movies, and possibly a retro line. Now I think it would be awesome if they developed a new cartoon as well using “Resolute” as a basis. Thanks for listening to my overaged nerdy ramble. YO JOE!!
Grabbed a Destro preorder on Target earlier and Duke from Amazon to wrap up my first wave. Now I can skip trips to Covid-Mart until the retro line hits. I’m willing to bet in a Snake Eyes movie any relationship in the story would be a Snake Eyes relationship. that being said, I can do without all the shitting where you eat Joe romance nonsense.
I liked it save for getting Storm Shadow completely wrong but it’s a different incarnation and done with. Hasbro seemed to be basing stuff of Renegades more after I premiered but not sure what angle they’ll play with now. I just hope this new effort they’re putting in with Classified lasts and is planned for the longterm. As someone who’s been hoping for this since 2007, you can see how I’ve become apprehensive.
Agree. Resolute is overall the best piece of modern Joe material. The story is fun, the character redesigns are the best to date. I can’t really blame Ellis for jettisoning the convoluted SS story. I have to say I like SS as a bad guy. I would take 6” Resolute figures over Classified is less than a second.
That right there...with blastoff effect stand for the jetpack that can mount on the platform, perfect fit for a deluxe assortment!
God I am so fucking ready to have these I had a dream about finding them last night but I woke up before I could buy them.
I think the Jump set would do better at retail if they just included the rocket pack portion with single packed copies of Grand Slam and Flash. That's something they could get on pegs twice and sell meanwhile they could still sell a third complete version with the platform on their site.
I think the Jet-Pack is all but guaranteed. There is a zero percent chance the jump-platform is included. As cool as it was, it was completely unnecessary and it’s sort of counter intuitive to the Jet-Back itself and has no relationship to the way they were used in the show.
Still trying to find a Destro myself... My preorders keep getting pushed back and I always seem to be late to Wally World (yes, I want Destro that bad that I'll actually enter a Wally World).
I had a similar dream last week but it was about finding MOC ARAH figures for original prices. It was painful to wake up that morning. LOL.
Yes! Thats what I’ve been noticing too. If every store that gets them in keeps selling all their stock(even as just a tiny Display) it will mean that a good future for the line.
Huh, weird having Hasbro toys that don't turn into something. Only had peripheral interest in G.I. Joe but thought these figures looked cool to have alongside my Transformers, will probably get some Cobra members eventually.
FWIW(and this was a shock to me) Brickseek is actually tracking Classified figures at Walmart by individual SKU instead of assortment SKU(at least it worked yesterday). IIRC, the shipper display is 4x Snake Eyes, 1-2 of everyone else. So if your local Walmarts have the shipper, in Brickseek it’ll say “limited stock 1-2 available” for everyone else but Snake Eyes and “In Stock 2-3 or 3-4” for Snake Eyes.
