Packaging: A Carded GI Joe which has the look of a super hero action figure, like Captain America, Super Patriot or U.S. Agent. The front of the card has a nice graphic which shows the Night Ops figure stalking some facility. The back of the card has the information about Night Ops mission and gear, and also photos of the Double Duty Joes. Since this is a carded item, it must be dis-carded in order to be opened! So if you are a MINT only collector, buy TWO!
Headsculpt: This is the guy with the cleft chin who originally appeared with the Desert Sandrail LSV. The Night Ops figures may have other sculpts too, as some of the carded items are packaged with more than one headstyle for the caucasian figure.
Outfit and Gear: The figure is painted what looks like a dark blue. The hands, head, and feet are fleshtone. This one should have also had painted-on gloves. The outfit is just a pair of black pants.
The Gear is an Action Man style web belt with a holster for a very large pistol and a sheath for a knife. The knife is loose in the sheath and was falling out. The pistol looks like it has a silencer on it. Either that or it is a Laser Pistol. It looks better than most of the Action Man weapons usually do.
Overall: The figure also includes the looping belt & gun from the Action Man Extreme Climber figures. This is a typical Hasbro effort, with a figure with an interesting paint application, and some old stuff from Action Man tossed in. Hasbro seems to have some kind of Corporate TABOO against packaging a figure with ALL NEW GEAR and clothing, paint aps, etc. At this point I think most collectors would go into shock if they ever saw a Carded set with all new gear! And the giant gun is not a tight fit on the Gung-Ho Grip hands either. The knife is perfect for the hands. The set also brings the headset & sun-glasses which look good on this figure. All things considered, it is a very good buy for $10. However, as a collector I would like to see Hasbro pull out all the stops and totally blow away their competition.
Price: $9.99 at most major retailers.
Grade: B+
