The Gear: A rappel harness with descender, rope, grappling hook, M26A2 fragmentation grenades, two 40mm grenades, dive knife, sheath, ammo pouches, and a detailed G-36 assault rifle that rivals anything Dragon or Blue Box have produced. The G-36 loads the 40mm grenades by swivelling the grenade tube to the side. It also has a folding stock and the removable ammo clip has the little pegs that permit the clips to be snapped together. The ammo pouches open up and are made with a soft rubber that accomodates the grenades.
Art Design: Current G.I. Joe window box clearly showing the figure and accessories. The back of the box has photos of the other figures and the Hummvee in the Navy Seal Collection, and art depicting the figure rappeling down the side of a cliff.
The Headsculpt: This 12" Rapid Rappel action figure is issued with several different headsculpts. This particular set included the new Asian-American headsculpt. To an active imagination, he looks a bit like Sonny Chiba! Definitely a lot better than the 442nd Nissei headsculpt. The G.I. Joe creative team has captured a face full of character, and yet it looks a bit like the large blockhead from a few years ago. The skin tone is definitely unique, and it looks very accurate. An excellent effort in expanding the ethnic faces that are available for G.I. Joe collectors!
The Outfit: A black balaclava, bandana, jacket, trousers, boots, web-belt with load-bearing harness. Lots of stitching in 1:6 scale gives the outfit an authentic look. The camouflage pattern looks like the real deal, straight from today's news videos. The balaclava makes the bandana seem like a convenient extra to outfit an additional figure.
Rapid Rappel Action: The Rappel Harness, descender, grappling hook, and rope (string) work very well. It was a lot of fun and very easy to attach the grappling hook to almost anything with a gripping surface. These new style of grappling hooks make this toy very kid friendly, as it is easy to use outdoors or indoors. The climbing and descending action is easy to use. This figure can hold almost any climbing pose.
Market: The MSRP is $19.99 and the figure is available at Wal-Marts, Target, and various other retailers and online dealers.
Overall: an excellent set which brings a lot of gear and is a good value for the price.
Grade: A
