Packaging: The new Adventure Team box looks great! It also sports the "Kung-Fu Grip" logo on the right hand corner of the window box. The bright orange-red Adventure Team Logo is on the box too! The back of the box has an illustration of the "Danger of The Depths" diver in shark infested waters and the inset photo is of the Atomic Man's 1975 version of the "Danger of The Depths" set. This box has several twist-ties but nothing is glued on, so if you are a collector who is determined to keep the box in near-mint condition; it would not be too hard to take the figure out without damaging the box.
Figure and Headsculpt: The head sculpt is a standard "Adventures Of G.I. Joe" head. Time to put fuzzy hair on any other headsculpt! The body is the super-articulated version, but the main feature here is the new KUNG-FU GRIP!!! The new KFG has the top two fingers cut loose so they can be used for holding weapons or tools. The new KUNG-FU Grip is better than the Gung-Ho Grip.
The Outfit and Gear: The Orange Scuba suit is definitely a blast from the past! The best part is that the new scuba type rubber is used, just like it was used in the Perilous Rescue set. So unlike the 1994 30th Anniversary Sailor and the vintage Scuba outifts, this one won't melt!!! (update: some collectors have reported that their scuba suit did get melt marks). This Scuba outfit looks great on the figure! The Oxygen tank has an Adventure Team logo on the back of it, and the suit and the gear all fit properly. In addition to the Scuba Gear, this set includes a knife and holster and an underwater sled which fires a missile from one opening. Also included is the very large aggressive looking shark with jaws open. A very detailed guided missile launch system computer which is what G.I. Joe is searching for because it was dropped into the ocean by a GI Joe spy inside COBRA Headquarters. As you can see from the photo, the computer has a detailed screen, keyboard and a working CD-ROM pop-open drive.
Overall: This set ROCKS!! It re-packages a vintage idea into the 21st Century and makes it better!! This is the best GI Joe set to have entered the market in 2002!! The Adventure Team logo is also sewn onto the Scuba suit, and the colors are much brighter than what the photos show. This set retails for $29.99 and while it really looks great; it could have more gear for the price. However, it is flying off the shelves at most Wal-Marts, Target Stores, K-Marts and online distributors. A great revamp of a classic set from the annals of GI Joe history!
Grade: A+
