Packaging: Standard Carded Joe. The only question is whether he will have a CC body or the new Ultra-Articulated version. The back of the card provides some historical information, and shows how to load the projectile into the AT-4 Missile Launcher.
Headsculpt: This is the World War II Normandy Ranger headsculpt. G.I. Joe has issued this on many sets, and the hair is usually blonde, black, brown, and red. Some of the hair painting seems to be textured. So that I would say there is blonde, and then blonde with dark highlights; black with silver highlights; and red with dark highlights. There is also the gray-haired version used on the Vietnam Memorial. The red hair with the dark highlights may be the most realistic looking version. This Joe also has camouflage green & black painted onto his face. The paints are excellent! Crisp and no drips or fuzzy patterns! This is one of the best versions of a G.I. Joe headsculpt. It is an awesome combination of quality paints.
Articulation: This is a Classic Collection Muscle body. Some reports say that the new Ultra Articulated Joes are showing up in the carded packs. This one also has the Gung-Ho Grip. The Gung-Ho Grip may not have enough pressure to hold crates, boxes, heavy items. Also, when the plastic dries up a little in a few years, the fingers might shrink a bit and they will probably be very loose. Perhaps the new plastics do not shrink?
Outfit & Gear: The Desert Storm Poncho or Jacket is very nice. It looks like the kind of Sports Jacket or Hunting Coat that you could buy at any Sports or Hunting Store. These coats look pretty cool, and I think they could also be converted to Civilian figure use! The AT-4 Missile Launcher is better than any old Hall of Fame style rifle, so I am glad to get one (as opposed to another rope launcher). The boots are desert-weathered and they display well.
Price: All of these sets are now $9.99 and they used to be $14.99! The lower prices mean that our pal G.I. Joe is finally going to be a widely marketed action figure which young kids will be getting for the holidays! For the past ten years, collectors have wondered where the next generation of collectors would come from, due to the high prices of the collectible sets. But now G.I. Joe is putting a lot of nice sets on the shelves at reasonable prices for kids. At these prices, the new sets have better quality gear and are a great value compared to anything else that parents can buy for $9.99.
Overall: A very nice little set, for only $9.99! A shirt for the figure would have been a great plus!
GRADE: A
