Art Design: This is a standard carded bubble from the GI Joe Valor vs. Venom line. Perhaps one thing that may have hurt sales of these figures is the garish green colors on the backing card of most of these figures. On the other hand, the illustrations are always top notch. At one point, there was a rumor that GI Joe would be issuing a new version of their fabled Adventure Team helicopter. Perhaps the rumor was fueled by the picture on the back of the card which shows Wild Bill piloting a green helicopter. Fans of vintage Action Man know that a green version of the Adventure Team helicopter was sold in Europe back in the 1970s. Was the one used in this picture a prototype for a new GI Joe helicopter, or a vintage, mint-condition European version?
Headsculpt: Wild Bill has a very western, cowboy look. Wild Bill looks a bit like Glenn Corbett, the character actor who appeared in several westerns such as CHISUM and BIG JAKE and as Paul Morgan on the DALLAS television series.
Body style: Everyone who is tired of the GI Joe's with molded-on shirts will be glad to know that Wild Bill has a classic collection body, muscular arms, black gloved hands, and the 21 point standard articulation. Wild Bill may very well be the last 12" GI Joe figure without any molded-on clothing.
Outfit: Wild Bill is wearing gray pants and a vinyl pleather (imitation leather) pilot's jacket with the red, white, and blue Real American Heroes insignia. The vinyl jacket looks a bit cheesy up close because it is too shiny and the vinyl fabric feels very thin. GI Joe has issued better versions in other sets.
On the other hand, the jacket displays very nicely if you have the figure inside a helicopter or as part of a group. These sets were originally $17.99 at Toys R Us, so the jacket could have been better. However, the brown western-style boots are very detailed and they are first-rate. Just the boots and the headsculpt alone make this a good set.
Gear: This set includes sunglasses, a black cowboy hat, an armor vest with a gun holster; a 1911A style semi-automatic pistol with removable magazine and bullets; and a double-barrelled shotgun with folding stock. The faux nickel-plated pistol has a working pistol slide, and it is a nice bit of gear which has appeared in other GI Joe sets. The vest displays nicely, as do the black sunglasses and the black hat. The only gear that looks too kiddie-oriented is the double-barrelled shotgun. However, if you painted it flat black or gun blue, it would probably display better (without the missiles, of course). For kids, the shotgun is fun since it shoots two missiles.
Price: At Toys R Us, it was selling for around $18., but at KB Toys it is $7.99. It may also be available at other clearance outlet stores.
Overall: This is a nice set for collectors, too bad it marks the last wave of GI Joe which will be available in retail stores.
Grade: A+
