 |
| Dude I still don't think we're going anywhere |
Presenting the Cobra Trooper
from Hasbro's G.I. Joe Pursuit of Cobra series Wave 5. I found it pleasantly surprising that Hasbro decided to included the POC Cobra Trooper in the same series as the G.I. Joe Steel Brigade Trooper. Almost as if Hasbro was begging to have the two compared. The only attempt that Hasbro made to separate the POC Cobra Trooper from the POC Steel Brigade Trooper are their "scenarios." The POC Cobra Trooper is in the Urban scenario while the POC Steel Brigade Trooper is in the Desert scenario. There have been many Cobra Troopers released over the years so I thought that this was nothing special. These are, after all, the Cobra Troopers - the cannon fodder that you see running away from the G.I. Joes in the cartoons. But I have to say I actually like this particular figure.The POC Cobra Trooper has its faults as you will see, but it does have some things going for it. 
Trooper from Hasbro's G.I. Joe Pursuit of Cobra Wave 5. I fondly remember the G.I. Joe Steel Brigade Trooper from way way back in 1987 when he was first introduced as a mail-in promotional prize. In essence, the G.I. Joe Steel Brigade Trooper was probably the first "Frankenstein" born of Hasbro spare parts - save for the head which was an original piece - or probably the only left-over of a failed figure. While the G.I Joe Steel Brigade Troopers were supposed to be personalized, they were all the same and the only thing happily personalized was the blister card that accompanied the figure. Back then you filled up the form that was usually found in comic books, assigned a military specialty, a personality (Whether he was brash or cool-handed, etc...), and a name. You could even make the G.I. Joe Steel Brigade Trooper a ninja - which seemed really weird considering his uniform. Sadly I never got one since the promotion was only open to United States residents. Still it was a cool idea so it was a pleasant surprise to see that the G.I. Joe Steel Brigade Trooper was part of the Pursuit of Cobra Wave 5. They return as the "Grunts" of the G.I. Joe Team: Special forces members who just not as good as the G.I. Joe members yet but are quickly climbing the ranks hoping for the day they can claim a unique name for themselves. 
Presenting, the Cobra Jungle BAT
- from Wave 5 of the G.I. Joe Pursuit of Cobra line. I've never really liked the name BAT. Call them what they are "Battle Android Troopers!" They deserve a name with the dignity worthy of their toughness and literally undying resolve (Like the "Battling Bastards of Bastogne"). The first time I saw the Cobra BAT was in the Marvel Comic Book when the PIT was compromised by Cobra Commander and Destro leading an army of Cobra BATs. And boy were they tough! They literally refused to die and just kept on coming. They only finally gave up when General Ryan blew up the PIT and buried everyone. Most of the Bastard Android Troopers probably looked as shot-up as the picture to your right. But they still just kept on coming. Wave 5 of the G.I. Joe Pursuit Line presents a Cobra BAT Variant, the Cobra Jungle BAT which is modified to be resistant to heat and humidity - which you can read as, Hasbro took old BATs, stabbed their chest panels with pencils several times and gave repainted them with jungle cammo. 
Presenting Soundwave from the TF War for Cybertron Video Game. After our feature on the Reveal the Shield Perceptor, where we showed that Perceptor was a triple changer thanks to the creatives minds at Seibertron.com, I thought that we might as well show another Transformer gifted with a third form thanks to Seibertron.com: The Cybertronian Soundwave
. I am particularly fond of this "third" form because - if you've played War for Cybertron - then you do know that the Cybetronian Soundwave is indeed a triple changer and is one of the bosses that the Autobots have to battle - along with Soundwave's little friends Laserbeak, et.al. 
Presenting Illyana Nokolievna Rasputina, also known as the former New Mutant and now X-Man Magik (Currently under arrest), also known as the Darkchilde, ruler of the dimension of Limbo. Little sister or snowflake to Piotr Nikolaievitch Rasputin, also known as the X-Man Colossus; and Mikhail Nikolaeivitch Raputin, Russian Cosmonaut and mentally unbalanced would be world messiah. The Darkchilde's visage, as she is seen in X-Infernus # 1 (Original art by David Finch), is immortalized in polystone by Sideshow Collectibles. She will be available starting the 3rd Quarter of 2011 and only 500 of these exclusive comiquettes will be made - so pre-orders yours at this website today. Check out the photos after the jump. Please note that this is a presentation of the Darkchilde prior to her re-taking of Limbo, which explains why she's holding a battle-axe instead of her traditional Soulsword. But don't worry, the Darkchilde comicquette also comes with a Soulsword that you can substitute for the battle axe. 
Presenting Transformers Reveal the Shield Perceptor
. I have to admit that I wasn't too keen on collecting Perceptor because I really hated that he transformed into a Half-track ATV instead of a Microscope. But then I chanced upon Reveal the Shield Perceptor's entry in Seibertron.com and was quite happy to see that Reveal the Shield |
| Halo 3 Mongoose |
is unarmed, tends to skid a lot - great for drifting - has a horn for an offensive weapon (Beats shouting "Get out of the way!") and is one of the most unstable gun platforms (Even with a rocket-launcher) in the game - one of the easiest if not the easiest to overturn. I came across this particular Halo 3 Mongoose in Filbars while spending the afternoon with my wife. It cost me around PhP 1,600. It costs around PhP 1,000 on Amazon sans shipping |
| Dude, I don't think we're moving. |
. As previously mentioned in a news break here on Dark Lord Dungeon, the Cobra Sting Raider used to be available for PhP 1,699. It is a solid vehicle that came with two G.I. Joe Rise of Cobra action figures: Copperhead and Swamp Viper. However I did not feel any real motivation to buy it. I didn't feel any motivation to buy the Cobra Sting Raider when its price dropped down to PhP 1,000. But when Toy Kingdom finally dropped it to PhP 500, I grabbed it and quickly recommended it as a nice troop builder. The Cobra Sting Raider is available on Amazon for US$ 31.75. Two solid "drone" figures and a vehicle for a price that's less than the cost of a regular Pursuit of Cobra Action Figure? You can't go wrong.
Presenting BTS-03: The Matrix of Leadership custom add-on for the Gen 1 Optimus Prime! Lighting our Darkest hour - sorry, I know it's a cliche, but you can't be a Transformers fan without loving that statement. Created by Best Toys, the BTS-03 G1 Prime Matrix of Leadership is probably the best upgrade for the G1 Optimus Prime available in the market.... well come to think of it it's probably the only upgrade for the G1 Optimus Prime in the market... well there's the trailer. 
I have to admit I've never liked the G1 Optimus Prime because of how crude it is in comparison to the many available Optimus Primes in the market today - I know, sacrilege and the G1 Optimus Prime was ahead of its time. But it always felt so incomplete. You can see the sun through a huge gaping hole in his chest and the rifle looked like it was going to expel paste. So when my favorite E-Bay supplier Victoyoyos said he had it, I had to grab it. 
, leader of the Mandalorian Death Watch. 
, leader of the Mandalorian Death Watch. is unique because of a weapon that he has that his ancestors stole from the Jedi, one of the most unique weapons in the Star Wars Universe, a Darksaber.
Presenting The G.I. Joe Pursuit of Cobra Rock Viper
from Wave 6 of the series. I've been laying off talking about the Cobra Rock Lobster ahem... Cobra Rock Viper because I really, really don't like him. Personally I'd only suggest purchasing a Cobra Rock Lobster ahem... Cobra Rock Viper for spare parts - and even then, it leave a sour flavor in my mouth. That's how much I don't like the Cobra Rock Viper. I have to admit to being hopeful for the Cobra Rock Viper when I first bought it along with the G.I. Joe Pursuit of Cobra Series 6 set in the black-market here in the Philippine, because it looked like an interesting figure with so many cool gadgets inside. Since I bought him as a part of a set, The Cobra Rock Viper only cost me PhP 700 (Available on Amazon for US$12.95 plus shipping). But closer examination of the packaged figure upon reaching home started revealing flaws: that was City Strike Snake Eyes' Rappel pack! 
What's he doing with a Tactical Spear - I mean really? The only time I see mountaineers with a pointy object is when they're hiking, not climbing mountains. I'm no mountaineer myself, but I've yet to see anyone use a spear for climbing. If anything, it sounds like a spear would be more of a hindrance than a help. I mean the Cobra Rock Viper's blister card reads "Cobra Rock Vipers are mountain assault specialists trained in mountaineering and vertical assault. They are experts at climbing treacherous terrain of rock, snow or ice. They use sophisticated climbing gear and weapons designed for COMPACTNESS and VERSATILITY" I see a glimpse of versatility, but compactness? And it gets worse.
Toy Kingdom: the Amazing Toy Store has dropped the price of the G.I. Joe Rise of Cobra: Cobra Sting Raider. I've always wanted this since it first appeared late last year, but I found the price of PhP 1, 699 prohibitive for a minor Cobra vehicle - even with two additional figures. Even when the price dropped to PhP 1,000 I passed. But now! It's dropped all the way down to PhP 500! Get one! Get two! Hell buy three of them and make an army! (While they're still there!). It's a pretty decent solid vehicle - review to follow.
