We just got through a blustery snowy Halloween here in metro Detroit and the timing couldn’t be better for a couple of my recent G.I. Joe Classified acquisitions. Snow Job and Snow Serpent take the battlefield of the Classified line to colder climates for a snowy showdown. If you aren’t quite ready for winter weather, fret not for the San Diego Comic Con Exclusive Chuckles has also brought some sunny days to help close out this week’s Figure Friday column.
Snow Serpent
Snow Serpent V2 was one of the last Joes I bought as a kid. The fact he came with a snowboard made him infinitely cooler than 90% of the other toys in the toy aisle that day. While I’ve never gone snowboarding myself, I loved playing with my toys in the snow and snowboarding was the hottest(?) thing going at the time.
I’ve given Hasbro credit in the past for featuring on-figure weapon storage. There’s a load-out ritual I go through whenever I get a new Classified figure. I take all the accessories and try to figure out where they’re stored on the figure. When it’s not obvious, I can rely on product shots to work out where most items go, but there’s nothing more frustrating than discovering an accessory doesn’t have a home. Snow Serpent has multiple accessories without a home. They bill this offering as a Deluxe Troop-building pack bursting with 20 accessories inspired by the character’s rich history. I can appreciate the fact they’re trying to give multiple versions of the original Real American Hero Snow Serpents, but I don’t know that we needed ALL of these weapons. I’d have honestly preferred a couple additional openhands to aid in pulling off some snowboarding tricks in place of a couple weapons. Minor complaint aside, this figure is every bit as bad-assed as I had hoped for. I was sold on name alone, but the wolf cowl and pelt made me preorder this figure, something I rarely do any more. It was well worth it!
Snow Job
Snow Job doesn’t get a real name in the Classified line for some reason. Harlan W. Moore adds to the ranks of ginger Joes. Where Snow Serpent came up short for on-figure storage, Snow Job truly gets the job done. There’s a lot of accessories and it all tucks away nicely in his backpack. It’s an impressive feat of engineering. The head sculpts are excellent and paired with the raised and lowered hoods provide for multiple display options. The bevy of accessories provide for multiple figure photo options. That makes me very happy. I’m not eager for snow, but I am looking forward to getting Snow Job outside once we get some good powder. Hasbro has been pretty open to making smaller vehicles. The Polar Battle Bear snowmobile would be a fun addition to the line.
Chuckles
Last but most certainly not least, Chuckles brings his Hawaiian shirt to the Classified line. Fittingly offered as a San Diego Comic Con Exclusive, Chuckles has some fun packaging. A crossover event with another Classified offering, the Crimson Strike Team. Chuckles has infiltrated the offices of the Crimson Strike Team and stolen their — ahem — classified documents. That story plays out in the accessories as well. Some of these accessories work better than others. The lei looks great but its so rigid it locks you into certain static poses. The tape recorder is very reminiscent of Soundwave from the Transformers, something that’s perhaps starting to plant some seeds for a possible crossover in the future? Chuckles alternate head steals the show for me. Battered, bruised and missing a tooth, Chuckles has been through some shit. I love storytelling with alternate heads and this is executed perfectly. Chuckles will undoubtedly soon be the star of many interrogation scenes taking an ass kicking from every bruiser that Cobra has to offer.
It’s a great time to be a Joe fan. There’s a lot of preorders starting to ship and there’s also a certain Haslab that’s starting to arrive in Europe. Fingers crossed, the next time you hear from me I’ll be reviewing my own H.I.S.S. tank. Figure Gods be kind!