G.I. Joe: Classified 6" figures

I called Fedex and they informed me to give it 2 more days then call Hasbro to file a claim. Awesome. Here's hoping for a Christmas miracle that it shows up today or tomorrow.

I was lucky I was home when Fedex delivered my Hiss on Monday, I had totally forgot about it and needed to sign. I think it was a huge mistake by Hasbro to start sending the Hiss out during the busy Holiday mailing season, I don't think Fedex drivers also need to deal with signatures at the same time.
I have yet to open mine up, I need to make time and space to do the whole unboxing.

I picked up a Tunnel Rat, I'm surprised by how much I love this release! I ditched the stupid heavy machine gun but love everything else that came with this one like the Pano Night Optics and the revolver with holster. This is how Hasbro should always approach these figures, give us an accurate RAH look and throw in a cool and useful "take-it or leave-it" new accessory to spice it up a bit.

My Cover Girl and Cobra Commander arrived last night, they're lots of fun! Cover Girl gives me some Milla Jovovich live action Resident Evil vibes.

Anyone have any suggestions for plastic cases for the retro cardback figures?

Economy is not in great shape. While the above videos have the factor of "influencers" being encouraged to lean into their nihilism to form their individual online platform and brand, I guess the question becomes what overall changes might come. I suppose that's the real concern IMHO, not that the Classified line will suddenly disappear but that any of the following might happen

1) Cost cutting that impacts basic figure quality/QC/paint/gear loadout

2) Rising price points

3) Shrinking edition sizes, as mentioned before, which might make it harder to get these figures in the first place. I hesitate to think what if Hasbro decides the adult market for collectors should only be supported by preorder metrics.

It's not just our hobby, a lot of people are tightening the belt and cutting back and focusing on day to day staples. I have some sticker shock from being out of the hobby for so long until the past few years ( seeing 25-40 dollar brick and mortar single figure price points is a bit jarring to be honest) But there is going to be a point where even die hards and legacy collectors might just hit their price ceiling on some of this stuff.

I'm happy to reap clearance deals and closeouts and smoking sales, but there's always a bit of a tradeoff for that. It's on clearance for a reason and the more that gets cleared out, the less there incentive there is to keep pumping it out. Be interesting to see what happens.

MeatHookGekko said:

Economy is not in great shape. While the above videos have the factor of "influencers" being encouraged to lean into their nihilism to form their individual online platform and brand, I guess the question becomes what overall changes might come. I suppose that's the real concern IMHO, not that the Classified line will suddenly disappear but that any of the following might happen

1) Cost cutting that impacts basic figure quality/QC/paint/gear loadout

2) Rising price points

3) Shrinking edition sizes, as mentioned before, which might make it harder to get these figures in the first place. I hesitate to think what if Hasbro decides the adult market for collectors should only be supported by preorder metrics.

It's not just our hobby, a lot of people are tightening the belt and cutting back and focusing on day to day staples. I have some sticker shock from being out of the hobby for so long until the past few years ( seeing 25-40 dollar brick and mortar single figure price points is a bit jarring to be honest) But there is going to be a point where even die hards and legacy collectors might just hit their price ceiling on some of this stuff.

I'm happy to reap clearance deals and closeouts and smoking sales, but there's always a bit of a tradeoff for that. It's on clearance for a reason and the more that gets cleared out, the less there incentive there is to keep pumping it out. Be interesting to see what happens.

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Interesting points. Hasbro has the rights to 2 out of the 3 hottest brands at the moment - Marvel & Star Wars; I don't count G.I. Joe because its foothold is more in the past, not the present. Usually when a corporation's numbers aren't as expected, that's when the first move is to always cut employees first and foremost. Did they over-hire in the first place? You'd have to work there to know that. I know one thing: in an era where the adults probably purchase more product than kids (or for their kids) $24.99 is not the best price point. Not sure what the problem is these days other than the market is just not the same as it was in 1985 so if they're going to dally in it, they probably need more realistic expectations in the first place.

Increased prices is ultimately from a devalued dollar that's been going on for decades. It takes more FRN to buy things as Inflation ultimately is just a hidden tax and a form of theft.

I’m glad I was able to pick up a HISS tank. Pictures and videos just don’t do it any justice. And I’m as absolutely psyched for next year’s Dragonfly!

I decided to keep Cobra Commander on card since they will inevitably release a standard retro version I can open up. I also decided to keep the Tactician in box. Like others have done, I used the extra Baroness head from the Crimson Strike Team to use on the Gunner’s body.

All in all, the HISS is amazing and I’m excited for the future of Classified HasLabs. I think the Cobra Rattler for 2024 makes all of the sense in the world but I’m sure I’ll be happy with any vehicle.

There's bound to be problems if there are too many masters of disguise.

I got Wolf Spider in hand, the knee joints are extremely stiff and the stupid drop down hip joint quite loose, I thought they fixed this?
And that helmet set up is terrible, it's not deep enough to sit on the head the right way, looks too gappy around the sides of the head, the chin strap won't unfasten so you have to pop the head off and then slide the head in through the front opening, then that mask makes the helmet even more ill fitting and difficult to put on the head with the helmet, and you can't use the night vision goggles with the mask, you have to remove them and throw them into a bag for the accessories. The last crappy part is the Falcon Shotgun, I hate this thing with a passion!
I think I'll replace the crappy helmet with a superior Gridiron version. I still like the base figure, I shouldn't have to spend more to improve it though.

Joe Scorpio said:

I’m glad I was able to pick up a HISS tank. Pictures and videos just don’t do it any justice. And I’m as absolutely psyched for next year’s Dragonfly!

I decided to keep Cobra Commander on card since they will inevitably release a standard retro version I can open up. I also decided to keep the Tactician in box. Like others have done, I used the extra Baroness head from the Crimson Strike Team to use on the Gunner’s body.

All in all, the HISS is amazing and I’m excited for the future of Classified HasLabs. I think the Cobra Rattler for 2024 makes all of the sense in the world but I’m sure I’ll be happy with any vehicle.

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Rumors (insiders) have confirmed Snowcat with Frostbite and Thundermachine with Thrasher coming next year. (Not Haslabs either)

Ramman81 said:

Rumors (insiders) have confirmed Snowcat with Frostbite and Thundermachine with Thrasher coming next year. (Not Haslabs either)

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I'm down for both of those if they can get close to that VAMP price point.

screamingmetal said:

I got Wolf Spider in hand, the knee joints are extremely stiff and the stupid drop down hip joint quite loose, I thought they fixed this?
And that helmet set up is terrible, it's not deep enough to sit on the head the right way, looks too gappy around the sides of the head, the chin strap won't unfasten so you have to pop the head off and then slide the head in through the front opening, then that mask makes the helmet even more ill fitting and difficult to put on the head with the helmet, and you can't use the night vision goggles with the mask, you have to remove them and throw them into a bag for the accessories. The last crappy part is the Falcon Shotgun, I hate this thing with a passion!
I think I'll replace the crappy helmet with a superior Gridiron version. I still like the base figure, I shouldn't have to spend more to improve it though.

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I'm really hoping back to window packaging means back to harder plastic for the weapons and accessories. But yeah, you should never have to pay more to get your figure to where it should be.

In 2024 and for the foreseeable future, I'm going to stick with Classified characters from 1982-1986 (my play house) and a few characters like Shockwave that I had from 1987 on. I love this version of Shockwave!

Joe Scorpio said:

I'm down for both of those if they can get close to that VAMP price point.

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price point around $150.....both vehicles are bigger and have more going on with them.

Who is everyone's favorite Classified figure of 2023?
For me, it's Scrap-Iron. I love that he looks so much like his 1984 ARAH yet so much more. They could have kept his helmet on like Copperhead, but that face sculpt gives him so much more character.
For me personally, it's gotten progressively harder each year to pick my favorite. 2024 looks to be another hard choice.

Joe Scorpio said:

Who is everyone's favorite Classified figure of 2023?

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I can only enjoy vicariously through the rest of you guys here ( the Toy Gods have mercy on me if I breach into another line full time and eat the cost of that...LOL...) , but based on photos and video reviews, the Snow Serpent looks tough to beat IMHO.

Lots of guns ( always a staple for me), great homage to the original, lots of fun factor, lots of neat add ons to make it very versatile and it's one of the few Classified figures where I don't say to myself that I wish it had more accessories or I wish some single element would be changed.

IMHO, the 4 inch RAH version from so many years ago was one of the best in it's own line, so Hasbro didn't have to really stretch their legs here with this one. Just keep it close to what made the original great and they'd have a locked in winner. In this case, it looks that way. Also a casual observation I've made is it looks mostly sold out in most places, even with the deluxe grade price point, etc.

Maybe it's just my nostalgia kicking in, but the five weapons might have sold me from the start anyway. Happy New Years guys.

I should mention that I still haven't bought everything released this year and I haven't opened my Hiss Tank yet, I need to make room first.

1. The EELs have to be my #1 even though they're missing the right accessories. I just love the original figures so much that the Classified version is king.
2. Grunt is my Second, that optional Steel Brigade head and cartoon Laser Rifle combined with a great OD green look fulfil my want of a basic generic Joe army builder perfectly.
3. I'm surprised to say this but, Snowjob gets #3. Surprising because though I had him and Snow Serpent, I didn't care for winter themed Military figures as a kid. It's that unmasked head that makes him feel like a authentic 60's era GI Joe and a ton of accessory options make this a fantastic release.
4. Firefly is #4, perfect representation of the original RAH figure.
5. Tele-Viper with Trouble Bubble is #5. I love the alternative head options for Tele-Viper and the figure's execution but, it's that awesome Trouble Bubble that puts it high on my list.

There are way too many figures in the line this year to pick any particular favourite.
To think the line was basically crawling on it's knees and limping along here in Australia.
1st wave and then NOTHING for us.
The past 4 months have really opened up for Aussie collectors,and for that I am grateful.
Here are just a few of my fav figures from 2023.

Got my payment notice from pulse for Junkyard. Gonna start 2024 off right.

I'd have to say:
1) Firefly 2.0. I got the 1.0 but didn't like a few things about it like the armor vest. I did however like the amount of character packed into the headsculpt. 2.0 was the perfect 1980s reboot.
2) Snowjob. I do like the specialized environment troops like divers, desert, etc and he's a great example. I appreciate the extra winter bulk of his uniform. Plus his headsculpt is a harkening back to the lifelike beard and hair Adventure Team line (Rock and Roll being another.)
3) General Hawk. Here's the rub. I like the updated modern looks and equipment for most of the figures like Duke, Snake Eyes etc, but a few that are more retro than modern I dig too, like Hawk and Firefly 2.0. But then there are ones like Mutt and Junkyard that were among my favorites back in the day, but just don't hit me the right way. Can't explain it really, it comes down to individual figures.