Author: Kevin Johnson

GHG’s look at G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout continues as we plumb the digital archives in the game for clues and sneak peeks in the six-inch scale Classified Series. Last time, we hypothesized about possible variants in the line from a Grillmeister Roadblock a la “Red Rocket’s Glare” to a pimped-out, 80’s gangsta-leanin’ Snake Eyes (our Part 1 right here).

But we also know that more characters are debuting in Classified form in 2021, alongside the announced Zartan and Firefly. Could these be how the Joes look in fig form? Let’s dive in (and if you haven’t, peep our Operation Blackout review here)…

THE NEW RECRUITS

In the few short months since Classified’s unveiling at New York Toy Fair 2020, the response to the toy line has ranged from ambivalence to scorching-hot, disappearing off the shelves and skyrocketing in value on the secondary markets. But after 16 figures, and four Cobra baddies on the way next spring, the six Joes are heavily outnumbered. And no, I’m not counting Snake Eyes and Roadblock twice (unless Cobra Island Roadblock is your Heavy Duty, but that’s another article).

In Operation Blackout, the roster runs deeper for both factions and more than a little bit:

LADY JAYE

As elegant as she is deadly, Lady Jaye has been on fan’s lists since the announcement of Classified. Jaye, along with Flint and Major Bludd, were all but confirmed by Australian retailer Action Figure Industries who has been spot on about this collection in the past.

Her appearance in Operation Blackout is a pitch perfect update to her look throughout the ages, complete with javelin and the line’s signature shinguards. It’s about time we added some more ladies to the ranks, and Jaye is more than welcome. Anything else than a literal translation of this in plastic would be a letdown.

SCI-FI

The futuristic laser trooper isn’t necessarily a fan-favorite, but that may change with a highly detailed, ultra-poseable figure in the Classified Series. Everything about this line gets better once the toys are actually in-hand and judging by the heartfelt update from his 1986 release, Sci-Fi may soon be the next Joe that should not be slept on.

His blank slate as background filler made him perfect for adaptation, according to the game makers: “We choose Sci-Fi because he is one of those Joes with barebones lore. He doesn’t appear much in the comics or cartoons, and when he does, he reveals little personality.” Talk about a back-handed compliment!

STORM SHADOW

Already having debuted as an Amazon exclusive, with a Snake Eyes: Origins movie variant on the way, we have yet to see the Classified update to Storm Shadow’s mainline look until now in Operation Blackout. It’s a safe bet that this is the Arashikage scoundrel’s design for the line, and I simply cannot wait.

Several fans and customizers have taken it upon themselves to approximate this look, with a heavy assist from Articulated Icons’ White Ninja and their Arms/Hands/Wraps pack. Until this is officially released, those customs will have to do. Oh, the horror.. the horror..

COBRA B.A.T.S.

Long a personal favorite of mine, the Battle Android Trooper made it okay for the Joes to finally take head shots, rocket blasts and katana swipes at the Enemy, upping the carnage of Saturday morning to its sanitized maximum. No parachutes or last-second jumps for these bad bots; they were perfect.

The designers for the game took it upon themselves to update the classic design and I would pay good money to get this sucker in three-dimensional physical form. I’m talking by the caseload! We’ve already seen the frenzy that the ultra-exclusive Cobra Trooper caused as an army builder; I shudder to think what would happen if the B.A.T. was trapped on Target’s Cobra Island. I’ll stop before I give them any ideas!

G.I. JOE BATTALION

G.I. Joe has lasted as a brand for decades, from Adventure Team to Ninja Force, from Spy Troops to Sigma 6, even all the way through The Rise of Cobra, Retaliation and Resolute. And through it all, the name of the game is to lay your claim. Unfortunately for Hasbro, some trademarks lapsed and fell through the cracks, Steel Brigade chiefly among them.

Acquired by up-and-comer Valaverse, who also acquired Action Force from former Hasbro subsidiary Palitoy, the beloved mail-in figure is now off limits to Classified and Operation Blackout. Enter the Battalion. Originally designed as robotic cannon fodder, the teams at GameMill and IguanaBee considered making them real humans. The masked Battalion troopers could be the army builders the Joes need, and the answer to Hasbro’s Steel Brigade quandary. Now you can join the Classified Series!!

EXTRAS

The good stuff just keeps comin’! One of the strengths of Operation Blackout as a game is that it’s a love letter to all things G.I. Joe, chock full of Easter eggs and shout-outs. Many favorites make an appearance in the game, even if only for a secondary function or a cameo. Others still were cut from the game due to unrest and the global pandemic cutting development short. Still, we can gleam clues from the artwork for potential Classified characters including [deep breath]:

-Ace, General Hawk, Sgt. Stalker, Dusty, Wild Bill, Shipwreck, Lifeline, Alley Vipers, Dr. Mindbender, Major Bludd, and of course Tomax and Xamot.

Even more Joes and Cobras appear throughout the story campaign, tantalizing future action figures just waiting to happen. Perhaps that bench will be as deep and varied as Marvel Legends or Star Wars’ Black Series, but only time will tell.

-KJ Johnson

Join us for the final installment of our Operation Blackout analysis as we look ahead towards some of the vehicles that just may end up in stores and on our shelves!

G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout was just released this week by GameMill Entertainment and developers IguanaBee and Fair Play Labs, and players across consoles have been able to sample the goods. Based on the red-hot G.I. Joe Classified Series, what’s notable about Operation Blackout is how closely tied it is to the aesthetic and overall design of the toys, down to exacting detail.

As such, we at GHG are taking a closer look at some of the characters in the console game that have variants yet to be released in sweet plastic form by Hasbro. Could these be a preview of what’s to come? And why release a game that reveals potentially a year’s worth of debuts on their hottest line?

ALTERNATE VARIANTS

The Classified line is already infamous for the amount of variants and repaints they’ve released so far in a relatively short time. Figs like the Deluxe Snake Eyes or Profit Director Destro have been well-received, some like Cobra Island Roadblock remain on the pegs (I still love that figure though), and Cobra Commander himself has drawn criticism for having three variants already. Three! Even Storm Shadow’s introduction to Classified has been as the Arctic Mission variant, though that design pays tribute to the fan-favorite Ninja Storm era.

In Operation Blackout, we can see even more alternates that may be making an appearance in stores and on shelves down the line:

DUKE

The field commander’s alternate skin pays tribute to the 1988 Tiger Force line, as well as a color scheme inspired by the Night Force subteam from ’88. Part of the appeal of the Joes finally being in 6-inch scale is the sheer amount of detail packed into each figure, as well as paying tribute to a toyline dating all the way back to 1964.

And judging by how some fans were turned off by the somewhat-gaudy shinguards and kneepads of the original Classified Duke, perhaps this character would benefit most from a game-inspired re-design, if it isn’t waiting in the wings already.

SCARLETT

Scarlett has a classic yet simple uniform from the 80’s, and her modernization in Classified contains homages to that look, perhaps not as many as some would prefer. Early, discarded artwork of an Arctic Mission Scarlett made waves in the fan community, so the interest is definitely there.

The next step is for Hasbro to give her more official variants, like the ones seen below. Part of the 1982 “Original 13,” Scarlett has had dozens of variants over the years, so it’s only a matter of time until we see her first variant for Classified.

ROADBLOCK

Known as the only figure from Cobra Island that fans can actually get their hands on, Roadblock is the only Joe besides Snake Eyes to receive a variant. But what else lies in store for the Heavy Machine Gunner with a heart of gold? Perhaps this screenshot can give us clues, like a future Arctic Mission Roadblock, or even one humorously based on his vacation attire in “Red Rocket’s Glare.”

The 80’s figurines had a zany sense of style to them, so it’s refreshing to see the game continue that tradition and perhaps later variants will too. It’d be worth it to have a chef’s hat in 1/12 scale!

SNAKE EYES

The Classified Series made its debut with the Double-O (#00) Pulse-exclusive Snake Eyes Deluxe, complete with a chromed out visor, gray military fatigues and an Arashikage-inspired weapons rack. And the mainline version of the iconic character, though simpler, was just as difficult to obtain. So it’d be great to have even more Snake Eyes out there on the shelves.

Here are some potential new looks, like an army green camo outfit, or one of his craziest “disguises” from the classic Sunbow cartoon. Imagine this side by side with Profit Director Destro. Don’t leave money on the table, Hasbro!

COBRA COMMANDER

Yessssss, the villainous leader of the enemy commands yet another alternate, at least in game form anyway. The Snake Supreme variant once destined for San Diego Comic-Con has become an instant classic with collectors. Between this and the Sunbow-inspired “Regal” variant, what other threads could CoCo pull off?

Well, there’s his updated look from the IDW comics. Or what could be an Arctic Mission jacketed look. But I would pay cold hard cash for a 6-inch Retro Cobra Commander. (That is, if anyone was still brave enough to handle physical cash nowadays. Sanitizer, anyone?)

BARONESS

As elusive as she is beautiful, the Baroness proved an extremely hard-to-find figure in the Target-exclusive Cobra Island sub-line. So a variant may prove to be the only way for fans and collectors to get a Baroness figure without sky-high upcharges on the secondary market.

We may get a stand-alone version without the Cobra C.O.I.L. Bike, but what else is in store(s)? Perhaps it could be another Arctic variant with a Cossack hat. Or maybe even a Crimson Strike Team Baroness (please let that happen).

-KJ Johnson

Join us for more as we take a look at some of the characters making their debut next year as well as a few that may be joining them in Classified form!