Custom 25th Anniversary Long Range
I have grown accustomed to the ’80s G.I. Joe line and, back then, I knew the Order of Battle like the back of my palm. So, when I heard of this custom, I had to consult yojoe.com just to make sure my memory is correct.
Long Range, as it turned out, was a sniper from the Sigma line and not the long range artillery expert from the original toyline. So, Glen did the former version of Long Range in 25th Anniversary fashion:
Now, the first striking feature is definitely the accurate desert paint job, in tricolor no less.
I have nothing to comment but excellent.
The chosen head sculpt may be a little unusual in having non-regulation-tied-back-long hair but, then again, he could either be in-country too long or belongs to a unit that turns a blind eye to regulations. His facial skin tone could use some blending in with the neck’s flesh tone, though. I am more inclined to him being in-country too long due to the weathering on his knee and elbow pads, as well as, his modified harness. Either way, it adds mystery to the subject’s activities.
I do hope when his filecard is released, it would take advantage of this and not reveal too much of his past.
Long Range came with an unusual selection of gear. He is using a Russian SVU or SVU-AS (OTs-03AS) sniper rifle with submachinegun pouches on his webgear. The non-NATO rifle is acceptable, perhaps in covert units which gives a hint of his affiliations.
As for the small ammo pouches issue, I would recommend issuing him a Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) to make it plausible. An MP5 variant or MP7A1 would do nicely. A suppressed Uzi may even do the trick for those times he needs to hush puppies. Big, aggressive, and noisy puppies.
In the end, it is a very intriguing custom. The choice of uniform and gear are complementary in sneaking about while the weathering effect is consistent with desert operations. The choice of sniper rifle is acceptable, depending on his current assignment, and he just needs a PDW to justify the small ammo pouches.
Since he is Long Range, he could also have a use for a mountain ruck, matching boonie hat, and a ghillie suit. I’m sure it’s simple to arrange so it does not detract from this excellent custom.
Custom 25th Anniversary Heavy Duty
Heavy Duty is one of those new characters (for my time, anyway) that one would buy because of the accessories. After having it for a few days, I grew fond of it as it has character, ripped shirt and pizza camo notwithstanding.
Up for review is Glen of Toy Soldiers 1:18’s Custom Heavy Duty:
Glen admits having some trouble with recognising colour but this just turned out great in that department!
This version has some details from the Sigma line, most notably the football nose tape. This is a most welcome touch!
In this version, a head wrap is used, instead of a Joe brimmed cap. Well, I prefer the neon green cap but the head wrap did a better job of not making him stand out so much. He’s carrying enough firepower to be noticed, as it is.
Now, I may be old school but I personally do not favour beards in the military, with a few notable exceptions. I repainted my Col. Courage to have a haggard look than let him keep his full beard. In this case, I’ll leave it as it is as it’s down to personal preference.
I half-expected a Buzzer torso will be used but the outcome is the same, a detailed torn shirt faithfully reproduced. Though the collar area could use some work, it does not detract so much from the general appearance.
The Green gloves are Great !
The leg paint job is faithful to the original and it’s distinctively Heavy Duty. My only gripe is it still need some more work on sculpting. I could imagine repainted replacement Bazooka legs but I’m confident it can be easily improved.
So in general, this is a good Heavy Duty custom. I hope Hasbro takes a hint, with the upcoming movie featuring this character.
Custom 25th Anniversary Dr. Mindbender
Everyone’s favourite dentist turned evil mind control scientist has now been given the 25th Anniversary treatment, courtesy of Castle of Toy Soldiers 1:18.
One thing consistent with Castle’s creations is the excellent choice of colours and paintjob. The good Doctor just jumps at you with his paint scheme alone.
The most intriguing part is the headsculpt. The original Doctor had a well-built physique and it is very apparent with this custom. He’s certainly no wimp.
His eyebrows and moustache is well trimmed and he even wears a monocle. Just look at it!
The webbing is a cleverly disguised joe harness which fits well. It maybe riding a little high but it’s not an issue for me as it gives his waist belt a chance to shine, literally. Compared to the original non-removable harness, I would prefer this setup, as the original V shape gives me a disturbing image of Borat in his swimsuit.
The arms and upper legs are pretty straight forward. Coloured correctly, though lacking very small details on the back of the gloves.
The cape is much better than the original. It actually does function as a cape rather than an incomplete coat. However, a significant detail is missing, mainly a large silver Cobra sigil on the cape. No worry, it will be rectified soon as it is one of my R&D projects. Hopefully, this will be solved soon.
Now, the boots. This is a very clever way of having a go at the calf length boot look by painting the lower trousers to make it look like the upper part. The thin silver streak was a nice touch. From afar, it did the trick. Well then, I’m sure when decent calf length boot sculpts are available, a revisit to the good Doctor will be in order.
In a nutshell, this is a worthy custom of Dr. Mindbender. Faithful to the original with improvements. Its only drawback is its greatest strength, the boots. It may not be the same but the paintjob is enough to make it look really good.
Now, if you will excuse me, I have an unyielding need to brush my teeth.
Custom 25th Anniversary Zandar
Zandar has got to be one of the most memorable action figures I have had as kid since it broke my series of collecting Ninjas exclusively. Back then, I was finally convinced that G.I. Joe action figures can realistically pose with firearms. Though, I later found out that Zandar’s rifle had a narrow grip that made it possible. Nonetheless, I would bring Zandar to school as a stow-away and his colour changing skin reacting to sunlight would not cease to amaze me. I’m very sure my vision was poor, back then, due to staring at strong indirect sunlight.
At any rate, next up for review is a custom 25th Anniversary Zandar created by Castle of Toy Soldiers 1:18.
The likeness is astonishing! It was enough to cue flashbacks of my original Zandar. The colours are very accurate and most of the details are present.
Zandar sports yet another customized Xamot head. It is faithful to the original in colour and texture, from the cheek tatoos to the signature headband. I did find the headband a little high and I get the impression that Zandar did not wear it tightly but it is negligible. As far as headsculpt, as a whole, is concerned, it is excellent.
Torso and arms are obviously from Swamp Squad Zartan. Again, the paint colour and application is just plain perfect. I was half-expecting the skin tone to change colour under sunlight but I know it would not. Or at least, not change temporarily. The difference from the original would be the choice of gloves. The original Zandar had short gloves not unlike Tiger Force Flint’s but, again, it is a minor point.
True to 25th Anniversary fashion, Zandar is wearing a removable chest holster, with thanks to Copperhead. His belt and buckle is also different but this one has more details, which makes it an improvement. By the way, the holster seems to be left-handed if you look closely. Not exactly ergonomic for mere mortals but mere mortals do not change skin colour, either.
The upper and lower legs are from Torpedo and Roadblock, respectively. The colours are, again, really accurate even though the legs do differ from the original, particularly the boots. The original Zandar had calf-length boots with gold kneepads, these being Zandar’s signature footwear. However, this Zandar made up for it with accurate colours. Adding another pistol with holster is a good touch, suggesting that he is left handed when shooting pistols and right handed with knives.
At the end of the day, what we have here is an excellent Zandar custom and proof positive that the right choice of paint colour and its application can make a very big difference. Zandar may not have his skin colour changing abilities (yet) but he had the decency not to blend in with the furniture for this reviewer.
Grade: 96%
Workmanship 10
Paint job 10
Details 9
Accuracy 9
Playability 10
MG Snake Custom Action Figure Review
A truly unique custom I have come across is this MG Snake custom done by StormShadow of Toy Soldiers 1:18.
The customized head is very detailed from the way hair flows naturally down to the bandana. The paint job is precise and leaves nothing undesired. The only minor gripe I would have is the tail left by the bandana as being too rigid due to the material. It is something that can be remedied in a few seconds.
The body construction is basically a Joe commando but it fits perfectly with Snake. There are 2 points of interest, however. The first being is the creative use of Trooper hands from the Star Wars line instead of the standard Joe hands. The grip is superior and is very practicable with some form of wrist protection. I would imagine these being rather helpful after hurling your empty, useless weapon at your enemies, though, I sincerely doubt it would be the case with Snake.
The second point is the knee area, particularly, the equipped knee pads. Professional wrestling may have safety regulations but I am sure operators would have no compunction in using these for other applications. Unfortunately, these may restrict some movement so figure poseability may be hindered, as well. Once more, it is a minor point.
The featured arms and equipment is an interesting mix of new and old school. Primary weapons are suppressed MAC10 with custom single point sling and suppressed MP5A4 with red dot and foregrip light. The customised slings are of particular interest as these primary weapons can now be shouldered. However, there is still room for improvement.
The MAC10 sling is attached through a small metal ring attached to the rear. I’m sure Chuck Norris comes to mind with this setup in each hand. Smaller versions of these rings, found in costume jewelry supply stores, will work wonders to place more emphasis on the MAC10 instead of the larger ring.
Similarly, the MP5A4 could benefit more with smaller rings and an attachment point just below and aft of the front sight.The rear attachment point is accurate but it will be difficult to attach something. It would entail attaching it like a hook, as the proper attacchment is only for one side of the stock.
Secondary weapons are the classic Berreta 9mm and the modern SOCOM mk23. I have no issue with these as they are both photogenic at this scale and very appropriate.
Lastly, the night vision goggles and knife round out the featured equipment. The knife has its edge highlighted with silver and the NVGs with a red lens effect. Though it cannot be worn by Snake, it is a noteworthy detail to have. Until it can be worn, that is. Then, it will be perfect.
At the end of the day, this is a well-made and very original custom action figure I highly recommend.
Grade: 94%
Workmanship 10
Paint job 9
Details 9
Accuracy 9
Playability 10
