GI Joe Pursuit of Cobra: Low-Light

As I've been working on getting some new content prepped for the blog, I went to the last few pages of photos yet to be edited and I ran across several GI Joe figures that I photographed before I sold off the majority of what I had of a Joe collection. It kind of saddens me to see the brand not getting the attention it used to, but I get it. Military and war toys just aren't as appealing as they were in the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. I understand why parents may not want their kids playing with toys of a "ruthless terrorist organization determined to rule the world". Even so some of the best Joe figures Hasbro pumped out where right before things seemed to sizzle out. I'm talking about the great Pursuit of Cobra series.

It's funny how certain characters become super popular when the original toy this new hot figure is based off of wasn't anything special. I never owned the Real American Hero Low-Light figure and I really never cared for the way he was depicted in any of the original Sunbow animation, however when pictures of this new version surfaced on the internet I could see why so many people were anxious to add him to their collection.

To saw that Low-Light came with a lot of gear, weapons and accessories would be a huge understatement! Just take a look at the massive backpack he comes with. Unlike the backpacks of old that just plugged into the back of the figure, this one can hold some of his gear. We've got what appears to be night vision goggles, ammo for his sniper rifle, a walkie talkie an some other sort of device. 

This case that holds his sniper rifle is something else. I thought the case that Bullhorn from the ARAH series was impressive before. Being a marksmen it makes sense that Low-Light's main weapon be something as stealthy as a sniper rifle, but to take the extra step to include a case like this? Kudos goes to somebody on the Joe team working at Hasbro.

You're not going to get many (if any) dynamic poses out of me, but see how awesome this gun looks in his hands?

I almost overlooked this subtle feature of the figure when I ripped him out of this packaging. On this right thigh is a small flashlight that can actually be removed and held in his hands! Just one more small touch and an added accessory that helps make this figure stand head and shoulders above his peers.

When a sniper rifle won't get the job done, Low-Light always has an uzi to fall back on!

Prices for this figure range from $15-$20 loose, complete to $30+ for sealed, carded versions. It's an awesome figure with great detail and great paint apps. The accessories are what put this figure over for me and I'm sure the same could be said for other Joe fans. If you collect modern GI Joes, you need this figure in your collection.

GI Joe Pursuit of Cobra: Skydive

For this long time Transformers fan and collector, when I hear the name Skydive I immediately think Aerialbot. However in the GI Joe mythos Skydive is one mean looking paratrooper. Skydive first appeared as part of the Sky Patrol in 1990 as part of the A Real American Hero series. He wouldn't receive another figure until 2011 as part of Hasbro's Pursuit of Cobra line.

As you can see Skydive has had a big overhaul since 1990. He now has a slick, modern flight suit. I guess that's what you'd call it.

The gear is removable as you can tell. Underneath you've got some sculpted body armor panels on the chest along with a generic looked masked head. Below on his left leg is a small holster for the included pistol.

His flight pack backpack is pretty cool looking. The wings can fold down and be holstered in place, released by springs with the push of a button. There are also two small missiles that can be attached to the backpack.

I always like the Cobra characters more than the Joes, usually because of their unique look and or included accessories. However I found myself buying many of the Pursuit of Cobra Joe characters based on their looks. Skydive definitely fits the bill. I love the look of this figure. If I were able to customize this figure, I think it'd make a great Viper themed troop builder.

Skydive is one of the better POC Joe characters in my opinion. Cool look, lots of cool gear and a attractive secondary market price tag. If you skipped out on this figure or are just discovering him for the first time, he can be had for less than $15.

GI Joe Pursuit of Cobra: Crazylegs

I don't know what it was about the original 1987 A Real American Hero figure of Crazylegs that I liked so much, but he was always one of my favorite characters as a kid. I was never big into the Marvel comic series so I can't put my finger on why I gravitated to the character, but when I learned he was receiving a modern update in the Pursuit of Cobra series, I was excited.

Thankfully the designers took that goofy look off his face from the original figure, but other than that it's a pretty faithful recreation of the ARAH toy. Same outfit, same colors, same design.

His parachute comes on the figure, but can be removed if you so choose to take it off. Thankfully the parachute isn't huge and bulky. It doesn't really detract from posing the figure or does it make him too top or back heavy.

The only other change, and it's a welcomed one, is that his helmet is now removable. Underneath you'll find Crazylegs wearing a black beanie. I should note that the figure came with a few more accessories than what I've shown. Years ago my display rack that housed many of my Joes fell off my wall and with that I lose many of the smaller guns and accessories.

Overall this is a beautiful figure and I can see how collector's flocked to it. A quick search on eBay shows that this figure, loose and complete, still commands $25-45! Part of me still wishes I owned this figure so I could display it side by side with my vintage Crazylegs, but I guess that will have to wait.