As part of the 50th anniversary collection, Hasbro released a vehicle boxed set featuring Flint with an updated V.A.M.P. MKII based on its vintage look and a Cobra Eel with Night Landing Raft. This set was originally released as an SDCC exclusive, and, like many exclusives, it had a retail version that hit shortly after. Today we’ll be checking out the retail version of the latest G.I. Joe vehicle set: Danger at the Docks.
The packaging is pretty standard fare. It’s eye catching thanks to the always fun artwork that the Joe brand is known for, and the two figures are packaged in a window so as to be visible. The box is surprisingly small for containing so much, but of course this is due to the fact that assembly is required.
Flint and the V.A.M.P. MKII
Although most of it has been seen before, the sculpting on this entire set is top-notch. The V.A.M.P. is an update that really keeps its vintage flare. All the details that you’d expect are sculpted: rocket launchers, removable water canisters, tow hitches, etc. It’s just a fun vehicle that I would have loved to play with as a kid. The truck has to be assembled, but once completed, has a relatively sturdy feel to it, although I did have some trouble snapping the doors on. One thing to note is that the instructions omit the part about connecting the cables to the rocket launcher, so be sure you do that before you snap it together. And, of course, each vehicle comes with a decal sheet.
Flint is another great update to his classic look, and Hasbro has made good use out of old parts. He now has the ribbed turtleneck that the Joes seem to love, and his sleeves are a good bit longer than the vintage figure, but I think it works. Flint comes with a pistol, shotgun, two knives, and some pretty cool webgear for his shotgun shells. Articulation is standard and Flint has the jointed wrists, but no cool rocker ankles. The construction is top-notch and I didn’t have any issues with gummy plastic like I did with my recently purchased 50th anniversary Destro.
The paint on Flint is decent, although there is a bit of slop here and there, and the vehicle is as basic as most Joe vehicles. The real topic of conversation is the SDCC vs. retail versions of this set. The SDCC version has Flint and the V.A.M.P. painted in the vintage colors with the Cobra Eel and Night Landing craft sporting the more modern look. The retail version has the opposite. Flint and the V.A.M.P. take the modern approach while the Eel and raft are in their classic colors. Fans will surely grumble, but it’s a smart move on Hasbro’s part to get collectors to buy two sets. I personally prefer the vintage paint on the figures and the modern paint on the vehicles, but, sadly, I’ll just have to settle for the retail combination.
Cobra Eel and the Night Raft
Cobra Eel was in my top five favorite G.I. Joes as a kid, so it’s always a pleasure seeing him on the toy shelves.
The Night Raft is the same vehicle that was released way back in 1985. This thing is nearly 30 years old, and other than perhaps having the rope around the boat be a separate piece, I don’t see too many ways to improve the sculpt. It’s simple, a lot of fun, and actually floats. I’m not the biggest fan of the mounted machine gun, so that’ll most likely be left off. I definitely would have preferred the SDCC version of the raft, but you can’t really argue with that classic Cobra blue.
Cobra Eel is another mix of existing parts that work extraordinarily well, but it’s always been the gear that makes him such a fun figure to own. Eel comes with his helmet (w/ air hose), back pack, spear gun, machine gun, and two sets of flippers. One set of flippers is the standard pair that plugs into the foot hole like a big snow shoe, while the other is completely awesome. The flippers fit over the boot as it should and there is even a joint that offers some poseability. My one issue is that the mouthpiece and air tubes that connect to the backpack want to pop off every time you look at it, so I definitely see some superglue in his future.
Another big sell for collectors is the foot locker that is just packed with stuff. I won’t even attempt to inventory what’s in there — just know it’s overflowing with guns, knives, and even a few hatchets. The lockers themselves have holes and pegs so that you can stack them, which is an interesting addition, but unless they start releasing these lockers with single figures, one is probably all I’ll get.
The G.I. Joe 50th anniversary sets are really bringing the value these days, and at $29.99, this is another win for team Hasbro. You get two well-executed figures, two FUN vehicles, a weapons locker, and a metric ton of accessories.
Yo Joe. Yo Joe, indeed.
Thanks for reading!
