@tenime My man it was a question.

Accusing me of gate keeping, and being myopic for a question while talking about bullying Hasbro is either intentionally combative, or you being blind  to your own words since you seem to think I should be talked down to and demeaned for asking a question. 

My intention was nothing of the sort of what you are implying and doing so is both uncalled for and not going to make me stop posting if that is your intention.

Most of the big nostalgia brands are just rehashing the same characters over and over in new media (TF/SW/ML etc).  I have been a part of that cycle in most brands, as a consumer, so I was wondering if others were just wanting something brand new or just "newish" with some costume changes and character tweaks.  If the past 20 years are anything to go by then I would say most fandoms seem to be good with "newish" takes on characters they are already familiar with from the past.  I get companies are risk averse and sticking with what has already worked is safer than trying something new and having it fail.

As to QC well that is a given.  No company is immune to poor QC/design and bringing attention to it is about the only way to get things to change, outside of not buying which would then lead to the end of the line.   The question then is what do you say/do that isn't already being done throughout most fandoms?  The different teams all claim to see/hear what we say on the forums, and yet we still just get the standard corporate speak answers and some of the problems persist. 

As far as I'm concerned, Major Bludd has been the absolute pinnacle of the line.  I'm slightly biased because Bludd is my all-time favorite Cobra character, but the way they took the vintage elements and just interpreted what they should look like to a modern audience was pitch perfect.  And he beat the odds by also having a really cool sidearm.

Also, the Cobra Island Troopers (and Infantry) get a runner-up mention because I find the more detailed uniforms and masks to be way more appealing than the featureless cloth mask and helmet we'd get with the Cobra Officer's more retro-accurate design.

That's just really the sweet spot for me and I'm hoping they eventually revisit that aesthetic.  

Stop reminding me I don't have Bludd.  😣 

Major Bludd was also a favorite of mine since childhood. Loved that he was different back then, even if the difference limited him in a silly way. The Classified figures is near perfect. I wish the missiles would stay in his backpack. I HATE that they fall out the moment you touch him.

@fletch Oh man, Major Bludd is that figure that I forget how good he is til I happen to look at him again for the first time in a while and it's just like... they nailed it. That head sculpt alone is amazing, but they got his kit just right. Mine's a lil wobbly in the joints but visually I wouldn't change a thing. 

Another no-notes figure for me was Spirit, but I don't know if he counts as updated or if they just gave him more details. I adore that figure. 

@fletch Yeah Bludd and the Trooper/Officer are pretty great figures.  I wonder if they are going to revisit Bludd anytime soon.  Much like Firefly they did some significant updates for the first (CI) release, but they went back to the more traditional look for Firefly the second time around.  Yet they haven't hinted at looking at Bludd again even with the Retro card subline now in full force (ha). 

I'd prefer a Major Bludd with a more traditionally armored arm and the eyepatch. Everything else about the Classified seemed fine.

Bludd is overdo for a rerelease/repaint. I’m surprised he hasn’t been announced yet. 

Selfishly, I’d love for them to tackle v3 Major Bludd who was probably my first proper GI Joe (possibly Bushido or Banzai). I remember he was advertised in all the foldouts that came with the Street Fighter GI Joe stuff and for whatever reason, I thought he looked cool and wanted him to go with my Street Fighters (same with Bushido. Banzai I got at some point before the actual Vega came out because he looked like Vega)

wow been a long time since I have been on here. Hope everyone is doing well.

There's a possibility we might see Bludd in the retro line in 2025. On the Full Force a few weeks ago some one asked Chris if Serpentor, Mindbender or Bludd would be coming to the retro line. He said one out of the three is in 2025. My money is on Bludd since he was originally suppose to be part of the Walmart exclusives but got replaced by the Crimson Guard

My Night Creeper preorder on Amazon was set to be released on May 30th, but I just got notified it won’t be until August 2nd now. That’s a big change from these preorders arriving early!

Yup. My Amazon Night creeper and Jinx got pushed from May to August. Doc and Gnawgahyde still say May 31st as well as Retro Beachead, Eel, and Snow Serpent. I think only Torch is still set for it’s original release in July……so far.

Really bummed to have Jinx moved back but honestly, early preorders have been CLOBBERING me lately so I really should be hoping for delays. 

I think I'm looking forward to Doc the most though. A low-key GOAT for the Joes, really. 

Welp never mind. Looks like Amazon pushed back Torch, Doc, and Gnawgahyde to August also  along with Jinx and Night Creeper. 

So far Retro Beachead, Eel, and Snow Serpent are still slated for end of May. 

I think Bludd is pretty perfect, too.  It's a shame, imo, that they've been upscaling figures to the point where he and the troopers look kinda small.  Bigger shame that he was an exclusive.  I'd also dig a v3, so long as he has that goofy elbow spike!  QC is also my only real hangup on this line, and sure it's late but I'd be fine if they got rid of the drop-down hips any time now.  Not expecting it, but it'd probably make the toys better in the long run.  Some of the newer Marvel Legends feel so solid compared to our Classifieds in the hips.  I'd say 90% of the QC issues I have with my Classifieds are related to the hips.  Loose elbows and knees here and there too, particularly now with pinless joints.

Posted by: @normdapito

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Major Bludd was also a favorite of mine since childhood. Loved that he was different back then, even if the difference limited him in a silly way. The Classified figures is near perfect. I wish the missiles would stay in his backpack. I HATE that they fall out the moment you touch him.

Gotta get some of those clear ponytail rubber bands!  Very handy for characters like Bludd and Bazooka, and they barely show.  I wrap one above and one below the backpack peg.