Vacation in the Shadows – G.I. Joe con Invaded by Red Shadows!

Vacation in the Shadows. It’s probably slightly sad that I’m so excited about this! I got an email from Hasbro/Fun Publications regarding the G.I. Joe convention set. You may recall that I posted my thoughts about the first announcement that got me pumped for G.I. Joe this year that came in the form of Big Lob (I posted the press release at BSCkids)! While very pleased, I also mentioned that I was a bit bummed (but put a positive spin on) as it seemed that we’d probably see less and less convention exclusives in the classic 3 3/4 molds–the only types of figures that interest me at all. Thankfully, I was wrong as not only are we are getting a full blown 15 figure set – it’s all new and actually a set – Vacation in the Shadows – fans have been asking for: The Red Shadows!

There’s going to be a BUT…

The set will include the Black Major, Interrogator, Flint, six Red Torches and six Red Shadows Troopers (the latter two being army builders). Not being an army builder outside of a few personal subsets, I’ve always disliked the con sets that included them, as the multiples are really just cheap volume fluff to pad the value in the price point (though for the builder – which describes a large number of 3 3/4 collectors – obviously this is awesome). I hate being that guy who needs everything as he wants them (okay, that’s a lie I love being that guy), but at the price point of these sets I can’t buy anything that’s not somewhere near completely satisfying. 15 figures, 10 of which are irrelevant to me (I’d take one each of troops), so I’m paying a serious premium for the 5 figures that I actually want (which wasn’t cheap to begin with even at 15-figure ratio). I’d gladly blissfully pay the same price for 10 unique figures. Worse, there’s so many possibilities with the Red Shadows: Ironblood, Red Wolf, or a sweet new Red Jackal or Red Laser.

Let me rewind for a moment, as there may be those familiar with G.I. Joe, who may not know who the Red Shadows are. They are actually part of a retcon that doesn’t entirely suck. Unlike the common examples that make old fans cringe, it’s actually a very early (mid-80s) example – one at the root of the a franchise – as Baron Ironblood and Red Jackal would become Cobra Commander and Destro respectively, as the UK’s Action Force started morphing into something resembling G.I. Joe. Readers of the (former) Devil’s Due comic line know the Red Shadows as a unique party that or the most part stands apart from Cobra or G.I. Joe.

The Black Major was actually the second-in command to Iron Blood in the Action Force continuity and you can perhaps loosely attach him to Devil’s Due Wilder Vaughn (who led their version of the Red Shadows). I like the figure well enough (looks like a Major Bison mold usage–interesting that the mold is still around!). I can’t express how much the Flint would be improved with darker camo. I don’t hate the figure, but it’s probably not an improvement on the original, and comes off to me as not as cool as the original Falcon figure (one of the best for those who enjoy more pure military figures IMHO), but it wanted to be. As noted above, I’m rather ambivalent toward army builders so the Red Torch neither excites me or puts me off, though I think it’s a new concept. I’m looking forward to seeing the Red Shadows and Interrogator, as the two will likely decide whether I go after a set or cherry pick on ebay.

I posted the press release that I received over at BSCkids–go check it out! I wonder if there will be anything at this weekend’s Toy Fair, as BSC will be in attendance as press. If not, you can grab them at JoeCon (April 29th-May 2nd in Providence, Rhode Island) or later via the Collector’s Club.

Related posts:

1. Red Shadows Trooper storming G.I. Joe Con!
2. Who is Cobra Interrogator, dear Cobra Commander?
3. Dion Neon “Prime Time” Viper?