GI Joe 30th Anniversary: Sci-Fi

Ahh, 1986. I turned 11 that year, and to me, it's kind of a sweet spot in the original ARAH line. I know there are those that say this is the year the line began to jump the shark, I see it as the year Hasbro began to allow the creators to let their imaginations run wild. And so along with the marine, the sniper and new rangers, medics and communications specialists, we get psychic twins, robot soldiers, mad scientists cobbling together genetic superbeings to battle football players and wrestlers, and this green weirdo.

I've always liked Sci-Fi despite (or due to) two things- He's pretty superfluous- How many military units need one laser rifle specialist, much less two? Flash has got this one covered. Also, as I said a moment ago, this is one weird looking fella. That's not to say he doesn't look cool, but the super neon green is not the most camouflaging colour he could have chosen. But that choice was made in 86, and this guy is an update of the classic figure, and what an update is is!

Check the detail- once again, the big H is just plain spoiling us with another figure geared to old school fans trying to fill in their old collection with modern style figures. everything looks just like- or better than- it's 86 counterpart.

Do the batteries power his boots so he can jump like Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo?

Again, we seem to have mostly new toolings for the figure parts and accessories, which is cool, but what's cooler is we get a couple new accessories- his helmet is removable, so we get to unmask Sci-Fi!

And he looks like... some guy!

Not only is the helmet removable, it's replaceable with a new fully visored version!

Or, the "Master Chief"

 

It makes sense- he'd be dealing with some pretty extreme temperatures, so more protection is a good thing.  The other accessories are pretty sparse, but well done. The "L-Lat laser assault targeting weapon" (or "argon-burst laser rifle"- he comes with only one gun, but has two plus a "support rifle" listed on his file card) is badass, if again difficult to hold thanks to a handle with an extreme angle.

Other than that, there's a pretty darn accurate (in a more appropriate silver) remold of the original backpack, and a length of standard Joe hose to link the rifle and pack.

Nice detail- The peg to attach the hose has a little red paint app. You'll almost never see it, but it's there.

So again, Hasbro nails it. This 30th anniversary is looking amazing so far, and it's only January. The new movie looks promising, and there's great product coming out the factory door. I can't wait to see what the rest of the year looks like!