I’m not a completist by nature, though running IAT and buying subscription-based figures has sorta turned me into one. Still, what I really appreciate is a good line that I can jump into and pick up a few great figures… though lately it’s been more than a few with GI Joe.
If you started reading IAT early on, then you might remember that we featured a lot of GI Joe coverage in our first year (Heck, we even attended JoeCon that year). GI Joe kinda got in a funk after Rise of Cobra product piled up and I started to lose interest because there was either nothing to look for or, worse, nothing to be found. I picked up a few here and there, but I was definitely ‘out’ there for awhile. But I always want to buy Joes and Hasbro started obliging me a little last year with great figures like Low Light, Crazylegs, Storm Shadow, and now this last handful of 30th Anniversary figures (though it’s somewhat bittersweet to want to really get back into Joes right now as we transition to Retaliation product).
Upcoming movies aside, the ‘last’ non-movie wave is chock full of great figures – figures that I’m finally caught up enough on MOTU/Marvel/DC/7th Market reviews to feature regularly (at least until this case of Joes my wife bought me is empty… thanks, Honey!).
Oh, I should point out before I get any deeper into this review that Airtight is technically a Renegades figure that is pulling double duty. Unlike Storm Shadow though, he does it by being largely off-model to his appearance in the new cartoon. This doesn’t concern me.
Airtight is the Joes “Hostile Environment” trooper. Now, if you’re thinking that’s really a term for Snake Eyes, stop thinking about a skyscraper full of ninjas and think more about poisons, noxious gases, and other unpleasantries. If you’re transporting a dangerous chemical (that’s really Root Beer) and spill it, don’t sacrifice yourself and fall on it, just call Airtight. He’ll take care of it. That’s his job.
I don’t know how much reuse is going on here with Airtight, but the suit looks largely new and is perfectly tailored for him as a containment suit. So much so, that I want to see Hasbro reuse this figure’s base on a more generic trooper with a more common mask. For now though, it works great for Airtight. He looks sharp in the classic helmet and appropriately silly (but safe!) when unmasked. I should also point out that being able to take a helmet off a Joe is one of the best things ever. Seriously. Continue to Page 2…
Great Airtight Review! Your reviews of Joes have been making me pine for my old MCC which was lsot long ago
Thanks!
I may never be able to replace some of the other larger items – I still keep my Flagg flight deck out in the cellar, but that’s nearly all that survived, but I snagged the MCC when they re-released it a few years ago.
they RE-released it? When was this?
I thought you just bought another one off ebay or something?
they REALLY need to re-release the Terror Drome!
2003. Joe Vs Cobra: SpyTroops series. TRU exclusive:
http://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/03/mcc/
Also you are putting my Joe pics to shame noisy! 😉
Not at all! Your JoeFest over at Plastic Graveyard has been awesome! I’ m trying to skip the Marauders 7pk and you’re killin’ me! Keep up the great work!
Thanks!
Yeah it really is a great set..I am suprised by how much I like it, normally I am a bad guy type of dude but the SM set has really sold me on a few of these guys!
Thanks ever so much for putting in the extra effort on Airtight. I did have him as a kid and he was my least favorite from ’85 (along with Barbecue) due to the factor you mentioned: The coolest thing about Joes is removable helmets. They add so much to both the fun and value of owning each figure. Airtight is frequently mixed in with the other two “Mustard Joes” (Lightfoot and Scoop) who have the removable helmets working in their favor. Over the years though, I’ve grown to respect the character for his specialty and the comics have helped a lot in this regard.
This is the first time we’ve seen Airtight’s face in plastic form. The clear visor and extra accessories make the awesome meter go off the grid here. A truly fantastic figure among what may amount to the last great wave of classic characters until Retaliation comes and goes this year. It’s really a shame that the 30th Anniversary is coinciding as well.
Regarding the movie stuff, I’m planning on getting Dwayne and Bruce along with the new Crimson Guard and Night Viper provided that they don’t go the way of last year’s highly expected Kwinn figure.
Thanks again for another excellent review and picfest!
Thank you!
It’s so sad about the helmets. It’s such a silly thing, but it really makes a big difference. Even 25th Barbecue has the same affliction.
It was his being a Hostile Environment trooper that got me in trouble. I was going to just do a simple/quick review, but then I wanted him fighting Hazard Vipers, and then I wanted to do the dio… one thing led to another all the way until the wee hours of the morning! LOL
I haven’t looked into the movie stuff too much beyond wanting RoadRock and Joe Colton. I need to check out the Gaurd and Viper if you’re giving them the Clutch stamp of approval! I’m still bummed about Jinx being at SDCC more than aything.
By the way: That was an AWESOME dio story!!! Airtight and Barbecue were badass. I would pay good money for a printed version! Way better than most of the recent comics out there.
LOL I don’t know if it’s that good – I wish I hadn’t skipped from them leaving to them just being there – how cool would a shot of Airtight using the Geiger counter to find the Vipers have been? Or Barbecue actually tossing the axe?!. But I do appreciate the sentiment, thank you! 😀
Dammit Noisy! I thought I already quit buying Joes! You’re making it hard on me to stay Joe free…
It’s hard not to pick these up, but on the bright side the movie will quickly steal their pegs!
I come here for the superhero reviews, but I love your G.I. Joe reviews. As an 80’s kid I was very entrenched into all things Joe, and these figures have a great nostalgia factor to them. I love that these originals have been improved on in so many ways in sculpting and accessories. Sadly I don’t collect these because the best thing about the 80’s Joes to me where the vehicles, but every time I see one of these reviews I get very tempted. Feel free to continue the storytelling. It’s working.
Thank you, Tommy!
The vehicles are what get me too – I bought the Crimson Hiss, but I don’t have room to open it. I wanted the Steelcrusher & the Mark IV VAMP, but I just don’t have the room. And the new Skystriker! Ugh! Joe vehicles are an important of the line and it’s so hard not to buy them (but they just take up too much space right now!).
The story today was great! Man, keep that up and we’ll expect it every review…
Thanks!
I know… I really gotta stop. 😀
Great review as always!
Airtight is one of my favorite Joes, largely because of the cartoon but also just cause he had a helmet on.
I love my Airtight 30th and I’m glad you did too.
Thanks, Rex!
Airtight turned out really great. Definitely a sleeper figure for me in this assortment.
This was EXACTLY the one I was hoping you’d review. I likewise started recollecting joes very recently (Lifeline was my gateway since he was always my favorite). I got a bunch Of the Pursuit of Cobra and 30th guys, some of which I loved (Alley, Hazard and Zombie vipers) and some of which I was sort of Ho-Hum over (Spirit, Zartan, Quick Kick). I wound up returning a bunch I’d realized I bought just to buy (Stalker, Law & Order, Jungle Viper and Steel Brigade). I’m still sitting on Sci-Fi, Dusty, Techno Viper, Skydive and Airtight unopened and I was hemming and hawing on keeping the last two. This totally sold me on Airtight!
Are you a vehicle guy at all Noisy? I picked up a POC Fury loose and it looks badass covered in Alley Vipers.
I love Lifeline! I’m definitely looking forward to opening him here soon. I’m also really happy with Sci-Fi and the Techno-Viper (though he’s not as a good a figure as some of these others, that just happens to be one of my all time favorite vipers and I’m biased).
I love the vehicles, but I’m just so pressed for space! I had all of the 25th stuff right up through that giant Target pack with the two tanks, but I just couldn’t keep up with the room needed so I sold a lot of it. I’ve got the Crimson HISS and I wanted that Mark IV Vamp but never got around to buying it and it appears to be gone from the shelves. The vehicles are what makes Joe so awesome I think.
I’ll have to check out that POC Fury! Is it similar to the Fury of old?
I…geeked out a little there, didn’t I.
That’s what we do around here. 🙂
I didn’t have the original Airtight, but maybe the Eco-Warrior? or was that Deep-six??) I know I did have Barbecue (a favorite), and Scoop and Lightfoot, later on, tho.
fun little story, btw!
Deep Six was an Eco-Warrior along with a few others (I enjoyed those), but I don’t think they brought Airtight back for that sub line.
And thanks!
found Airtight, Lifeline, and Techno-Viper (Ripcord, Steel Brigade-? and Scarlett, who NO ONE seems to want!) at Sullivan today on way back up from Waynesville. grabbed Techno, almost grabbed Lifeline (he’s even got little paddles! LOL). I had to pass on Airtight, tho. He’s just not standing out much for me.
(sucks they’re advertising that awesome Stormshadow on the back, too!)
Awesome pics there. BTW, the “Geiger counter” is an accurately modeled Smiths Detection HGVI Gas & Vapour Identifier. I’m really impressed at the amount of detail that Hasbro put in most of their Pursuit of Cobra and 30th Anniversary G.I.Joe figures (the ones that weren’t blatant “Frankenjoes”, at least).
Thanks!
And thanks for the heads up on the Geiger counter – I was so wrapped up in the “classic” look for that particular tool that it didn’t even occur to me that he would naturally have a modern version!