If I’ve learned anything from moving into my first home, it’s that I’ll be unpacking for the rest of my life. Seriously. Every time I think of an old figure I need for a review, it’s inevitably adrift somewhere in the cardboard sea in my garage. For Dice’s review, that sorta became the theme.
I’ve been having a tough time deciding on what to review each time my turn comes up here at IAT lately. One thing I was excited for this year was the G.I. Joe Club’s Figure Subscription Service and I’ve been keen to review them (well, most of them) for awhile, but I couldn’t find the boxes that were holding my Joes hostage. I decided to go ahead and do the review with the figures I knew where they were… which ultimately failed and just had me out in the garage unpacking in search of figures I just had to have. Sigh. Nonetheless, I’m happy to finally kick off my Joe Reviews for 2013.
I’m calling this a Jinx non-review because I wanted to acknowledge that she’s in the FSS, I love the idea of toy subscriptions and I don’t mind the occasional figure I’m not interested in, she’s a cool figure if you wanted her, and that I’m just not one of those folks. She’s built on the Resolute Scarlett, a nice figure in her own right, with a new head and a slew of accessories. The accessories are almost enough to get me to keep her, but ultimately I already have a near-perfect modern Jinx and I just don’t need two. As a very wise man recently told me, it’s better to convert her back to cash and use the money on a toy I really want than to review her just because.
Now, my not keeping Jinx isn’t a knock against toy subscriptions. I still love ‘em and one big reason is because they expose me to figures I might have missed out on had I had the chance to pass them up at the store. Dice is one of those figures. When I received the first two FSS figures and they turned out to be Jinx & Dice, I was a little disappointed (the Club announced 12 of the 13 figures beforehand, but has randomized the release schedule. That part is actually pretty cool). I had some Ninja Force figures as a kid, most notably the kickass Storm Shadow and Nunchuk (still waiting on his update…). And even though I never had him, I’ll never forget the name T’JBang.
But I glossed over Slice & Dice completely. When I first heard about them years ago, I didn’t even remember that they rounded out the evil half of Ninja Force. Even still, I have no idea how they were presented in any of the comics or what comics they’ve even been in. So I wasn’t that excited about Dice whatsoever (particularly because owning him kinda necessitates owning a Slice, does it not?) For a time, Dice was awaiting the same fate as Jinx and I found myself looking forward to the second release of FSS Joes without even knowing who I was going to get. Continue to Page 2…
I loved him as a child, but even then Snake Eyes always won.
It’s just the way of things.
Funny how this guy’s parts getting used all over recent lines (POC, 30th, etc.) of Gi Joe http://www.yojoe.com/action/09/aquaviperofficer.shtml
Never thought i would see that head again. but i like how the sub is using ROC parts extensively! Wish i had the money for them but the international price was just way too much for my wallet.
The domestic price is way to much too! 😉
“Dice-Vipers” LOL!
Wait… You killed Ace! Man, that neat little story went from light to dark real fast.
Noisy, you’re probably a decade or so younger than me since I was 10 when the RAH line debuted. As such, I view the Ninja Force stuff as being more Generation Y than X. And yet, I’ve always liked Slice & Dice on their own. I’m a sucker for mercenary/bounty hunter duos going back to the days of 4-LOM and Zuckuss, so Dice and his partner have always shown promise. We’ll both need to get Slice now once his turn comes up.
Agreed on your points regarding toy lines. Action figure collecting might be one of the few aspects of life where lameness turns into a virtue.
Look for Slice to be available only at Disneyland Japan between 3:00 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. tomorrow.
Yes, I’m bitter and cynical when it comes to collecting these days. Don’t get me started on trying to complete TransFormer teams . . . .
It’s all make believe. Ace is okay. 😉
Hooray!!! 🙂
Great review, excellent photos, and fun comics, as ever!
Jinx . . . man, there’s a sore spot. I just hope that at some point BBTS does a Rawhides multi-pack containing movie-accurate Law & Order, Big Lob, Lt. Falcon, Jinx, Tunnel Rat, Beachhead, and Chuckles (with a brighter Hawaiian shirt this time).
Thanks, Beedo!
That’d be a cool seven-pack!
The photos and story for this review are fantastic! Awesome job!
Thanks, Zach!
I’m sorry, but as cool as Dice is (truth: I don’t think he’s cool at all) he’s definitely not worth 25$ and up. Hardly any of these subscription figures are (maybe Big Boa, but that’s just ’cause he’s so cool.) I can’t justify buying something that expensive with practically no new parts. If others want ’em, more power to them, but they aren’t for me.
I think I’m tired of worrying about what something is worth anymore. If I want it, then I buy it. If I deemed it too expensive, then I didn’t really want it.
I don’t think that will work for everybody, maybe no one but me, but it’s how I’ve come to look at it.
you can’t start nit-picking figures and trying to factor in cost to percieved value. just because a figure shares some or all used parts doesn’t make worth any more or less it’s dollar value. obviously, if you’re getting a figure with ALL NEW sculpt you can percieve that you’re getting a better value for your dollar, rather than a figure with 90% re-use. take Snake Man-At-Arms for instance, the only new sculpt on him was the head and the accessory — I have to admit, with that one I did feel as though I wasn’t quite gettiny my money’s worth — But there are transformers with virtually the same mold, but they do not seem like any less of a value because they are a new, unique character rather than a retread of an old character.
one of the few FSS figs I actually like, but not willing to pay that pricetag for him.
It was a high-priced sign-up be sure. I wanted to do the TF FSS, but they just didn’t make any one really cool enough to be worth it.
Well done figure, but Big Boa has my eye, and that’s about it.
Time to bring 25th/30th/or 31st or whatever they wanna call it back, Hasbro.
Definitely. I was looking forward to getting back to some anniversary stuff post-movie, but the movie has to come out first!
Never had as a kid but had that Snake-eyes and Storm Shadow. Never saw those updates though. Dice-vipers thats funny.
I had a lot of Ninja Force, just never Slice & Dice. For awhile I thought the first figures were the mid-2000s ones. Oops.
Oh man, I seriously can’t believe you’re selling that Jinx. She looks so cool and makes me wish FP weren’t in charge of these.
FunPub just make it impossible for international fans to get their stuff. Not like Matty, who only have some bumps. No, this is straight-up killing the international fandom from ever participating in the fanclubs.
Guh.
Anyway, great review and pics as usual.
Thanks, Sandman.
Jinx does look like a cool figure – I actually wish Quarrel had this same body, but Hasbro already set me up on Jinx. This is a great homage to her VvV days (or whatever banner that 2000s Jinx came out under), but the 30th one is near perfect.
It sucks that FunPub doesn’t do better with international stuff. As big as Joes & TF are you’d think it would only benefit them to do it right.
“but Hasbro already set me up on Jinx.”
Yep, another exclusive not available to international fans. 😀
Dunno what you’re going to ask for the FunPub Jinx (probably a lot?) but if you put her up for sale somewhere let me know…
So…is Jinx spoken for, or are you still looking for a buyer?
I was just going to toss her on eBay, so any offers are welcome. Shoot me an e-mail.