Alexx Shorts: PoC Ghost Hawk with Tomahawk (7/27/10)

Well, this is it: I've finally decided to start reposting my old "Alexx Shorts" G.I. Joe reviews.  They're the reviews that lead to what eventually became this blog!  I'll be posting them in straight copy-and-paste format, separating them with bold dotted lines so you know where they begin and end, and then I'll post some final thoughts on what I think of the figure currently.

For those unfamiliar: I used to take random pictures here and there, but by the time the Rise of Cobra toys came out, I was getting annoying with how much people had been bashing the figures which were clearly better than the previous 25th Anniversary offerings.  I set out to show people how awesome they were, and things went from there, forming into "Alexx Shorts", named so because I thought I was going to keep to a short format with a few pictures.  I did not do that.

Did someone say g-g-g-g-g-GHOST?!

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Next in the Pursuit of Cobra line is something you're all familiar with: The Ghost Hawk! I'd be familiar with it too, except I never had the Sky Hawk and I completely missed the remake not long ago (with Lift Ticket). That's okay, though, 'cause this takes that same remake and adds new parts to really bring this forward with newer-looking tech. If I could put the two side-by-side, it really would look like an update to the original Sky Hawk.

 Same basic idea, brand new tech!

First off, the box up top has some info on the "mission" on the back:

And it's a total TEASE! Don't you go mentioning a Terror Drome without making one! That's just mean.

Otherwise, the box (like the Doom Cycle) has a new background:

This one is up in the sky with the bottom being the trees below. It's very cool, but not as big as the Wal-Mart exclusive packs, so it's kinda hard to use for vehicles; even a small one like this. If they ever make a new version of the Annihilator, then I'll be sure to use this background! 

Moving on: how about that figure?

Hey, it's Clutch! Well okay, he looks better with the helmet on:

But seriously, it's Clutch!

You can be the judge on whether or not it looks too much like Clutch to be this new Tomahawk guy. I wouldn't have a problem if the new Vamp wasn't actually coming with Clutch with pretty much the same paintjob on his head as this guy. As it is, the beard is at least different:

And the wonky eyes of the 25th line (well, not all of it) also serves to make him a little different. Honestly though: it's just Clutch with a better paint job. I don't think I'll bother swapping heads, since the helmet makes him look different to me. Regardless, I wish they would have used someone else, or had given this guy a different hair color. Head reuse can only go so far, especially when you don't even change it around from who it was used for originally (and especially when it's going to be used back to back in the same line).

Next, Tomahawk uses one weapon: a knife. Which, I guess isn't surprising, because he's using all of Lift Ticket's stuff.  Body, gear, everything. Still, I wish he would have gotten a pistol or something.

The knife fits in his leg sheath, though not as tightly as I would have liked (not that it matters, since he'll be in the cockpit most of the time). Other than that, his filecard says he's a great pilot (duh) former air force and blah blah blah. Not bad stuff, but nothing amazing either. Pretty much a throw away vehicle driver, sadly. Looks okay, described minimally, and comes with a knife. You'll put him in the cockpit, and maybe a year later you'll open it up to put someone in and say "oh, that's where Tomahawk went!"

"GET ON WITH IT!" says the crowd in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

You got it, soldier:

The main body is the Ghost Hawk from before, with the following changes:

New jets

Definitely a cool look when compared to the turbines of the original. Sadly, though, they're aimed right at the tails on the sides...

New skis:

A new backside with the big side panels removed (for little tail wings) and a low swooping tail instead of the original foil (I have no idea what the official names for these parts would be):

The side panel comes off just like the previous Ghost Hawk:

And the cockpit window has been covered up save for the little red part in the front:

The right side of the pic is the inside view, and there are stickers to make it look like a view screen. I think the red has something to do with the filecard describing his helmet as a "FVIR Full-Visual Infrared Flight Helmet with Computerized Display Visor." Overall, a cool little detail. Taking the big windows out and replacing with computers seems to be a theme, so far. However, with a fancy description like that, I would have liked the goggles on his helmet to go over his eyes.

Otherwise, the other thing to be carried over from the other Ghost Hawk are some missile ports on the back bottom, which will perfectly fit those extra bombs you may have gotten from the Target Exclusive CLAW glider:

So just in case you don't fully read these things (I don't blame you): The bombs are from the CLAW, and don't come with this ship.

Finally, the guy fits just fine:

And I've already forgotten he was in there a couple times. He won't be using that control stick, though. Way too far down for him to reach.

So what else is new? Well, the interchangeable weapons comes into play for the first time:

There's a little vulcan and some sorta bomb/missile launcher thing. If that's what some missile launchers look like, please tell me, 'cause to me it looks like a bomb that launches a missile. It's still cool, but kinda strange. 

Anyway, they attach to the bottom of the ship via the same peg system as the HISS, so you can put those on the HISS if you'd like:

Or vice versa...

Anyway, if the weapons in this system continue to be so cool looking, then this is gona be a sweet system! I especially love the little vulcan (reminds me of Einhander, if anyone knows that game). I'm looking forward to whatever comes off the Vamp.

So, what's the verdict? I think it's kinda obvious; I don't see anything to dislike about this beyond the fact that Tomahawk is riding the Ghost Hawk.

But he's not a bad looking pilot, just a boring one. So generic, in fact, that he'll probably be in all of your Ghost Hawks, 'cause ya know, this is one to stock up on if you haven't done so with the original. It's simple, looks fantastic, and it has the same functionality of the original with an updated look. Absolutely nothing to dislike about this one (unless the jets being aimed at the back tails bothers you).

This is one of my favorite kind of ideas: bringing an old favorite forward. They did a great job, and this is the perfect descendant to the original Sky Hawk. 

Now, I'll leave you with the prerequisite ridiculous hijinks:

HAHAHAHA! Oh Alexx, you're such a card.

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This is one of those perfect little vehicles that is definitely making the team, when I cut most of my vehicles.  Small is always a plus (and anything that flies), so you can't really go wrong with a one-man futuristic flight pod.  Like Past Alexx said: It perfectly updates the original Sky Hawk, and I can't see any reason not to have this in your collection if you're still collecting Joes.  I could see you favoring the original Sky Hawk....but eh, I see this as an all around improvement (unless you're specifically going for a shelf with 80's looking stuff).  Check it out, if you're hurtin' for a vehicle to whoosh around the house.