Alexx Shorts: PoC Destro - Arctic Assault (11/18/10)

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.


Leave the arctic alone!  Geeze!

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Hey, it's Destro!

According to the card, this silver headed guy sells weapons to Cobra and the highest bidders. And he made himself a freeze cannon! I wonder if he's a robot?

Okay okay, we all know Destro. Once again, we've got a major character in another environment without making a brand new character for the job. We're all used to it, and heck, we've never had an arctic Destro before, so I'm cool with it! After all, he's got a good set of items here:

Well okay, it's a little random, and the filecard says he's got an "advanced marksman multi-optic rifle" which he clearly doesn't have. But he's got two climbing hooks! And a DRILL.  

We'll get to that, though.

Here's Destro, sans coat.  It seems like a standard for this line to make a totally awesome base body and cover it with something, so like I've said in reviews like Beachhead's: I hope we see this body again! It's armored and cool looking, and I think it could fit in anywhere. Heck, it even doesn't look too bad without the coat; the arms have these armored shoulders as well. Also, you can see some cool armored boots with...um...handles on the ankles. Dunno what those are for, but I suppose they could be some sort of shocks.  

Next:

Coat, on!  The arctic getup is unmistakable. There's the fur around the collar, frosting on the shoulders and, of course, the head! Granted, this is technically the movie version, making that his skin, but if this is classic Destro then that's one COLD head! But hey, I'm sure he's got all kinds of electronics in there, so perhaps it's heated. Overall, I like the frosting, though the goggles have obviously rubbed a bit of it off. Mostly because the goggles are quite a tight fit. You can pull it over his eyes with some force, but keeping it on his forehead take a little bit of an exact touch.

On to the accessories. He comes with cool stuff, but not a lot that will really defend him. Seems more like he's on a mission to excavate stuff. Just like Arctic Doc (the TRU exclusive) he comes with (what was pointed out to me as) the flamethrower that burned his face in the movie.

Always helpful to have some fire around when it's cold. And speaking of tools, he's also got two climbing hooks for...well, climbing.  

Oh...so that's where the Techno-Vipers went.

Anyway, climbing hooks! They look cool, been used before, and seem to be standard issue for arctic guys who need to climb stuff. To round out the "tool" thing Destro has going on, he's also got a big 'ol ice drill you may have seen in documentaries or movies:

Oh, that picture doesn't have any jokes in it. Do we have jokes for this picture? No? Alright, moving on.

So the drill is VERY cool as a set prop, but I kinda wish they had mentioned it in the filecard. Ya know, like Destro is looking for something out there. Or at least told kids what it is, though I suppose it's obvious. Either way, I like it, and as much as I like to see new weapons, I also like to see cool stuff like real world tools. And hey, even if a kid doesn't recognize it as a tool: IT'S A BIG DRILL. Awesome, right?

So that leaves Destro with one weapon.

The freeze ray! Er, Frost Cannon! Whatever. It's a classic eco-warriors-style water blaster that works pretty much the same way they used to. Suck up some water and spit it out with the button. The backpack is solid (rather than squishy like the eco-warriors ones) with a button on the back. Now he just needs to shoot someone with a color changing paint job!

Naw, I'm just kidding. It's taken care of in a much more interesting way, now!

Ice parts! These are the items you use for anyone that Destro shoots. you've got one for the arm or leg, and one for the general chest area. Though, these can be fitted in a lot of different ways, if you put your mind to it. This is my favorite part of the accessories, and one of the main reasons I bought 'em (save for the big drill).

So, in the end, I'm not sure if this is really a suggested buy. On one hand, it looks good, it's the first arctic Destro, and he comes with cool accessories. On the other hand, for many of you, it's just Destro again and you may not have any use for an arctic version. Touché. Regardless, I'm in this for good toys, as always, and if you want an arctic Destro, there is absolutely no reason not to get this one. He may not blow me away, but he's a workable toy that does everything he should. You may think he doesn't have the full 90 degree angle in the elbows because of the baggy coat arms, but trust me (and try this with many figures that you think can't do it) just grab the arm, and push IN and UP. He's got a perfect 90's degree angle and can hold most weapons you give 'em, with only the coat getting in the way of the arms reaching across his chest. In fact, he looks great with many weapons.

So, if you DO think he looks cool, then have no fear. He's a great figure. He may not have all-around use, but a good toy is a good toy.

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Something to note: Past Alexx mentioned that the goggles are a tight fit and took off some of the frost on his head.  Well....years of goggles-on-head just scrapped it ALL off, so he currently has this big shinny section where the frost used to be.  In case you've got one lying around with his goggles on.

Not a bad figure!  I think Past Alexx said all that's needed to be said.  He fills a niche, and there haven't been any Arctic Destros after him, so if you need one: This is it!  Otherwise there's no big reason to hunt him down.  Maybe hunt down the ice pieces and the drill, 'cause those are cool!  It all just depends on where you live.  For me, he's perfect, 'cause Michigan likes to snow (though, not so much recently, since climates change and all that) so I can get him and the other (surprisingly large amount of) snow guys I have together and take some snow pics.  Beyond that, if you're not in a snowy place and don't build dioramas...there's not much to do with him. 

That's it!  Bleh!