Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Alexx Shorts: RoC Sky Sweeper Jet with Air Raid (10/4/09)


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.



I like planes!

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Alright, I wana start with a complaint, so I'm gona turn the caps on real quick: WHAT IS WITH THESE PRICES? For fifteen bucks I got this little mole pod with an unimaginative figure coming with no weapons. The mole pod went under and behind to be as plain as possible. They couldn't even think of a neat sticker to put on the computer screen inside!

What do I get for fifteen bucks in this package?


Look at that thing, shoved in there. It's a gift! So, here, you get a repainted Firebat, which had previously been about 15 (if I'm not mistaken) and had one figure with a knife. With this repainted Firebat you get two new jet engines (pretty big, too!) and two missile launchers (that most of you will ignore) with new items molded for the skis underneath. Then, of course, you get the figure, but he comes with a helmet, rifle, and a pistol! 

WTF. 

I can't - for the life of me - figure out how those two equal out! I mean, I felt kinda cheated by getting the mole pod, but now with that TRU pack (with five figures and a mole pod for 25 bucks) and this Jet, I feel SLAPPED. Take into consideration the Armadillo as well! I don't know why this jet exists for this price with this much stuff while those other vehicles have been out there containing much much less!

Enough. Should you buy this? YES. It's a freakin' steal! 




The engines really feel like a considerable addition that also serve to make the ship different from the Firebat. You're not gona be fooled, but I still feel this takes the Tiger Force idea of captured vehicles and pushed it further by not making them horribly ugly and also upgrading them rather than leaving them the same! So, for me, this is a captured Firebat with additions!




So this Firebat no longer stands up on end, considering the new engines, so it has added skis! And MAN, what skis they are!



Skiguns!! I don't know how they take the recoil, and I don't know how those back ones support a whole jet on gun barrels, but who the heck cares? That's hardcore! You want more?


YEAH! Two big 'ol cannons. As usual, they're oversized. As usual, I love 'em! Perhaps they don't go well with those thin wings, but I don't mind. I'll come up with something for them. Just adds to all the guns covering this sucker! 

So I'd consider this baby bought just from the plane alone, but this one comes with some extra! Personally, I think Air Raid makes a perfect Barrel Roll! I've seen a few other folks agree. Even if you don't, it's still a snappy lookin' figure.



Thankfully they decided to paint the head rather than keep it molded plastic, since that effectively makes it looks quite different!



Being the Duke mold, he got to come with all his accessories, so there's another win!


Finally, though, I wana show you what a good Barrel Roll he makes!




And to push this overboard, here's Barrel Roll's Spytroops gear!



And finally, with a little gear, you've got an updated Barrel Roll!



So all in all, I gotta say that this is a no brainer! The only reason to skip this is if you just don't like the look. Otherwise, this is one of the few at this pricepoint that actually gives you quite a bit for your money!

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Prices were weird, back then.  I feel like Past Alexx's complaint was a legitimate one: You really got a deal, with this pack, which made the Mole Pod all the more disappointing!  I'm biased, of course, because the plane and figure are both fantastic, to me.  I think that Air Raid is still my default Barrel Roll for the new style figures.  Plus that plane!  As I said: I like planes.  Dunno why.  Especially when they're little one-man deals and look kinda like SHMUP ships from Gradius or something. 

I dunno how many would agree, but I think this is one worth hunting down, if you want the best of Rise of Cobra. 

10 comments:

  1. Planes are awesome, especially small ones. There's something cool about flying with as little as possible helping you to do so.

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    1. Yeah, those little glider planes scare the hell out of me more than hang gliders, for some reason.

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  2. Yeah, I remember grabbing this from the TJ Maxx on vacation near Boston and being thrilled that I finally found the set amidst all those Mole Pods. Just a ridiculous value, and Air Raid's a great figure. If it wasn't for Marauders I'd certainly be using him as Barrel Roll.

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    1. I keep thinking of my own characters that I haven't tried to build any existing Joes out of Marauder parts, yet!

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    2. That new short sleeved guy is just BEGGING to be Footloose. Like, they're not even trying to hide it now. Although weirdly, Hasbro beat 'em to the punch with the new Shooter figure (which is awesome).

      (I like how the new ones seemingly got rid of the armor on the arms and legs. That was fine for Cobras, but it was bugging me on the Joes.)

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  3. "I'M A SPYYYYYYYYY!" - Classic Alexx.

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    1. Man I wish I had been doing reviews back during Spytroops. That whole series was half awesome, half jokes that write themselves.

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    2. You;ve managed to sneak a few in over the years. I remember one for the Shipwreck/Cobra Commander you did, I believe for the Blue Dollar Store version.

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  4. But do you still feel SLAPPED?

    I think the only time I felt that way about a toyline was the 2000s MOTU line. It was like it hated to be collected. It hated me, personally. It wanted to destroy the things I loved.

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    1. Eh, not so much anymore, though it was a confusing time for price points.

      And YEAH, the 2000's MotU line single handedly put a stop to my regular toy hunting habits. I used to go out on a regular basis, but when it came to that line, it was pointless.

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