One & Done - BLIZZARD

ARCTIC ATTACK TROOPER - BLIZZARD

    I can't speak for everyone... but I never tired of Hasbro adding cold weather specialists to the G.I. Joe line.  It started in 1983 with Snow Job, who set the bar way high for all the figures to follow.  In 1988, they added Blizzard to the roster, who was not only able to match the awesomeness of previous winter figures, he even surpassed it to some degree!

    Whereas Snow Job was the Arctic Trooper, and Iceberg was the Snow Trooper, Blizzard was labeled the Arctic Attack Trooper... but it's basically all the same.  Blizzard is simply specialized to operate in winter conditions.  His file card says very little about his personality.  It more or less simply tells that he is a tough soldier when operating in a winter climate, but doesn't really explain why...?  A vague file card isn't bad though, it allows you to use your imagination to fill in the blanks.

    As Snow Job and the Snow Serpent before him had great accessories, Blizzard does not disappoint...  He comes loaded with gear including two white guns that appear to be wrapped in cloth, a black backpack, 2 ice shoes and a pair of skis.  You could attach either the shoes or skis to the backpack for storage while he wore the other.  

    If the accessories weren't awesome enough, you could even convert his backpack into a small attack-sled!  The backpack had (removable) handlebars and a machine gun molded onto the front of it.  All you had to do was attach the skis to the backside of the backpack and he could hold onto the handlebars and slide into action!  

    The final accessory was his helmet.  It was white and made with a soft, rubbery material.  You had to use your imagination here...  Though the helmet on the cardback picture looked great, the real thing was a little too big on his head.

    I have a memory of buying Blizzard back in the day.  When my friends and I hung out on weekends, our last stop was always Hills Department store.  After checking out the toy section, we would then go to the Lawn and Garden section (next to toys) with our chosen figures and sit in their lawn chairs or gazebo and talk till the store announced it's closing.  I remember finding Blizzard that first time and constantly looking over the packaging thinking how cool the figure was.  My figure collecting was slowing down, but this figure was a must-have.

    Blizzard, for all his greatness, only got the one figure in the line!  I just don't get it??  It really would have been great to see him pop up again!  In the UK, however, Blizzard DID get a second version as he was recolored for Tiger Force and he was yellow...?  That's just weird... yellow?  What was he camouflaged against?  Yellow snow???

    In my opinion, nearly every snow trooper in the G.I. Joe Line was a hit!  But in my eyes, Blizzard was the best of the best!  It felt as if they took many of the great qualities of the previous winter figures and managed to crank it up yet another notch!  The ONLY thing that could improve this figure would be to size the helmet a little better.  But I'm actually fine with it.  I have already mentioned in my post of Snoova's Top 10 Joes that Blizzard made the list... so it should be of no surprise that he catches a rating of 5 out of 5 Saucer-Sleds!