One Word Reviews - SERIES 4 (1985)

One Word Reviews - Series 4 (1985)

"It was the best of times!"

    It's been awhile, so I think it's time to jump back into some ONE WORD REVIEWS!  Yes, this is where the Judges Panel of the SCC is given an entire Wave of Joes to review...  The Trick?  They can only use ONE word to describe the figure, and they can't use it twice in the same Wave.  

    The 6 Judges on the panel consist of two of my very best friends growing up in the world of G.I. Joe.  Using the code names of Deathwish and Knightmare - we spent many countless hours playing, discussing and hunting for G.I. Joe Toys.

    Joining in the fun are 4 of my boys - using the code names of Blitzwing (15), Agent Zero (17), Gravy (15) and Beachcomber (12).  They have grown up around my collection and have had their own Joe figures over the years.  Unfortunately, Agent Zero wasn't able to get in on this Wave.

    Anybody familiar with G.I. Joe should be well-aware that the 1985 Series is widely considered one of the best years in the toy-line, if not THE best!!!  So, what does that mean the Judges will think of these figures?  We all have our opinions - maybe someone thinks this Wave of figures was a loser?  Maybe there aren't enough positive words to go around??  I don't know...  Let's see what they say...

 

AIRTIGHT - Hostile Environment

Deathwish:  Neat

Knightmare:  Odd

Blitzwing:  Favorite

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Alright

Beachcomber:  Splendid

ALPINE - Mountain Trooper

Deathwish:  Not bad

Knightmare:  Interesting

Blitzwing:  Normal

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Cool

Beachcomber:  Awesome

BARBECUE - Firefighter

Deathwish:  So-so

Knightmare:  Fire

Blitzwing:  Awesome

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Epic

Beachcomber:  Fantastic

BAZOOKA - Missile Specialist

Deathwish:  Bubblegum

Knightmare:  Weird

Blitzwing:  Strange

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Nifty

Beachcomber:  Wacky-cool

BUZZER - Dreadnok

Deathwish:  Awesome

Knightmare:  Sharp

Blitzwing:  Wack

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Intimidating

Beachcomber:  Wacky

CRANKCASE - AWE Striker Driver  (w/ AWE Striker)

Deathwish:  Alright

Knightmare:  Plain

Blitzwing:  Basic

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Underwhelming

Beachcomber:  Average

CRIMSON GUARD - Cobra Elite Trooper

Deathwish:  Great

Knightmare:  Spiffy

Blitzwing:  Clean

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Super

Beachcomber:  Interesting

DUSTY - Desert Trooper

Deathwish:  Radical

Knightmare:  Different

Blitzwing:  Mid

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Dusty

Beachcomber:  Okay

EELS - Cobra Frogman

Deathwish:  On-Point

Knightmare:  Cool

Blitzwing:  Excellent

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Decent

Beachcomber:  Crazy-cool

FLINT - Warrant Officer

Deathwish:  Leader

Knightmare:  Good

Blitzwing:  Okay

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Amazing

Beachcomber:  Tough

FOOTLOOSE - Infantry Trooper

Deathwish:  Grunt

Knightmare:  Average

Blitzwing:  Bland

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Bland

Beachcomber:  Uninteresting

FROSTBITE - Snowcat Driver  (w/ Snowcat)

Deathwish:  Cold

Knightmare:  Neat

Blitzwing:  Neat

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Chilly

Beachcomber:  Normal

HEAVY METAL - Mauler MBT Tank Driver  (w/ Mauler)

Deathwish:  Rockin'

Knightmare:  Boss

Blitzwing:  Name-unfitting

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Interesting

Beachcomber:  Decent

KEEL-HAUL - Admiral  (w/ USS Flagg)

Deathwish:  Top-Gun

Knightmare:  Ultimate

Blitzwing:  Epic

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Incredible

Beachcomber:  Groovy

LADY JAYE - Covert Operations

Deathwish:  Taken

Knightmare:  Okay

Blitzwing:  Decent

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Passable

Beachcomber:  Nifty

LAMPREYS - Cobra Hydrofoil Pilot  (w/ Moray)

Deathwish:  Crazy

Knightmare:  Awesome

Blitzwing:  Splendid

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Slick

Beachcomber:  Dope

QUICK KICK - Silent Weapons

Deathwish:  Karate

Knightmare:  Pass

Blitzwing:  Weird

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Groovy

Beachcomber:  Brrr

RIPPER - Dreadnok

Deathwish:  Grape-Soda

Knightmare:  Solid

Blitzwing:  Ehh...

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Scary

Beachcomber:  Scary

SHIPWRECK - Sailor

Deathwish:  Sailor

Knightmare:  Neat

Blitzwing:  Nostalgic

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Fantastic

Beachcomber:  Awesome

SNAKE EYES - Commando  (version 2)

Deathwish:  Favorite

Knightmare:  Upgrade

Blitzwing:  Colorless

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Sleek

Beachcomber:  Fabulous

SNOW SERPENT - Cobra Polar Assault

Deathwish:  Icey

Knightmare:  Intriguing

Blitzwing:  Cool

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Neat

Beachcomber:  Rockin'

TELE-VIPER - Cobra Communications

Deathwish:  Geek

Knightmare:  Strange

Blitzwing:  Bad

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Normal

Beachcomber:  Essential

TOLLBOOTH - Bridge Layer Driver  (w/ Toss n' Cross)

Deathwish:  Sledgehammer

Knightmare:  Fine

Blitzwing:  Thumbs-up

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Immaculate

Beachcomber:  Basic

TOMAX & XAMOT - Crimson Guard Commanders

Deathwish:  Scheming

Knightmare:  Unusual

Blitzwing:  Good

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Fabulous

Beachcomber:  Fantabulous

TORCH - Dreadnok

Deathwish:  Fire

Knightmare:  Decent

Blitzwing:  Bleh

Agent Zero:  w--

Gravy:  Hot!

Beachcomber:  Firey

TRIPWIRE - Mine Detector  (version 2, with Listen & Fun book)

Deathwish:  Pointless

Knightmare:  Painful  (listen to the cassette on YouTube)

Blitzwing:  Eye-Roasting

Agent Zero:  --

Gravy:  Bright

Beachcomber:  Unique

Thoughts from Deathwish:  "This wave of Joes was top-notch, if not the best!  The difference in the figures was great and the playability was out of control.  I love how the figures were like the cartoon.  I also like how almost all of them were realistic for the most part, whereas in the later series', they weren't."

Thoughts from Knightmare:  "This was a year that introduced a lot of different characters and 2 new factions.  Tomax and Xamot brought with them the Crimson Guard and Zartan received the Dreadnoks.  We also got the "big Daddy" of a G.I. Joe Collector's dream - the USS Flagg!  This was the dream of every kid, but was so stupid big, no one had a room for it!  Yes, a ROOM, because it was that big!  As a side note, I did judge the figures that came with vehicles WITH their respective vehicles.  I feel that if I hadn't, most of them would be lacking since it was usually just a figure with a small accessory."

    Well, there you go!  The SCC Judges have taken on one of the best Waves of G.I. Joe figures!  What are your thoughts on Wave 4?  What words would you use to describe these figures?  Which one was your favorite?

    We will soon return with Wave 5 where the "crazy-dial" gets turned up a notch.  Stay tuned!!