SCC Figure Spotlight - SHOCKWAVE (Version 1)

"I never know what's on the other side of that door.  That's why I'm there, to kick it down!  Do you think I'd do that if I knew what was behind it?  Get real!"  - Shockwave, 1992

S.W.A.T. SPECIALIST - SHOCKWAVE (Version 1)

    Among the awesome 1988 line-up of G.I. Joe figures, the Team was adding a S.W.A.T. Specialist - Shockwave.  Wikipedia states that “a SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) Team is a police unit that uses specialized or military equipment and tactics.”  As Cobra is likely to strike anywhere, it probably made sense to add one of these guys to the Joe roster.

    The file card says that prior to Shockwave joining the Joe Team, he had a successful career serving on the Detroit Police Department SWAT Team.  It also explains that there are many different functions on a SWAT Team - Shockwave’s role is the door kicker.  He is the one that breaks through the door and is the first one in.  He's also the first one to discover how bad the situation is inside.  From his description, Shockwave was definitely strong enough to serve in and contribute to an elite military unit.  

    Shockwave wore a light blue uniform with a digital camo pattern using dark blue and yellow.  He also had a vest that was dark blue with a sheathed knife molded onto it.  His face was concealed behind a dark blue balaclava mask with a light blue cap on top of his head.  There was great detail on the figure including pistols molded onto both legs and a small knife on the inside of his boot.

    Shockwave came with 4 accessories.  He had two guns - an uzi with a silencer and a pistol.  He also came with a large backpack.  All these accessories were cast in a dark blue that matched his uniform.  His last accessory was a silver knife that could be stored on the backpack when not needed.  Between the weapons sculpted on the figure and the ones he came with, Shockwave was well armed!

        Overall, his look was great, his accessories were great and his file card was great - just what we want from our Joe figures.  This was just an awesome figure all the way around!  There is just nothing for me to complain about here.  With that in mind, Shockwave is going to catch himself a beautiful rating of 5 out of 5 Busted Up Doors in Need of Serious Repair!!!

One of my kids took this picture of Shockwave!  I like  this shot, it looks like he's resting!

    For me, Shockwave was another welcome addition to the Joe toyline.  Had 1988 continued the bizarre course they were taking the year before, I most likely would have checked out of G.I. Joe then.  Thanks to a great assortment of new figures on the shelves, I stayed in and bought almost every figure of Series 7.

    So where are you at on Shockwave (Version 1)?  Did you like the direction the G.I. Joe line was heading in at the time?  Or did you think they should have continued down the Series 6 / sci-fi / Cobra-La path?  let me know what you think in the comments below!

Further discussion on Shockwave...

---  Shockwave would receive 2 more figures - one as a member of Night Force and one as a member of D.E.F.

---  In 1989, Cobra would have their Urban Assault Troopers, the Alley-Vipers!  These were great adversaries for Shockwave to take on!

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Shockwave Impel Trading Card, 1991.