SCC Figure Spotlight - LEATHERNECK (Version 1, 2, 3)

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"There's only one way to train... HARD!  So drop and give me fifty!" - Leatherneck, 1993.

MARINE - LEATHERNECK  (Version 1)

    The Marine, Leatherneck, joined the G.I. Joe Team in 1986.  He was the second Marine to join the team behind Gung-Ho, a popular, stand-out character from the Series 2.  With his more traditional uniform and colors, Leatherneck was a character that helped anchor the G.I. Joe toyline in reality while much of the rest was living on the wild side.

    Leatherneck's file card spends a lot of time explaining that he is a "tough guy".  He's not friendly and difficult to get along with, yet despite this, he is a soldier you can rely on.  Both the comics and cartoons exemplified his gruff personality.  He shares a fun rivalry with Wetsuit on whether the Navy or Marines is better.

    Leatherneck wore a camouflage uniform.  The figure had extra details like the dark green grenades and black knife on his chest.  Leatherneck came with only 2 accessories.  He had a green backpack and for his weapon he had a grey M-16 with grenade launcher.

    I actually passed on buying Leatherneck back in the day.  I think he was one of the only single carded figures of that Wave that I missed.  I'm not sure why, he just never stood out to me.  Maybe I didn't like his gruff personality in the cartoons and comics, or maybe it was because he was a Marine and I already had Gung-Ho.  I'm not really sure.  I picked him up as a collector later on and I would say I have a better appreciation of him now.

    Leatherneck is a good figure.  His accessories are perfect for him, though I kind of wish he had something else like a knife that sheathed on his backpack.  The beauty of this figure actually lies in the fact that he has a much more normal appearance than many of the other Joes.  While I like some of the "louder" figures like Sci-Fi and his lime-green uniform, it's figures like Leatherneck that kept the toyline anchored to reality!  

    So I'm going to hit Leatherneck with a 4 out of 5 Baby Giraffes!!!  He's not a top favorite of mine, but I still like him a lot!  Why baby giraffes???  Well, they are cute and Leatherneck is a grouch.  Maybe seeing some sweet baby giraffes will put a smile on this grump's face!  It's worth a try!  Plus, with this character, I have a feeling we'll be revisiting the giraffe concept again...

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From Chris Hemsworth's GIJoe365 project.  To see more, visit www.gijoe365.com.

MARINE - LEATHERNECK  (Version 2)

    Leatherneck's second figure was available the same year as the first.  A repaint of the standard issue figure was released a part of the Special Mission:  Brazil 5-pack.  The set was exclusive to Toys R Us and included 4 repainted existing characters, one new character, and a cassette tape with an audio story of the mission.

    Leatherneck (v2) was the exact same figure mold as the first but now geared up for maneuvers in the desert wearing tan and brown.  He came with the exact same accessories as the first, even the same color.  The file card added a few extra lines, nothing major, and the art mirrored his desert look.

    Leatherneck (v2) looked great!  Both figures were surrounded by other figures in their assortment with much louder uniforms.  Yet, here the original figure had normal military colors and so did the second one.  I would say this figure was just as good as the first.  So Leatherneck (v2)... you got another 4 out of 5 baby giraffes!!

    Unfortunately, I have never owned any of the figures from the Special Missions:  Brazil set.  So the art above is from Chris Hemsworth's art project - GIJoe365.  You can check out his other awesome art at www.gijoe365.com.

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INFANTRY / TRAINING SPECIALIST - LEATHERNECK (Ver. 3)

    Leatherneck returned a third time in 1993.  Now he was the Joe Team's Infantry / Training Specialist.  His file card reiterated some of the info from the original, but now more focus was put on his training methods and how tough he is on the new recruits.  He has to be hard on the rookies because Cobra isn't going to go easy on them.  So they need to ready for the worst.

    The file card also mentions he is the driver to a vehicle called - the Brawler.  This vehicle was released in 1991, discontinued for 1992, and long gone by 1993.  So it is strange he drives a vehicle that was unavailable.

    Whereas Leatherneck used to maintain a normal look compared to some of his Joe brothers AND his enemies...  By 1993, he was taking a much different approach!  Now he wore a light brown shirt with bright yellow web-gear with blue grenades on it, and what can only be described as "giraffe pants".  These pants are yellow with brown spots on them.

    Leatherneck came with the typical 1993 weapons-tree of rehashed gear.  Among his accessories he came with a sniper rifle (Low-Light v3), a large rifle with two clips (Airwave), a futuristic looking gun (Mercer v2), a pistol, a knife (Hit & Run), and a figure stand.   Thankfully, all his weapons were molded in black!

    His final accessories were a yellow "Ripple Rocket" spring-loaded launcher and a black missile.  The yellow is not as bright as on his uniform, but it is still yellow!

    I bought Leatherneck V3 in 1993 as a collector.  I had just returned to collecting and I was buying up Joes as fast as my paycheck would allow.  I bought this figure, but he has no certain memories attached to him.  He pretty much went right on the display shelf!

    So how do you rate this guy?  I mean, the figure isn't horrible... but this is just not something our gruff and grouchy Drill Instructor would wear.  I guess if he had giraffe pajama pants... maybe.  But no, this doesn't say "Leatherneck" to me.  The rehashed weapons is a yawn.  Their color IS black though, and not neon yellow, so that is good.

    It's mainly the colors that take this figure down.  Leatherneck (v3) is only going to score 2 out of 5 Baby Giraffes here!  Sorry Leatherneck.  When you gear up, you may want to leave the lights on next time!

    So what are your thoughts on Leatherneck version 1, 2, or 3?  Do you like this character?  Dislike him?  Which figure would be you favorite?  Who would win in a arm-wrestling match between him and Wetsuit?  Or maybe him and Gung-Ho???  Do you own a pair of giraffe pants?  Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!


More grumbling on about Leatherneck...

---  It's a shame the whole Special Missions: Brazil set doesn't have an overall matching camo palette.

---  It appears Claymore, the leader of the Special Missions set, also wears giraffe camo.  Is this where Leatherneck got his inspiration?

---  The full name for v3's launcher is a "XC 5150-Ripple Rocket".  Is someone a Van Halen fan or is it just coincidence?

---  Just another reminder that Chris Hemsworth's GIJoe365 project is crazy-cool!  If you haven't seen it, you are missing out on some incredible Joe content!  www.gijoe365.com.



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