G.I. JOE VEHICLE SHOWDOWN, Part 6 - 1987

THE G.I.JOE VEHICLE SHOWDOWN

PART 6:  Series 6 / 1987

Stepping Into Stranger Territory...

    Ahh, G.I. Joe Series 6, a pretty devisive year for the toyline.  This is the year that G.I. Joe: The Movie came out.  So some "different" elements were introduced here.  I would say that most of the strangeness was centered around the figures, but how were the vehicles this year?  Were they any good?  What direction did they take?  Were they any good?  Well let's find out!  

    Let's get thee 'ol rating system set out here for you...

10 - Awesome, Fantastic

9 - 7 - Various levels of Greatness

6 - 4 - Various levels of "Okay"

3 - Mediocre

2 -1 - Levels of Crappiness 

1 - COBRA BUZZ BOAR

    I have mixed feelings on this one.  I think it's kind of a cool concept - several of these things boring out of the ground to attack the Joes.  But I think that battle plan may take some time, it would probably take forever to grind a whole through the dirt to get to their enemies.  Plus when they get there, I don't think these things will fare very well against the cannon from the MOBAT or Mauler!!!  It's middle-of-the-road... a 5.  

2 - ROAD TOAD

    More "world-building" I guess...  Never had it, don't quite understand it, not much happening here - it's a 3.  

3 - COBRA JET PACK

    I think I would rather take a CLAW or Flight Pod than this bulky, cumbersome looking thing!  It's okay.  The cannons on top are kinda overkill, while the missiles look a little wimpy.  It's okay, I suppose... a 4. 

4 - COASTAL DEFENDER

    Never had it.  So am I to understand they tote this crate to the coast and when Cobra happens by - it unfolds and attacks?  Strange.  It gets a 2.  

5 - DREADNOK AIR SKIFF

    Such a weird little vehicle - but I like it!  Yes, I agree Zanzibar will be getting a haircut from the fan-blade.  However, I love the "swampy" blue/green color, the cool chin-guns, the accessory storage!  All great!  I will also agree the driver is completely exposed - but this is a Dreadnok vehicle and they aren't that bright!  It gets an 8!  

6 - COBRA POGO

    The Pogo gets a lot of hate and I understand.  That pilot is looking to have some serious back problems in the near future.  I saw it as an "Attack Pod" type thing that "could" bounce if it needed to.  The turret gun was cool and the hydraulic cables hanging down was a nice touch.  Not a practical weapon, but I still like it.  It gets a 7, it WOULD have gotten an 8 but it gets docked a point for only having 2 missiles while having 3 missile pegs!?!?   

7 - SLAM

    Looks kinda cool - powerful quad-cannons, several little missiles.  But...  Why the backwards seat?  Why a towhook??  Is it drivable???  Also those missiles are easily lost.  It gets a 6.  

8 - DREADNOK CYCLE

    This was sorely needed.  Pretty cool.  Proper Dreadnok colors, looks good with the Thunder Machine.  Well armed.  I didn't have it till I was older.  It gets an 8.

9 - COBRA SEA RAY, with Sea Slug

    Didn't like it at first.  With no media exposure it was a mystery.  I got curious though and got in on mail-order in the 90's.  Much cooler than I expected.  I don't like the split-apart feature though - my Sea Ray stays intact.  It's a 7.  I like it.  

10 - COBRA WOLF, with Ice Viper

    Finally!  Cobra gets a snow vehicle!!!  This is a great vehicle with a great figure.  What's not to like?  It's awesome all the way around.  The Wolf scores the first 10 of this Series!  

11 - PERSUADER, with Backstop

    It's okay.  A thin, race car like tank.  It's okay I guess.  It didn't do much for me.  Backstop is mid.  It is a 6.   

12 - COBRA MAGGOT, with W.O.R.M.S.

    Hands down - worst vehicle and driver name!  I prefer "Skidmark" over WORMS (at least you know what they were TRYING to imply with Skidmark).  Otherwise, it's pretty cool.  Nice new tank vehicle for Cobra.  I have to say I have never been a fan of the color.  I feel it should have been Cobra blue or black.  It's a 7.  

13 - CROSSFIRE, with Rumbler

    This one always confused me.  It wasn't in the Joe '87 catalog... that was weird.  Also, the only store I knew that carried it was Hills, and they never put it in the toy section.  Is it a part of the actual toyline or not?  Whatever the case, it's a cool idea.  Another 7.  

14 - COBRA MAMBA, with Gyro-Viper

    IT'S NOT A 10, SORRY!!!  Let me start off by saying that it LOOKS awesome!!!  But mine had a lot of issues.  The rotors got stripped, so they didn't turn well after awhile.  The small missiles were hard to wedge in the front.  There is barely room in the pods for a figure.  And how are those pods supposed to re-attach anyways?  Or how do they land?  Or do they?  Are they just flying coffins?   Mamba is getting a 7, and I feel I'm being generous here...

15 - MOBILE COMMAND CENTER, with Steam Roller

    Never had it but I think it looks AMAZING.  With the zillion of features it appears to have and the fact it can house so many Joes, it's getting a 10.  You know what helps this thing get such a high score?  Go to www.GIJoe365.com and look up Chris Hemsworth's art he drew of this...  It is crazy-cool!

16 - DEFIANT SPACE SHUTTLE & CRAWLER, with Payload and Hardtop

    Again, never had it.  I have seen it from a distance though and it looks epic.  My problem...?  It's freakin' enormous and there aren't many space Joes to go with it...  or Cobra's to attack it.  Still getting a 10 for the "epic-ness" but I'll admit... it boarders on a 9.

    So things got a little odd this time around.  Or, more odd than usual.  We saw some bizarre additions to the toyline as a whole.  But you want to know what is a blessing with this particular Series?

    Though this is the year we got Cobra-La... we did NOT get Cobra-La vehicles.  After I saw G.I. Joe: The Movie, part of me was worried that instead of tanks, we would see crustacean-creature tanks and grub worm things.  Thankfully we didn't!!!

    Other than the 3 figures, the toyline didn't play into any of that Cobra-La backstory at ALL.  I'm sure it's obvious, I am not someone who thought that direction was cool.  So I'm just happy we stuck with the standard G.I. Joe vs. Cobra storyline!

    What did you think though?  This was a wild year for Joe and Cobra!  What did you like and/or not like?  How would you rate these vehicles?