No one knows G.I. Joe toys like CJ Stunkard of Stunk’s Stage. Luckily, CJ has taken an in-depth look at the new line of toys based on G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and you can read the articles right here at Pop Culture Zoo. Check back each day to read about what you’ll want to pick up and avoid in order to re-create the movie in your own home. Thank you, CJ!
The Bravo Class vehicles from the Rise of Cobra Line are an odd assortment. While I’ll be looking at only one of the vehicles below, I can honestly say that the entire assortment is somewhat problematic for me. At a price point $10 higher (or up to $15 more at some retailers) than the Alpha class vehicles, one would assume that one was getting nearly twice the bang for their buck. Unfortunately, given my own sensibilities, I don’t find this to be the case. That’s not to say, however, that the Bravo Class assortment is not excellent. As I’ll be showing below, the Ice Dagger vehicle at the Bravo price point is a great toy, I just wanted to make sure that I mentioned the price point problem I have given the amazing value of the Alpha Class line.
One thing that does elevate the Bravo Class vehicles above their cheaper counterparts is the functionality and fun factor. The Ice Dagger is loaded to the brim with functions. A button at the back of the top allows for a pop-up “surprise” gunner station with firing missiles. The back of the vehicle has an opening door for storing an extra Joe or a Cobra prisoner. The canopy opens for storing two additional Joe soldiers, and the front sleds turn. I think all-in-all, the vehicle can hold 6 figures comfortably, with footpegs available for additional standing figures.
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The overall appearance of the vehicle is cool also—that is, as long as the gunner station is tucked in and hidden. In its closed form, the vehicle looks somewhat like an updated version of the Snowcat. Once thee gunner station pops-up from the back, however; the vehicle looks somewhat silly. The station is flimsy and it moves like a bobblehead when the vehicle is pushed or maneuvered. This flimsy engineering worries me for rougher children who will certainly flip this vehicle during battles and so forth. I can almost hear the toy breaking in homes across America just writing about it.
This of course should not imply that there is not fun to be had from the gunner station nor the vehicle itself. As I’ve said previously, the numerous compartments for Joes plus the fun factor of a button-operated feature like the gunner pod make the Ice Dagger a very fun addition to the Joe vehicle motor pool. The only other qualm I have with the item is the color. To me, the vehicle looks much more like a Cobra transport than a Joe one; but that may be personal preference rather than an actuality.
Finally, I want to touch on the inclusion of Frostbite. The figure uses existing parts (which is fine), and he looks great. Personally, I think he looks better than the Snow Job included with the Rockslide. Frostbite looks like he could be an old school Joe, and I know that will be enough reason for adult fans to pick him up. His filecard is attached to the box, so be sure to cut it out before discarding the packaging.
Overall, the Ice Dagger is a cool piece. It’s not necessarily the most bang-for-your-buck considering it could run as much as two Alpha vehicles, but it is a fun and cool addition to the Joe vehicle assortment—so long as the gunner station is closed. Once that thing pops-up, well, all bets are off. At least the vehicle is piloted by a cool addition to the Joe team.