25th Ann. GI Joe Wave 3 Two Pack Capt. Ace and Wild Weasel

Package Description
In “Counting Coup” (Comic #115), the top gun pilots of the GI JOE team and the COBRA organization take each other on in the skies over Benzheen. CAPT. ACE pushes SKYSTRIKER jet to its limits to complete his mission, as WILD WEASEL flies a RATTLER with venomous skill to stop the GI JOE pilot at all costs!

Appearance

CAPT. ACE
Captain Ace has a good sculpt, although it looks more like a space suit than a flight suit with the top piece on. In the included comic his suit does look rather large, but I would have preferred something a little more compact. The upper torso is bulky and the helmet is large and bulbous, which is what makes the clothes look less like a flight suit. The top piece comes off though, making him look much more like a pilot with his zipper jacket. His clothing has some sculpt details such as wrinkles and the zipper, but this figure would have benefited a lot from some more paint details on the large white areas. White is a plain color as it is, but to have little sculpt details and no paint details in some of the white areas makes this figure look a lot more bland than most other figures in this line.

The biggest problem with this figure visually is the color scheme. It might have worked if the white and other colors were painted on, but as it is the figure looks a little shiny because of all the white areas and bright red. It isn’t nearly as bad when on display with other figures though, because the white has colors on other figures to contrast with. Because of all the white though, none of the joints are very noticeable, which is good. Overall, I’m happy with the figure but would have preferred a different color scheme or some paint. It is true to the original figure, but some paint on some details probably would have made this figure look better too.

WILD WEASEL
Out of the two figures from the package, Wild Weasel is the winner visually. The proportions are good and he’s got clothing wrinkles sculpted in like Capt. Ace, but he’s got a lot more pouches and detailing than Ace does. The pouches and straps prevent large blank areas, and are more compact than Ace’s suit to look more like a flight suit. The helmet’s size would also suggest it fits more tightly around the head, which is more believable. I also really like the choice of red on this figure, its deep enough to avoid a light plastic look bur bright enough that the details are easily visible.

Wild Weasel has a very natural stance. The arms sit easily by the side or pointing his gun. The goggles also come off, and the face underneath looks good although a little generic. Stylistically he also fits in very well with Cobra figures. This figure looks good on display by himself or with other figures. Overall I’m very happy with this figure and wouldn’t change anything. There are many details, a great color scheme, and an excellent sculpt.

Articulation
Both figures have articulation expected from 25th Anniversary figures. Both have double jointed knees, ball jointed ankles and elbows, a ball jointed torso and Wild Weasel has a gun holster. The elbows on both don’t bend 90 degrees, and the heads can’t look up very far. The buckles on Wild Weasel prevent the right leg from moving as far as the left. Both have otherwise typical range of movement.

Poseability
Wild Weasel looks good by himself or with other figures, while I prefer to display Ace with other figures. Wild Weasel holds his gun very naturally and tight, which is an improvement compared to some figures. It can be hard to get Ace to look like he’s standing naturally, partially because of the bulky suit. I’ve had no balance issues with Wild Weasel, but Ace has balance issues when trying to pose him. Both stay on their included bases easily. They could both use some vehicles.

Final Judgment: 5
The detailing on Captain Ace was a little bit of a disappointment for me, because I feel he could have been a lot more interesting visually. Wild Weasel on the other hand excels as a figure for me. With the combination of an excellent figure with what I feel is just an adequate or good figure in this two pack, I give this two pack a score of six. If Wild Weasel had been packaged separately, I would have given him a score of 7.

SCALE

10. My favorite possession.

9. My favorite action figure.

8. One of my favorite action figures.

7. An excellent action figure.

6. A good, but not exceptional action figure.

5. An adequate action figure.

4. Not worth the money I spent.

3. I'll give it to somebody's kid.

2. I'll give it to somebody's dog.

1. It's going to lose a fight with my car.