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As I look back through some posts I’ve made here, I come across the realization that if you just read this blog, you might thinkthat I hate the Anniversary figures!  Oye…how did that happen?

Like a lot of other folks, I’ve gotten a bit tired of the endless repaints and re-releases, and am getting somewhat stumped as to why we haven’t at least seen some sign of Recondo, Ripcord, Dr. Mindbender, Wet Suit and a handful of other characters that would be easy to do with exisiting parts and seem like no-brainers.  But when it comes to the Anniversary stuff I can certainly appreciate the quality of the toys themselves, and I am greatly looking forward to the upcoming Wave 7 single packs.

YoJoe just released cardback images, which has only served to stoke the fire on these.

This particular wave seems like an absolutely perfect marraige of tribute figures and new ideas…we’ve got Airborne, the Eels, and the classic Zartan, all of which are much-needed figures for the Anniversary line.  Guys that deserve their due spot in the sun.  All three of them appear to be executed amazingly well, too.

Add to that the Pilot Scarlett, which is a clear tribute to the South American “Glenda” figure, and the “COBRA Flint” that is a great translation of Flint as he appeared in COBRA disguise in the Weather Dominator.  Heck, you can buy a second one and pop off Mutt’s head to simulate him as well.  If you don’t like that idea, the figure comes with a Trooper head as well, so you can just have a generic short-sleeved trooper.  Very awesome.

But of course most of the clamor of this wave comes down to Specialst Trakker.  Matt Trakker of “MASK” fame, another 80’s cartoon that was one a trademark of Kenner, but once Hasbro bought them out in the 90’s, they became Hasbro’s property to play with.  Personally?  I love it.  The filecard is absolutely perfect.  It ties the Mobile Armored Strike Kommand in with G.I. Joe perfectly (not to mention the perfectly named VENOM and COBRA force).  The filecard reads as if these two universes could co-exist, and I think it’s great.  Evidently the Hasbro designers wanted a little homage, but they manage to tie in two totally different toy universes and make one cohesive story, and that is such a cool idea.  I for one won’t complain that he’s “taking a spot” from a Joe team member or something silly like that.  I just enjoy it as a cool new figure and a different concept.  Awesome.

The Annihilator gear is just icing on the cake!  Bring them on, too.  😀