If you were in the audience during the reveal for FSS 3.0 at JoeCon this year, you may have heard a high-pitched girly screech when they showed the entry for Hit & Run up on the slideshow.
Yeah, that was me. I’m not ashamed.
Today, the Collectors Club revealed a digital mock up for the Hit & Run figure, and… yeah, I don’t know.
I thought everyone had pretty much agreed that the concept case Hit & Run was the definitive version of the character and the version that the fans latched onto. Obviously I latched onto it. When the Collectors Club released the Night Force version for the Convention two years ago, I was disappointed, but figured maybe a concept case version was down the road. When the GIJCC showed the Concept Case version as a specific example during the presentation, I thought that time had come. I was excited to say the least.
Today, the Collectors Club revealed their mock up… and I can’t help but come away underwhelmed.
Obviously the most glaring ommission is the green skin. I’m not sure why that was left off, as I would think it wouldn’t require an extra paint application if the plastic was just produced in that green color. Even if it did require another paint application, the green skin is pretty much Hit & Run’s defining characteristic. That seems like a weird thing to leave absent. I actually find myself a little more upset about the parts recipe. I was thinking maybe the Club would switch up the parts a bit and actually give us what the Concept Case did… namely the Firefly torso and different upper legs. I know that’s a small issue, but those elements are part of what made the concept case version so excellent.
So instead we’re left with a repaint of the Night Force version, again without the green skin. I’m sure there are reasons why this decision was made, I hope to find out what they are. No matter the reasons for it, though, the end result is the crown jewel of FSS 3.0 in my mind has left me with a bitter taste in my mouth. Perhaps others will make up for it.
Keep watching GIJoeClub.com!
Justin, I was thinking someone at the GIJCC really liked you. They release 2 versions of your favorite character in 2 years (twice as many as he had during the 13 ARAH years). Now I realize what they have actually done is disappoint you twice with mediocre figures that don’t really work as H&R while the perfect version sits in Hasbro’s vault just out of reach. Maybe someone at the Club actually dislikes you? 🙂
I thought this might be your reaction, and I don’t blame you. I think the Club, for whatever reason (Hasbro mandate?) really dropped the ball here. For one, I hate that backpack. With it’s “action” features, it’s not the display piece I expect from a figure made specifically for adult collectors. Then on to the paint-job – If you’re going to do ANOTHER Hit and Run within a couple years, wouldn’t they go full camo, like the vintage figure. It makes no sense, in a line being made, ostensibly, to fill vintage holes in people’s new collections.
MAYBE the 50th will be a smashing success, and MAYBE we’ll finally get the HnR you (we!) want direct from the Concept Case. But this offering does little to assuage fears that it’ll never happen, especially as the Club offerings seem to be those Hasbro has decided not to offer for whatever reason. Too bad.
Dude I knew you would be bummed. I think the Club really tubed this one up.
I hear you Justin, but the concept case didn’t have green skin and you liked that one. He actually had green facial hair which was kinda weird. I know the straight repaint isn’t what we were looking for though.
while the concept case Hit N Run is nice, we already got a green skinned Hit N Run. the Night Force from the convention was clearly the ’95 tank driver deco. what is so wrong with getting a Brazilian Alpinista style Hit N Run? ultimately all we’d be missing is his Tiger Force uniform. they must be saving the best for last 🙂