Jungle Assault Ripcord
Jungle Assault Ripcord is the first non-movie version of the movie version of Ripcord. Meaning, he is based on Marlon Wayans, but not based on anything we saw happening in the Rise of Cobra movie. This figure moves this version of Ripcord into a more solid position in the Joe mythology.
Even ignoring the changes from ARAH to ROC, this character comes out a bit muddled. The Joe team is comprised of all-around soldiers and specialized experts. It is hard to tell which group Ripcord falls into. Is he still a deep-insertion HALO jumper? Or is he just aa all-around pilot? Or is he a pilot and ground soldier? Why is this foot-slogger called “Ripcord”?
The real answer is the same reason that City Strike Duke has a sword. It doesn't matter and it looks cool. These toys are for kids to play with, and this toy really effectively ushers a kid's imagination from re-playing what they saw in a movie into whole new backyard adventures. Yes, this aspect is a little disappointing to those of us who really want a super-specialized commando assault team. As well as those of us who expect detailed autobiographical file cards. Give it up. They're gone. This new Ripcord is the best at jumping, flying, accelerator-suiting, and jungle assaulting. If you are having trouble swallowing this....ask a little kid about it. Still can't swallow it? Ok, just pretend it is a different character and they re-used the same head mold. He might make a nice alternate version of Stalker, or just call him something else completely.
Once you are past the name thing, he is a really cool figure.
I think that most of his parts re-recycled. If you care about suck things, then you have probably already identified where everything came from. The hat and vest are from the Pit Commando. The head is from earlier Ripcords. The rest of the body parts...I'm not sure, they all look familiar, but part identification isn't really my thing. The cool brown camo makes the whole thing look fresh, though.
The best thing about the new color scheme? No black! Well, some black. The tactical vest which was solid black with the Pit Commando has some painted high-lights.
I think all the cool detail on the vest would be better served with more color. More. More.
But, I should not look a gift horse in the mouth. Snake Eyes is no longer setting the Joe dress code.
This figure is highly detailed and highly posable. His arms and hands especially can get into all kinds of cool positions.
He seems to have a good grip on all of his weapons. Though,I confess, I never even tried him with the big spring-loaded cannon.
He comes with two rifles, some kind of pistol with a stock and a scope that really looks out of place with him.
I bet it would go better with The Baroness or someone else smart and sneaky. Maybe I have that association because I think it looks like Megatron. He also has a nice looking machete for chopping his way through the underbrush.
No backpack, though. A little odd, but no major problem. Really, by this time we all have enough extra back packs that this guy could easily just borrow someone else's. But, hey, it isn't “Extended Jungle Encampment”, it's “Jungle Assault”. This guy hits the ground running, does his fighting, and is home before he could even unpack a back-pack!
All told, nothing breath taking, but a very solid, all-around, high quality figure.
4 Flagpoints
