I think every Joe fan has a soft spot for the Hiss Tank. I certainly do despite the fact that it's mostly a big lump of plastic with a few points of interest and articulation on it. Its both ubiquitous and iconic and really nothing says "Cobra!" like when one of the named enemy characters shouts that very battle cry from the turret while charging all "Leeroy Jenkins" into gunfire.
Introduced on store shelves in 1983, the Hiss became a mainstay of the mail order system for years afterwords, receiving a number of modifications and updates over time. The Hiss has managed to do what a lot of GI Joe merchandise has failed to do, which is to find it into the hands of almost every collector who wants them while being a well loved vehicle, even if collectors are tired of it.
Now we're back with the GI Joe Retro line, which was the 2020 Stratagem by Hasbro to reintroduce GI Joe once again in 3.75" format some years after a "pause" in its development. To whom' the intended market is, I'm not exactly sure. There are reasons to think its a try at a broad-banded appeal to both kids and collectors in advance to the Snake Eyes film that has been released recently, but I can see flaws to marketing towards either demographic. Also, the film really wasn't that good.
To legacy fans, this new line offers more of the same with somewhat reduced authenticity. There are unfortunate changes to the file card format, and an unfortunate lack of blueprints. That last one really hurts! I may have mentioned that I love a proper vintage-styled blueprint and they, along with file-cards, are a unique feature that made GI Joe stand out above all other toys of the 1980s.
The newest HISS release comes with a driver, which is good. Most of his getup is a fairly uniform medium red with a touch of candy pink, which even for Cobra is a bit of an odd color choice.
The cockpit is wide enough side-to-side, but unfortunately like other modern vehicles adapted to the 4" size, it lacks any sort of head clearance. You have to position the driver just right to close the top.
He comes with web gear that I haven't managed to get off, though I'm certain to be underwhelmed if I ever do, which is why I'm just not going to try that hard. The only other accessory he comes with is a figure stand, which I'm happy to have. However, it is marked "Cobra Trooper" instead of "Hiss Driver", which I'm going to chalk up to being one of the most ridiculous cost cutting measure you can imagine.
The toy itself is a largely a big hunk of hollow plastic. This is likely why it gets so many releases. Compared to the intricacy of the AWE Striker and its various molds, and I'm guessing its simple lines likely make it easy to animate too. It really is little more than a lump of plastic. It lacks moving treads seem on things like the Mauler and the POC Hiss; instead, it just has treads molded into the body of the vehicle. The Hiss Tank has always had this feature since its first release in 1983. It does roll thanks to two wheels mounted under the molded 'treads'.
On the rear deck you'll find two modern sized foot-pegs to transport additional personnel, which enhances play value as it makes it a vehicle that can in a pinch, transport an entire squad of Troopers.
There are of course, two main crew positions, the cockpit for the driver, and the open turret for the commander/gunner.
To recap a brief accounting of my complaints:
- The cockpit is a bit small for modern figures, the driver's head smooshes underneath the canopy. This of course, is nothing new as this phenomenon was a problem even in some vintage vehicles.
- It's a big, hollow block of plastic.
- No moving treads.
- Vintage models were known to have a fragile 'clip' that held gun up when elevated.
- "Meh" file card format.
- No blueprints
- Older versions had a problem with a plastic tab on the turret breaking, causing the guns to droop. I'm not certain that's been fixed
The first four issues have been there since the original in 1983, so its nothing new. What do I like about this toy?
- It's durable and simple.
- It looks great and has a very iconic aesthetic.
- It was very easy to find during its run.
- It provides good play value.
- There's still fairly good detail.
If I were to hand out a general grade, I think I'd give it a solid C+. Its an uninspiring release, however, and since it looks as if the Retro Line is on hold and the modern 4" format on hiatus after a rather short run, It along with the other Retro were just a trial balloon that were just *popped* before anything new and interesting came out.
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