World Peacekeepers: 'Military Life' playsets

Most of my efforts in this hobby have been aimed towards broadening my collection of figures and vehicles. I have spent a lot of cash completing squads of the various and hard-to-find Cobra troops, filing rosters, and pursuing that rare 'must have' figure because I was so sure it would augment my collection.  I haven't spent very much time and effort creating dioramas or environments for my figures to 'be' in and I don't think I'm all that different from most collectors in that.  I'm beginning to see, however, that playsets provide an immersive element to a collection that vehicles and figures can't provide alone.

Continuing the focus on Power Team Elite's, World Peacekeeper line are two small playsets that I think augment a collection well.  Both focus on a figure's sleeping quarters, one outside and one indoors.

I'm not going to have a lot to say about the figures since they are just slight variations of the figures that have been covered in previous reviews for PTE stuff, and the accessories are for the most part stuff we've seen before too.  I wish they wouldn't have included the figs or other accessories hoping to save some of that $8 shown on the price tags.  However such thinking is pipe-dreaming since PTE doesn't cater to Joe diorama builders, they sell playsets to kids.

Outdoor Set.  Tent and Campfire:

The outdoor set features two figures, a tent consisting of a nylon canopy and several plastic struts that require assembly, two rifles, a radio backpack, a kettle, a pot, and a campfire.  The Tent assembly is sort of tricky.  The frame segments are a little difficult to fit together and the nylon canopy is a tight fit over the frame.  Once put together, it looks like this on the inside:

And here is the frame that must be pieced together.

The various segments of the frame are a very tight fit and it takes some muscle to get them together and it's easy to bend the plastic rods while doing so.  After that's put together, the canopy is likewise a little bit of a challenge to fit over the frame, and it takes a little bending to get it on.

Indoor Set.  Bunks and Locker:

The indoor set, of course, offers the same basic needs for the solider albeit from the comforts of a barracks or guardhouse rather than some remote mission area.  Included are a bunk with two billets, a locker, and an assortment of the usual accessories (below)

The locker opens up allowing for store of all the gear that comes with the indoor set.

I think both sets offer about the same basic value.  The accessories aren't that well suited for Joe, but you could make due with the rifles.  With these offerings PTE continues to fill holes that Joe fans can use to build playsets and dioramas with.   

Grade:  B for both

Well, sorry for the lack of words in this.  This was more like a 'review-ette' than a full-on analysis of these pieces.  Personally I really would like to stock up on these for both a custom GI Joe barracks and field camp site, the downside is that at $8 a pop this gets a bit expensive, which is I think a tiny bit too much for what a diorama builder might find useful from these.   

Has G.I. Joe Become a G.I. Joke? Wizard World ATL 2014 Panel

The above is the grand question asked by a panel put on by Retroblasting at the Atlanta ComicCon this passing weekend.  I think it's worth a watch:

GI Joe Collectors Club: Cross Country Review

There was plenty of excitement this past year when Cross Country was announced as the GI Joe Collector's club for 2014.  By that time I had already become a member not knowing what to expect for the "free" figure I would receive for joining the GI Joe Collectors Club.  My greatest hope was that it would have been a modern version of Bombstrike, a figure I think would be very nice to have if done properly and would have completed the Stall Family set to compliment Barrel Roll and Blackout, both previously released by the Club for the prior year's Subscription Service collection.  However, once the announcement was made I was satisfied that a modern version of the original Cross Country driver that came with the H.A.V.O.K vehicle released in 1986 would also be a great addition.  From what I can tell, the collecting community was likewise also excited.

I think part of the healthy reaction from the community was due to the prior year's membership figure, Iceberg, not being received that well, .  I didn't mind him that much and went out of my way to order the bagged version of Iceberg from the Club, but there were other reviews by collectors more particular and refined than I who were understandably rough.  Anyways.....

Right off the bat, I'd say this is a nice, modern update to the classic version one Cross Country we were promised.  The color pallet rings true to the original while at the same time muting a few colors that could really have used it (compare the neonish green of the original).  The headsculpt by Bossfight Studios is to my understanding the first collaboration between them and the Club and I think it's an outstanding modern take.

Last year's aforementioned Membership Figure, Iceberg, came with all sorts of accessories, but this year the club apparently chose to scale back the number of accessories in order to focus on getting the package just right.  What Cross Country does come with fits the figure persona as a southerner and a heavy equipment operator/mechanic very well.  The revolver is I think supposed to resemble a vintage Colt revolver, but I cannot put a finger on the exact model, nor on the carbine.  The vest is amazingly detailed and unique to this figure.  My only complaint about any of the accessories is that the revolver does not fit into the holster very well (see pic below), though maybe some simple modifications (like poking a hole in the bottom of it) would make for a better fit.

 

The Confederate "Stars and Bars" has a history that leaves it with a controversial legacy.  Just as Hasbro chose to avoid controversy decades ago by giving Cross Country a belt buckle that is supposed to suggest a Confederate Flag without being a Confederate Flag, the Collectors Club has done likewise.  Curious that what they chose instead is basically the flag of Zabbar, Malta.

What makes Cross Country as a character interesting and appealing to me is the fact that he's a mechanic capable of maintaining the Joe motorpool when he's not battling Cobra and having a number of characters like him always interests me.  It looks like the Club created a new filecard talking about the new HAVOK MK-II which the club has been selling from it's club store.  The new HAVOK is a green repainted Snowcat/Wolfhound half-track that was released as a companion piece for the membership figure.

Cross country has what has become the club's basic articulation including double jointed knees with one tilting wrist and the other wrist able to curl.  He moves around decently enough, though his vest keeps the torso stationary unless it's removed.  The only noteworthy limitation of the figure's movement is it's head, which doesn't have much room to nod up and down due to the collar on the jacket and the ample mullet Ol' Cross Country is sporting.

Grade: B+

Without breaking it down too much, I would give Cross Country a B+ as a figure, which honestly is about the minimum I think we ought to expect for a figure that is pretty much the reason we buy the $40 membership from the Club.  I really like this figure's colors and details, but the accessories while good are few, and the fact that the pistol doesn't come close to properly fitting in the hoster takes a bit off.  I was tempted to mark it down for not having a removable helmet, but on second thought honestly I think that would have been a mistake that would have made his cap too bulky.  Remember that I tend to try to be a tough grader, so a B+ is an accomplishment

The Tank Crew