Packaging - ***
The package is a simple blister on card with a J-hook hanger. The blister allows full viewing of all of the contents and the card has nice graphics. The package is also durable for people who keep them in the package. The card seems to be a heavier cardboard than a lot of carded figures out there and would probably withstand more abuse.

Sculpting - ***
The head sculpt on this particular Joe is one of the half dozen or so that Hasbro is putting on its basic figures. There were 4 different sculpts available on this particular set at the store where I made the purchase. The sculpt I took is the red head that's been used on everything from the recent halo-jumper to the basic carded figures. The new sculpts are all pretty sharp and add more "personality" than the "pin head" or "flat head" Joes that Hasbro used when they started with 12" figures again.

Paint - ***
The head is the only thing is the only thing that is really painted. Hasbro did a nice job as usual on crisp but realistic blending and tones.

Articulation/Body - ***1/2
This is one of the new Super-Articulated (SA) GI Joes that Hasbro is changing to. Hasbro took a clue from Dragon, BBI and some of the other high-end action figures on the market. Swivel joints were added in the bicep & thigh and a mid chest "multi-joint" was added. These go along with the recent Kung-Fu grip Hasbro developed and make for a very flexible figure that goes to about any pose. The only things that kept this from being a **** in my book were the smaller "baby feet" that Hasbro's been using and the fact that the joints feel loose, especially the chest, and I believe these guys have potential to become extremely loose and lose their ability to hold a pose. I hope I'm wrong but I think they have great potential to be "shelf divers."

Play Factor - ***
 What I like about Hasbro is the fact that I can either display them with my "high end" figures like Dragon's, or I can take them out for a good beating. This is a toy that my 6 year old could use and abuse for a long time….if I were to actually let him have it.

Accessories - **1/2
This Joe comes with pretty plain but durable shirt and pants with typical Hasbro decal uniform markings. Nothing special, but nice. The shotgun has a working slide but otherwise is simple and acceptable. The 9mm pistol is actually 1/6 scale!! It's only taken Hasbro about 10 yrs. Since the Hall of Fame "Duke" was released to make handguns the proper scale. It even has a removable magazine. The duty belt has gotten closer to a realistic scale too, but is still too large and clunky. He comes with a pair of handcuffs with real chain instead of stiff plastic like other sets. However, when I went to put them in the oversized handcuff case I found that none of the duty belt's pouches actually hold anything and are actually solid plastic. The radio and dogtags are standard issue. Straighten out the scale on web belts and duty belts and Hasbro can get these guys up to ****

Value - ***
I picked him up for $15 at Wal Mart. This is a nice price as it is, but for some reason I was able to get the Texas Ranger and Raid sets for $10. I don't know if they were mis-priced or on sale the first time, but this set was still a good buy at $15.

Overall - A very solid ***
GI Joe is a toy and is meant to be played with and this one carries on the tradition. For adult collectors he will look just as nice on the shelf.

Where to Buy - As I mentioned earlier, I picked this one up at Wal Mart. I have also seen the assortments at Target and K-Mart, so I'm sure they'll show up at all of the major retailers.

The Rater: Mark D is an avid action figure collector old enough to have gotten vintage GI Joes for Christmas as a kid, but still young enough to play with his toys. He collects mostly vintage AT GI Joe stuff but still likes to grab the cool stuff that comes out now, especially law enforcement figures and accessories. He's been a regular at The Sandbox (alt.toys.gi-joe) since he first came on line about five years ago. He's always looking to swap with other Joe-head and assist them in finding the hard to find stuff. You can contact him at mmdals1@aol.com