G.I. Joe Classified Series Tiger Force Outback Figure Review

 

I've told myself time and again that I won't dip into another toyline. It's why I've pretty much ignored the G.I. Joe Classified Series line of action figures from Hasbro even as it grew into a fun line with badass soldier figures. I've had my share of G.I. Joes as a kid, but I just don't have room for more 6 inch figures of characters known better in 1:18th scale.

That is, until I saw the silver fox that is Stuart "Outback" Selkirk.

All I knew about Outback is that he was the Joes' resident survivalist. He would just as much trust his hunting knife and the jungle than any of the wacky gadgets and gizmos the Joes gave him to use. I guess that was enough to sell me to him, because now I get to review my first G.I. Joe Classified Series figure today!

G.I. Joe Classified Series Outback is a re-imagining of the "Tiger Force" subline of Joes for the modern times. He stands a little over 6 inches tall and carries an air of grizzled combat vet. The sculpting all over the figure is great, while the paint, though minimal, is applied well. They say beware of an old man in a profession where men usually die young. Well, the steely gaze from Outback's head sculpt speaks volumes of how much you do not want to get on his bad side.

The feel of this figure is amazing.  You can pore over its many textures and details that you could get lost in this action figure for hours. I usually expect some corners cut on mass-produced figures with so many sculpted details, but Outback feels like Hasbro poured all of its funding on making him look as good as possible. Talk about bang for your buck!

Speaking of bang for your buck, G.I. Joe Classified Series Outback comes with loads of accessories, from his survival backpack positively bursting with stuff, to a pistol, a rifle, a knife, and a flashlight. All of these have somewhere to go to on Outback's figure, and  all of them are sculpted incredibly well. The rifle even has a removable magazine! This is a mass-produced figure? Could have fooled me!

The weapons fit into Outback's hands and holsters very well, though I had some trouble fitting the backpack peg into the hole at the back of the figure. I've already stressed the plastic on the peg from ham-handing it, so you better handle with care.

This is my first time handling a G.I. Joe Classified Series figure, and I can't believe it's taken me this long to pick one up. Articulation is plentiful and useful, with drop down hips and butterfly shoulders adding more range of motion than I'm used to. Outback here is so much fun to pose, and he looks good no matter the angle. The pinless technology is used to good effect, making Outback look less like an action figure and more of a miniature soldier of fortune on your desk or display.

And display-worthy it is. I can't believe a toy this good is from the same company as Marvel Legends, a line that gave us a Howard the Duck with little articulation for 25 freaking dollars!

 G.I. Joe Classified Series Tiger Force Outback is a surprisingly solid action figure, the type that I am both happy and scared to have in my collection. Happy because this is really a high point in action figure technology, a fine example of Hasbro putting out premium-feeling toys at mass market price, and scared because now I need to get a Beachhead because he's my favorite G.I. Joe, and that's as slippery a slope as I've ever been on.

I hope you found this review helpful! Who is your favorite G.I. Joe character? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading and stay safe out there!