Alexx Shorts: PoC Duke (Desert Battle)

[Mecheon]

For roughly Joe scaled Aliens, Hot Toys did release some snap kits at some time which I believe are the right size

The problem is they're also incredibly rare and will set you back all of your money

[Compulsive Collector]

Just remember that although they take certain figures and make a ton of versions of them, sometimes they crank one out that leaves them all in the dust.

Excellent synopsis. For my money, this is the best Duke figure Hasbro has ever released. It's the perfect update for the Pursuit of Cobra line. He's heavily influenced by his original design, but with a wonderfully modern look. The weapons don't matter to me, as I like to equip most of my figures with weapons from Marauder (although Hasbro has definitely gotten better in that department over the last couple of years).

[Dusty Ayers]

This is a fantastic figure. It is perfect to me because it updates the original character with a new, modern look but still retains the resemblance to the classic ARAH design. I love the way these POC figs are going. Updated but still paying homeage to the classics. It looks like the rocket launcher is based on the M202.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M202A1_FLASH

I didn't know he came with two though. The production pics I saw only had him with one.

[Alexx]

For roughly Joe scaled Aliens, Hot Toys did release some snap kits at some time which I believe are the right size

The problem is they're also incredibly rare and will set you back all of your money

Oh, okay, well that sounds pretty good-------WAIT A SECOND, all my money? That ain't kosher sir, no, that doesn't add up at all!

Seriously though, I think I remember what you're talking about. They were pretty articulated too, right? Think they were at Media Play back when that store still existed. Shoulda got some back then...

Excellent synopsis. For my money, this is the best Duke figure Hasbro has ever released. It's the perfect update for the Pursuit of Cobra line. He's heavily influenced by his original design, but with a wonderfully modern look. The weapons don't matter to me, as I like to equip most of my figures with weapons from Marauder (although Hasbro has definitely gotten better in that department over the last couple of years).

Yeah, the thing that really makes this a complete package for me is that at least the mismatched weapons are still cool, ya know? The weapons in the GvC and Spytroops days were just so BORING and almost always mismatched. I hadn't built up a good weapons cache yet, so there wasn't much to mix. Now, if they do slip up, they're still really awesome accessories, and as I showed in the pics, they're perfect for the accelerator suits, and Duke can use just about anything else.

This is a fantastic figure. It is perfect to me because it updates the original character with a new, modern look but still retains the resemblance to the classic ARAH design. I love the way these POC figs are going. Updated but still paying homeage to the classics. It looks like the rocket launcher is based on the M202.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M202A1_FLASH

I didn't know he came with two though. The production pics I saw only had him with one.

Two? Did I picture him with two at one point? Sorry, he's only got one in there.

[Crosshair]

Yeah, the thing that really makes this a complete package for me is that at least the mismatched weapons are still cool, ya know? The weapons in the GvC and Spytroops days were just so BORING and almost always mismatched. I hadn't built up a good weapons cache yet, so there wasn't much to mix. Now, if they do slip up, they're still really awesome accessories, and as I showed in the pics, they're perfect for the accelerator suits, and Duke can use just about anything else.

I can vouch for this. I've got an entire gallon bag of weapons leftover from the GvsC era, and most of them are rather junky. Not so with POC (and to a lesser extent ROC).

[Mecheon]

For roughly Joe scaled Aliens, Hot Toys did release some snap kits at some time which I believe are the right size

The problem is they're also incredibly rare and will set you back all of your money

Oh, okay, well that sounds pretty good-------WAIT A SECOND, all my money? That ain't kosher sir, no, that doesn't add up at all!

Seriously though, I think I remember what you're talking about. They were pretty articulated too, right? Think they were at Media Play back when that store still existed. Shoulda got some back then...

There were 2 series of them. One on Aliens I think, and another on AvP. I don't own any, but everything I've seen shows they're pretty damn well articulated. Plus, Hot Toys does make nice snap kits. Or did, at least

And yes, they will cost all your money. Seriously, eBay is not kind to these poor toys. Of course I'm hardly the person to complain about overpricing seeing as I'm hunting that Blades from the 09 convention set ahahahaha i must hate having money or something

[Alexx]

Alright, I found it. I assume we're talking about the toys in this review. Those are pretty dang awesome. Too bad they don't just re-release them so people can have another shot at 'em.

[zedhatch]

Another source for in scale aliens is the microman line, but they are a bit pricey on the second hand market now, sometimes you can snag one at a good price.

I hate the duke though, its just one of the weakest POC figs I have seen. Sorry.

Ah, I knew there were some Microman Aliens. Yeah, though, I know Microman (in general) can go for a lot. I had to give up on the line mostly 'cause I just don't know how to track down older figures without paying out the nose.

And yeah, I read your review when you posted it up: to each his own, I guess, is the best I can say. I agree that Duke is usually drab and boring, but I really don't see how this one falls under that category. In fact, I think it's one of the best in terms of Duke figures. Last one I liked at all was from the Battle Corps line (came with this goofy missile launcher that he rode like a horse). Of course, that's not counting the awesome Jungle Duke, 'cause that's a Duke for a specific terrain. This is one of the few standard Dukes that I really like (besides Resolute Duke, but like I said, I never really liked his face). Boring, to me, is the 25th Duke. This one works better in terms of articulation, looks better, and adds a bit of flair with the cool looking armor. 'Course, it's not a complete package 'cause the accessories don't seem to match him, but I've never been one to care about that kind a stuff.

I dunno what I'm trying to do here, though. If you don't like 'em, you don't like 'em. Out of curiosity, though: which is your favorite Duke (throughout any Joe line)?

Since you asked (and sorry to take so long, been a bit busy with my favorites list) I really do not believe they ever toped the version 1, Duke, the Crimson twins and Zartan are the few figures I feel that way about in the G.I. Joe line though.

[Dusty Ayers]

Great review Alexx, you summed up my thoughts exactly. He makes a fantastic default Duke. The Resolute Duke was awesome but I couldn't get over his Tatum mug and his lack of holster. Jungle Duke is a fantastic figure that fits well as an "environment" Duke. This Duke can work as a desert fig but his gear doesn't hold him to that particular enviroment. His tan fatigues could work in any environment including the jungle and a urban setting. His body armor looks cool and he makes a great all around Duke. He looks similar to ARAH v1 which I also like but he is just a modernized version. Great figure.

[KINGOFNOD5]

seeing Monte's article on Justin's site made me want to voice my opinion on this figure.

I've got to say this is hands-down....my FAVORITE DUKE EVAH!!!! that face, that sculpting that Reactive armor-ish body armor though I wish it was colored like RA HD's chest armor, minor complaint aside this is a great figure . it's honestly surprising to me how underrated it is.

if this guy is sitting on your pegs and you don't have one pick it up it's worth your time