Review & pics by: Fred Meyer
 
JBL Review: Ninja Battles boxed set - Page 3

  
 

Black Dragon:

Black Dragon frontBlack Dragon back

They say you have to leave the best for last but with Black Dragon this just isn’t the case. I may be the only person on the world to say this but I really dislike this figure. Why? Simple, even with the repaint he looks too much like an Iron Grenadier for me to take him seriously as anything other than one of Destro’s troops. In fact, if it weren’t for that red dragon painted on his chest (which proved surprisingly difficult to photograph), I’d say that this is a great repaint OF an Iron Grenadier. The gold bandoleer and lack of metallic blue found on the first new sculpt IG makes this figure an IDEAL member of Destro’s guard. Unfortunately, it was decided that he should be a ninja—so here he is. The enclosed comic would have you believe that this is Black Dragon himself whereas his file card is a reprint of the one from the Cobra Ninja set and portrays him as a generic troop. Frankly I don’t think he’ll end up as either in my universe or with some rearranging of my extra accessories he’ll end up as Destro’s Sergeant Major. Black Dragon comes with the same accessories as the VvV Wave 6 Cobra Slice. It’s a good thing this set is such a great bargain as I can justify him as a wasted figure and still feel that this is money well spent. I will speak of him no more!

Black Dragon closeup

Black Dragon gear

Black Dragon/ Iron Grenadier comparison

Ninja Battles Comic:

Ninja Battles comic cover

Normally I pay precious little attention to the enclosed comics as they have the complexity of a Bazooka Joe comic. (Actually, a few of those Bazooka Joe comics are pretty funny.) However this time we treated to a full-length comic rather than a mini-comic/ catalog. The story features the Iron Master, the apparent swordsmith of the Arashikage clan, and tells the story of the kidnapping of both Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow’s apprentices by the Black Dragon. The two foes must join forces and put some righteous smack down on the kidnapper and recover their two pupils. I’ll spoil this for you: the good guys win and the two parties go their separate ways. It’s not a bad story but unfortunately I read it after watching the DVD and of the two the comic is the weaker story. Characters that appear in the comic do not match their current toy representations and the story telling is geared toward a much younger audience. Also, if the Iron Master is the Arashikage swordsmith then were are his two daughters, the Vypra twins, who were featured in the Cobra Ninja Team six pack at TRU? The comic is an enjoyable read but unfortunately it is ultimately forgettable.

Ninja Battles DVD:

Ninja Battles DVD

I’ll say this now—I have only two complaints about this DVD. First, I wish it were longer as the story is really surprisingly interesting. Secondly, I wish the entire film was CG animated in the style of Valor vs. Venom. In other words—I want MORE! The DVD is broken down into four episodes (which would lend credence to the rumor that it was originally meant to be shown serialized on TOON), which depict the four ninja trials that Snake Eyes and his sword brother Storm Shadow had to pass. Each episode opens with a narrative by the Iron Master detailing the conflict between good and evil and re-explains the factions of GIJoe and Cobra. (This is another indication that this feature was meant to be serialized on television.) The story shows the deterioration of the relationship between the two famous Arashikage ninjas and how Shadow Strike, as an agent of Cobra, was able to fracture the clan and turn a majority of them to Cobra. The animation used is very stylized but it works for the plotline that lends a surprising depth to the characters packaged in this set. Conspicuously absent from the DVD is Black Dragon, which leads me to believe that his character was a late addition to the set. (This suits me just fine as I’ve already decided that he is the new Sergeant Major!) All of the rest of the figures in the set are featured in the DVD as well as Kamakura (again, not a replacement!), Jinx, Slash, and Slice. However, as good as the four episodes are it is the transition to CGI at the end that makes the whole DVD worth it for me. In fact, I will miss seeing ReelFX produce any more CG Joe adventures as I’ve really enjoyed their latest Joe work. For a free DVD, it tells a surprisingly complex story and adds a great deal of back-story to all of the characters involved. The DVD also features trailers for Spy Troops and Valor vs. Venom as well as the music video for “Glory Unseen”.

Ninja Battles Arashikage clan sigils

If this review hasn’t convinced you to buy this set, then nothing short of it being handed to you by Scarlet herself will. The sheer amount of Joe goodies (yes, I said ‘goodies’) in this set makes it worth closer to $25.00 and yet Hasbro has made it possible for Andrew Jackson and change. Five figures, a DVD, a display base and a comic make me wish that this set had come out sooner so that many a Joe fan would have found this waiting for them under the tree on Christmas morning. I’m not a huge fan of too many ninjas in GIJoe but this set, with it’s compelling re-imagining of the back story of the two conflicted sword brothers, has made me a believer. If the story is good enough, fans will learn to accept new characters and new spins on old stories. Make no mistake, this set firmly cements the notion of a new Joe continuity for the toys but it is a fun continuity thus far. This set is just showing up at retail but is also available from online stores such as GIJoeHQ.com. So, what are you waiting for—Ms. O’Hara to knock on your door? Go get this NOW!

Tiger Claw vs. Shadow Strike

Arashikage clan - Cobra

Arashikage clan - GIJoe

Black Dragon vs. Slash & Slice

Snake Eyes vs. Storm Shadow with glaives

Tiger Claw's graduation



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