Leaky Suit Brigade

A Blog About All Things GI Joe


Leave a comment

Chinese Mudbuster & Chinese Ice Sabre

As many of you know, I have been really focused on collecting Chinese release items and Tiger Force items. So, you can imagine how excited I got when I found a Chinese vehicle that I previously did not know existed and another that I was able to confirm it was released in China!

First up, is the Chinese Mudbuster. It is essentially a US box with just the Chinese name printed on it. Interestingly, the blue prints are also in English and not Chinese. This was a vehicle that I was told may have been produced in China and I was able to confirm it was by acquiring it!

Second, we have, what I believe to be, a previously unknown Chinese release vehicle – the Ice Sabre. I looked long and hard for any other reference or pictures to a Chinese Ice Sabre and even asked around to fellow international collectors. This sealed contents example appears to be the first and only one, at least publicly. Still waiting to get it in hand, as shipping from China can be slow. So for now, I’ll show just the pics from the listing.

wp_ss_20150121_0001

10403072_10104086286406106_2124485691671796857_n

10933897_10104086286396126_877890408308685856_n

10931362_10104086286401116_8196724586572067410_n


1 Comment

Chinese GI Joe Comics!

I first learned of the vast existence of international GI Joe comics from GI Joe Comics International. It was there that I first saw the Chinese GI Joe comics, and up until last week, I had never seen them myself or had the opportunity to buy them. So when I saw these on eBay, I snapped up all 5 as soon as I saw them. As an added benefit, they will look great with the rest of my Chinese release items!

Chinese GI Joe Comics

Chinese GI Joe Comics


Leave a comment

Starting the New Year off Right!

Hunting down the 10 remaining MOC Chinese figures that I am missing has been pretty difficult. I went almost 6 months without finding one I did not have – apart from a seller in China that wants a king’s randsom for two figures. I was able to pick up Stretcher, Salvo, and Rock n Roll all MOC on Chinese cardbacks, bringing me down to 7 remaining figures. I also picked up another MOC Chinese Snowjob which I will use for trade bait for anyone out there that is interested in trading one that I do not have.


Leave a comment

Bounty/Reward For Chinese Figures and Vehicles

This is a little unorthodox and something that I will try for the first time and see what, if anything, comes from it. As you may know, my two focuses lately have been Chinese release items and Tiger Force items, with that in mind I am asking the community for assistance in finding the remaining figures I need. I am interested in only MOC figures. Vehicles can be loose, but must have the Chinese box. Anyway here is my want list along with prices I am offering to pay:

Snake Eyes v3 (1989): $600
Snake Eyes v4 (1990): $200
Metal-head: $150
Undertow: $150
Bullhorn: $150
Stretcher: $150
Static-line:$350
Barricade (not the Roadblock also released in China called Barricade, but the actual Barricade figure): $100

In addition to the figures, I am looking for any Chinese vehicles either MIB or loose with box that I do not currently have. The only vehicle that I am 100% sure was released in China that I do not own yet is the Sky Havoc. Other unconfirmed Chinese vehicles include the Mudfighter, Hammerhead, and BUGG. There are supposedly 30-40 Chinese vehicles. If you are willing to sell a vehicle that is Chinese release that is not listed below, I am absolutely interested in buying it.

Chinese vehicles I own:
Storm Eagle
Liquidator
Septic Tank
Eco Striker
Ninja Lightning
Desert Fox
Battle Ax
Pile Driver
Barracuda
Locust
Sky Sharc
Fang II
Paralyzer
Earthquake
Sky Raven
Tiger Fly
Tiger Sting
HISS II


1 Comment

Real Chinese Storm Shadow!

This figure is/was one of my grails, and acquiring this figure led me to set a goal of finding every single Chinese figure and vehicle MOC or MIB. While it may not seem all that remarkable, a real, legitimate Chinese Storm Shadow is quite rare. While it seems that they are very common on eBay, every single one sold for the past several years is a bootleg/fake. One easy way to tell is to look at the ‘Hasbro’ symbol next to the figure bubble. On all of the fake Storm Shadows it is misspelled as “HRSBRO.” In addition, the back of the cardback looks and feels different on the fake SS. The color is muted and looks like it was scanned/copied.

WP_20140816_003

WP_20140816_005

WP_20140816_004


Leave a comment

More Chinese Vehicles!

Here is a picture of 3 more Chinese release vehicles. Only the Septic Tank is from Aire. The Earthquake and the Fang II I found in the depths of the internet. A huge part of the fun of collecting Chinese release GI Joe items, for me at least, is the hunt. I have been compiling a list of all known figures and vehicles that were released in China. However, it is quite a difficult task. While it is a bit easier with the figures having the portraits and names on the cardbacks, there is no list, outside of the VERY incomplete listing on YoJoe. I have reached the point where I have acquired all of the vehicles that I previously knew about. Through pictures and speaking with other Joe collectors, I had added more vehicles to the list, but it is still incomplete. That makes searching for unknown Chinese release vehicles difficult since I don’t know what exactly I am looking for. Often times it results in wide search terms that encompass all sorts of GI Joe items. 

Another aspect that draws me to the Chinese release items is the artwork. Both the Chinese language only items and the European alternate art. When comparing the US art to China/Europe I definitely prefer the art from China/Europe. One interesting note, is that both the Earthquake and Septic Tank are the same as European released versions with Chinese stickers applied to them. With the Fang II, the Chinese language is printed directly on to the box. 

Image


3 Comments

Chinese Tiger Fly and Chinese Tiger Sting!

I never knew either of these existed until a month ago. I got a picture of them sent to me and knew I had to have them. Both of these come from one of my two (possibly a 3rd) hauls from Aire. I really like the minimalist design to the Chinese boxes (at least the early figures and vehicles released in China); it really allows the art to stand out. Also check out the side of the Tiger Fly box which advertises the Sting, HISS 2, and Desert Fox. I have found and purchased a Desert Fox MIB – it is on its way from China right now. I am still looking for a Chinese HISS 2, if anyone out there has one – let me know. Enjoy!

ImageImageImage