[TAO's Note: Clark is back with another GI Joe Sigma 6 review, this time under the sub-line called Adventure Team. I think he likes this Recondo figure quite a bit, but he might just be full of croc; you're going to have to decide for yourself after reading this great review.]

Name: Terror of the Swamp with Recondo
Line: Adventure Team (Sigma 6 spin-off)
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Released:  Summer 2007
Price: Retail $19.99, Online $50.00
Scale: 8.00 in. (figure is 7.75 in. tall)

 
Recondo is from the only wave of Adventure Team that was released.  These were basically Sigma 6 style figures that came packaged with a large animal.

 
     Recondo has a great sculpt, with appropriate wrinkles in his several layers of clothes, bulky muscles, and a great face.  Starting with the head, Recondo has one of the best faces from the Sigma 6 line.  He has a weathered look to him with wrinkles around his eyes (probably from sun exposure) a scar on his chin and stubble.  His nose is great, it is flat and a little crooked, which lets you know that he has broken it once or twice in his lifetime.  I love that Hasbro gave him “hat hair,” it just looks like he has been sweating out in the heat.  The best part of the face is his confident and somewhat mischievous smirk.  Recondo has the animated proportions that you expect from this line, with large blocky hands, and huge boots.  I love the little details of this figure, like the torn fabric near his shoulders, the aboriginal necklace, and the watch on his left wrist.  He also comes packaged with a large crocodile.  This thing is well-sculpted, covered in scales and has mean, crooked teeth (and probably bad breath).  It is a great animal that fits in well with the animated style of Sigma 6. 

Sculpt Score: 8 / 10

 

     Recondo has a really great paint that helps to pull out the details of the sculpt.  For the skin, Hasbro went with an orange/bronze tan look, so we know this guy spends most of his time in the sun.  He also has a slightly darker shade on his chin to give him a 5 o’clock shadow.  Small details such as the gold belt buckle, to the wristwatch have really great paint apps, much higher quality than I had expected.  None of the paint is applied sloppily, or with too thin of a coat.  His colors remind me of an Aussie exploring the Outback, how they accomplished that I’m not sure, but I like it.  The Croc also has very good paint.  It basically fades from light to dark as you move from the belly to its back, and it has a nice blue green tone.  The croc’s eyes are a metallic green that shimmer in the light, this is a nice creepy effect.  

Paint Score: 8 / 10

 

     Recondo has a good range of motion with most of his joints, especially for a guy who is a little more bulky than others.  The only real restrictions with him are his ab crunch joint, which doesn’t do much good, and his knees which almost make it to 90 degrees but not quite.  The rest of his joints are great, and they are tight enough for him to hold a pose well.  The ball joint neck has a good range of motion, but he won’t be looking straight up, and his ankles are surprisingly flexible under those huge leather boots.  Recondo also has a well-applied Kung-Fu grip in his right hand.  You can see from the picture that the hand is truly designed to hold his rifle, but it does a good job gripping his knife and machete as well.  The supplied crocodile is also articulated.  The croc has a swivel joint where each leg meets the body, the tail has two swivel joints so it can swing back and forth, and a swivel neck to look side to side.  Neither the tail or neck have a great range of motion, but at least they’re there, and they don’t hurt the sculpt much either.  In addition to these, the croc can open his mouth and lock in place.  You’ll notice that he has a separate piece for a tongue, when you press down on the tongue the mouth clamps shut.  It’s not a violent or hard bite, but it is a fun action feature.

Articulation Score: 7 / 10

 

      You can have loads of fun with this set!  Recondo truly has some great accessories.  In addition to the crocodile he comes ready to fight with a rifle, machete, knife, canteen, a real chain leash for the croc, and a jack to keep its mouth open (the jack is one solid piece of plastic, it does not raise or lower.  I really like the weapons he has.  We’ve seen guns before, but this rifle is uniquely Recondo’s, with what looks like a flash light strapped to the front, some wrapping around the stock, and an aboriginal talisman around the muzzle.  The gun fits perfectly into his hand or can be clipped to his back.  The machete is a particularly threatening blade, it just looks like it has some real heft to it and can cleave its way through some tall grass, or through an enemy’s spinal cord.  The giant knife is pretty slick, and can plug into his back, I just can’t help but think that this is some “Crocodile Dundee” reference.  Let’s not forget the hat, this is the piece that brings the look of this figure all together, with croc teeth in the band.  The hat matches the color of his shirt, and it fits tightly enough of the head to stay in place. 

Fun Score: 10 / 10

 

     The adventure team sets were more expensive than regular Commando figures, and at $19.99 you’re not getting a bargain.  I understand why he costs more, because the croc is like a character all on its own, but if Recondo had just come packed with his weapons as a $9.99 Soldier I would have picked him up that way instead.  Your 20 dollars still gets you a fun play set with a unique figure with loads of personality, but I think you’ll be hard pressed to find him that cheap nowadays.  Like most of the Sigma 6 style figures, you’ll pay a premium for this one online, I can’t find him for less than $50.  Your best bet may be to watch some auction sites for a loose figure, but good luck.

Value Score: 6 / 10

 

8 / 10 - Very good sculpt that shows a lot of personality.

8 / 10 - Good paint overall, and some very nice details here and there.

7 / 10 - Pretty good articulation for the most part, I’ve seen worse, and I’ve seen better.

10 / 10 - You get a lot of fun in this one package, great accessories do the trick here.

6 / 10 - $20 is understandable, I wouldn’t pay more than $30 if you’re shopping for him. 

87 / 100 - This is a Great Toy

Here is another figure I just had to curve the score with.  Recondo is another favorite of mine from the Sigma 6 style figures, and even though I don’t much use for the croc, I am very glad that I picked him up when I had the chance.  Recondo is a great example of how the Sigma 6 figures were just getting better and better with time, unfortunately he is also one of the last figures released.

-Clark 

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