The G.I.Joe Classified Retro Carded line had issues from the very start. In theory this was a great idea; vintage redeco'd homages on giant retro cards. The nostalgia potential was very high. But in actuality, we got re-released figures with very minimal changes (just fewer red and gold highlights in the case of Baroness), and a fraction of the accessories. So the main appeal would be the cardback display. But the original releases used the flimsiest cardboard. They were about as as sturdy as a cereal box and looked pretty banged-up and raggedy on the pegs. And if you pre-ordered them from Walmart, they likely arrived tattered in a soft mailer pouch (Note: later characters were on very sturdy cards). If my Walmarts are any indication, I think the Baroness and Lady Jaye Retro figures are the greatest shelfwarmers of my adult life. That, said, I actually prefer this Baroness to the elusive first release. Her skin tone and paint apps are better, and the simplified paint details look sharper and truer to the character.
One funny thing about this figure is that I can't make her arms hang at a relaxed angle. It's like her torso armor is too bulky on the sides. The first release of this mold in 2020 didn't have this problem. Perhaps I just need to boil her and give some elbow grease.
Baroness comes with her glasses (they are removable for this release), a figure stand, and four guns.
I'm surprised they didn't include the little Cobra backpack that the original 80's figure had.
Here is Baroness with her glasses removed. She has deep back grooves in her temples to accommodate the glasses. It's a very distracting feature.
Because I was having trouble moving the arms, her poses here are a little redundant.
Time for some Group and Comparison Pics!
Here is Baroness with her first Classified figure from 2020 (on the Right). The only difference is that the old figure has more paint apps, more accessories, paler skin, and her glasses aren't removable.
Cheers!
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