Review and photos by Phillip Donnelly

Continuing Hasbro's little numbering mix-up, DVD Battles Set 4 represents the Pyramid of Darkness mini-series. This is a mini-series that I must confess, I haven't watched more than once. There's something about watching a story with Fatal Fluffies that just leaves a bad taste in your mouth, y'know?

Here again is an opportunity to gain a DVD copy of some G.I. Joe episodes that have been out of print for a while. If you missed snagging Rhino's Season 1 Part 1 set, then the DVD included in this set should appeal to you. If you've already got it, well, enjoy the pretty artwork on the DVD case.

First up on the block is Cobra Commander. Again. In a body mold that's been used seven times already. With a few more to go! The only thing new about this figure is the head. It's yet another take on the hood, but it's nothing to get excited about. He does come with a miniature control cube and a scepter, though, so he's got that going for him.

Next is Major Bludd. I think it goes without saying that the single-card release of the good Major left something to be desired. The Extreme Conditions desert version went a long way to rectify that. The figure presented here is something of an amalgam of the two - with parts cobbled from both figures to represent... something. Honestly, the desert version is still my preferred look for Bludd, but there's nothing terribly wrong about this cartoon iteration, per se. It just feels substandard. Don't get me wrong, it's still much better than the carded figure. I just wonder why they didn't go with the prototype Flash torso at the beginning.

Our first Quick Kick in 23 years (as well as our first figure that begins with a "q" in just as long a time!) and he looks suspiciously like Bruce Lee. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but compared with his previous figure and his cartoon appearances it seems a bit odd. Oh well. This guy has turned a few eyebrows for other reasons, though - namely his left hand and his feet. The karate chop formation of the hand means he can't hold anything in it (who knew?), but I don't really mind. It's something different we don't normally see. Looking at his feet (not like that, you weirdo!) it's apparent he lacks the now standard ankle articulation. Actually, I'm rather glad they avoided doing that here. Sure, there's a bit less articulation, but for once this works in the figure's favor. To be blunt - the feet would look horrible with joints there. One need only look at the recent Star Wars figure of Princess Leia from Shadows of the Empire to see why. The cankles on this lady are epic. I can only hope that the G.I. Joe design team took a look at the Star Wars team's efforts and decided to go another way.

Finally, here we've got yet another Snake Eyes. But it's mostly new molds, so I'll cut it some slack. Hasbro obviously designed this fellow on his 1985 look. They also did that last year, but it seems not everyone was pleased by the effort. I didn't necessarily see anything wrong with that particular feature (trust me, the less spandex on our soldiers the better!). However, if you must give us another homage to 1985, this is the way to do it. I love this guy. True, he's in cartoony, dark purple colors, but internet photos have shown a black version (hopefully) coming soon. As it stands, I can take this figure as is. It's just a great update overall.

The M.A.S.S. Device piece here is the Transport Chassis. It's a fancy name for a pair of treads. Placed in position under the Console and Generator, it almost disappears. It's just as well seeing as the cartoon's M.A.S.S. Device couldn't move. However, the control cube that comes with this set can peg into place on the Chassis, and it suddenly becomes a transport mechanism for this as well. Way to think ahead, Hasbro!

Overall, I'd say this is a better set than Set 3. The figures here are more interesting, the play value of the included extras go a little further, and I just plain like it more. Ithink it's worth the buy. Of course, the added DVD gives the set more mileage if you don't already own the cartoon, and the M.A.S.S. Device piece helps complete that vehicle. Pick up this pack if you see it.

Archive entries:
Cobra Commander (v35)
Major Bludd (v10)
Quick Kick (v2)
Snake Eyes (v37)
M.A.S.S. Device Transport Chassis
Pyramid of Darkness DVD

Editor's Note:
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More action shots:

Images from the collection of: Phillip Donnelly

Figures courtesy of BigBadToyStore — get your G.I. Joes and much more at BigBadToyStore!