Art Design: This is the standard Valor vs. Venom carded box for the 12" GI Joe Sand Scorpion. It includes the File Card on the back.
The Headsculpt is faithful to the original style of the 3.75" Cobra Sand Scorpion figure (see version 2 at left, wearing the gray visor).
Articulation: This GI Joe figure has the economy style body with the molded-on sweater over the arms that limit elbow movement.
Outfit: As you can see from the photo of the 3.75" Sand Scorpion, he can really look good if done correctly. The 3.75" version 2 reminds me of the Spider-Man villain called The Shocker. Unfortunately, the 12" version has a molded-on sweater and corduroy tan pants. Grifman, a collector on The Trenches pointed out that the movie version was a mutated creature, and the 3.75" versions include claw attachments (photo) and a scorpion tail back pack.
The Gear is the rubber scorpion outfit. It includes thigh-guards that were originally designed for the Action Man Space Commando, mountain climbing boots with the cleats on the bottom, the turtle-shell armored harness with the bendy scorpion tail, and the two claws with the alligator-teeth. The end of the tail has a rubber bulb which can be squeezed to fill up with water so that it can shoot out "venom." If you take a good look at this set, you can see it really evokes some memories of the old 1950s Science-Fiction movies. This Sand Scorpion looks like some old creature mutated from radiation. Perhaps a cousin to the Toho Films Godzilla, or Gamera? Maybe it was just the result of the lost weekend of some Hasbro toy designer who had been drinking turpentine? The two claws can be removed and attached to the back of the Sand Scorpion armor. With a little effort this Sand Scorpion could be painted dark green and then you have a 12" Scorpion to fight against the 12" Spider-Man movie action figures. But there is just something so cheesy about this set that I could not bring myself to customize it. Perhaps it was the corduroy pants, or the mountain climber boots or the burnt orange color of the armor? Compared to the excellent 3.75" version, Hasbro really dropped the ball on this one. There are GI Joe sets that are made for kids, but this Sand Scorpion must have been aiming for really young kids that like rubbery monster creatures that they can chew on.
Overall: The price on these was originally $14.96 at the x-marts and $17.99 at Toys R Us. KB Toys has had them sometimes for around $7.99-$9.99. If you like the headsculpt then it is not a bad deal. However, this GI Joe does not do much justice to the original 3.75" versions. What cross-over appeal could this 12" Sand Scorpion have to the original 3.75" collectors? Then again, it could be seen as a customizers dream. Lots of potential for improvement! The small version looks mean and tough, and his outfit has an excellent color scheme. The large version is probably a fun kiddie toy. Perhaps the worst thing about this 12" Sand Scorpion is that it reminded me of how far I am from those days when a silly, goofy toy could have made me happy for many hours. "Oh, to be young again." Hopefully there are some kids who enjoyed it!
