Super7 ReAction - BARONESS (DIC)!

ReAction Action Figures - G.I.Joe Target Exc - Baroness (DIC) - Super7 2023

In 1989, two years after G.I.Joe the Movie aired and the Sunbow cartoon ended, a new animated series produced by DIC Enterprises began and ran for 44 episodes. In most ways, this new series paled in comparison to the 95 Sunbow episodes. The animation was more crude and most of the stories seemed like blatant attempts to sell toys (way more obvious than all the other 80's cartoons). But there were some cool highlights. I especially liked the Operation Dragonfire storyline. In this story, a jilted Baroness finds an ancient skull headdress with crystal horns that enables her to concentrate the Dragonfire power. This power is used to return Cobra Commander to his human form (after the events in the the Movie that left him in the form of a giant cobra). The power was also used to fuse vehicles and uniforms with animals - creating the Python Patrol. It was a pretty fun story. An added benefit is that all the character redesigns from DIC gives us fun color variants to collect. Let's check out the DIC Baroness below!

Super7 ReAction - PYTHON PATROL BARONESS!

ReAction Action Figures - G.I.Joe Wave 6 - Python Patrol Baroness - Super7 2023

When the Python Patrol faction of G.I.Joe was introduced in 1989, I was obsessed. It was such a fun way to re-introduce the classic Cobra villains and vehicles in thematic style that actually elevated the snake-themed organization. (The only thing I didn't love about it was that the logo plastered over all the vehicles said "Python Patrol" with a cheesy sticker instead of letting the uniformed decos and maybe a simple python symbol speak for themselves). The Python Patrol appeared in the toyline, cartoon, and comics nearly simultaneously, but I actually think the thing that captured my imagination the most were the short animated sequences in the toy commercials. You should check them out on YouTube. Of course, despite Baroness' crucial role in the creation of the Python Patrol, she never actually donned a scaled electronic-evading costume like so many others. Similar to the Tiger Force Scarlett, Super7 has given us another great "What If" figure. Let's check out Baroness below!

G.I.Joe Classified - BARONESS!

G.I.Joe Classified Retro Card Series - Cobra Enemy Baroness - Hasbro 2022

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.

G.I.Joe Basic Series - BARONESS!

G.I.Joe Limited Articulation Basic Series - Baroness - Hasbro 2022

To me G.I.Joe product has always been firmly anchored in Hasbro's 3.75" action figure line that began in the early eighties and continues to this day (with just a few gaps along the way). But in the past few years there have been a handful of new product lines that can not be overlooked: The 6" Classified line is one of the most popular collector lines out there; the Super7 Ultimates look amazing and I can't wait to get the first wave in hand; the ReAction figures are giving us great animation-accurate sculpts in a retro toy style; and finally this Limited Articulation line (at stores like CVS and FiveBelow) is giving us the discount evergreen solution that all the other big licenses seem to get, but G.I.Joe has always missed out on. These figures aren't for everyone. They only have three points of articulation: shoulders and neck. And they have weapons permanently sculpted into their hands. But the designs are fun, they are very inexpensive, and they display well. I can't wait to get more. Let's check out Baroness below!

Super7 ReAction - BARONESS!

ReAction Action Figures - Glow Patrol (SDCC Exc) - Baroness - Super7 2022

I normally despise random redecos of action figures that have nothing to do with the character in question. This stems from my perpetual disappointment in character diversity in the toy aisles in favor of 20 new colors for Batman (or any alpha male character the companies need to promote). Don't get me wrong, I love Batman, but give me a blue version, gray version, and black version and call it a day. Although perhaps if a female action figure ever got this same treatment I might change my tune. For SDCC 2022, Super7 released a new faction in their G.I. Joe ReAction line: Glow Patrol. As far as I can tell, this is completely original (despite tons of historic factions to draw from). But I love it. The green-hued good guys and the blue-hued bad guys look great. And glowing gimmicks are always fun, especially with Super7 who knows how to do GITD right. I look forward to what other variants they can come up with to challenge my long-held "redecos are bad" beliefs. Let's check out Glow Force Baroness below!

Snake-Eyes Movie - BARONESS!

G.I.Joe Origins: Snake-Eyes - G.I.Joe Classified Series - Baroness - Hasbro 2021

I finally watched G.I.Joe Origins: Snake-Eyes last week after 11 months of dragging my feet. I truly planned on seeing it in the theatre last Summer, but I just had a gut feeling I wouldn't enjoy it. And I was correct. Despite several awesome female characters, a great cast overall, and lots of well-planned action scenes, it just didn't excite or engage me. Although, I was pleasantly surprised by Úrsula Corberó in the role of Baroness. I thought I would be disappointed in yet another live-action interpretation of the single most iconic animated villainess from my youth. But I found her performance rather enjoyable. Trying to mimic an over-the-top cartoon persona is generally a big mistake, but this portrayal had an original spin while still capturing the essence of Baroness. It's far better that the previous live-action attempt, and even better than some later animated interpretations honestly. This toy has become quite the shelfwarmer, but is a really nice figure overall. Let's check out Baroness below!

Super7 ReAction - BARONESS!

ReAction Action Figures - G.I.Joe Wave 3 - Baroness (Version 2) - Super7 2022

Super7's ReAction line just keeps getting better and better. The blend of vintage toy styling with the original animation designs is near perfection. Of course, now I want nothing more than for Super7 to get the MOTU license back so we can get apology figures for Sorceress and She-Ra. Those are the two least favorite in my collection, but they are great examples of just how far this line has come. What's also impressive is that they aren't shy about giving us great variants. Not only did we get a cartoon accurate Cheetara, but she was quickly followed by a vintage toy variant. Yes, repaints are minimal effort and expected. What isn't so expected however is a total resculpt for a variant. That is the case with this Baroness figure. Her first appearance blue version came earlier this year, almost immediately followed by this completely new black/gray version. It bodes well for her Ultimates figure, and even potential future Reactions with distinct variations (like Steelheart). I'm excited. Let's check out Baroness below!

Super7 ReAction - BARONESS!

ReAction Action Figures - G.I.Joe Wave 1 - Baroness (Sunbow) - Super7 2021

There is something powerfully nostalgic about the blue-suited Baroness with the green glasses to me. My first exposure to Baroness was in her signature black suit with the red Cobra symbol emblazoned on her chest, but in my heavy rotation of syndicated after-school viewing, I eventually saw this original blue outfit and was really intrigued. When the G.I.Joe cartoons began airing in 1983, they were composed of two 5-episode mini-series (before becoming an ongoing series by 1985). The first of these mini-series (now known as The M.A.S.S. Device episodes 1-5) featured Baroness in this uniform. Interestingly enough, she barely appears on screen wearing it. The first introduction to Baroness has her disguised in military greens. And her second scene has her in red scuba gear. But still, the few scenes of her arguing with Destro and Cobra Commander in this getup made an impression on young me. I love that Super7 chose this as the first Baroness deco for both the ReAction and Ultimates releases.

Funko Pop - THE BARONESS!

POP! Retro Toys #75 - G.I.Joe The Baroness Vinyl Figure - Funko 2021

I used to buy a ton of Funko Pops. I collected my favorite superheroes, iconic/ironic movie characters, villainesses, random nostalgic properties, etc. But it just became too much. And when I missed out on a few exclusives I called it quits. However, I stuck with a few themes: Jim Henson, Bat-Ladies, Spider-Ladies, and Ladies of the Eighties. I thought these limitations would mean much fewer purchases, but I think Funko was on to me because I've purchased eight already this year and nine others in 2020. This Baroness is a perfect example of the kind of product I can't resist. They somehow captured the character's essence better than the sought-after Classified figure or any of the recent movie product.  Her design is so simple: a black armored bodysuit, red cobra emblem, glasses, raven hair, and a contemptuous expression. I don't know why so many products miss the mark, but Funko nailed it. Curious to see what the eventual Super7 Ultimates figure will bring to the table. Let's check out Baroness below!

Snake Eyes Basic Series - BARONESS!

Snake Eyes: G.I.Joe Origins - Basic Series 01 - Baroness - Hasbro 2021

I rarely enjoy any live-action movies that are inspired from classic cartoons. Masters of the Universe (1987), Transformers (2007), and G.I.Joe (2009) all fell flat for me (although oddly, the biggest perceived bomb of them all, Jem (2015) is a personal favorite that I've seen nearly a dozen times). But one thing I love about these movies is the corresponding resurgence in the toylines. Especially when the designs harken back to the original animated designs. The upcoming Snake-Eyes movie surprisingly stars two of my favorite characters, Scarlett and Baroness. While the Baroness design for the movie doesn't thrill me, I really dig this generic "basic series" figure. This was likely sculpted and when the film costumes were still in concept phase, and what we get is a blend of various Baroness designs that I really like. It incorporates the blue of her first appearance with her standard black bodysuit and modern utilitarian details that gives a nice cinematic feel. I think it's terrific. Let's check out Baroness below!

G.I.Joe Classified - BARONESS!

G.I.Joe Classified (Cobra Island) - Baroness with Cobra C.O.I.L. - Hasbro 2020

When I try to rank all the amazing animated ladies from my childhood, the Baroness from G.I.Joe is always very high on the list. I would run home from school each day and eagerly wait to see what wickedness she was up to in every episode. Her accent was intriguing, her scheming was devious, her glasses were unique (was there even another glasses-wearing female in 80s cartoons?), and her flirtatious interactions with all the other characters made her a back-stabbing wildcard. I was obsessed with seeing how she would fit into each plot (I was especially thrilled when she would be in disguise.. a super common trope for Cobra ladies). Plus her 1984 toy was the second female action figure I ever owned (after Voltron's Haggar). I still get overwhelmed with nostalgia when I hold her. So I was super excited that she was included so early on in the G.I.Joe Classified line, even though she was a highly sought-after Target exclusive and packed with an unnecessary vehicle. Let's check out Baroness below!

Kre-O G.I.Joe BARONESS!

Kre-O G.I.Joe Arashikage Dojo Playset  - Toys R' Us Exclusive - Hasbro 2013

There's nothing more disappointing than getting priced out of a hobby you love.  My female action figure hobby started with G.I.Joe characters.  As a kid, I was obsessed with all the amazing ladies on the show; Scarlett, Lady Jaye, Cover Girl, Baroness, etc etc.  As a collecting adult, I assembled them all into my collection (even the uber-rare Glenda).  But in the past few years, there have been just too many convention exclusives, club exclusives, etc that have left me deflated.  I am many figures behind:  All three Jinx's, Daina, Night Force Lady Jaye, Ravage Baroness, Crimson Asp, and all the Club Exclusives -  Cover Girl, Jinx, & Quarrel.  They cost a fortune in the secondhand market and are just out of my league.  I pretty much gave up on the brand.  That is, until the Kre-O line was announced last year.  Finally some affordable Joes!  The Kreons aren't as charming as Legos or Mini-mates, but they are pretty cool.  I was also very glad to see a future Lady Jaye figure shown at ToyFair this year.  Now we just need Zarana and Cover Girl to round it out.  Let's check out Baroness below!