Manimals

In 1994 G.I. Joe was coming to a crashing halt as the line ended. 1994 was a interesting year for G.I. Joe and it had some of the better figures to come out in the 1990s. It may seem that Hasbro in 1995 was going to be even more interesting year had it happened. One of these sub teams to bud out of Star Brigade was the Manimals. Aliens that would mutate into even deadlier species. They were bigger and blockier then a average G.I. Joe but had to be to fit the action feature. While they had the same articulation they lacked an o-ring. Six of these figures were planned only three ever made it to retail in 2001 through KB Toy stores. This was unfortunate since two of the figures I really wanted Spasma who resembled Predator and Vortex who resembled a Space Jockey from the Alien movie. The three who did make it to retail are still my favorites and are still found in todays after markets rather easily.

Warwolf
Alien Mutation Expert

Warwolf was the most "human" looking of the bunch and resembled a roided out professional wresler. With his 1995 version was a quite different repaint I prefer this version. By pushing back the head reveals a eyeless mouth with a tongue. Standing a few centimeters higher then an average G.I. Joe Warwolf was known to consume everything including a whole tail section of a Cobra helicopter!!! Warwolf includes two laser rifles and a really bad attitude.

Slythor
Galactic Attacker

Slythor was the biggest of the Manimals towering several inches over a Joe in his mutation form. Slythor is one of my favorite Manimals because he resembles a snake in his mutation form. His original was a bright red color and looked a little satanic to be sold at retail. Slythor has a similar mutation feature as Warwolf pulling back the head exposes the mutation form and by pull the snake head out extends the neck to Slythor full height. Slythor came with a laser pistol and a huge laser cannon, he also included a pair of goggles but mine did not include them. Slythor also has a pair of nasty bone spikes growing out of his hands for close quarters combat.

Iguanus
Stellar Stalker

Iguanus is hands down my favorite Manimal in the series. He is well sculpted and has a very reptilian persona about him. Even his gauntlets and uniform are etched in runic symbols tell a story. Iguanus was thought to be a myth throughout the universe until he was spotted hunting and consuming another planets species. Iguanus is a interstellar poacher if you will. Iguanus has a similar mutation feature as Warwolf, by pressing the head back Iguanus reveals his true form. He includes two laser rifles one identical to Warwolf's. I have always tried to find a way to include these characters into my Joe-verse but it has proven difficult. Originally Iguanus's race was responsible for creating Cobra La thousands of years ago by combining early human DNA with that of other Earth based life forms.

They made them $10 each, IIRC. That was serious change in 2001 for figures that , let's admit it, didn't even appeal to most 3 3/4" fans. Their mystique was that they were unproduced.

Funny/cool thing was, they made them on their original intended cardbacks, but didn't bother to go retro again until 25th series.

Nice people!

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My collection:

http://www.joedios.com/dioramas/bro...r&imageuser=444

When I was a kid and I saw these manimal figures at woolworths I got the feeling that gi joe had run out of ideas and was pumping anything it could to keep the toyline going. As a kid, these manimals didn’t catch my attention. I think one reason was because they just felt so out of place from gi joe. Now as an adult, I think the concept is cool but the execution is not entirely. My first complaint with these figures is the size. They’re too big and tall. But at the same time I recognize that if they were 3 3/4“ the gimmicks would not be as cool or frightening.

Warwolf has some nice colors with the purples, dark blues, and black. His face and helmet make him look like a gladiator or wrestler. He certainly has the body. Honestly, I think the weapons look weird on him because he’s got all that muscle and build so he doesn’t need guns at all. The transformation gimmick is awesome and scary. Straight out of the movie, The Thing. You can imagine that huge jaw ripping out a joe’s head immediately. Really cool!

Again, I ask myself why does Slythor need weapons if he already looks badass and powerful? The paint job is cool with the bronze boots, black pants, red tongue, and olive skin color. It’s nice that the claws and teeth and horn was also painted. Though his expression is dumb looking because he’s rolling his eyes and staring at the ceiling, lol! The transformation is scary too because suddenly this huge snake head lunges at you! but Warwolf is still scarier!

Iguanus would later become the name of a transformer for Beast Wars. This Iguanus looks interesting. His helmet and visor are mysterious looking. His guns are actually cool because they look alien unlike the generic guns of Warwolf and Slythor. The gray guns also look more interesting than black guns. He seems to be bowlegged. Can that be fixed? The transformation is definitely awesome and the paint on the monster’s face is badass! Reminds me of Street Sharks. But you know ultimately, I like Warwolf’s transformation the best because it is a huge scary mouth with no eyes and that to me is truly terrifying!!