Happy Halloween! We’ve made through another 31 Days of Toy Terror and I’ve got something special lined up: Richard “Crystal Ball” King from Hasbro’s G.I. Joe: Classified Series. So, you’re probably asking “Why a G.I. Joe on Halloween?”
The Facts:
Non-Scalper Price: $25 dollars
Comparison:
* Here’s a quick shot of my vintage Crystal Ball (on the right) with the Classified Series Crystal ball (on the left). Obviously they’re the same character, sure, but I love how Hasbro really added more unusual details, tattoos, and that longer coat. One of the best reimaginings in the Classified Series to date.
The Positives:
* The portrait is incredible. He looks younger than the ARAH version but with some of the same elements like the crazy eyes and the black hair with grey temples and highlights. There’s not as strong of a Vincent Price likeness here as on the vintage figure, but it’s still definitely reminiscent of a young Price. Crystal Ball has even crazier, almost serpent-like eyes, running eye-makeup, and some fangs. He’s really committed to making himself as terrifying as possible, isn’t he?
* Crystal Ball has two separate necklaces or pendants that he’s wearing. One looks like a green stone (maybe aventurine?) while the other is a gold pendant with a horseshoe shape on it.
* On his right arm he’s wearing an elaborate leather bracer with a green gem set in it. He’s also sporting either a series of rings on his right fingers or perhaps something with multiple finger holes as well as a tattoo on his right index index finger. And on his right bicep? An esoteric tattoo with the sun and phases of the moon. Everything is well sculpted and neatly painted, making Crystal Ball a very visually interesting figure.
* His left arm also has a tattoo with the sun and moon in something of an infinity symbol. And his left forearm and hand? Covered in an bracer with claws. Creepy stuff!
* Here’s a shot of the back of Crystal Ball’s coat. The coat looks fantastic with lots of detail and a variety of textures on it. I like how it’s frayed at the bottom, too. CB has had this for quite some time it would seem.
* Crystal Ball is a lot of fun to pose. He’s a solid figure with the articulation you’d expect from a Classified Series figure and plenty of accessories to interact with. He looks cool using his various weapons or just standing around looking menacing. The coat only restricts movement a bit in the torso but, since the shoulder pads are separate pieces attached to his upper arms, you really don’t get any drawbacks with shoulder movement except for the coat adding a bit of bulk. He’s just fantastic.
* Crystal Ball come with a pair of swappable hands for his claw wearing left hand. One is a standard grip for holding his accessories but the other is open and gesturing. Or maybe used for delivering a swipe with those claws. He can also use it to hold the actual crystal ball accessory he comes with.
* The vintage Crystal Ball had a pistol in a holster on his left hip but it wasn’t removable; just a sculpted detail. The Classified Series version comes with a very cool revolver, however. The handle has an interesting design, looking clearly like a custom job, and there’s a wire wrapped around the barrel. What’s that for? Is it decorative or perhaps a conductor for some sort of dark energy?
* There’s a nice holster on his thigh to perfectly store his weapon.
* The vintage Crystal Ball only came with one accessory: A plastic shield with a lenticular sticker. The lenticular was neat and was presumably a tool for aiding his hypnotic powers. This time the shield is a bit more substantial with a serpent-like edge and a lenticular that changes, showing snakes weaving through the eyes and mouth of a skull.
* The back of the shield has an intricate pattern and lots of studs. There’s a loop to wear it over the arm as well as a handle for holding it. If you want the lenticular to be aligned properly, you’ll have to use it on CB’s right arm.
* Wait… what’s on the front of the shield? That’s not a lenticular! Those snakes and the skull are glowing green and coming to life! Yes, to make Crystal Ball even cooler, Hasbro’s Joe team has included some really cool accessories that show his powers in action. This piece clips into the shield, perhaps showing off how Crystal Ball’s shield appears to his victims once they’re under his spell.
* Crystal Ball also comes with a crystal ball. How about that? It’s made from two pieces: A harder plastic mass of tendrils with a skull in the middle and a clear plastic globe that’s rubbery to cover the skull. It’s a cool effect and he can hold the accessory in his left hand. Is this real or another product of Crystal Ball’s manipulations?
* His sword is also glowing with green energy! This thing is very cool and is another new accessory for the character. Maybe Crystal Ball really has some sort of powers where he can conjure a weapon like this. Or, perhaps, there is some sort of arcane technology involved. The Cobra Ghost Vipers are hitting shelves and shipping currently and they also seem to have some sort of powers and are connected with Crystal Ball.
* To fully terrify his foes Crystal Ball has an alternate portrait which depicts him as a Cthulhu like being with long horns and a tentacle covered mouth. Glowing red eyes, transparent skin, a skull-like visage; Crystal Ball is pure nightmare fuel. I actually picked up two Crystal Balls as I wanted one to display “normal” and one to display in his most terrifying form!
2025 has been an amazing year for the G.I. Joe: Classified Series and while there have been many so many incredible figures, it’s entirely possible that Richard “Crystal Ball” King is my favorite of the year. Hasbro took a character from the vintage line with a cool concept who was somewhat lacking in execution and turned him into an absolutely can’t miss figure. He feels like he has the potential to be a Cobra A-lister with this cool new take. If you’re wanting to give your G.I. Joe figures a fright, recruit Crystal Ball to your Cobra roster. He’s absolutely Epic!
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Author: 360 Technology Group
