Major Bludd: From Underused Character to Best G.I. Joe Classified Figure
Story by Destro Designs / Viper Den Studios
Major Bludd: A stunning misuse of an amazing character and how he came to prominence as an all time amazing figure.
In the Sunbow Cartoon, Major Bludd was the equivalent of Cobra’s Beachhead. A dude who could have easily moved up in rank and off of the battle field full-time. But a gritty, crazy mercenary who loves the action as much as the money, he stays right in the thick of it. Pointing troopers and HISS Tanks towards the Joes and urging them to Victory.
I always thought he should have been in the throne rooms when plans were being hatched. Hell, it got to a point where I thought he would have made a better leader than our beloved world class buffoon Cobra Commander. Militarily speaking. But left to do Cobra Commander’s bidding, as a good field general does, he often times was left holding the retreat bag and calling them same Troopers and HISS Tanks, back off away from the Joes advancing front lines.
I also disliked Bludd’s Sunbow attire, the bright browns, silver arm and chest plate had him looking like a ex-lover divorced from the Mad Marauders and couldn’t let go. But his Real American Hero 3¾ Card art and figure is what developed my head cannon and definitive version of Major Bludd. The deep brown and black seemed very much like a perfect mercenary/field general outfit. The metal arm and the mystery behind it and the dog tags are reminiscent of Cobra Commanders Battle Mask. The mystery of these things leaves the door open to imagination to fill it in with a person’s own crazy ideas. Its a stroke of brilliance of a toy line that is a masterpiece made up of many, many strokes of the brush.
But after appearing in almost every episode of Season 1, Major Sebastian Bludd disappears as the new character’s of Season 2 took over. As much as I was disappointed, the rush of New characters like Serprentor, Beachead and so many more eased the panic of “what the hell happened to Bludd??”
Major Bludd is part of a trio of underutilized characters that I hope get love if there is a new movie. The other two are Scrap-Iron and Firefly. Two other amazing characters that slip through the Sunbow cracks.
But with The “Classification” of Major Bludd as the 2021 release of the Cobra Island version of their figure, it brought Major Bludd back to life in the way i envisioned him. The classic drab brown of the uniform, the black chest plate and arm that looks more bionic than in a perspective sleeve, just how I like it.
His helmet has more sharp edges that are weathered along with other parts of the uniform giving that gritty Soldier who despite his time with Cobra and his leadership status, is just a mercenary grunt at heart, ready for action.
His strap-less eye patch, reminiscent of Solid Snake in the Iconic Metal Gear Solid 4, is the only true departure from the original, but stands out as an incredible upgrade and excellent choice.
Cobra Island Major Bludd was the consensus #1 Gi Joe Classifed selected when myself, Mark Fogarty of Destro Is My Spirit Animal and Mark Wolter of YoJoe Reviews and Wolters World voted on our favorites of the line to date in an epsidoe of DIMSA Live.
Its a damn masterpiece and the first representation of what I refer to as the “Classification” of the OG 3¾ figure offered from the Classified line. Two other great examples of this are Classified Scrap-Iron and Classified Tripwire, among many others.
Side note: I am obsessed with the latest Major Bludd as well, his red accents have him now leading the 788 Fireteam, which is getting the Viper Den Studios treatment for a photo shoot this week.
In closing to my Major Bludd appreciation piece, I shout out my brother @TheyGone, whos poetry we miss on the timeline and is our resident Major Bludd of our Gi Joe Community. Hope to see you posting them bars again soon my brother.
What do you think about Major Bludd? His place in Cobra lore and his Classified Figures? I want to know! Sound off with your thoughts in the comments!
