G.I. Joe Classified Series Master of Disguise Zartan review

I had a mini dilemma as it took me a bit of work to track down the standard Zartan just before Hasbro revealed a superior deluxe version with some very useful additional accessories.

Naturally, like most collectors I went for the shiny new update. In this case, I wasn’t upset for making such a quick double dip since Hasbro really did a lot to warrant upgrading this figure so fast. It didn’t hurt that Zartan is one of my favorite characters in the Joe mythos in both the cartoon and comic series.

Let’s see if this version has me running from the sunlight or sitting back reaching for grape soda and donuts.

Package:  Zartan’s package setup is definitely the most inspired in the line so far.

It features a pinwheel style setup where you rotate the wheel along the side to see Zartan’s various disguise options. Those include Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow, the Dreadnoks logo, and the Soft and Hard Masters.

This is really clever and a fun throwback to the 80s that featured this kind of dynamic pretty often.

Opening the wheel flap, there’s a massive Dreadnoks image. I love how it incorporates both Zartan’s look as well as a winding snake and knives with snake handles to show their allegiance. Like the first version, the top of the box features the Dreadnoks logo instead of Cobra.

On the inside the wider window shows off Zartan and his various accessories.

The back features the second-generation version of the collage poster with additions like Zartan, Firefly, Lady Jaye, Flint and Beach Head. I like that effort to break it up a bit and look forward to seeing the entire original wave characters swapped out.

Zartan is a high performer as he ranks at four-stars in disguise and mercenary and three-stars in classified and infiltration.

His bio, which you can read on gijoe.hasbro.com states:

Zartan is a true chameleon, whose natural abilities in mimicry, acting, prosthetic effects, and disguise have been enhanced by significant genetic medication. He can assume any identity at any time with absolute precision. The true identity of Zartan is hidden behind dozens of aliases, making it nearly impossible to piece together his history and causing his sense of self to break down and destabilize his already chaotic mind. Zartan is also the head of an anarchist biker group called the Dreadnoks.

Likeness: Hasbro sculptors have really had a clear sense that the Classified Series line was about taking the well thought out Real American Hero designs and tweak them for a modern era. The first wave might have steered too far into busy/distracting design elements, but by now the marriage of classic and contemporary is better aligned.

Zartan is another figure that is a perfect update of the old figure that also fits in smoothly with the comic book take. There are so many aspects of this figure that shows that eye towards yesterday while taking advantage of modern sculpting techniques to craft an amazing figure.

Zartan’s chest plate retains the crop top visual so we can marvel at his abs. The shoulder pads keep the layered look and have some added straps around the bicep to keep them in place. I really like the work done on the hood as it is positioned high enough to drape down to create the shadows around his eyes beyond the face paint. It’s got some interesting texture patterns that give it a leather-like appearance.

He’s got the trace of a bemused smirk as if sizing up the next target he’s about to mimic. The scarf is a newer design element that works for Zartan’s aesthetic.

The gloves flare out fittingly and his pants keep the angular armor pads and thick boots. His belt buckle sports a skull. which adds to the intimidation factor. I’m a big fan of how everything came together with him.

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Paint:  The biggest change from the original figure is the addition of more color. The chest armor and shoulder pads have silver detailing now. Zartan’s original figure had a window to show off his chest, but the comic version had the armor and pads all silver. This is a nice compromise with retaining some of the black of the original Classified version.

Hasbro added more silver to the gauntlets, belt buckle and thigh pads. I like the touch ups as it adds some color. Also, the silver makes it seem like the reflective elements for Zartan’s hologram effects.

The brown pants are back to a dark maroon as well.  My favorite aspect of the older paint job remains the application for Zartan’s eyes, which are done with a blue and purple-ish hue that can blend together in certain lighting. This gives off that supernatural vibe that fits right in line with a character that hangs out in the swamp and specializes in disguises.

Scale:  Zartan has always been portrayed as a regular guy and should at least be around Destro’s height. My preference is for both Zartan and Destro to be taller than Cobra Commander. Anything else is gravy.

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Articulation: Zartan’s articulation is exactly in keeping with the Classified Series line. So long as characters don’t have big restrictive vests their articulation is excellent.

His shoulder pads are made of a softer plastic so it’s able to lift easily when raising his arms up.

He’s also got no issues when doing crouching poses either.

Zartan has:

• head
• neck
• shoulders (butterfly)
• elbow (double-jointed)
• wrist
• wrist hinge
• mid-torso
• torso
• waist
• hips (ball-jointed)
• drop down hips
• knees (double-jointed)
• ankles

Accessories: Zartan comes with a slew of accessories that callback to his original Real American Hero figure.

His backpack is bigger now with far more of an homage to the original figure’s pack.

The first Classified Series figure had one disguise mask. I’ve always kind of written this off as a random bald guy, but it probably makes more sense to envision this as Zartan’s Gung-Ho mask so he can infiltrate Joe HQ.

Detailing on the backpack itself is awesome as it looks like one of Ethan Hunt’s mask-crafting kits. It’s got some intricate sculpting and paint applications.

The mask can be tucked away in the backpack, which seems like an exact match from the RAH figure. I love that and the ability to store his accessories inside.

This deluxe version has five more masks with some excellent homages to the comic book series. There are masks of the Hard and Soft Master, two pivotal characters in the Snake Eyes/Storm Shadow dynamic.

Additionally, there’s a Storm Shadow mask so you can re-enact the whole scenario where Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes became sword brothers no more.

The Snake Eyes mask features a grey visor so it’s going to replace my first Snake Eyes head. That’s a nice bonus.

Finally, Zartan has a half skull mask. The detail on this is very cool with sinister red eyes. I envision this is the mask Zartan uses to shock unsuspecting guards. It is a crazy tight fit on Zartan’s head though and seems too risky in terms of creating paint scrapes trying to put it on and off.

Each of the final three portraits are fully swappable heads as opposed to the half heads of the masters and bald head masks.

He’s also got a knife with a very long blade. That’s necessary when fending off gators in the Florida Everglades. Zartan’s blaster also looks like an exact replica of the RAH gun.

Continuing the comic homage, Zartan also comes with a quiver and bow. This is reused from the Artic Storm Shadow right down to the Arashikage symbol. That’s a nice touch. Now I need to find a ninja robe for Zartan to really complete the look.

Finally, he’s got a massive sniper rifle. That’s another sensible weapon for a master of disguise as he can infiltrate a spot and then strike his target from a distance. It’s not a great rifle thanks to the shoulder strap being too stiff and lot allowing for much give, but it’s a cool additional piece.

The accessories really add a lot of value to Zartan. Some sacrifices had to be made so the first Classified Series version’s snake head and monkey paw don’t get included.

Special Feature: To top this figure off even more, Hasbro added the vintage color change feature.

Put Zartan in cold temperatures like the fridge for about 30 minutes and he’ll turn blue like he did in the cartoon when exposed to sunlight. That’s such a cool bonus and definitely enhances the figure.

Worth It?  I got Zartan for $37. That’s a little pricey from the standard $20 figure, but there’s enough accessories including the new sniper rifle and color change to make the price point seem fair. Or at least fair enough.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

The first Zartan was an excellent addition to the Classified Series, but this upgrade might be my favorite in the line now.

Where to Get It? Master of Disguise Zartan was exclusive to Hasbro Pulse but is now sold out. Hopefully Hasbro will restock this guy for the latecomers to the line.