G.I. Joe Classified Series Retro Lady Jaye review

Hasbro’s reveal of the G.I. Joe Classified Series Retro Lady Jaye figure was an odd one to me. LJ was one of the first figures in the Classified Series line that skewed closer to her Real American Hero design than the initial offerings in the series. Still for this all grown up throwback look Hasbro’s Classified Series team wanted to make sure the Retro Lady Jaye looked as close as possible to the 1985 original.

Of course, the pandemic created a logjam of figures and the only Classified Series on the peg for many months was the original Lady Jaye and Flint. Doubling down on Lady Jaye figures didn’t seem like the savviest move.

Naturally, my love for the RAH design just meant it was a matter of time before I grabbed the Retro Lady Jaye. I’m sure I’m going t have a shelf of all the early era Classified Series while my preferred designs end up on my main Joe display. Let’s see how this Retro figure turned out.

Packaging: Hasbro didn’t break the budget on these original Retro carded figures. Lady Jaye wasn’t actually packed that poorly, but the quality of the paper is so weak that it easily got bent and folded up.

The portrait of Lady Jaye isn’t nearly as great as the original figure. It looks like the artist tried to do the drawing off the figure instead of a person like the original. I still don’t love the one-cylinder style plastic compartment for the figure and accessories as opposed to a separate small window for the accessories.

On the back, Lady Jaye’s file card is split into four languages cramming into that space. That limits the amount of info contained in her file card, but it’s better than nothing.

Likeness: Hasbro nailed Lady Jaye’s look with the original figure with just a few modern tweaks namely the kneepads, textured thighs and higher boots. Most of the retro changes are cosmetic, but Lady Jaye no longer has the strap slung across her shoulder of the first figure.

Unlike the CS original, she no longer has the alternate hair piece to stay more in line with the RAH figure.

You can easily attach that on to this one with no issues.

Paint: Hasbro brightened up the light green for her jumpsuit, which makes it pop more.

Lady Jaye’s face printing also got a makeup touch up with stronger lipstick, eye shadow and blush. To make the Joe Pro less conspicuous, Hasbro ditched the blue centerpiece paint.

Ditto for the blue badge on her left arm, which is now more in line with the vintage version done with just green and black.

And her hat is now in black featuring the medal/logo(?) of the RAH figure instead of the Joe CS star logo.

This figure also sports a stronger match between the head sculpt and the painted flesh tone of her chest.  If nothing else the Retro edition has a better paint job.

MORE:

• DC Comics reviews 4/13/21 – Batman The Detective #1, Superman #30
• G.I. Joe Classified Series Flint figure review
• Hasbro Pulse Fan Fest 2021 pre-orders G.I. Joe, Star Wars, Marvel Legends
• The Falcon and the Winter Soldier – The Whole World is Watching review

Scale: With no changes to the mold, Lady Jaye hasn’t seen any changes in height putting her shorter than the dudes and slightly taller than Scarlett and Shooter.

Articulation: Lady Jaye was a breakthrough figure in the Classified Series line thanks to the addition of the now standard double-jointed elbows.

Lady Jaye has terrific articulation and has smoother joints than the previous CS model.

Retro Lady Jaye 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: Lady Jaye doesn’t have as many accessories this time.

Her gear consists of her RAH accessories. Carryovers include her javelin launcher with multiple attachment heads and her knife.

This time the knife has a silver blade instead of all black like the original figure.

The retro accessories are her backpack, which is smaller and less modern than her original figure.

She also has her old school video camera. I definitely appreciate the modern take as the old school version is a bit clunky and dated.

The camera can be slung over her shoulder for ease during missions.

Worth It?  I didn’t think the Retro version was worth paying $20+ since her original figure was so solid. When Walmart had her for $5, I decided I could make that easy investment.

There are enough changes here to warrant grabbing her and the swappable hair/hat pieces also makes for a justifiable reason to double dip.

Rating: 9.7 out of 10

Retro Lady Jaye definitely falls more in line with what I wanted in a classic take on the character. I wouldn’t mind a new head sculpt or at least more hair peeking out from the hat, but this is an upgrade from the original release.

Where to Get It? I got him through Target.com, but he’s also available through Amazon and Entertainment Earth.