G.I. Joe Classified Series Doc review

Doc easily became one of my most important G.I. Joes when I got him in the Real American Hero line. Who else was gonna patch up his fellow Joes once they got hit by Cobra? Or come up with some device to reflect the Weather Dominator energy beams while rocking asbestos underwear?

It feels like Doc has been a long time coming for the Classified Series line, but now he’s finally here. The Joe CS team implemented a lot of cool new aspects to him so I’ve been anticipating adding him to the ranks and the ’83 roster big time.

Let’s see if he’ll get the proper diagnosis or need some gauze and a stretcher to survive.

Packaging: I’m still trying to decide if I like this streamlined new CS packaging. Yes, the big plastic window to show off all the accessories is back, but it seems too slender. We get a great, large portrait of Doc on the side that shows off plenty of personality and the QR Code to nowhere. Also on the left side is the small skill stats and a terrific action shot render on the back.

His bio is repurposed from the old RAH card: After completing medical school and his residency, Doc joined G.I. Joe upon its establishment. An avowed pacifist, Doc believes that ‘the G.I. Joe team is the best we have. We send them into the worst situations imaginable because that’s where we need them most. When the going gets rough, they need something more than a pill roller. I’m their main man!’

Doc’s skill stats are as you’d expect. He’s got 4 stars as a medic, 2 stars in mountaineering and rescue and 1 star in launcher.

Likeness: The CS team has largely given up reinventing looks from the RAH era opting instead to make a few small tweaks to the classic design. In Doc’s case that means rolling the sleeves up further and the addition of a flak vest with numerous pouches.

Since Doc could find himself in positions where he’s vulnerable to stray gunfire this is a smart addition.

You can remove the vest and holsters for a more traditional look though it almost looks a little too simple. Doc’s portrait makes him look like he’s seen his share of combat rescue missions over the years.

His original figure didn’t make him look especially young either as no Joe wants Doogie Howser stitching them up.

Doc also has some leg pouches and a holster for his taser or flare gun.

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Paint: Doc’s original RAH costume was pretty simple. A tan base color with some red and white accents. The extra gear allowed Hasbro to add some more color to Doc’s paint scheme. He still has the tan outfit with white T-shirt underneath, but it stands out better with the dark brown vest.

Some of the components get paint apps like the blue pen and orange flashlight. I dig how the vest’s belt is red with the white buckle like the original figure. All of the paint apps are nice and clean as well.

Scale: Doc is a hardly a bruiser character and stands at a regular height to most figures. Naturally he’s looking up at Gung-Ho and Roadblock, but he’s about eye to eye with Torpedo and Snow Job.

Articulation: Doc doesn’t need to hit some crazy gun-toting poses, but he does need to be able to convincingly checkup and patch up his fellow Joes.

That means being able to properly hit a kneeling pose, hold some medical equipment or dragging some Joes to safety on the battlefield.

Thankfully the vest doesn’t restrict his movements to any discernible amount. The real issue is his modular pouches on his vest, which pop off with very little effort.

Doc has:

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

Accessories: Doc is a pacifist and doesn’t have a signature weapon. That didn’t stop the Classified Series team from loading him up with a strong amount of accessories.

He comes with a helmet styled like the base Classified Series Joe helmet. It has a welcome nod to the RAH look with two orange pill bottles on either side.

Another trademark element is intact with his green tinted lens glasses. They stay on as well as Ripper as opposed to the flimsy problematic glasses Buzzer rocked.

Doc’s original figure came with a flare launcher. That was bigger and somewhat unwieldly, so the CS team opted to make it easier for him to signal Wild Bill. Now Doc has a smaller flare gun. It’s a bright orange so there’s no mistaking it for a regular pistol. It has some nice detail like some black padding around the grip.

He also has the closest thing that Doc would use as a weapon — a taser. It has really nice detailing as well making it clear this is not a handgun.

Doc gets some modular elements to his vest as the pouches can be shifted and moved around. The main one features a first aid kit and matches with crisp paintwork. He’s also got a holster for the taser or flare gun.

The original RAH figure came with a stretcher. To enhance it up for the CS line, his stretcher is now foldable so he can utilize it as a backpack. That’s a clever setup and the mechanism works well. The stretcher works just fine as a Joe can lay prone and another Joe can help Doc carry it.

Worth It? Doc is $24.99. Of course it’s great to get figures on sale, but I won’t complain about getting a solid figure like him given all the accessories and little details he’s got.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Where to Get It?  Doc is available right now on Amazon and Entertainment Earth.

As an Amazon Associate and Entertainment Earth affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.