GI Joe Classified Series Steeler and Short-Fuze review (2025) No. 181

Steeler and Short-Fuze seem like an odd pairing for their debut in the GI Joe Classified Series line, but as an OG 13 fan, I was thrilled to see them at all. The duo didn’t get a lot of showcase moments in the GI Joe cartoon series, but they did have a cool moment in the MASS Device mini-series trying to stop Cobra’s big weapon. Steeler was also famously featured in one of the best episodes, Worlds Without End.

Steeler and Short-Fuze obviously had more play in the original GI Joe comic book series for the first year and a half, which largely just featured the first two waves of the Real American Hero characters. Zap might have made a more natural two-pack partner with Short-Fuze as Steeler’s inclusion makes it less likely that a MOBAT is anywhere close on the CS team’s agenda.

Let’s see if these classic Joes get the respect befitting two founding members or if they’re just going to look like relics next to the CS figures of more exciting later-era Joes.

Packaging: The front is a wide window showing off both figures and a good view of 90% of the accessories. Over on the right side is the QR Code to nowhere and teeny tiny skills stats. On the left side is a cool portrait of Steeler and Short-Fuze ready for action.

On the back is a full battle scene with Short-Fuze aiming his mortar and Steeler providing cover fire. Behind them are the MASS Device catalytic elements in their respective containers.

Steeler is identified as Ralph ‘Steeler’ Pulaski. His skill sets are a 4 in tanker, 3 in launcher and driver and a 1 in light weapons. Short-Fuze scored a 2 in launcher and artillery and a 1 in foot soldier.

Likeness: Steeler has a terrific head sculpt. He looks like a no-nonsense guy ready to do whatever it takes to get the mission accomplished.

I don’t recall seeing his torso used before as it’s got the Joe turtleneck underneath his long sleeve shirt with the top button unbuttoned. The CS team retained the holster slung over his right shoulder and what looks like a new belt piece with two loops hanging down.

Steeler might also have new legs and his boots have more of the Real American Hero lace style.

Short-Fuze also has a focused expression with a strand of hair brushed just off his face. I’m pretty sure he’s using the Snake-Eyes/Stalker mold, which is disguised somewhat with his unique web gear and belt.

He also has a different style holster on his left leg and a sheath on his left ankle.

Scale: Neither Steeler nor Short-Fuze were portrayed as being particularly taller than their average teammate. They match up just fine with the rest of the OG13.

MORE:

• Weapons review (2025)
• Now You See Me Now You Don’t review (2025)
• Marvel Legends Gamerverse Juggernaut review (2025)
• Star Wars Visions Vol 3 review (2025)

Paint: Like his RAH figure, Steeler has a darker green paint scheme. He’s got a light almost mint green shirt underneath.

The heavy green is offset by black for his holsters, pouches, gloves and the two-tone boots. Steeler has a slight stubble growing in to lean in a bit more to the notion that he’s a guy who spends his free time tinkering in the PITT’s garage.

Short-Fuze has a more colorful setup. His shirt is light green while his pants are a darker green. His boots are a mix of brown and the light green shade of his shirt. Save his black web gear, Short-Fuze’s belt, holsters and gloves are brown.

This helps to distinguish him somewhat from the other OG 13 Joes.

Articulation: Steeler and Short-Fuze have the usual excellent level of articulation that’s the norm for the Classified Series. Even better for both of them, there’s no restrictive design elements like a bulky vest or chest pad that impairs their movement.

Classified Series Steeler and Short-Fuze have:

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

Accessories: Here’s where the Steeler and Short-Fuze set really shines.

For a tank operator I wasn’t expecting much out of Steeler, but he’s got a ton. His dedicated accessories are his helmet with his unique image intensifier visor. It does raise up and is solid black, so it retains the classic style of the RAH version. A new addition is the helmet mic attachment, which makes sense for the tank commander.

His RAH weapon was an UZI, so he gets that here as well. The UZI fits in his holster on his left leg and has a removable silencer attachment.

Steeler also has a small pistol to fit into his chest holster. It’s fun actually having the sculpted-on details from the RAH figures actually be removable with Classified Series figures.

There is also a knife with a curved blade. There are two knife options, but it felt like Steeler would utilize the one with the deadlier blade.

Short-Fuze comes with his mortar with base. There’s a nice amount of detail from the sight, bipod and baseplate. This looks like a formidable main weapon that could turn the tide in a battle.

Short-Fuze also has a helmet — done more in the contemporary style of the OG13. It’s got a transparent visor like his classic figure along with the mic since he would likely be operating from a distance from the other Joes.

He’s got a backpack to hold his mortar and shell. I wish the CS team gave him two more so he could be posed having some for reserve.

To help set up the mortar plate, Short-Fuze also gets an entrenching tool with a black handle and silver top.

The really cool addition here is his glasses. Short-Fuze only had them in the comic book so much like Breaker with his bubble gum, the CS team is definitely taking some cues from the vintage Marvel Comics series.

I went with the straight blade knife for Short-Fuze since he might need it to tinker with his mortar.

He also has a smaller handgun with a wrap around the handle, which can fit in his holster. That is a carryover from Outback, who originally had the entrenching tool and a few more of this set’s accessories.

As a deluxe set there’s some extra weapons to be split between Steeler and Short-Fuze.

There is the longer rifle previously used with Recondo painted black with a tan wrap around various parts. They also get the Heckler and Koch G3 rifle from Outback.

Finally, there are a number of firing effects. There’s the rapid-fire trail of blast effects; a short, medium and long bullet trail. The vapor trail is also included as is the “star” blast effect, scattershot burst, smoke circle and explosive burst. That’s a nice haul of accessories.

Worth It: The Steeler and Short-Fuze set is $54.99, which is a bit more than the old price of $25 per figure, but the extra accessories help account for the higher price point. With figures shooting up to $27.99, this is now sadly a good deal.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Where to Get It? This set is a Target/Hasbro Pulse shared exclusive. Pulse quickly sold out of it, but Target looks to be stocking the set pretty well since it’s packed four to a case.

As a Target affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.