GI Joe Classified Series Big Ben review No. 77 (2023)

Big Ben arrived in the Real American Hero line right when I was losing interest in collecting every wave — for an admittedly brief period of time. It didn’t help his cause that Larry Hama didn’t prominently feature Big Ben in the comics and his arrival in the cartoon occurred during the infamous DIC era.

When the Classified Series team revealed Big Ben was joining the line, I was excited about finally getting the chance to add him to my collection.

Let’s see if Big Ben gets a figure worthy to be knighted or if he needs to see if Action Force will take him on as a trainee.

Packaging: Big Ben made his debut in the CS line during the closed window phase. While removing any actual figure visibility was a problem, I did enjoy the artwork on the front. He’s in a subway tunnel with some Dark Energon forming in the walls.

In the background is a nod to the DIC episode Chunnel, where Cobra kidnapped the Queen, who was concerned about her pert corgi, who is running along the tunnel as well.

The top left shows all of the included accessories. On one side is the skill stats and the QR Code to Nowhere and the other features a close-up version of the artwork.

For his skill stats, Big Ben scores a consistent 3s in covert ops, recon, infiltration and medium weapons.

Likeness: Big Ben looks ready to rumble. The 1991 RAH wave mostly featured older Joes in new gear so Big Ben stood out for being one of the few newbies. His CS figure looks fairly imposing thanks to his stern expression.

He’s dressed up like he’s been in the cold for a while so that might explain his somewhat dour expression. Big Ben has a wool covering over his helmet and an earpiece sculpted into his right ear.

To stay warm on colder assignments, he also has a thick pea coat with two bandoliers strapped across his chest. Underneath them, he’s got a harness with a belt that includes multiple pouches. His coat also has deep pockets and ribbed cuffs. Big Ben has slightly baggy pants with knee pads and medium length boots with spats.

Scale: Big Ben is appropriately nicknamed as he’s about half a head taller than the regular Joe.

He’s about eye level with fellow 91 wave mate Heavy Duty.

MORE:

• Mercy review (2026)
• WWE Legends Red Rooster action figure review (2025) – Greatest Hits
• Marvel Legends Astonishing X-Men Beast review (2025)
• DC Comics reviews 1/28/26 – Absolute Batman 16, JLU 16

Paint: This is the Night Force version of Big Ben, but his regular color scheme is so similar that his standard look doesn’t have to be a priority.

Like the other NF figures, his main color scheme is black and grey though he does have a heavy dose of olive green with his helmet, t-shirt, harness, belt, gloves and spats. Big Ben has a Union Jack patch on his left arm and another badge featuring a Griffin on his right arm. He also has the Go Pro communication device on his right shoulder.

A signature element of his look is the camouflage stripes along his face. Those are done in the classic RAH style and came out great.

Articulation: Big Ben has the standard Classified Series articulation meaning there’s not many limitations to his losing ability. The jacket does restrict some of the arms across the chest range, but he is able to hold guns with both hands without any issue.

He’s a fun figure to pose thanks to his size as he looks like the Night Force enforcer calmly taking out unsuspecting Cobra Range Vipers.

Big Ben 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: Big Ben has a solid array of gear with some inclusions to further lean into the CS Dark Energon storyline.

First is his alternate portrait — a gas mask — to protect him from the infected Mole Rats. It makes Ben a bit of an army builder, while somehow making him look even more intimidating.

He’s geared up for combat as well with his array of guns. Up first is his L108A1. This is the closest to his RAH machine gun with bipod. This also has a bipod and a box magazine with ammo that feeds into it.

 

Next up is the Gilboa DBR Snake. This is a nice-looking secondary gun and has some solid detail from the double barrels to the double magazine. Additionally, you can raise the grip.

Big Ben also has what seems to be an UZI with a suppressor.

That can fit in his holster with the suppressor going on the back of his belt, which also has a spot for the double magazine piece.

Worth It? Big Ben was the standard $25 price point. He certainly feels worth that price. Now he’s a much harder to get for a fraction of that cost.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Big Ben is a terrific addition to the line and has a great array of display options showing the strength of the RAH characters beyond the 1987 lineup.

Where To Get It? Big Ben was a Walmart exclusive with Hasbro Pulse, but both have him sold out for the old price. You can find him on Amazon albeit for a higher price point.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.