G.I. Joe Classified Series Ninja Force Zartan Review: Punk Style and a Bow Full of Detail

Ninja Force Zartan works because it commits to a design that has always stood apart from the character’s more familiar looks. Hasbro’s G.I. Joe: Classified Series figure revisits the 1993 Ninja Force version, known to A Real American Heroes collectors as Zartan v2, and gives its punk styling more room to shine. The neon green trousers are now a deeper green, but the orange mohawk and decorated black vest keep the look unmistakable.

That shift matters. The original Zartan had a shadowy, almost mystical presence, while his Dreadnok crew drew heavily on biker style, punk fashion and post-apocalyptic films such as The Road Warrior. This version brings him closer to that rougher crowd. It may not be the classic Zartan silhouette, but it’s a convincing alternate disguise, and the Classified Series treatment adds detail without sanding away its oddball character.

Figure details and presentation

The figure stands 6½ inches tall. The vest is a separate piece fitted over the torso, though it isn’t removable. Its chains, zippers and other decoration make it look like a personalized garment rather than a plain molded layer. A Dreadnok logo on the belt adds a strong character detail.

Zartan’s portrait is a highlight. The face fits with the other Classified Series versions, while the face paint and oversized orange mohawk give this release its own identity. The hair has a darker tone near the roots, and the pale eyes have a striking, almost hypnotic appearance. Purple armored boots and matching knee pads balance the green trousers, which retain the vintage figure’s bold attitude without the same intensity of color.

The accessories continue that mix of punk gear and ninja equipment. A studded band wraps his left wrist, while a blade-like arm guard covers the right forearm. Together, they give Zartan a heavily outfitted look that suits the character without overwhelming the figure.

Posing and weapons

Articulation is extensive: swivel and hinge ankles, boot swivels, double-hinged knees and elbows, swivel thighs, drop-down ball-jointed hips, a ball-jointed waist, butterfly shoulders, swivel and hinge shoulders and wrists, a hinged mid-torso, and a ball-jointed neck base with a barbell joint at the head. The vest restricts the mid-torso hinge, but the rest of the joints remain easy to use. With little extra gear attached, the figure can take a broad range of poses.

The compound bow is the standout accessory. It’s easier to handle and more carefully designed than the bows associated with earlier versions, and it appears ready to fire with an arrow in place. The package includes two bowstrings, letting collectors switch to a relaxed string for a carrying pose. A small quiver attaches to the bow, echoing an accessory from the vintage toy line that originally appeared with Storm Shadow v2.

That bow also nods to Zartan’s history in the comics, where he famously used a crossbow to kill the Hard Master and Serpentor. The Classified Series accessory is a new compound-bow design, so it isn’t simply a copy of the older weapon.

For close combat, Zartan carries a sickle with a handguard, plus a short sword and a longer sword with distinct hilt designs. Both blades look ornate, and a removable double sheath plugs into his back to store them. Two smaller blades round out the set. Their looped handles resemble kunai, though the blades themselves have a more traditional shape; both tuck into a pouch on Zartan’s left thigh, much like the vintage figure’s storage arrangement.

A distinctive Ninja Force release

The listed price is $28. The review describes Ninja Force as a Target exclusive subtheme within the Classified Series and places this figure among the year’s releases. The reviewer also notes that other two-packs in the subset are on hand, and praises the broader line for improving on vintage designs while retaining their central ideas.

This Zartan isn’t meant to replace the familiar version. It offers a different disguise: more punk than the heavy-metal styling of Cold Slither Zartan, with equipment that feels considered from the bowstring swap to the blade storage. For collectors drawn to unusual vintage variants, the combination of faithful color cues, a distinctive portrait and practical accessories makes this a particularly satisfying Classified Series take.

Collectors comparing versions can also look to the standard Classified Series Zartan, the retro-carded release and the deluxe Master of Disguise Zartan. Each explores a different side of the character; Ninja Force Zartan’s appeal lies in how confidently it carries its original punk look into a more detailed modern figure.