For the second series of Action Force, as well as reworking their own figures, Palitoy also licensed the figures from the new G.I. Joe line. These were recoloured and assigned to the various subgroups (and only ever packaged with vehicles or other playsets). One of these was Stalker, a barely-recoloured version of the original Snake Eyes figure, and packed with the SAS Force Panther (a recolour of the G.I. Joe Vamp).

So, this figure isn't really Stalker, it's the 25th Anniversary version of the original Snake Eyes. Thing is, I already have a Snake Eyes, but this version looks damn cool as well. So, thank God for Palitoy - this way I can get both figures without having two versions of Snakes wandering around, while it makes more sense than spending £10-15 on a loose, probably damaged, barely-recoloured version of the 1982 Snake Eyes. Plus he's in the SAS, and even xenophobic American nationalist Larry Hama admitted they're more hardcore than G.I. Joe. Though it's probably only fair to mention that in the Battle Action Force comic Stalker was rarely glimpsed with the ski-mask and helmet, instead usually dressing much like the other SAS Force troops.

The best thing is there's actually a distinct difference between this figure and the other Snake Eyes - for a start, this version is basically all-black, which is surprisingly effective (it's not like the toy lacks moulded detail either). The mask and webbing are also totally different designs, while this one is a straight commando type, without the ninja nods of the 1985 update.

The figure is as dynamic as its' near-relative, though, and has some really nice touches - I especially like the dulled knife; there's even a sliver of silver on it to prove they aren't just being lazy. All in all, a great figure, regardless of what you call it. This, to me, is Stalker, so much more than the chap with the jet-pack.