The Garrison keeps getting scarier, and Malice is the latest proof. Valaverse’s newest named character slots in as the faction’s heavy weapons and explosive ordnance specialist, and after spending time with the figure, it’s clear this is one of the more ambitious Garrison releases yet — new parts, a genuinely intimidating silhouette, and enough gear to make army-building collectors nervous about their wallets.
It’s great to finally have a new figure for the Garrison faction. Between Kerak, the Cavalry troopers, and now Malice, Valaverse is building out one of the most distinct rosters in the Action Force line — that post-apocalyptic militia aesthetic just hits different than the more traditional military sculpts.
Packaging and Overview
Malice debuted as this year’s DFW GI Joe and Action Figure Show exclusive before going up for general sale on Valaverse.com at the same time — a smart move on Valaverse’s part, since it takes some of the sting out of missing the show in person and keeps scalpers from having a head start on pricing.
In-universe, Malice is Sergeant Isaiah Copeland, the Garrison’s explosive ordnance expert. What I like about the character writing here is the backstory actually explains the design: Copeland started out as a civil engineering major before getting swept up by the Garrison in the aftermath of “the Divide,” and that engineering background tracks with a guy who now specializes in demolition and heavy armor. It’s a small detail, but it’s the kind of world-building touch that makes these named Garrison characters more than just reskinned troopers.
At 1/12 scale, Malice slots in cleanly with the rest of the Action Force line and comparably with G.I. Joe Classified figures on the shelf, assuming you’re not overly precious about scale creep between brands.
Accessories
Valaverse doesn’t do a heavy weapons specialist by halves. In the box:
- A rocket launcher pulled from the Weapons Pack November mold
- A pair of shotguns
- Distinct Desert Eagle pistols with removable drum magazines — not just a recolor of an existing sidearm, these feel like they were built specifically for this character
- A dedicated backpack that actually stores extra missiles for the launcher, so you’re not left wondering where the reload comes from
- Interchangeable hands
- Display stand
This is a loaded kit even by Action Force standards. Between the launcher, the shotguns, and the Desert Eagles, Malice comes closer to “one-man arsenal” than most Garrison releases, and having a backpack that functionally ties into the main weapon rather than just being extra plastic on the back is a nice touch.
Sculpt, Paint, and Headsculpt
This is where Malice earns the “new parts” reputation. The armor leans into a medieval-inspired silhouette — new leg armor, a new head, and new accessory tooling all work together to set him apart from the more standard-issue Garrison troopers we’ve seen so far. It fits the faction’s whole scavenged, post-apocalyptic-militia identity while still reading as its own distinct character rather than a repaint with a new gun.
The head sculpt is the most clever part of the design. It uses a removable hairpiece system, so you can run Malice helmeted for that heavy-armor demolition look, or pop the helmet and hairpiece off to get a fully unmasked portrait for army-building or diorama use. That kind of flexibility is exactly what I want to see more of in this line — it turns one figure into two display options without needing a separate release.
Articulation & Posability
Malice carries the same core Action Force engineering that’s made the line a favorite for posing — ball-jointed hips, double-hinged knees and elbows, a waist rocker, and swivel/hinge shoulders. The heavier armor pieces and the loaded weapons kit add some bulk, but the joints hold up well enough to handle the extra weight without feeling like a fight to get into a stable stance. Loading him up with the rocket launcher and backpack at the same time is where you’ll notice the added heft the most, but he still balances on the included stand without issue.
Final Thoughts
Malice is a strong addition to a faction that’s quickly becoming the most interesting corner of the Action Force line. New tooling on the legs, head, and accessories, a genuinely loaded weapons kit, and a character concept with actual backstory behind it all add up to a figure that earns its $39.99 price point rather than just riding on “convention exclusive” hype. The modular helmet/hairpiece system alone makes this one of the more thoughtfully engineered Garrison releases to date.
If you’re already collecting the Garrison, this is close to a must-buy. If you’re newer to the faction, Malice’s heavy weapons role and new parts make for a solid jumping-on point — though pairing it with earlier releases like the Garrison Cavalry will fill out the roster faster.
The Garrison keeps proving it’s the most creatively designed faction in this line, and Malice is one of the best arguments for that yet.
How It Compares:
If you’re building out a modern military shelf alongside your Garrison figures, check out my reviews of the GI Joe Classified Night-Viper, GI Joe Classified Series #188 Hit & Run, and the Valaverse Action Force Infantry Commando 2.0 for more on how the current Action Force and Classified lines stack up in scale and articulation.
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