#020 - Bruce

Bruce, named after Bruce Lee (of course) is the karate/martial arts dude. Bruce is one of 5 Japanese figures which I find incredibly interesting. While TDD's do a great job with their global representation, clearly their creators had a fascination with Japan. Anyhow, Bruce is wearing wooden shoes (that had to be modified with the addition of magnets) and a "rising sun" headband. Curiously, the deluxe version is the only figure to not feature Bruce's trademark "red" while also excluding the rising sun graphic. Bruce has 5 variants.

In collecting the figures, I have seen paint/graphic differences like this from time to time, often the "deluxe" collection. I'm torn between the notion that the creators thought it would be cool to mix it up, or if it truly seemed like too much effort for too little reward. Either way, the main collectors know, and yes, it's a disappointment. 

G1 Bruce:

Crew 1 Plug-Feet version

The deluxe figure features yellow, and an all black headband which excludes the "rising sun" graphic.

JcPenney 3-Pack variant (plug-feet) (came with Sumo San & Nick)

Crew 1 Magna Series single pack variant 

3-pack variant (came with Rex & Tank)

G2 Bruce

Bruce's G2 mold is a clear call-back to Bruce Lee's nunchuck scenes in Enter the Dragon. This mold first emerged in Evolution Crew Series 1 in 2003. 

E1 Single Pack Variant #1:

This variant is the most common, and was also released in the TRU 8-Packs. 

E1 Single Pack Variant #2:

2004 3-Pack Variant

Hot Feet Series 3 Variant:

G3 Bruce:

Evolution Crew 9 Single Pack Variant (2005):

Evolution 3-Pack Variant (2006):

Toys R Us 6-Pack Variant (2006):

Toys R Us 6-Pack Variant (2007):

Bruce's OG variant was reprinted as a "G3.5" mold in early 2008. He has a plug in his back, but still has magnetic feet. 

G4 Bruce (2009)

G3 Bruce's main variant was re-used again in the final TRU 6-Pack wave in a true G4 mold (now with plug feet not magnetic feet).