Well, let's consider this: the character selection is obvious, but is it really that surprising as such? Duke, Destro, Storm Shadow, and Snake-Eyes have been major characters in the concept almost since the start, and all were certainly major players in the movie. I would expect if this line continues for the next two or three to feature Cobra Commander, Baroness, and Scarlett. Maybe even a Cobra Viper.
Hasbro isn't necessarily doing this Past and Present line for US, particularly. I think they're trying to do a "blend" for (a) parents who remember the line as a kid but weren't necessarily the die-hard collectors which most of the people on this and most other G.I. Joe related message boards would qualify as being, and (b) kids and other newcomers to the concept as a result of the movie, who may have some knowledge about the history of the line but never paid much attention to it. So they get a "modern" figure and a "historical" figure.
Personally, I was very pleased with the Past and Present "Rockslide" set, if for no other reason than it gave me a nice, white, clean, traditional-style Snow Job -- something not easily located these days otherwise.
Will this line succeed? Time will tell. The toys in general seem to have fared very well over the Christmas season, I would certainly say well above average -- although I was in a Toys "R" Us today and the entire action figure section was pretty well emptied, and I spoke at some length with a couple of managerial personnel whom I know who were very pleased with the results of the holiday season -- but clearly, the G.I. Joe product line is selling very nicely just now. I'm going to try to be hopeful that some traditional-style figures can be a part of its continued success.
