G.I. Joe Con 2013: The first group shot of Nocturnal Fire is up!

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club released the first “composite image” of the 2013 1:18 scale Convention set Nocturnal Fire today!


(click to make larger)

Sure, we’ve seen the previews over the past week but there’s something about seeing all of the figures together in one shot that shows how everything comes together.  The Joes look good together while the Cobra forces are a bit less cohesive.  (You can’t blame Letal for this one– Crimson Asp and the SAW Vipers aren’t helping.)  Still, Cobra Mortal manages to look above it all in his spotless white uniform.  It’s a diverse group of figures pulling from a variety of sources of inspiration– and it’ll set Club members back a cool $360.00 to bring it home!

For registration information, keep your eyes peeled to both JBL and GIJoeCon.com!

G.I. Joe Con 2013: Bill Ratner joins the guest list!

Bill Ratner

If you’re a fan of the Sunbow G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero series you’ll want to be at this year’s G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention!  Just added to the guest list is Bill Ratner- better know as the voice of Flint, the team’s premiere warrant officer!  Ratner will be joining Mary McDonald-Lewis (Lady Jaye) for what is sure to make for some exciting panels and fan interaction!  I mean– who didn’t like Flint?  (Plus, some of us remember Mr. Ratner from the Variety Arts Radio Network productions of The Adventures of Doc Savage!)

Check out the official announcement from the Club below:

01/28/2013 – We are thrilled to announce an additional guest to the GIJoeCon line-up. On hand for the entire weekend will be Bill Ratner, voice of Flint from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Heroanimated series!

Check out our special guest showcase and read their project bio’s…Click here! All will be scheduled for discussion panels and autograph sessions over the convention weekend.

Mr. Ratner was a guest on the popular What’s On Joe Mind podcast– featured in Episode #70!

For more information, visit GIJoeCon.com!

The Breaux Show: New live weekly radio show

The Breaux Show goes live with a weekly "radio" show!

There are a metric ton of good toy-related podcasts and “geek shows” out there and now you can add one more to the list: The Breaux Show Live Radio Show!

Each Sunday evening at 9:30pm EST, video toy review and web series host Michael Breaux takes to the virtual airwaves via Google Hangout to broadcast a live 30 minute show that runs down the week’s “geek news” and current events.  This week topics ranged from the 2013 Super Bowl to the recently-revealed 2013 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention set: Nocturnal Fire!  He even featured a “hack site admin” from a “familiar Joe site” who discussed his thoughts on this year’s surprising set reveals.

In all seriousness, I’ve know the host for many years now and always find his video shows entertaining.  He’s got a lot of enthusiasm for  action figures and toys in general and it shows!

You can watch the YouTube version of the episode below and check out the rest of his work over at TheBreauxShow.com!

G.I. Joe Con 2013: Final four Noctural Fire Night Force members revealed!

Registration for the 2013 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention will go LIVE next week but the Club has given fans one final preview to whet their appetites.  The final FOUR members of Night Force have been revealed!

NIGHT FORCE: MACHINE GUNNER – REPEATER

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure
– Based on TRU Exclusive Action Figure from 1989
– NEW Head with Molded Army Ranger Hat,
– Includes G.I. Joe Logo Stand, Backpack with Steadi-Cam
Attached Machine Gun, Ammo Strip with Ammo Box,
Removable Combat Vest and Knife

 

NIGHT FORCE: LIGHT INFANTRYMAN – HIT & RUN

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure
– Based on Unreleased Action Figure Concept
– NEW Head with NEW Removable Helmet and
Goggles, NEW Tactical Harness with Backpack
– Includes G.I. Joe Logo Stand, Assault Rifle,
Grappling Hook, Duffel Bag with Carry Strap,
Explosvive Mines, Pistols, and Knife

 

NIGHT FORCE: POINT MAN – SPEARHEAD

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure
– Based on TRU Exclusive Action Figure from 1989
– Removable Helmet/Goggles, and Combat Vest
– Includes G.I. Joe Logo Stand, Assault Rifle,
Machine Gun with Bi-pod, Ammo Strip,

 

NIGHT FORCE: BOBCAT – MAX

– NEW Bobcat [Included with SPEARHEAD]

 

With these final reveals, the last of the boxed set figures have been revealed.  Honestly, it’s a SOLID group with Repeater taking top honors in this Joe fan’s eyes.  I can’t tell what torso is being used bot those feet seem to be from the new “Battle Kata” Roadblock figure that drops in Wave 2 of the G.I. Joe Retaliation line.  This is yet another instance of movie tooling making its way into this year’s convention set.  The vest appears to come from a Roadblock of a different era– the incredibly awesome Resolute figure!  Plus, it’s Repeater!!  Sure, he’s got the 30th Iron Grenadier’s weapon with the “ginormous ammunition box” but it still looks good.  Sadly, no steadi-cam mount, however.

Hit & Run is an interesting figure.  Many fans were hoping that he would be the vault figure design showcased at last year’s Joe Con.  Instead, he seems to borrow elements from that design.  I’ll have to look and see what parts are used to bring him to life but I might be seeing some parts from the 30th Lifeline figure that has been heavily reused of late.  (I have a confession to make– my 30th Lifeline is still carded until I can get around to writing a review of him.  Sad, I know…)  One thing I do miss is the signature camouflage paint on his face.  For a Night Force set I’d have thought some black tiger-striped face paint would have been a sure thing.

Spearhead looks to be a solid homage to the original figure– right down to the ammo belt that crosses his chest.  I’ll be curious to see if it’s just glued together in the final product as this appears to be the same belt that has come with most of the line’s recent heavy machine gunner figures.  I’m thinking he’s built on the 30th Anniversary Shock Viper/Viper frame with the same vest that came with the Comic Pack Firefly from back in the 25th Anniversary line.

Max— well, he’s Max!  He’s a brand new sculpted bobcat that will hopefully join the ranks of my G.I. Joe animal brigade in the near future.  (P.E.T.S. anyone?)  After all, someone has to keep Timber, Junkyard, and Order in line and it sure isn’t Polly.  (Freedom finds himself above such petty duties.)

So, all-in-all, Noctural Fire is shaping up to be a solid set from the Collector’s Club.  There are some clear winners (PSYCHE-OUT!!!), some “interesting” choices (LETAL), and some classic troop builders and new faces.  I find that overall I’m putting this set on par with the excellent Mission Brazil set from a few years ago.  Now I’ve just got to make certain that my schedule is free and that I can hit the Con this year.  (It’s right around someone’s birthday…)

 

G.I. Joe Con 2013: Crimson Asp and Saw-Vipers revealed!

Tonight’s reveal from the 2013 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention set Nocturnal Fire came a bit later than previous nights but once again the Club has unveiled TWO new figures!

COBRA SABOTEUR: CRIMSON ASP

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure
– NEW Head on NEW Female Cobra Character
– Includes Cobra Logo Stand, Grenade Launcher,
Assault Rifle, Explosive Charges, Flamethrower,
Connection Hose and Backpack

COBRA MACHINE GUNNERS: S.A.W.-VIPERS

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure
– Troop Builder THREE Action Figures in Box Set
– Modern Update Based on Action Figure from 1990
– Includes Cobra Logo Stand, Removable Helmet,
Squad Automatic Weapon (S.A.W.) Machine Gun
with Removable Ammo Box, Backpack,
Tactical Vest with Radio and Removable Knives

Okay, I’ve got to say that this is an interesting pair.  Crimson Asp has some nice details, using the Resolute Baroness body to good effect.  Her head sculpt reminds me of the one-eyed Russian spy from the animated series Venture Brothers and her overall color scheme seems better suited to a Marvel Comics HYDRA agent than a Cobra saboteur.  She most definitely did NOT come from the Firefly school of Saboteur Chic.

On the other hand, the Cobra SAW-Vipers are a near perfect update of the original ARAH era figure.  The body is covered with the same tac vest as the Iron Grenadiers from the 30th Anniversary line with the Retaliation G.I. Joe Trooper’s dual knife sheaths taking the place of the steady-cam gun mount.  It’s an interesting use of parts and one that shows a great deal of innovation on the part of the GIJCC.  The arms may look familiar– they were last seen on the 2012 Joe Con Oktober Guard Stormavik figure!

So tonight’s reveal is one solid win and one that I’m not entirely sure about yet.  Still, Nocturnal Fire is shaping up to be a very promising set indeed!

G.I. Joe Retaliation to get IMAX release!

IMAX

Planning on seeing G.I. Joe Retaliation on March 29?  How about seeing it on a big screen?  A really BIG screen?

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — IMAX Corporation (NYSE:IMAX; TSX:IMX) and Paramount Pictures, a division of Viacom, Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM) and Skydance Productions, in association with Hasbro, today announced that G.I. Joe: Retaliation, the action-packed follow-up to the 2009 box office hit G.I Joe: The Rise of Cobra, will be digitally re-mastered into the immersive IMAX® 3D format and released to select IMAX® theatres internationally starting March 28and for a one week run in North America beginning March 29.

“Dwayne Johnson has resonated well with IMAX fans, and we believe his strong global appeal, coupled with the action spectacle of G.I. Joe: Retaliation in IMAX 3D is sure to excite moviegoers,” said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment.

The IMAX release of G.I. Joe: Retaliation will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX 3D Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

You can learn more about G.I. Joe: Retaliation by visiting Paramount’s official site at http://www.gijoemovie.com.

About G.I. Joe: Retaliation
A follow-up to the 2009 release G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, which grossed more than $300 million worldwide, Paramount Pictures, MGM and Skydance Productions, in association with Hasbro and di Bonaventura Pictures, presents G.I. Joe: Retaliation.

In this sequel, the G.I. Joes are not only fighting their mortal enemy, Cobra, they are forced to contend with threats from within the government that jeopardize their very existence. The film stars D.J. Cotrona, Byung-hun Lee, Adrianne Palicki, Ray Park, Jonathan Pryce, RZA, Ray Stevenson, Channing Tatum with Bruce Willis and Dwayne Johnson. Directed by Jon M. Chu, and produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Brian Goldner, written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick based on Hasbro’s G.I. Joe® characters, the film is scheduled to be released on March 29, 2013.

About IMAX Corporation
IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you’ve never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX’s network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing.  As of Sept. 30, 2012, there were 689 IMAX theatres (556 commercial multiplex, 20 commercial destination and 113 institutional) in 52 countries.

IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, The IMAX Experience® and IMAX Is Believing® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).

About Paramount Pictures Corporation

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

Source: http://www.itnewsonline.com/showprnstory.php?storyid=253341

G.I. Joe Retaliation Wave 3 Joe Colton reviewed!

It’s been a while since any new G.I. Joe reviews have been posted at JBL and there is a good reason.  After a year long search, I finally bought and moved into a new house over the holidays. The good part is that there is a lot more room for Amanda, the cats, and I.  The bad news is that most of Joe stuff is still in boxes– and that includes the photo setup.  However, some quick jury rigging allowed me to shoot a few pics recently of my most anticipated figure from the entire G.I. Joe Retaliation line: Joe Colton!  Sure, the photos are quite up to my usual standards but they proved to be a lot of fun to shoot!

I won’t lie– I don’t see this figure as the bearded General that Larry Hama first introduced us to back in G.I. Joe vol 1 #86.  Instead, I picture him as a certain plucky New York cop who always seems to find himself in the wrong place at the wrong time when terrorists attack.  That’s right– I’m talking about Officer John McClane of the Die Hard franchise.

Regardless of how you use this Bruce Willis action figure in your collection, check out JBL’s first review of 2013 in the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index!

G.I. Joe Retaliation Snake Eyes Joe Colton Roadblock

G.I. Joe Con 2013: Muskrat & Psyche-Out revealed!

Another night and two more reveals by the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club from the 2013 Joe Con set!   Tonight’s unveiling? Muskrat & Psyche-Out!

NIGHT FORCE: SWAMP FIGHTER – MUSKRAT

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure
– Based on TRU Exclusive Action Figure from 1989
– NEW Head with a NEW Removable Boonie Hat,
Combat Vest is also Removable
– Includes G.I. Joe Logo Stand, Tactical Shotgun,
Machete, Pistol with Suppressor, and Knife

 

NIGHT FORCE: PSY OPS OFFICER – PSYCHE-OUT

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure
– Based on TRU Exclusive Action Figure from 1988
– NEW Head with NEW Removable Sonic Emitters,
[Attachments fit on Arms and Sonic Generator]
– Includes G.I. Joe Logo Stand, Assault Rifle, Pistol,
Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) Backpack,
Sonic Generator Device and Sonic Emitter Cones

I never thought I’d say this but of the two figure Psyche-Out is the CLEAR winner! From the headsculpt to the reuse of the 30th Duke body, he’s head and shoulders above most updates to classic designs. Muskrat is solid but the blue is throwing me off somewhat. However, as it has been pointed out to me the blue vest is removable. Otherwise, the club continues to hit a home run in terms of successful updates to classic characters.

Bring on Hit & Run and Repeater!

G.I. Joe Retaliation – Preview of new trailer debuting this weekend.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation

G.I. Joe: Retaliation

Okay, if you’re one of the G.I. Joe fans who can’t get enough of Retaliation you’ve probably contemplated going to see Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters this weekend to catch a glimpse of the brand new Joe trailer.   However, you don’t have to wait until Friday… Break.com has posted a “preview of the preview” and JBL has mirrored it below:


Break Exclusive: New G.I. Joe Has Amazing Ninjas – Watch More Funny Videos

So, is it March 29, 2012 yet?

G.I. Joe Con 2013: Charbroil is HOT!!!

Last night, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club updated the 2013 Joe Con page with the latest preview image from this year’s Night Force set.  Charbroil has been revealed!

NIGHT FORCE: FLAMETHROWER – CHARBROIL

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure
– Based on TRU Exclusive Action Figure from 1989
– NEW Re-tooled Classic Helmet that is Removable
– NEW Re-tooled Flamethrower Tanks Backpack
– Includes G.I. Joe Logo Stand, Flamethrower,
Backpack with Connection Hose, Flame Burst
attachment, and Pistol

Okay, let me just say this now: WOW!  I’ve never been a huge Charbroil fan and when the Club announced that he was part of the set I just assumed that this would be a repaint of the Toys R Us exclusive version that debuted in the Rise of Cobra line a few years ago.  I couldn’t have been more wrong– as this figure uses the body of the brand spanking new Retaliation G.I. Joe  Trooper!  That means that this figure is going to have some pretty fantastic poseability!  Even better– he’ll be sporting a brand new removable helmet!

Okay Collector’s Club– you’ve made this set incredibly hard to resist and we’re only four figures in!   I can’t wait to see what the next reveal has in store for us!