Monthly Archives: May 2013

G.I. Joe FSS 2.0: Keel-Haul and Big Bear revealed!

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With the deadline to sign-up for the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Figure Subscription Service 2.0 approaching in 12 days, the final two mock-ups have been revealed!

Big Bear:

fss-big-bear

First, there was the Joe Con 2012 Operation Bear Trap set.  Next, came the reveal of Dragonsky as part of the FSS 2.0 service.  Finally, the latest member of the Oktober Guard has been unveiled!  Big Bear has never been a huge presence in my mind when it comes to the Oktober Guard and yet I’m happy to see his inclusion in this round of the FSS.  After all, you can never have too many people fighting “For the peace-loving people of the Warsaw Pact Nations!”  It’s also nice to see elements of the body of the cancelled Alpine Mech Pilot seeing some use.  Plus, this head would make for a great Marko Ramius from “The Hunt for Red October.”

Keel-Haul:

fss-keel-haul

I don’t know why but I’ve always had a soft-spot for the character of Keel-Haul.  (Or “The Admiral” as I referred to him.)  With his aviator jacket, cocked cap, and Burt Reynolds moustache he was a bit of a retired bad-@$$ in my Joeverse.  After reading his filecard, the Admiral was one of the Joes that saw field action rather than spending his days resigned to the wheelhouse on the USS Flagg.  When it comes to his FSS version, I’m liking what I’m seeing– although the inclusion of the flag is a bit puzzling.  However, I’ll say this– there’s never a bad reason for a Joe to hold up the Stars and Stripes respectfully– or in this case the flag of the Flagg itself!

Check out all of the other released mock-ups below.  If you’re inclined to sign-up, check out the FSS 2.0 page at GIJoeClub.com and place your order before the deadline!

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fss-2-0
fss-airtight
fss-dragonsky
fss-falcon
fss-skullbuster
fss-tf-shipwreck
fss-tollbooth
fss-desert-scorpion
fss-widescope
fss-bombadier
fss-cesspool
fss-big-bear
fss-keel-haul

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G.I. Joe FSS 2: Cesspool & Bombardier mock-ups unveiled!

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G.I. Joe Collector's Club Figure Subscription Service 2.0

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club is pulling out all of the stops during this Figure Subscription Service sign-up period– with two more mock-up being unveiled today!  The deadline to sign-up is May 22, 2013 and only two more mock-ups remain a mystery.

Bombardier:

fss-bombadier

Maybe I’m a “bad” G.I. Joe collector but I’ve never been very interested in collecting international figures– until now.  The GIJCC took the “blonde Flash” from a few years ago and brought him firmly forward into the Generation 3 era of G.I. Joe.  This new version is faithful to his Palitoy origins in terms of initial gear and parts construction.  However, he goes completely over the top into “cool” with the inclusion of the Rise of Cobra missile drone accessory.  Now if only the Club will give him the name of “Dave Tree” in honor of the Joe detective who shed light on the mysterious origins of this figure!

Cesspool:

fss-cesspool

Cesspool is one of those figures that I discovered later in life.  I was out of actively collecting G.I. Joe when he was released in 1991 and it wasn’t until I wrote the 1991 Cesspool ARAH Review for JBL that I discovered just how amazingly interesting the character was.  From his twisted backstory as a cost-cutting CEO to his disfiguring scarred countenance, the character of Vincent D’Alleva really appealed to me.  His inclusion in FSS 2.0 was one of the swaying factors in this particular Joe fan’s decision to sign-up.  While the Club’s mock-up is mostly digital, I’m happy with the parts combination and am looking forward to seeing a more tangible prototype in the future.  This guy is almost the Joker of the G.I. Joe world– what’s NOT to love?!

If this hasn’t convinced you to sign up for FSS 2.0, maybe the final two releases will!

G.I. Joe FSS 2.0: Desert Scorpion and Widescope unveiled!

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G.I. Joe Collector's Club Figure Subscription Service 2.0

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club isn’t content to let me post one update today for the FSS 2.0!  Nope, they’ve got to unveil TWO more characters in the second round of the Figure Subscription Service: Desert Scorpion and Widescope!

Desert Scorpion:

fss-desert-scorpion

Fans have been clamoring for the Desert Scorpion ever since the second wave of Mechs was cancelled.  (Both Alpine and Desert Scorpion were to be released as mech pilots.)  Honestly, he’s not a bad “Franken-Joe” at all and, if my eyes don’t deceive me, that’s the Valor vs. Venom Desert Scorpion  insect accessory seeing some new life.  Not too shabby at all!

Widescope (and Lamont!):

fss-widescope

I’m a sucker for new characters and the GvC era of G.I. Joe was chock-full of them.   Sure, we have Shockwave (sorry… SHOCKBLAST) in the Generation 3 era already but who’s to say that the Joes can have only one SWAT specialist?  Plus, Widescope comes complete with Lamont– his trust canine partner!  With Mutt & Junkyard, Law & Order, and now Widescope & Lamont the Joes are going to have a pretty full kennel!  (No, I didn’t forget about Timber– but he walks alone.)

Remember, the deadline to sign-up is May 22, 2013!  Check out the Figure Subscription Service 2.0 page at GIJoeClub.com for more details!

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fss-2-0
fss-airtight
fss-dragonsky
fss-falcon
fss-skullbuster
fss-tf-shipwreck
fss-tollbooth
fss-desert-scorpion
fss-widescope
fss-bombadier
fss-cesspool
fss-big-bear
fss-keel-haul

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Tollbooth and Tiger Force Shipwreck are latest G.I. Joe FSS reveals!

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G.I. Joe Collector's Club Figure Subscription Service 2.0

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club unveiled two more mock-ups of figures that will be included in Figure Subscription Service 2.0 late last week!  (However, the admin of JBL had that day off and was away from the internet for most of the day.  Something about “wanting a three day weekend” or some such nonsense.)

As was posted previously, sign-up for FSS Round 2 is in full swing so the reveals are trickling out.  For the latest two mock-up unveilings, the GIJCC pulled out a classic repaint and a new-to-Generation-3 update of an ARAH vehicle driver.

Tollbooth:

fss-tollbooth

I’ve always had a soft spot for the driver of the Bridge Layer.  Maybe it was because I received the original vehicle back in the 80’s as completely unexpected Christmas present or maybe it’s the fact that the driver carried a sledgehammer but something about the character made a strong impression upon this Joe fan.  The GIJCC chose well both in terms of parts and accessories– two of the construction cones that previously came with the 30th Techno-Viper are a perfect inclusion!  Plus, this is the first LOGICAL use of the mattock that was included with the Resolute Roadblock!  As Thomas O’ Mahoney suggested on JBL’s Facebook page, toss in a shovel from the G.I. Joe Retaliation Trooper and he’s ready to get to work on some battlefield fortifications!

Tiger Force Shipwreck:

fss-tf-shipwreck

When it comes to sub-teams, I prefer Night Force over Tiger Force.  (I’m still impatiently waiting for my 2013 Homefront Heroes Joe Con set to arrive!!!)  So, this figure isn’t exactly one that is high up on my personal Want List.  In fact, it’s pretty low on that totem pole.  It’s not that this is a bad figure design– the Club has done a really decent job of replicating the color scheme of the ARAH original.  It’s just that most of the Tiger Force color schemes were goofy in the 80’s and they’ve not aged particularly well.  Plus, this figure uses the 25th Anniversary 5 pack Shipwreck head which has never looked like Hector X. Delgado to me.   He’ll most likely end up on shelf behind my Tiger Force Flint and Tiger Force Duke figures.

Sign-up for FSS 2.0 runs through May 22, 2013!  After that, it’s secondary market prices which tend to skew higher.

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fss-2-0
fss-airtight
fss-dragonsky
fss-falcon
fss-skullbuster
fss-tf-shipwreck
fss-tollbooth
fss-desert-scorpion
fss-widescope
fss-bombadier
fss-cesspool
fss-big-bear
fss-keel-haul

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G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Figure Subscription Service 2 is now LIVE!

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G.I. Joe Collector's Club Figure Subscription Service 2.0

With a whirlwind of updates in the past 24 hours, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has announced that sign-up for the Figure Subscription Service 2.0 is now LIVE!!!  You can subscribe for the next 13 figures from now through May 22, 2013!

It all started with this image that was posted on the GIJCC Facebook page yesterday afternoon:

fss-2-0

This image confirmed the line-up that was revealed at the 2013 GIJCC Roundtable at Joe Con this year.  To recap, this was the roster that was revealed:

  • Widescope
  • Dragonsky
  • Night Force Falcon (with new equipment)
  • Bombadier (UK)
  • Tiger Force Tripwire (Brazil)
  • Tiger Force Shipwreck (Brazil)
  • Admiral Keel Haul
  • Tool Booth
  • Cesspool
  • Skullbuster
  • Cobra Desert Scorpion
  • Big Bear

At that meeting just a few mock-up images were shown as Lanny confirmed he’d only just been able to put them together before leaving for Indy.  Now, the Club has unveiled FOUR preview images: Skullbuster, Night Force Falcon, Dragonsky, and Tiger Force Airtight!

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fss-2-0
fss-airtight
fss-dragonsky
fss-falcon
fss-skullbuster
fss-tf-shipwreck
fss-tollbooth
fss-desert-scorpion
fss-widescope
fss-bombadier
fss-cesspool
fss-big-bear
fss-keel-haul

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Here’s the official word on FSS 2.0 directly from the Club’s website:
[blockquote]

After the fantastic success of FSS 1.0, the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club now brings you version 2.0! The FSS is only available to active club members. This service is an optional feature and is not included in the cost of your annual GIJCC membership.The FSS 2.0 subscription set will consist of twelve different carded 3 3/4″ figures. You will receive six shipments starting in approximately September/October of two figures each month. Figures will be shipped in a surprise sequence (figure pairs will be the same for everyone each month). It will be a surprise each month as to which figure pair you receive! Your last shipment (6th shipment) will include your FREE mystery carded 13th figure! The limited edition GIJCC Figure Subscription Service contains a variety of fan requested characters from all eras of the 3 3/4-inch G.I. Joe A Real American Hero collection. The assortment includes 25th Anniversary style figures of characters from the classic 80’s, 90’s, new-sculpt, foreign editions, and unreleased 25th Anniversary characters as well.

[/blockquote]

So there you have it!  The roster, a few teaser images, and the link to sign-up for FSS 2.0!  I have to admit, the first one made a believer out of me.  Yes, I’m not happy about the price of the figures or the subscription at all but then again, like a lot of Joe fans, I’m a man of limited means.  However, for the most part the quality and character selection of the first series has been very good and it’s now to the point that I eagerly anticipate the arrival of the brown cardboard box from the GIJCC each month.  So it’s a safe bet to say that this particular Joe addict is in for his next 13 figures from the GIJCC– even if my credit card cries a little.

For those of you on the fence, you’ve got until the 22nd.  Plus, JBL will begin reviewing all of the figures from FSS round 1 starting NEXT WEEK!