Monthly Archives: October 2013

Holiday shopping alert – Larry Hama signed items and cover sketch!

Posted on by

G.I. Joe A Real American Hero 195 cover sketch by Larry HamaAs the holiday season approaches, consumers everywhere are left with the dilemma of what to get for those friends and family members on their respective lists.  Even more perplexing can be the question: “What do you get for the G.I. Joe fan on your holiday list?”  Well, thanks to Joe fan and published author Mark Bellomo, this might have become a lot easier.

As of last night, Mark opened the floodgates and has listed a plethora of Joe-themed goodness up on internet auction site Ebay.  However, what makes a lot of these items truly unique is that they are signed by the “godfather of G.I. Joe Larry Hama”– and many of them come from his private collection!  In corresponding with Mark he’s revealed at even more items are coming– just keep an eye out on  his eBay page for future updates.

Check out the Joe goodness that is listed!

Normally this type of news wouldn’t make the front page here at JBL but for a chance to own something truly unique– a piece signed by Larry Hama himself– well, we’ll make an exception.

Yet, as as they say in the infomercials: “But wait, there’s more!” There is something even cooler on Ebay as well– Larry Hama himself has listed the original cover sketch for IDW Publishing’s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #195!  With just over a day remaining, here’s a great chance to own a real piece of G.I. Joe history with a piece that features Shockwave, Lady Jaye, and the ever-popular Roadblock!

 

2013 SDCC G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set now in stock at HasbroToyShop.com

Posted on by

G.I. Joe vs. Transformers SDCC 2013 exclusive set

There’s no need for a lot of verbiage here!  This year’s SDCC G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set is finally available!

UPDATE: 10/16/2013 AS OF NOW THE SET APPEARS TO BE SOLD OUT!

Now that the lawsuit between Hasbro & Harmony Gold has been settled it would seem that the flood gates have been opened for the 2013 SDCC G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set featuring Jetfire, Hound, Blaster, Bludgeon, Baroness, Ravage, and more!  (Okay, there’s that Snake Eyes repaint but who REALLY needs Snake Eyes v 10,203 anymore? It’s a solid set and the “epic conclusion” to the series that began three years ago with Cobra Commander & Starscream and then evolved to Destro & Shockwave in 2012.

Got get it at HasbroToyShop.com:

http://www.hasbrotoyshop.com/gi-joe-transformers-jetfire-vehicle?BR=496&ID=32166

1370450365000-blaster-1306051241_4_3_rx1443_c1920x1440
1370450754004-hasbro-2013-sdcc-gi-joe-transformers-vamp-autobot-hound-1306051321_4_3_rx1443_c192
1370451337000-hasbro-2013-sdcc-gi-joe-transformers-snake-eyes-1306051259_3_4_r1083_c0-0-1080-144
1370453687000-jetfire-1306051418_4_3_rx1443_c1920x1440
1370455754000-baroness-1306051410_4_3_rx1443_c1920x1440
1370455874000-bludgeon-1306051451_3_4_r1083_c0-0-1080-1440
sdcc-2013-box

[Show as slideshow]

G.I. Joe vs. Transformers – Kre-O style!

Posted on by

Kre-O logo

While the New York Comic Con may not be the font of new product news that many G.I. Joe fans were hoping for, all is not bleak in Joe-land!  New Kre-O sets and blind-bagged figures are dropping at Toys R Us stores across the nation.  To celebrate this, the good folks at Hunter PR passed on a stop-motion animation gem that is sure to put a smile on the face of even the most stodgy of Joe fans!

So, check out “G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers” — Kre-O style!

Cobra 1st Legion hits October events in force!

Posted on by

Cobra First Legion

The Cobra 1st Legion in on the move once again!!!

Not content to rest on their laurels after an amazing slew of events in September, the G.I. Joe community’s own costuming army is back in force with a whole bevy of appearances lined up for October.  Check out these hard-working cos-players at the following locations:

Seriously– if you’re living anywhere near ANY of these events, stop on by, pose for some pics with the crew, and give them a hearty “YO JOE!” (or “Hail Cobra!”) to show your support!  These talented guys and gals are bringing our favorite Real American Heroes to life for fans across the nation!

Cobra 1st Legion October 2013

Marauder Gun Runners offers painted Series 6 gear!

Posted on by

maraudersmalllogo

DISCLAIMER: There will be little-to-no objectivity shown in this post.  If you’re looking for objective journalism, try a real news site!  We love Marauder Gun-Runners here at JBL!

Just when you thought Marauder Gun Runners couldn’t make their products any better, something like this occurs!  MGR is now offering a factory-painted set of their incredible Series 6 weapons!  That’s right– you can deck out your favorite 1:18 action figures with gear that has been molded in gun-metal gray and then painted with either desert or forest colors.  It’s an amazing set of 33 painted weapons and accessories for only $24.99!

Think of the possibilities:

  • Didn’t like the rifle that came with the FSS Barrel Roll?  Easy– swap it out with the painted M200!
  • Need to jazz up the FSS Grunt figure?  Toss in the AA20 automatic shotgun!
  • Want to clear out a nest of Zombie Vipers?  Give Outback that painted combat flamethrower and light ’em up!

Check out JBL’s review of the original Series 6 and keep your eyes peeled for an updated gallery of the painted set in the next few days!  (Also, check out the rest of JBL’s Marauder Gun Runners Review Index!)

You can place your order for this incredible set HERE!

Marauder Gun Runners painted Series 6

FSS 2.0: Carded Cesspool Revealed!

Posted on by

It’s been awfully quiet on the G.I. Joe toy news front lately.  However, the good folks over at the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club decided to spice things up a bit with a bit of an unveiling today.  Over on their Facebook page they unveiled a carded sample of one of the figures from FSS 2.0— the Cobra CEO: CESSPOOL!

G.I. Joe FSS 2 Cesspool

Cesspool, not to be confused with the uber-awesome Merc With a Mouth Deadpool, was Cobra’s analogy to the 1989 movie version of the Joker.  Disfigured in a chemical accident, he was one part brilliant businessman and two parts chemically-induced nutjob.  Granted, good old Cesspool was used only sparingly in both the DiC series and in the Marvel Comics run but, by all appearances, this figure does a SOLID job of capturing the classic ARAH figure and bringing him forward into the Generation 3 era.  Based on the body of the Techno-Viper and featuring an AMAZING headsculpt from Boss Fight Studio, this was one of the figures that immediately convinced me to sign up for the second round of the FSS.

One cool detail that I noticed when drooling over looking at the image above is that Cesspool’s right eye is now completely “dead”.  LOVE IT!  I’m not entirely sold on the card art which seems just a bit too jolly even with the giant scar but I also have ZERO intention of leaving this figure sealed.  (GASP!  I know!  I’m not a real collector!)  Going just on the figure alone this one looks to be a good addition to the Cobra shelf.

No ETA on when FSS 2.0 will start shipping but this just ramps up the excitement a bit.  So while you’re waiting for him to arrive, check out JBL’s Review of the 1991 Cesspool figure!

 

166265_10151621618052679_751603308_n
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

[Show as slideshow]

Flashback: 90’s Street Fighter 2 G.I. Joe Commercial

Posted on by

g.i. joe street fighter honda

The 90’s were an interesting time for G.I. Joe.  The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with their bright neon colors were dominating store shelves and ninjas were EVERYWHERE in popular culture.  Video games were more popular than ever and a certain band of Real American Heroes didn’t seem to have the luster that they once did.

So, what was a toy line to do?  Well, as the saying goes:  if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!

G.I. Joe did what it did best and adapted– becoming more ninja-centric and much more neon.  The brand even co-opted Street Fighter II and tried to portray it as a “sister line”.  Results were mixed at best; you know you’re in trouble when the new-comers are beating up one of the main characters in your lineup.

Take a look at this 90’s gem that features live-action portrayals of both the Joes and the cast of Street Fighter II.