G.I. Joe Collector’s Club releases Final Twelve figure images

All good things must come to an end.  Or, as is the case with the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club, all licenses must come to a conclusion.  Either way, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has released the last image of their “Final 12” roster of figures which will be going up for pre-order shortly. 

Since JBL has apparently been slacking off lately with individual reveals, here’s a look at each of the “two-packs” as well as some thoughts on the roster as a whole. 

The Final 12 – composite courtesy of the Surveillance Port

Just a quick note: it was announced at the last Joe Con that these figures would be sold in pairs.  If you want one– you have to get its pack-mate as well.  Without further adieu, let’s start the breakdowns…

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Rank & File Vol 4 – Now Available!

Volume 4, the latest volume in the incredible Rank & File series of G.I. Joe guide books is now available from James Kavanaugh!

Look, anyone who’s been following JBL for any length of time knows that this site LOVES the Rank & File Guide series. (Yes, each word is a link to a different post!)  They’re some of the most detailed modern G.I. Joe reference works available and have a proud place on my reference shelf next to books by Mark Bellomo, Dan Klingensmith, and 3DJoes.com

Volume 4 made a “special edition” debut at The Last Joe Con this year from Fun Publications with a special cover and insert pages.  However, that was just a sample– a taste of what the full-fledged volume would contain.  Now, G.I. Joe fans and toy collectors can order their own copy of this exciting volume that delves into the world of “the exclusives”…

However, don’t take our word for it… check out the press release from “Noted Author” James Kavanaugh himself!

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G.I. Joe FSS 8 Munitia is the mercenary of your dreams!

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has unveiled the design for the FSS 8 Cobra Mercenary Munitia!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS 8 Munitia

COBRA MERCENARY
Code Name: MUNITIA
(Inspired by the 2008 DTC: GIJCC action figure.)
Features NEW head sculpt!
Includes: bladed pistol, assault rifle, radio, and figure stand.

Ah… Munitia… I’ve been waiting for this reveal ever since the Club announced her as part of FSS 8.

There are some characters that fans just find appealing, regardless of how little media presence that character may receive.  Such is the case with this mysterious mercenary femme fatale.  Munitia was initially slated to be released as part of the DTC Wave 4, a series of G.I. Joe that was exclusive to both HasbroToyShop.com and Toys R Us at the end of the o-ring era.  Sadly, that wave was cancelled along with the rest of the Direct-to-Consumer line and G.I. Joe went into a hiatus period at retail.  (Sound familiar?  The pendulum swings…) Continue reading

G.I. Joe FSS 8 Payload is out of this world!

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has unveiled the preview of their upcoming FSS 8 Payload!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS 8 Payload

G.I. JOE DEFIANT SHUTTLE PILOT
Code Name: PAYLOAD
(Inspired by the 1987 action figure.)
Includes: removable helmet, MMU backpack,
control arms x 2, and figure stand.

Be honest– did you ever think we’d have a modern update to the G.I. Joe shuttle pilot?

Of all of the figures on the FSS 8 roster, Payload was likely to be the hardest to pull off.  Simply put– there aren’t a lot of parts out there that can emulate the original 1987 Payload very easily.  The shuttle astronaut featured a fairly unique build with a lot of specialized parts. Continue reading

G.I. Joe FSS 8 Blizzard will treat you right!

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has unveiled the digital mock-up for the FSS 8 version of Arctic Attack Soldier Blizzard!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS 8 Blizzard

G.I. JOE ARCTIC ATTACK SOLDIER
Code Name: GREG “BLIZZARD” NATALE
(Inspired by the 1988 action figure.)
Includes: removable arctic coat, sniper rifle, backpack,
skis x 2, ski poles x 2, boot cleats x 2, and figure stand.

Hmmm… so Blizzard isn’t what I expected.  At all…

The signature design element of the original 1988 Blizzard (to my  eyes) was his uniquely-designed removable helmet.  Rather than a hood or a stocking cap, this guy went full bore with a combat helmet and attached googles.  It gave him a tactical look that set him apart from being written off as “just another guy in a thick coat.” Continue reading

G.I. Joe FSS 8 Desert Clutch hits the dunes!

The 1984-inspired Desert Clutch is the latest preview from the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS 8!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS 8 Desert Clutch

G.I. JOE V.A.M.P. DRIVER
Code Name: LANCE “CLUTCH” STEINBERG
(Inspired by the 1984 version 2 action figure.)
Includes: removable helmet, vest, assault rifle,
pistol, work cones x 2, and figure stand.

It’s hard to be objective about some figures based on the lens of nostaglia.

I discovered G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero at my local KB Toys back in 1982.  As a kid I was volunteering at used book sale for our animal shelter that was at our local mall.  Our table was stationed right outside of KB and so when I was done for the afternoon my folks let me go in and pick out one item as a reward for giving up my Saturday to help the shelter.  It was there on that fateful day that my eyes came to rest on the original VAMP with Clutch.  It was my first G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toy and I’ve had a soft spot for the VAMP and it’s charismatic driver ever since.

As such, it’s hard to be objective here simply because Clutch has always been a favorite of him. Continue reading

G.I. Joe FSS 8 Lt Clay Moore will hunt down the traitor!

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS 8 previews continue with a look at Cobra Shock Troops Commander Lt. Clay Moore!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS 8 Lt. Clay Moore

COBRA SHOCK TROOPS COMMANDER
Code Name: LT. CLAY MOORE
(Inspired by the Sunbow cartoon & 2007 GIJCC design.)
Includes: removable helmet, grenade bandolier, pistol, knife,
assault rifle, bazooka, backpack with shells x 4, and figure stand.

Well, this is certainly an interesting build…  Continue reading

G.I. Joe FSS 8 Bullet-Proof will make the streets safer!

Another day, another FSS 8 preview from the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club.  Today we have our first look at (former) DEF Leader Bullet-Proof!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS 8 Bullet-Proof

G.I. JOE BATTLE CORPS COMMANDER
Code Name: BULLET-PROOF
(Inspired by the 1992 action figure.)
Includes: removable grenade bandolier, pistol, knife,
rifle, rocket launcher with projectile, and figure stand.

The old expression goes “No good deed goes unpunished.” In the case of the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club that expression could be modified to “No new head sculpt goes without reuse.”  Continue reading

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS 8 Fast-Draw blasts into view!

We have our second preview from the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS 8 roster and it’s Fast-Draw!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS 8 Fast Draw

G.I. JOE MOBILE MISSILE SPECIALIST
Code Name: FAST DRAW
(Inspired by the 1987 action figure.)
Includes: removable helmet, face mask, revolver pistol,
backpack missile system with 8 projectiles, remote controls x 2,
connection hoses x 2, and figure stand.

NOTE: These modern era club exclusive action figures will not be exact replicas of their vintage counterparts. All images are Photoshop mock-up representations, final product, accessories and/or colors will vary!

Man… I was anticipating Fast-Draw’s reveal but I never expected it to be the second one posted! Continue reading

Cobra Sentinel Automaton project coming to Kickstarter

Coming soon to Kickstarter: the Cobra Sentinel Automaton project!

G.I. Joe Cobra Sentinel from the Palace of Doom

Let’s face it– for many fans the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero animated series is THE version of Joe.  Debuting as a pair of syndicated mini-series, these cartoon adventures greeted countless school children as they rushed home from school each day to catch the next installment in the serial.  The cartoons showcased the vehicles and characters that were soon to dominate store shelves and children’s imaginations in the coming months.  However, as diverse as the roster of figures and vehicles was there some were moments in the story where the writers and animators introduced their own concepts.  One such moment occurred in the third episode of the “Revenge of Cobra” mini-series in episode cheekily-named “The Palace of Doom“:

Remember the Cobra Sentinel?  The giant snake-themed robot that went mano-et-mano with the giant temple guardian?  The mechanized monster just blew me away.  As a kid, I had to have one but sadly it was not meant to be.  The automaton that towered over Major Bludd existed only in the cartoon and was never produced in action figure form.  However, that is about to change. Continue reading