Category Archives: Reviews

SDCC 2015 Crimson Strike set review!

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SDCC 2015 G.I. Joe Crimson Strike

The SDCC 2015 Crimson Strike set has landed at JBL!

G.I. Joe has had a pretty good run of SDCC exclusives over the past few years.  Starting with the infamous “Pimp Daddy Destro” and going all the way through the Danger at the Docks, fans have found themselves anticipating the announcement of each year’s newest piece.

The Crimson Strike is, by all means, a reverse of the forthcoming Silent Strike set that will debut at Toys R Us in August 2015.  Here, G.I. Joe and Cobra have essentially traded vehicles– with the Cobra Scythe taking to the air while the G.I. Joe Chimera attempts to stave off its attacks.  Somewhere on the ground, a random Alley Viper Officer runs around causing chaos.

Is the Crimson Strike set worth the effort to track down?  Does the HISS work as a G.I. Joe vehicle?  Is the Skystriker really flying for Cobra now?

Check out the review by either clicking on the picture above or by visiting the Exclusives Review Index!

A big thanks to both Hasbro and the folks at Hunter PR for helping JBL acquire this set!

G.I. Joe FSS 3 Crimson Guard Immortal Review

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FSS 3 Crimson Guard Immortal

The FSS 3 Crimson Guard Immortal has been reviewed!

Whew!  With that, the FSS 3 reviews are done!  As part of the final shipment, the Crimson Guard Immortal was one of the most anticipated figures in the entire FSS.  Originally shown at the 2012 Joe Con as part of the imfamous first “Concept Case reveals”, this figure has been on the fandom’s radar for some time.  When it was announced in 2014 as part of the FSS 3, fans were both surprised and excited for the opportunity to finally get their hands on this “elite of the elite” trooper.

Was the Crimson Guard Immortal worth the wait?  Did Fred and Chris agree on this one?  Is the review full of bad Highlander puns?  Will I stop with the questions and just get to the point already?

Check out the review either by clicking on the picture above or jumping over to the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index.  Afterwards, leave your own thoughts about this figure in the comments below.

G.I. Joe FSS 3 Hit & Run Review

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G.I. Joe FSS 3 Hit & Run

The G.I. Joe FSS 3 Hit & Run figure has finally been reviewed!

As Chris and I play catch-up on the last of the FSS 3 figures, Hit & Run steps into the spotlight.  When the character was first announced as part of the subscription roster, fans were ecstatic at the prospect of having a more detailed update to this particular character.  The initial teaser image released by the Club, however, created quite a stir in the certain parts of the fandom.  As a result, the Club released a second mock-up which included the figure’s signature face and arm camouflage as well as a different set of web gear for the FSS 3 Hit & Run.

Did those changes work?  Is this the Hit & Run that some fans have desired for years?  Do Fred and Chris agree on this figure or do we have a 50/50 split opinion?  Will I stop posting questions and get on with it?

Check out the review by clicking on the image above or by visiting the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index!  Afterwards, let us know what YOU think of this figure by sharing your opinions in the comments below.

G.I. Joe FSS 3 Alpine Review

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G.I. Joe FSS 3 Alpine

The G.I. Joe FSS 3 Alpine review is FINALLY live!

We’re whittling down the backlog of G.I. Joe Collector’s Club figures that’s built up here at JBL over the past few months.  Once again I’m joined by visiting Professor of G.I. Joe Studies Chris Chung of JoeSightings.com as we take a look at the FSS 3 Alpine — a reincarnation of a Valor vs. Venom era repaint.

Was the FSS 3 Alpine worth the wait?  Does the new Boss Fight Studio breathe new life into the character?  What’s the secret to his muscular calves?  Find out the answers to some of these questions as two long-time Joe fans offer up their thoughts on this update to a classic Sunbow-era character.

Check it out by clicking on the picture above or by heading over the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index!

G.I. Joe FSS 3 Frostbite Review

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G.I. Joe FSS 3 FrostbiteG.I. Joe FSS 3 Frostbite has been reviewed!

Okay, I realize that this one is a bit late.  It’s on me– as Chris, my FSS partner-in-crime, had his text to me some time ago.  Some fans might be a bit wary after last year’s “Grand Slam Gate” reveal when it comes to the 13th bonus figures but the Collector’s Club stepped up this year to complete the 1985 roster with this previously absent vehicle driver.

What did two sometimes-wordy Joe fans think of the G.I. Joe FSS 3 Frostbite figure?  Was Frostbite worth the wait?  Is he just another repaint?  Am I asking too many questions?

Head on over to the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index and find out!

 

Update on G.I. Joe FSS & Joe Con 2015 Reviews

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FSS Crimson Guard Immortal

Sigh… I hate this kind of post.  I really do.

Joe Con 2015 and G.I. Joe FSS reviews are coming.  Really.  I had photos shot for these reviews for weeks now and even have the web page built.  Joe Con 2015, Joe Con 2013, and the FSS reviews for Hit & Run, Alpine, Crimson Guard Immortal, Big Ben, and Frostbite are about 85% ready to go!

So, you might find yourself asking, what’s the holdup?

Between my current real-life job and some family obligations, I’ve just not had the time to sit down and really finish the writing.  Knock on wood I can sequester myself away this weekend for a bit and finalize my portion of the text.

However, I don’t want to leave folks hanging.  Below is a preview gallery of images from many of the G.I. Joe FSS and Joe Con 2015 reviews that will be hitting here soon.  Consider it a bit of a “mea culpa” for being so tardy.

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crimsonaspdualwield1
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frostbitesnowcat3
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[Show as slideshow]

 

Arctic Dr. Mindbender Review

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arctic dr. mindbender

I never thought I’d own an Arctic Dr. Mindbender figure.  More importantly, I never thought I’d want to own an Arctic Dr. Mindbender figure.

When this figure was announced at the 2014 G.I. Joe Collector’s Club, my reaction was less than enthusiastic.  After all, who would want a figure based on a character’s appearance in just a few short scenes in the animated G.I. Joe: the Movie?  Plus, hadn’t Mindbender already been released back in 2009?  Was there really a need to update him?  Apparently, there was and the result is surprisingly… well, you’ll have to read the review to find out this Joe fan’s opinion!

Check out the Arctic Dr. Mindbender review in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index!

G.I. Joe FSS 3 Bombstrike & Night Creeper Leader Reviewed!

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G.I. Joe FSS 3 Bombstrike Night Creeper Leader

The next two G.I. Joe FSS 3 figures have arrived!

We’re one shipment away from the end of G.I. Joe FSS 3 and that means it’s time for two more figure reviews.  This month it’s the unusual pairing of G.I. Joe team member Bombstrike with the affiliate of Cobra – the Night Creeper Leader!

Do this blind-folded ninja master and forward air controller go together like chocolate and peanut butter?  Or is this pairing more of a case of oil and water?  Even more importantly, do Chris and Fred agree on anything when it comes to these two penultimate figures from G.I. Joe FSS 3?

Find out the answers to these exciting questions and more over in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index!

 

Cobra Invasion Team Firefly review

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g.i. joe retaliation firefly

G.I. Joe Retaliation Cobra Invasion Team Firefly has been reviewed!

Joe Con week is usually a pretty busy time for JBL– especially when the admin is actually attending the event this year.  However, there is still plenty to talk about in the world of G.I. Joe as this latest review by Otto Phillips proves!

Firefly has been called the “Boba Fett” of the G.I. Joe world– a skilled mercenary who maintains an air of mystery and works for the highest bidder.  He’s long been a fan favorite and yet Hasbro seemed to have trouble finding the perfect update to the character for ARAH Generation 3.   The 25th Anniversary version was decent and the first Retaliation version was different but it took a three pack to get the Cobra Saboteur “just right”…

Check out Otto’s review in the G.I. Joe Retaliation Index and find out just how well he feels this version of Firefly holds up compared to the original!

Review: 2012 G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Footloose

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G.I. joe Collector's Club footloose

JBL has a brand-new guest review of the 2012 G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Footloose renewal figure!

No, you didn’t step through a wormhole and land back in 2012!  Long-time G.I. Joe fan (and hopefully frequent JBL contributor) Otto “The Otter” Phillips offered to lend a hand and contribute some guest reviews to help fill in the backlog here at JBL HQ!

His first feature is a childhood favorite that received an updated version as the 2012 G.I. Joe Collector’s Club membership renewal figure.  Was Otto happy with this figure?  Did it live up to the nostalgia of his childhood?

Check out the review over at the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

Were you a fan of Footloose?  Would you like to see more contributions from Otto?  Let us know in the comments below!