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G.I. Joe news, action figure reviews, and discussion

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G.I. Joe FSS 5 shipment 3 is inbound!

G.I. Joe FSS 5 subscribers should start checking their mailboxes – shipment 3 is incoming!

G.I. Joe FSS 4 shipment

It’s that time again– when a new G.I. Joe FSS shipment hits the porches and mailboxes of subscribers everywhere!  However, after an error with the warehouse, fans are getting one shipment early.  Shipment 3 has deployed… well ahead of shipment 2 and, thanks to Alyosha of BrokenArrowToys.com, we’ve got an early look at just who is in the box.

For those of you that wish to remain spoiler-free, click no further.  To paraphrase the old pirate maps: “Here there be G.I. Joe FSS spoilers…” Continue reading

50th Anniversary Heavy Conflict and Mission Accepted reviews

The Heavy Conflict and Mission Accepted G.I. Joe two-pack reviews are LIVE!

G.I. Joe Heavy Conflict Mission Accepted reviews

It’s been a while since we’ve had any new reviews here at JBL.  The holidays, a lost family pet, and some crazy workloads led to a crazy few weeks here at JBL HQ.  However, we’re getting back on track and that means not one but TWO brand-new reviews from the G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Collection, year 3!

Check out what Fred and Chris have to say about the four figures from the Heavy Conflict and the Mission Accepted two-packs!  It’s a brand new take on Heavy Duty and Duke and the debut of Fan’s Choice figure Stiletto and Tombstone!

There’s some good.  There’s some bad.  There’s a few rants by Chris and some snark from Fred.  There may even be a Deadpool cameo or three.  However, there’s something that almost everyone can find to love in both the Heavy Conflict and the Mission Accepted two-packs.  After all, what’s not to love about the return of two familiar faces as well as the debut of two brand-new characters?  Well… if I told you then you wouldn’t have to read the reviews!  (Unless you just want to look at the pretty pictures.  That’s okay too.  Really.  This way you don’t have to deal with another “Chris rant.”)

You can check out all four reviews over at the G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Review Index!

 

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club reveals female Cobra Troopers!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club logo

The latest issue of the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club magazine reveals the upcoming female Cobra Trooper figures!

During Joe Con 2016, the Club announced that a brand-new three pack would be coming.  Designed to work alongside the Toys R Us exclusive (and somewhat elusive) Cobra Legions three-pack Cobra Officer, female Cobra Troopers would be available for order some time in 2016/2017.  Thanks to HissTank.com forum user Bluemax, we have our first look at these upcoming additions to the ranks of Cobra.

G.I. Joe Collector's Club female Cobra Troopers

Okay, the details on the female Cobra Troopers:

  • Preorder is “coming soon”
  • Figures will be polybagged
  • each figure includes a rifle, pistol, knife, stand, and removable helmet
  • Three different hair colors will be included

At first glance, these look pretty good.  The helmet seems to be a straight re-release of the 2007 Night Stalker from the Tanks for the Memories set.  The upper torso seems to be another reuse from the 2016 Pythona figure.  For the arms, lower torso and legs the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club opted to use parts from the Rise of Cobra Agent Helix figure. I do miss the painted knee-pads of the classic Cobra Trooper design and I’m not certain why the sleeves are sculpted rolled up but that’s more of a design aesthetic preference.  I do wonder why the face masks are red instead of “Sunbow black.” Continue reading

G.I. Joe Zombie Patrol two-pack review

JBL reviews the new G.I. Joe Zombie Patrol two-pack– featuring the reissue of the highly sought-after Zombie Viper!

Zombie Patrol Zombie Vipers

Our server migration is finally complete and almost everything seems to be working on the back end.  (FINALLY!)  As such, it’s time to get back to business around here when it comes to reviews!  For the new crop of 50th Anniversary product I’ll be tackling some of the reissue sets solo. Chris and I will team up for the new release figure sets.

Case-in-point: the Zombie Patrol two-pack!

This set was initially released during my self-imposed hiatus from the online community.  (I pretty much took off the time arom Rise of Cobra through Retaliation.)  The Zombie Viper was part of the 30th Anniversary line which weaved the notion of the mysterious Compound Z throughout several waves.   The figures proved to be a hit with fans but were challenging to find at retail and now command some solid prices on the secondary market.  Thankfully, Hasbro listened to the fans and the Zombie Patrol two-pack was released in November at Toys R Us and BigBadToyStore.com.

Is this set worth all of the hype?  Are the Zombie Vipers all that they’re cracked up to be?  Didn’t people get enough of them the first time around?

Check out the Zombie Patrol two-pack review over at the 50th Anniversary Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

Dime Novel Legends is close to Kickstarter goal!

Good news!  Chicken Fried Toys’ Dime Novel Legends Kickstarter Project is almost funded with 17 days remaining!

We’re close!  We’re really close!  The amazing Western-themed Dime Novel Legends Kickstarter is within spitting distance of crossing the line into fully-funded territory.  With 17 days remaining this is not only doable but it also means that stretch goals have a good chance of becoming unlocked.  All it takes is for more people to jump on board the wagon and throw some support to this incredible line!

I won’t lie.. I’m crazy excited about seeing the Dime Novel Legends line become a reality.  Maybe it’s the fact that I grew up at the end of the great western era of Hollywood, weaned on old re-runs of The Lone Ranger and Gunsmoke.  (Badlands Vigilante anyone?) Maybe it’s the fact that my roommate and I obsessively watched Tombstone in college.  (I can still quote whole scenes from memory.)  Maybe it’s just the fact that the American Western is such an iconic part of our culture that has been largely ignored by the toy industry of late.  Whatever the reason, THIS is the toy line that has me as excited as a six year old during his or her first visit to Toys R Us at Christmas.

Whether it’s just a pledge of $25.00 for one of the single character options, the “gather your posse” for $115.00 or even the “All-In” at $450 or more– consider throwing your support behind this incredible line.  Westerns are starting to enjoy a bit of a renaissance of late– with the latest take on the Magnificent Seven hitting the big screen and the new Westworld series captivating viewers each week on HBO.  How bad@$$ would it be to be have the Dime Novel Legends as part of  your figure displays?

So mount up and head on over to Kickstarter and show your support today!

Chicken Fried Toys Dime Novel Legends on Kickstarter

 

2016 G.I. Joe figures up for pre-order at BigBadToyStore.com

Looking for the new 2016 G.I. Joe figures and don’t have ready access to a Toys R Us?  Look no further!

2016 G.I. Joe two-packs

When Hasbro first announced the 2016 G.I. Joe line-up it was stated that these figures would hit retail “November 2016.”  In spite of this fact, pre-orders for that line have been virtually non-existent.  However, over the past few days sightings have started pouring in from various Toys R Us locations ranging from Louisiana to Texas to Illinois where the release date seems to have been broken.

Yesterday, online retailer BigBadToyStore opened up pre-orders for the 2016 G.I. Joe line— from individual two-packs and three-packs to full sets and even cases of the three packs.

The FULL inventory is available here.  However here are two quick links that will get you “one of each” of each set available.  (Note, these aren’t affiliate links.  JBL makes NOTHING from any orders placed by clicking on these.  We’re just trying to help out the community any way we can.)

G.I. Joe 2016 Vs two packs:

G.I. Joe 2016 Squad 3-packs

  • All Cobra packs and all Joe packs
  • Cobra Legion: BAT, SAW Viper, Female Cobra Officer (with pony tail)
  • Special Forces: NF Outback, NF Lt Falcon, Shooter! (w/ rifle case and rifle)

New G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set up for pre-order

Remember that new G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set featuring Dr. Biggles-Jones and Ninja Force Scarlett?

G.I. joe vs transformers 5-pack

If you’re on the edge of your seat waiting for this new G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set to see release wait no longer!  The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has listed pre-orders for the next three exclusives in their ongoing Joe vs TF series.  However, be forewarned– the pricing on this set isn’t for the faint of heart.  In order to snag the big set, fans will have to shell out a cool $129.00!

Here’s what’s included:

Also up for pre-order are the two “Almost Human” figures– the synthoid body versions of Rodimus Prime and Arcee.  These tie in nicely with the Old Snake and Stealth BATs set released last year.  All three sets have an expected delivery date of “December 2016.”

Go get ’em while they’re hot!

G.I. Joe FSS 5 new Salvo build? Let’s hope so!

Let’s be honest– the G.I. Joe FSS 5 Salvo preview went over with the fandom like G.I. Joe Extreme.  The fandom was nearly-unanimous in its condemnation of the sub-bar design and took the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club forums to make their collective voice heard.

Thankfully, it appears that the folks at the Club have listened.  This afternoon, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club released this updated image and information:

G.I. Joe FSS 5 Salvo update

For Salvo, we tried many different combinations rather than a straight up repaint. After reviewing some of your suggestions, we’ve selected another option to show you a new figure build before we have final feedback on tool availability.

So, keep your fingers crossed!

Let’s be honest– the first Salvo build was, well, awful.  Under-sized and uninspired, it took the concept of “good enough” design to a new low.  For this version, the Club pretty much went with the fandom’s suggestion of a straight repaint of the Retaliation Roadblock build— and it looks MILES better!  Just take a look at a quick side-by-side comparison:

G. I. Joe FSS 5 Salvo comp

Yes, there’s no guarantee that the new build will be approved for use by Hasbro BUT the Club must be pretty confident of the odds if they released this image to an already unhappy fandom.   To this Joe fan’s eyes– there is NO comparison.  The version on the right is the clearly superior build both in terms of size and with regard the lettering found on the t-shirt.

Now, let’s just wait until we have confirmation that this WILL be the official G.I. Joe FSS 5 Salvo build!

To subscribe to the FSS, head on over to GIJoeClub.com and stay tuned to JBL for more G.I. Joe FSS 5  news!

The G.I. Joe FSS 5 Roster:

  • Concealment Specialist – Ambush
  • Flamethrower – Charbroil (Classic deco)
  • Iron Grenadier Courier – Darklon (more modernized version than previous convention version)
  • G.I. Joe Strategic Commander – General Flagg (similar to Battle Corps version)
  • Cobra Battle Corps Cobra Viper – based on Iron Anvils from 2015 Convention version
  • Anti-Armor Trooper – Salvo (more Pursuit of Cobra styled, based on existing tooling)
  • Combat Journalist – Scoop (using the Sky Patrol Airborne head sculpt from this year’s con set)
  • Cobra Falconer – Raptor
  • Advanced Recon – Sneak Peek (based on FSS 4 Tiger Force version)
  • SKAR Infantry Officer – Steel Raven (based on Club magazine comics – FEMALE character)
  • Cobra Shattered Glass Xamot (from the Club Comic Adventure Team storyline with new head sculpt)
  • Z-Force Mechanic Gaucho (pairs with Jammer)

G.I. Joe FSS 5 reveals Shattered Glass Xamot

The final reveal is here!  Reflect upon the G.I. Joe FSS 5 design for Shattered Glass Xamot!

G.I. Joe FSS 5 Shattered Glass Xamot

So here it is– the Shattered Glass Xamot figure.  (Posted late due to some server issues yesterday.)

I’ll be honest– I like him.  I like him quite a lot but not for the reasons that the GIJCC might have intended.

The “Shattered Glass” storyline ran in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club newsletter’s Adventure Team comic for around 12 installments.  In this tale, the members of the Adventure Team were catapulted into a parallel universe in which Cobra was essentially the resistance to a tyrannical government led by Joe Colton and overseen by G.I. Joe.  What started off as an Adventure Team story quickly descended into a series of ARAH cameos in a riff on the “Worlds Without End” classic Sunbow episode that really went on far too long in this Joe fan’s opinion.

G.I. Joe Sunbow Tomax Xamot

One of the best parts, however, was seeing Xamot presented in a suit that was VERY similar to the office attire that he and his brother wore in the classic Sunbow series.  That’s right kids– forget “Shattered Glass” and all of its muddled plotlines.  This is the Extensive Enterprises version of Xamot that many of watched each weekday afternoon during our youth!  For that reason alone, I’m totally excited about this figure, which uses the same basic build as the Marvel Universe Professor X figure or, more recently, the Club exclusive Joe Colton from the Zombie Initiative convention set.

Now, can we hold out hope that a matching Tomax is the 13th figure in G.I. Joe FSS 5?  (Or is that too logical for the GIJCC?)

To subscribe to the FSS, head on over to GIJoeClub.com and JBL for more G.I. Joe FSS 5  news!

The G.I. Joe FSS 5 Roster:

  • Concealment Specialist – Ambush
  • Flamethrower – Charbroil (Classic deco)
  • Iron Grenadier Courier – Darklon (more modernized version than previous convention version)
  • G.I. Joe Strategic Commander – General Flagg (similar to Battle Corps version)
  • Cobra Battle Corps Cobra Viper – based on Iron Anvils from 2015 Convention version
  • Anti-Armor Trooper – Salvo (more Pursuit of Cobra styled, based on existing tooling)
  • Combat Journalist – Scoop (using the Sky Patrol Airborne head sculpt from this year’s con set)
  • Cobra Falconer – Raptor
  • Advanced Recon – Sneak Peek (based on FSS 4 Tiger Force version)
  • SKAR Infantry Officer – Steel Raven (based on Club magazine comics – FEMALE character)
  • Cobra Shattered Glass Xamot (from the Club Comic Adventure Team storyline with new head sculpt)
  • Z-Force Mechanic Gaucho (pairs with Jammer)

G.I. Joe FSS 5 unveils Steel Raven

With only one more reveal to go, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club unveils the G.I. Joe FSS 5 Steel Raven!

g.i. joe fss 5 steel raven

S.K.A.R. INFANTRY OFFICER: STEEL RAVEN
(Based on the G.I. Joe: Extreme animated series character and GIJCC comic stories!)

Includes: removable hat & jacket, sub machine gun, auto pistols x 2, computer pad, and figure stand.

NOTE: All images are Photoshop representations, final product, accessories and/or colors may vary!

Interesting… very interesting.

I’m going to admit it now– I don’t know much about the character of Steel Raven.  I know that she had 2 – 3 appearances in Season 1 of G.I. Joe Extreme before becoming a more prominent character in Season 2. (Despite the fact that I own a fan-produced copy of the series on DVD I’ve only ever watched a few episodes of the series.) I also know that she’s been featured more recently in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club magazine comics as part of the “runaway Mindbender” story.  Aside from this, she’s a bit of a blank slate for me– and that’s just fine.  After all, wasn’t part of the original mandate of the FSS to produce figures that fans may have never seen before?

The parts combination seems pretty solid.  I’m not quite feeling the disparity in the placement of the brown for her overcoat between the upper and lower torso but that could just be a result of the Photoshop mockup.  It’s hard to tell if that’s the same head that was used for Crimson Asp from the 2013 Nocturnal Fire set or not.  (My gut instinct says that the Club would have called out any newly tooled parts had they been used.)  Still, overall I’m digging it.

To subscribe to the FSS, head on over to GIJoeClub.com and JBL for more G.I. Joe FSS 5 reveals and news! Continue reading