The 2013 San Diego Comic Con exclusive G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set has been announced via USA Today and trust me, this SDCC set is a doozy!

Listing at only $99 and available at the HasbroToyShop.com booth, this year’s set includes the following:

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 [...]]]> 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:

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:

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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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:

Maybe I’m a “bad” G.I. Joe collector but I’ve never been [...]]]>

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:

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:

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!

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:

Fans have been clamoring for the Desert Scorpion ever since the second wave [...]]]>

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:

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!):

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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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.)

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 [...]]]>

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:

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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Here’s the official word on FSS 2.0 directly from the Club’s website:
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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!

This image is literally a “who’s who” of the Joes that I grew up with.  From Gung-Ho to Clutch to Keel Haul, it’s a [...]]]> I’m a sucker for good G.I. Joe artwork.  As such, you can imagine my reaction when I saw the following poster on Larry Hama’s Facebook page a few days ago.

This image is literally a “who’s who” of the Joes that I grew up with.  From Gung-Ho to Clutch to Keel Haul, it’s a complete roster of my favorite era of Joes.  (1982 – 1987)  This was the era of Sunbow and the time frame in which my attention was FIRMLY focused on the world of A Real American Heroes.  It’s also the most “military” era of the 1:18 franchise IMHO.

Here’s what the artist has to say about this project– which was originally intended as gift to a few individuals at the 2013 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention:

I wanted to create something as a Thank You for all the work that has gone into G.I. Joe, an inspiration for me since I was a kid. This composition was inspired by Michael Golden’s G.I. Joe Yearbook #1 cover, Joes included are from 1982-1987. I handed a few of these out at the convention, and I hope the recipients enjoyed them. Thanks to everyone who keeps the Joes going!

My wife calls this piece “Where’s Wal-Joe?” Can you spot the Joes that are missing? (I’m hoping to add them in an updated revision. I ran out of time!) Click the image to see a larger version.

Normally, if I want a copy of an image like this I have to find the highest quality version I can online and settle for it serving as my desktop wallpaper for a few weeks.  However, the artist doesn’t seem content to leave my walls bare.  He’s currently offering copies of this amazing image online– FOR COST!  That’s right– for the cost of materials and shipping, a quality semi-gloss stock 11″ x 17″ copy of this image can adorn your wall– for a whopping $5.00.  That’s less than the cost of an extra-value meal at your favorite fast food joint.   Even better– Ian’s indicated that a Cobra version might be on the way.

To your order copy, visit IanFell.com and add this beauty to your wall!

However all that changed at 2:50pm EST today when some SOB detonated two bombs in the 600 block of Boylston St in Boston. [...]]]> This is an odd post to write. If you’d asked me 24 hours ago what JBL’s next update would be I’d have answered “JBL Review: G.I. Joe Con Night Force Lady Jaye.”

However all that changed at 2:50pm EST today when some SOB detonated two bombs in the 600 block of Boylston St in Boston. Reading the events online and listening to the streaming coverage from WBZ somehow made posting a review feel wrong.

I wasn’t born in Boston and I didn’t grow up there. However, after college I went to Boston University to get my Master’s Degree. I lived in Boston and the surrounding metro area for almost exactly seven years. For three of those years I worked between the Copley and Arlington T stations on the Green Line. I ate frequently ate lunch at Copley Square with friends and would walk up Boylston St to what was then Tower Records at the corner of Boylston and Mass Ave. Back Bay was, in many ways, the heart of the Boston that I knew.

When many people across the nation think of Boston and holidays July 4th immediately springs to mind. It’s our nation’s birthday after all and the seeds of the revolution were planted and nurtured in Boston. Yet, for many who live in the city Patriot’s Day (or “Marathon Monday” as it is more commonly known) really is the city’s holiday. It’s a day when Boston springs to life with an energy that is almost tangible as hundreds of thousands of people descend upon the city to share in the experience of the Boston Marathon. All of that energy, hope, and excitement is centered around the finish line– located at Copley Square. It’s day where the city celebrates the success not just of one or two individuals who place first or second but rather the accomplishment, dedication, and determination of ALL who participate in the course that begins out at Hopkinton, MA.

Today was reported to be an excellent Marathon Monday. The weather was ideal for the runners, and the Red Sox pulled off a win at an afternoon home game at Fenway. I can just imagine that excitement of the crowds and the smiling faces of children who were enjoying a day off of school in the city with family and friends. When the news broke of the incident on CNN this afternoon, I was seated in a desk in an office nearly 1,000 miles away and yet I felt for those in the city at that moment. This wasn’t some distant place on the news that I’d never been to. This was a place that I’d worked, lived, and made life-long friendships. This was a city that I still can regard as a second home.

At the risk of sounding terribly melodramatic, posting reviews of plastic figures from a toy convention just didn’t seem as important as it did 24 hours ago. So, I’m taking a few days off from posting the 2013 Collector’s Convention reviews. The site isn’t going away– but quite honestly this has hit me harder than I’d have thought possible. Even though I’ve been gone since the Fall of 2007, Boston still is a city that I’m very close to and to see it bloodied like this raises in me an ire as strong as if the attack had happened in my own home town.

Reviews will begin again next week. In the meantime, my thoughts and prayers go out to all of the injured and to the families of the three individuals whose lives were taken by an act of cowardice. To the individual(s) that set in motion this tragic series of events I can say only this– you’ve struck the Cradle of Liberty today and that city will not take this act laying down.