Vitruvian HACKS Atelis Warrior Photo Contest Winners!

It’s time to announce the Vitruvian HACKS Atelis Warrior photo contest winners!

Kokomo Toys Virtruvian HACKS Atelis warrior

(I know… JBL is late on this but what else is new, right?  I need to find a way to make this my full-time gig!)

Thanks to friend of JBL Kokomo Toys, we had three of their killer exclusive Vitruvian HACKS Atelis Warrior Armored Amazon figures to give away.  Two were going to be awarded to a Facebook entrant and one to an Instagram participant.

Sadly, we had no entries on Instagram which just means that we’re giving away TWO prizes on Facebook instead!  The first place winner gets a pair of these awesome serpentine Atelis Warrior figures while the runner-up is the recipient of a single Atelis Warrior to add to his or her collection. The decision-making process wasn’t easy and but in the end the winners were chosen based on photo composition as well as their descriptions.  So, without further adieu…

Continue reading

Vitruvian HACKS Atelis Warrior Altered Amazon Figure Giveaway!

Want to win a Kokomo Toys exclusive Vitruvian HACK Atelis Warrior Altered Amazon figure?  Read on and find out how you could one or two of your very own!

Kokomo Toys Virtruvian HACKS Atelis warrior

It’s no secret that the Boss Fight Studio Vitruvian HACKS line has taken the 1:18 action figure community by storm.  It’s also no secret that Kokomo Toys is one of THE best sources for quality vintage and modern action figures out there.  When these two giants partnered together to produce the Atelis Warrior Altered Amazon figure– the result was PURE WIN!

Thanks to Kokomo Toys, JBL has THREE of these deadly warriors to give away!  However, we’re not going to give them away all at once!  Here’s how to win one or two of your very own starting on Saturday, August 17th:  All you need to do is snap an original image and post it on one of the social media channels listed below!  The catch?  It’s an image that would be improved by the inclusion of an Atelis Warrior!

Facebook Giveaway: Two sealed Atelis Warriors

Facebook is currently the world’s largest social media platform so we’re giving away not one but TWO of the Atelis Warriors over the JBL Facebook page!  Simply find the contest announcement post and reply with an original action figure image that you think NEEDS to include two Atelis Warriors.  In your entry, tell us if you’re using another figure as a stand-in and describe how you’d use the Atelis Warrior to improve the shot!  Entries need not be limited to a Greek setting!  Feel free to let your creativity run wild be it with Indiana Jones, Marauder Task Force, Jurassic Park, etc.  The image just has to be posted from your profile in the contest post discussion before the deadline listed at the bottom of this article!

Instagram Giveaway: One sealed Atelis Warrior

Instagram is a perfect place to show off your amazing action figure photos!  Now just imagine how much more awesome those photos would be with an Atelis Warrior showcased front and center!  To be eligible to win one of these figures, simply shoot and post a photo on Instagram that would be made that much more exciting if it included an altered Amazon warrior!  Post your pic, tell us how the Atelis Warrior would make the shot better (and which figure is standing in for the serpentine warrior),  and tag @joebattlelines in the description as well as use the hashtag #JBLHacks.  That’s it!

Kokomo Toys Vitruvian HACKS Atelis Warrior action figure

The deadline to submit your entries on BOTH platforms is 11:59pm CST on August 25, 2018!  JBL staff will peruse through the entries following the deadline.  We’ll announce the winners of each giveaway both here and on our social media channels on Tuesday August 28, 2018.  So, fire up your cameras, grab some action figures, and snap some amazing photos for your chance to win one or two of these amazing figures!

While you’re at it, learn more about the Atelis Warriors at the Vitruvian Facts Wiki!  Or if you want to snag even more Atelis Warriors for your armies, snag ’em via the Kokomo Toys eBay store!

Kokomo Toys Vitruvian HACKS Atelis Warrior

Official Rules:

  • All images must be posted between 12:01 AM CST Saturday August 17, 2018 and 11:59pm CST on August 26, 2018.
  • Only photos posted in the discussion thread on the JBL Facebook page or using the appropriate tag (@joebattlelines) and hashtag #JBLHacks) on Instagram will be considered.
  • All images must be original.  Don’t reuse someone else’s photo as your own.
  • All entries must be posted from an active social media profile that can be used to contact the entrant if they win.
  • All entries need to include a description of how the Atelis Warrior would make the photo better.  This includes calling out which figure or figures are standing in for the Atelis.
  • No purchase is necessary to enter or to win if your image is chosen.  All prizes will be mailed out to the winners free of charge.
  • Winners will be chosen by JBL staff based the images and the descriptions alone.
  • JBL staff and family members are not eligible to participate.

 

 

GIJoeCon 2018: Boxed set and souvenir first look videos

GIJoeCon 2018 has come and gone and I’m still playing catch-up posting the convention coverage.  The JBL staff (IE Fred) drove to the con this year and apparently making the solo 8.5 hour drive back in 9.5 hours wasn’t the best idea in the world.  Maybe it’s true what Indiana Jones said:

It’s not the years… it’s the mileage…

Regardless, I managed to post a few LIVE videos over on JBL’s Facebook page with a quick look at the various souvenir items.  I’ve archived them below for easy viewing.  In reverse order, these videos cover the following:

Python Peril: Marauders to the Rescue 2018 boxed set

including:

Slaughter’s Marauders:

  • Footloose
  • Mutt & Junkyard
  • Spirit & Freedom
  • Hardball
  • Sgt. Smasher

Python Patrol 2.0:

  • Major Bludd
  • Laser Viper
  • HEAT Viper
  • Lampreys

Continue reading

GIJoeCon 2018: Final Twelve and other Club offerings

GIJoeCon 2018 is one for the history books.  The last official Joe Con is over with the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club conducting one last Club Roundtable panel on Sunday June 24, 2018.  However, the Club didn’t go out with a whimper but instead surprised fans not only with some retrospective slide shows and musings about what the past 22 years of conventions have meant to them and the community but also with a final slate of exclusive products set to drop in the coming weeks.

Note: we have no information on pricing, release date, or even overall availability.  However, if the sellout of the Dreadnok 4WD with Heartwrencher was any indication, it’s best to pre-order these as soon as possible after the orders go live.

Let’s start with the one item we knew was coming.

Cobra Night Stalkers 3-pack

GIJoeCon 2018 night stalkers 3-pack

The long-awaited updated to the 2007 Night Stalkers is coming soon! Based on the build of the the female Cobra Troopers released in 2017, this 3-pack of figures compliments the FSS 6 Night Stalker Commander.  Each three pack will include three different skin tone variations including the first African-American female Cobra trooper!  (I’m also really digging the back mounted knife sheath!) Continue reading

GIJoeCon 2018: The Mystery of Major Bludd’s Missing Moustache

It looks like some GIJoeCon 2018 figures have some unplanned battle scars…

GIJoeCon 2018 missing paint apps

At last night’s Golden Ticket package pickup, Brian Savage had to make an announcement regarding a quality control issue that was discovered in the sets that arrived in Chattanooga.  It would appear that the paint app for Major Bludd’s moustache was omitted during production.  It was present on the Club’s samples but lacking in the final product. However, there’s more…

It would seem that some of the Laser Viper’s are also missing the paint apps on one of their eyes.  (Maybe they looked into the laser when they shouldn’t have?)  The figure I examined last night appeared to be fine but this is a pretty widespread issue.

Fear not: the Club is going to make this right for those who purchased a convention set.  At some point in the future, new heads will be sent out for both Major Bludd and the Laser Vipers to those who purchased them directly through the Club.  For those of you who are purchasing the figures on eBay or through a third party, be aware that this issue exists and ask your seller if they’re willing to also provide you with the replacement heads.

Now if only they’d fix that stupid right arm on Major Bludd…

Lastly, until I can get my set in hand tonight, here’s a few quick pics I shot on the con floor last night.

And now you know…

GIJoeCon 2018 Comic reveals souvenir list

GIJoeCon 2018 is almost officially here but last night was the Golden Ticket package pickup!  This means that Golden Ticket Holders were able to not only acquire their convention sets one night early (more on this later) but they were also able to pick up their 2018 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention comic books– which included the following souvenir list:

GIJoeCon 2018 souvenir items

That’s right– these are the Club’s extra offerings for GIJoeCon 2018. Continue reading

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 Bushido is a warrior with honor!

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has released the preview of G.I. Joe Ninja Commando Bushido!

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

G.I. JOE NINJA COMMANDO
Code Name: BUSHIDO
(Inspired by the 1993 action figure.)
Features NEW samurai face mask!
Includes: removable samurai helmet with face mask,
tactical harness, double sheath with swords x 2,
Kusarigama weapon, and figure stand.

Talk about a career change!  Bushido went from being a “Snow Ninja” to a “Ninja Commando”.  I wonder if Snake Eyes will feel threatened now… Continue reading

G.I. Joe FSS 8 Recoil will whip it good!

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has unveiled the preview for the upcoming member of Devo… uh.. LRRP Trooper Recoil!

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

G.I. JOE L.R.R.P. TROOPER
Code Name: RECOIL
(Inspired by the 1989 action figure.)
Features re-tooled mine case & dual weapon!
Includes: removable helmet, tactical harness, pistol,
assault rifle, mine case, dual tactical weapon,
backpack, combat knife, radio, and figure stand.

Recoil occupies an interesting space in G.I. Joe to me. He was released not long after I stopped actively buying figures so I have zero nostalgia attached to him.  He was also pictured on the package of the Battle Force 2000 Pulverizer as the driver without actually being a member of that ill-fated team.  (Dodged a bullet there, didn’t he?)  I discovered the character as an adult during the “hiatus period” post DTC but pre 25th Anniversary and found his design to be interesting.  Sure, there’s the whole Devo helmet and the baby blue weapons but aside from that his figure design and file card made him an interesting character to this Joe fan.

So, how does the FSS 8 version compare to the vintage 1989 Recoil? Continue reading

G.I. Joe FSS 8 Over Kill is ready to terminate the Joes!

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has revealed the preview for the FSS 8 incarnation of BAT Commander Over Kill!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS 8 Over Kill

COBRA B.A.T. LEADER
Code Name: OVER KILL
(Inspired by the 2003 version 2 action figure.)
Includes: removable helmet, harness, “human” face mask,
neckerchief, gauntlet, claw hands x 2, rivet gun,
hand-held assault weapon, and figure stand.

Sometimes, there’s so much to love about a figure that I don’t know where to begin.  This is one of those times.

I’m pretty unapologetic when it comes to my love of the Valor Vs. Venom era of G.I. Joe.  It was a time when the line straddled a delicate line of appealing to both kids and adult collectors and it did it well.  The toys were rugged and build for kids but there were enough nods to the line’s past that Collector’s were happy.  Yes, there were some design and proportion issues but it honestly felt like the brand was moving FORWARD in a way that I’ve not really seen since.  It embraced the old while still attempting the new. Continue reading