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

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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 5 Scoop & Ambush reviews!

No, you’re not seeing things: JBL has finally posted the FSS 5 Scoop & Ambush reviews!

G.I. Joe FSS 5 Scoop & AmbushChris and Fred have been whittling down the tremendous backlog of FSS reviews that has build up here at JBL over the past few months.  Long since photographed and written, our two interpid reviews finally take a look at two DiC-era Joes: Scoop and Ambush.  (Or, as Fred likes to refer to them: “Giraffe Boy & the Tangerine Dream“…)

They’re two Joes from the second-era of G.I. Joe animation that have been both been long overdue from an update.  However, was it worth the wait?  Do our intrepid reviews find this DiC duo to be worthwhile purchases?  Does Deadpool rear his scarred head once more in another gratuitous cameo?

Check out the reviews of the FSS Ambush and Scoop in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS Review Index and check back as we tackle more FSS 5 & FSS 6 reviews next week!

G.I. Joe FSS 7 Tundra Ranger Stalker preview is awesome!

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS 7 previews continue with a look at the mock-up for Tundra Ranger Stalker!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS 7 Tundra Ranger Stalker

G.I. JOE TUNDRA RANGER
Code Name: SGT. STALKER

(Inspired by the 1989 action figure.)
Includes: removable tactical vest, NEW hat, rifle,
knife, kayak with stabilizer, machine gun mount,
double-ended paddle, and figure stand.

“That guy’s AWESOME!”

That was the reaction by Scoop in the DiC mini-series Operation: Dragonfire the very first time Stalker deployed his Tundra Ranger kayak.

That statement might just hold true today with the reveal of the FSS 7 update to this classic 1989 Stalker design.  Sure, the Club is reusing some existing parts but that’s to be expected.  The Retaliation G.I. Joe Trooper legs are back– as is the head that was most recently used for the Tiger Force Stalker and the FSS Jammer figures.  However, the accessories are clearly the focus here– including a reproduction of the original cold weather outrigger kayak!  Continue reading

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club 2017 Membership Rock n Roll Revealed

The 2017 G.I. Joe Collector’s Club membership incentive Rock n Roll figure has been revealed!

2017 G.I. Joe Collector's Club Membership Incentive Rock & Roll figure

So, there is it is… our first look at the long await Rock n Roll membership incentive figure that was accounted at Joe Con 2017’s Club Roundtable.  In some ways he almost exactly what this Joe fan expected.

Let’s flash back to Joe Con 2013 and the unexpected unveiling of “Concept Case v2” – a small group of figures that was shown by onsite Hasbro personnel in the final hour of Saturday’s dealer’s room.  The reveals were impressive– new updates on classic versions of Destro, Flint, Storm Shadow v2, Leatherneck, and the greatest Marine of the Joe team: Gung-Ho.  (No bias here.) All of these have seen release through the now-defunct 50th Anniversary Line but one figure from those reveals never made it out– the update to the 1989 Rock n Roll v2. Continue reading

G.I. Joe FSS 5 Darklon & Salvo reviews!

Two more G.I. Joe FSS 5 figures get the review treatment this week: Darklon & Salvo!

G.I. Joe FSS 5 Shipment 3 darklon salvo

What is this?  Could it be?  Have the admins publisihed two MORE G.I. Joe FSS 5 reviews this week?  You bet your sweet Evader it’s true!!!  Fred and Chris are back with a look at the two latest figures to arrive from the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Figure Subscription Service: Darklon & Salvo!

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more mis-matched parir of characters from the latter half of the A Real American Hero run than these two.  One is a distant cousin of Destro whose fashion sense could best be described as “thrift store chic as assembled in a darkened room.”  The other is a towering anti-armor trooper whose basic philosophy on firepower is emblazoned on his hand-lettered t-shirt.

So what do our intrepid reviewers think of the G.I. Joe FSS 5 dynamic duo of Darklon and Salvo?  Does Darklon improve upon the original 1989 design or is it another faithful club recreation?  Does this second build of Salvo better satisfy the expectations of fans? (After all, the first Salvo build went over like 2016 Joe Con JUMP pack souvenir sets.)  Heck, does Deadpool return after his glaring omission in the last two reviews?

Head on over to the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index and check out what two long-time Joe fans think of both Darklon and Salvo!

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

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 drops the scoop on Scoop!

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club drops another G.I. Joe FSS 5 preview today and it’s Scoop!

G.I. Joe FSS 5 Scoop

G.I. JOE COMBAT JOURNALIST: SCOOP
(Based on the classic 1989 action figure!)

Includes: removable vest, radio, broadcast camera, microphone, assault rifle, knife, pistol, and figure stand.

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

Back in 1989, the minds behind G.I. Joe introduced the concept of an embedded reporter to America’s daring highly-trained special mission force.  Based on NBC reporter Mike Leonard, the 1989 release of Scoop was distinctive for both his bright yellow jumpsuit (a fashion trend later co-opted by April O’Neil?) and his giant TV camera.

For the G.I. Joe FSS 5 version, we’re seeing the familiar Resolute Duke web gear placed over the top of what appears to be the Retaliation Firefly torso with PoC Lifeline body parts combination and topped off with the 2016 Joe Con Sky Patrol Airborne head.  Toss in the 25th DVD pack #5 TV camera and you’ve got the makings for good ole Scoop!

I’m hoping that the colors are just off on this preview as Scoop’s jumpsuit looks WAY more orange than yellow.  As these are just photoshop mock-ups that is likely to be the case.  Otherwise, this would appear to be an attempt at a Tiger Force take on the team’s reporter.  While I miss the removable helmet of the original figure, this one is pretty decent.

It’s still a better looking build than yesterday’s Salvo reveal!

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

G.I. Joe FSS 5 Darklon preview is live!

Another day, another G.I. Joe FSS 5 preview featuring Darklon!

G.I. Joe FSS 5 Darklon

IRON GRENADIER COURIER: DARKLON
(Based on the classic 1989 action figure!)

Includes: removable harness, scabbard belt with sword, re-tooled projectile rifle, auto pistol, courier case, pistol, and figure stand.

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

Holy 1989 homage, Destro! This Darklon is straight up an homage to the original version of the character from the A Real American Hero line.  Right off the bat, I’m seeing a reuse of the convention exclusive Darklon from 2012 head sculpt– which makes perfect sense to me.  I’m also seeing the legs of the 25th Anniversary Iron Grenadiers Destro which adds a nice bit of MARS cohesion.  As far as the rest of the build, it’s hard to tell with this heavily photo-shopped mock-up.  Still, it’s a decent look for the G.I. Joe FSS 5 build of Darklon.

With three reveals in three days, is the sign-up coming soon?

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)

Keep your eyes peeled to GIJoeClub.com and JBL for more G.I. Joe FSS 5 reveals!

NECA 1989 Batman Review from The Breaux Show

Neca 1989 Batman

 

The Breaux Show’s video toy reviews are back with the Toys R Us exclusive NECA 1989 Batman!

I was in high school when Tim’s Burton’s 1989 Batman film exploded onto the big screen and took the nation, and the world, by storm!  A marked contrast to the campy 1966 portrayal, the film which starred Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson presented the Dark Knight as just that– a dark brooding figure in a crime-filled world full of despair.  It established Batman as a serious and complex character in the mind of many movie-goers and led to a pop culture renaissance of the character that included the debut of the seminal Batman: The Animated Series.  Like many comic fans, I was hooked and the Keaton Batman became the benchmark by which all other cinematic attempts at Batman were measured.

So, imagine my delight when NECA managed to redeco their video game inspired action figure in a more traditional colo palate and pair it up with an anniversary Blu-Ray copy of the film, exclusive to Toys R Us!

Even better– good friend of JBL, The Breaux Show, managed to get his hands on one of these amazing figures and uploaded a brand new video review!  Either check out the NECA 1989 Batman review on his YouTube Channel or embedded below!