What happens when there’s “too much geek AWESOME” in the pipeline?

Have you seen my wallet?  After a few of the announcements in the “genre world” this weekend, it’s probably hiding under the couch in fear.  Simply put– there are too many “geek products” hitting in the next few months for my mind and budget to comfortably process.  Here’s a quick rundown:

1) The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Figure Subscription Service.   Yes, I wrote an editorial about this on Friday and have caught some flak as a result.  For just under $300 + shipping, hard-core Joe fans can snag 12 exclusive paid figures and 1 free bonus figure that will only be available through the FSS.  Places like BigBadToyStore.com have listed preorders for the figures at a logical markup which might be more cost effective for fans in the long run who aren’t interested in all 12 known figures and don’t want to have to take time to sell off the others on Ebay.  Regardless, collectors are looking at $300+ easily for this set of items.

2)  Star Trek The Original Series Soundtrack Collection.  This is something I never thought I’d see released.  The INSANE folks over at Lalaland Records are releasing a 15 CD set of EVERY note of music to appear in the classic 1960’s original Star Trek series.  Yes, that’s right– every single note.  However they’re also including the unused-by-recorded season 3 episode soundtracks as well!  As a music and soundtrack nut, this is  HUGE.  Lalaland just got me for their incredible release of both Batman: The Animated Series vol 2 and The expanded score to The Phantom and now they throw this down?  You are evil evil people.  This will easily be $300.00 but well worth it for the HOURS of music.

 

 

3) Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 1 Blu-Ray collection.  Not nearly as bad but Marvel Studios is dropping their 10 disc set of Phase 1 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe including Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain American: The First Avenger, and (what may be the greatest comic movie ever made) The Avengers.  Not only that but the set boasts new cool deco artwork for the DVD cases and a replica of the Cosmic Cube in one awesome box.  Yeah… Amazon’s got it for around $140.00 but still it’ll add up.

 

 

4) IDW’s Complete G.I. Joe Collection.  What happens when the current G.I. Joe comic publisher decides to release the entire Marvel Comic series in prestige edition hardcover format?  This does— $50.00 300 page volumes that collect Larry Hama’s now LEGENDARY run on the series into one definitive format.  Add in the mix that Joe scholar Mark Bellomo is point man on the project and these are sure to be the stuff of comic collector dreams.  The irony is that I just got my copy of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero vol 15 in the mail last week!  Now it’s time to start all over again.

5) HALO 4: Legendary Edition.  Hey!  What does a video game have to do with G.I. Joe?  Isn’t this a G.I. Joe website?  Yes it is– now sit down and read!  For many video game fans, HALO 4 quite possibly the most anticipated game release this year.  (Call of Duty Black Ops 2 will give it a run for its money at retail.)  The HALO saga is a rich story– filled with ancient races, timeless mystery, and more FPS action than fans can shake a joystick at!  343 Industry’s first installment of the new trilogy drops in November and the top edition of the game is going to set you back a cool $99.oo!  It’s not as bad as previous Legendary editions but it’s still going to add up.  However, the Covenant (and apparently the Forerunners) must pay!

 

6) New Marvel Universe!  It’s been a long time since anyone could say that new Marvel Universe figures were hitting stores.  Suddenly Toys R Us has 4 new exclusive comic packs, a new X-Factor 5 pack, and new cases of figures are finally hitting retailers!  Just snagging individual pieces here and there is going to easily run a Marvel maniac over $150.00 total.  (Heck the SDCC Masters of Evil was $30 and I shudder to think what the Super Helicarrier cost some folks.)

7) Regional G.I. Joe exclusives!  I’d be remiss in my duties if I didn’t mention two awesome Joe shows that produce some great non-Hasbro manufactured exclusives.  The Canadian Joe Con was this past weekend and fans who weren’t fortunate to be able to truck up north can still snag the 2012 Con set including 5 exclusive figures, 5 file cards, and a slick chromed vehicle for $200.00.  These tend to go fast so don’t delay if you were debating adding these “Northern Neighbors” to your Joe collection.

2012 Canadian Joe Con set

2012 Canadian Joe Con Set

It doesn’t stop there, however… the crew at the Coil Club is rapidly preparing for Coil Con 2012 and has revealed images of Zilant, the exclusive Cobra Guerila fighter!  With SLICK colors and a solid design, he’s likely to become a highly sought-after piece in the future.

coil con 2012 zilant

Coil Con 2012 exclusive: Zilant, Cobra Guerilla Fighter

So, what does all of this mean for my wallet and the wallets of many?  Some very hard choices coming up?  Figures vs. action figures vs. video games?   Heck, I’m not even factoring in two major life-changing purchases that I have to make in the next few months.  This also doesn’t take into consideration recent Comic Con exclusive or G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention purchases– all of which add up to some SERIOUS dollars!  Or, if you’re a DC/Masters of the Universe/Mattel fan then you’ve just been hit up with Club Infinite Earths, Club Eternia, and Club Black Freighter subscriptions! All-in-all it is both a good and a bad time to be a bit of a geek.   Good in that there is a LOT out there right now but bad in the regard that most of my collecting friends and I aren’t independently wealthy!

Now, if only I could find a way to either get PAID to run the site or win the lottery.  I’m open to suggestions.

Any other big “geek purchases” that I left out?  Anyone?

‘Special Missions’ set to return! UPDATED and clarified.

UPDATE: Mark added some clarification to this rumor on his Facebook page.  Apparently he mentioned at the Canadian Joe-Con this past weekend that he had submitted a PROPOSAL for a new Special Mission series.  However, IDW has not announced any intention to currently deploy another Joe title in your monthly pull box.  So, before you run to your local comic shop and demand Special Missions, be aware that right now it’s just a proposal, nothing more.

And now you know…

— Fred

That’s right gang, hot off the presses from the Canadian JoeCon, our pals to the north at JoeCanuck.com have the comic world starting to buzz!!

Mark Bellomo (Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe) revealed at a Q & A panel that he is tapped to write ‘Special Missions’ for IDW.

Click HERE to read the small amount of details (so far) and to discuss!!!

Now, excuse me while I go giggle in a corner at the coolness of this news!!

JoeCanuck Newsletter #6 is online

canada.gifThe latest issue of the JoeCanuck Newsletter is online here.  Produced by G.I. Joe fans north of the border it contains the same great articles and commentary as usual as well as the latest installment in the “Frozen North” dio-story.

Check it out, and don’t forget to keep checking JoeCanuck.com for all of the latest Canadian (or American) G.I. Joe information!

Canadian JoeMeet “Snowbank” figure has a touch of “Hama”

canada.gifAs reported on JoeCanuck.com, the 2008 Canadian JoeMeet exclusive figure “Snowbank” will feature a filecard written by G.I. Joe Godfather and comic legend Larry Hama!

As the writer of the majority of the classic filecards Larry Hama crafted a legendary tale over the span of twelve years and for the first time in many years, he picks up where he left off.  The filecard will be debuted for the first time in the April JoeCanuck newsletter, but read all the details here!

Click here to discuss this news in our forums.