Introducing G.I. Joe Basic Training – a new series on YouTube

Looking to catch up on some G.I. Joe knowledge?  Check out G.I. Joe Basic Training!

g.i. joe basic trainingLet’s be honest– the G.I. Joe brand isn’t exactly a simple property for new fans to dive into.  In terms of A Real American Hero continuity you’ve got the original Marvel Comics series, followed by Devil’s Due Publishing (which was retconned away), and then IDW’s current titles.  In terms of animation there’s the classic Sunbow series, the DiC follow-up, Sgt. Savage, G.I. Joe: Extreme, Sigma 6, Resolute, and Renegades.  Let’s not forget the films in which Paramount pictures concocted a stew based on ingredients from many of the previous properties blended together with a healthy dose of creative license. All of this is just scratching the surface!

To new eyes, it can be a confusing mess of alternate versions of Ripcord and Snake Eyes, Baroness/Duke/Destro love triangles (thanks for that Rise of Cobra), and conflicting origins.  What’s a fan to do?

Enter “MacDowin”.  Long-time G.I. Joe fan and former YoJoe.com staffer, he’s taken on the task of producing short topical videos that shed some light on our favorite brand of “Real American Heroes.”  Focusing initially on the ARAH-side of things, the “G.I. Joe: Basic Training” series tackles a single aspect of the brand in a weekly video.

You can check out Episode 1: Continuity below!

I won’t lie– when MacDowin and I talked about this we discussed what a herculean undertaking this would be.  Where do you start?  Where do you end?  Does Ice Cream Soldier eventually get his own episode?

Thankfully, MacDowin was up to the task!  In fact, he’s current THREE episodes in with a fourth dropping soon. So, if you’re looking to catch up on your G.I. Joe facts or just want some Joe-related content in your YouTube feed, check out G.I. Joe: Basic Training!  If you like the episodes, hit the “subscribe” button so that you’ll never miss out on an single installment!

And now you know…

Reminder: SDCC 2017 exclusive items to hit HasbroToyShop.com Monday

On Monday, August 14, 2017 MOST of the Hasbro SDCC exclusive items will hit HasbroToyShop.com!

broken f5 button

“And there came a day unlike any other…”

No, we’re not talking about the first ever team-up of Marvel’s Avengers! Monday is going to be Summer Exclusives Day at HasbroToyShop.com.  That’s right– it’s that “magical time” (Read: FRUSTRATING) day in which fans from across the world will all be hitting HasbroToyShop.com and using their F5 keys to refresh their browsers in order to get the items they want.

Have no fear, Joe fans!  While we don’t know WHEN everything is going to drop– we do now WHAT the URL’s of the exclusive items will be.  To save yourself some time and some hasty item searches, here are all of the items and the pricepoints on each that will be dropping on Monday:

You can also see the FULL ITEM LIST if you’re looking for more than one item.

NOTE: Each item appears to be limited to 2 per household. (Save for the Magic set and Optimus Prime which is 1 per household.)

Good luck to everyone who is hitting the site tomorrow.  May you all get everything that you’re after!

SDCC G.I. Joe exclusives available 8/14 at HasbroToyShop

Cobra Missile Command Headquarters box front

SDCC 2017 is in full swing and G.Hasbro’s annual G.I. Joe exclusives are very much on everyone’s mind!  However, it would seem that those of us who are stuck at home know just when the sought-after comic con items will be dropping on HasbroToyShop.com.

Yesterday, two product listings were quietly added to the website.

Included in each product description was the note “available 8/14”.  Apparently that day, the second Monday in August, will be when fans from around the globe will be hitting the site, frantically hitting F5 to refresh their screens in the hopes of completing their transactions before the items sell out. While the exclusives of the past few years have been pretty easy to obtain, there’s something about this year’s two G.I. Joe-related SDCC items that feels very different.

Hasbro IDW Revolution Comic Crossover Mega-Set

I’m not going to lie– I’m giddy over the prospect of BOTH of these sets, for very different reasons.  Nostalgia plays a heavy hand in my love for both sets but I’d be hard-pressed right now to choose one over the other if I had to prioritize dropping one in my cart first.  One one had there’s the AMAZING recreation/update to the Cobra Missile Command Headquarters but on the other hand there’s the IDW Hasbro Comic Crossover Mega-Set that includes Renegades Roadblock, ROM the Space Knight, and the Micronauts.  Decisions, decisions.

Regardless, August 14th is the day to put on your calendars kids!

And now you know…

Hasbro’s IDW Revolution Comic Crossover Mega-Set:

Cobra Missile Command Headquarters:

 

Newsarama talks IDW Transformers vs G.I. Joe Conclusion

IDW Publishing’s Transformers vs G.I. Joe series is drawing to a close and Newsarama sits down with Tom Scioli to discuss the “end of days.”

IDW G.I. Joe vs Transformers #13

If nothing else, IDW’s Transformers vs. G.I. Joe series has certainly sparked a great deal of discussion both within the respective fandoms and without.  Terms like “non-traditional”, “Kirby-esque”, and “whacked out” have all been used to describe the over-the-top exploits of two of Hasbro’s most successful in-house properties in a series that focused more on the visuals rather than on the depth of the story.

Writer/artist Tom Scioli sat down with Newsarama to discuss the series’ swan-song issue which drops on shelves this week.  He also discusses the possibility of another potential follow-up story hitting shelves next year.  It’s an interesting discussion that covers topics from story influences to evolving casts to the creative process.   Even if you’re not a fan of his particular take on this shared universe, it’s still worth a read if for nothing more than to understand the creative influences on the book.

Check out the interview over at Newsarama.com!

G.I. Joe vs. Transformers #13 hits shelves this week.

Classic G.I. Joe vol #16 drops June 23

classic gi joe vol 16

Classic G.I. Joe volume 16 is coming from IDW Publishing!

IDW Publishing, current holder of the G.I. Joe comic licence, made a lot of Joe fans happy when they completed the “Classic G.I. Joe” trade paperback series begun by Marvel Comics several years ago.  In 15 volumes, IDW reprinted the entire 155 issues of the classic Marvel Comics G.I. Joe A Real American Hero comic series, giving many fans their first chance to buy reading copies of the entire classic run.

Now they’re continuing the series with G.I. Joe Classic vol 16 – which collects the continuation series published by IDW and written by Larry Hama.  Collecting #155 1/2 – #165, this volume brings the new ARAH title right next to the classic Marvel series of the book shelf of fans everywhere!

If you’d like to snag a copy to add to your collection, keep your eyes peeled around June 23, 2015 when Classic G.I. Joe vol 16 is scheduled for release.  Or, if you’d like to pre-order it now (and help JBL in the process at not extra cost to yourself) consider using the Amazon affiliate link below.

Podcast: What’s on Joe Mind Episode 34 – Retaliation trailer and John Barber

The guys at What’s On Joe Mind have released Episode 34 of their ongoing podcast series.  Here’s the synopsis according to General Hawk:

It’s the G.I. Joe: Retaliation trailer episode!  Initially we had planned to do a pretty light weight episode and work in a great interview with IDW’s John Barber, but then the whole G.I. Joe: Retaliation trailer launched and that kind of went out the window.

Oh don’t worry, we still spend some good time talking G.I. Joe comics with John Barber, but we also devote some attention to the awesome G.I. Joe: Retaliation trailer and manage to talk about some other G.I. Joe stuff as well.  There’s a little of everything here!

Check out our Podbean page, or hit up the embedded player below.

 

 

Robert Atkins provides even more Cobra Commander design insights!

Seriously– JBL has turned into “RobertAtkinsBattleLines” over the past week.  In our proud tradition of talking up his work more than his own mother does, here’s the latest!

Robert’s posted another article at this blog entitled “Cobra Commander Wasn’t Built In A Day” which delves even further into the process of designing the armor and uniform for IDW’s newest Cobra Commander.  For those of you who haven’t yet read G.I. Joe vol 2 #8 be forewarned– you’re going to know the Commander’s identity within the first  sentences of the article.  However, this is one of those unique chances to get inside the creative process for the design of Joe’s preeminent villain.

Don’t take my word for it– check out Cobra Commander Wasn’t Built In A Day!

Robert Atkins discusses the new IDW Cobra Commander design! Custom figure contest!!

Okay, I’m starting to sound like a broken record here with all of the new IDW Cobra Commander love.  However, if there’s one thing that can sell me on a new character design in a comic it is the caliber of the artist– and there are currently non better on Joe than Robert Atkins!

In his latest blog post, Robert deconstructs the process of creating the forthcoming Cobra Commander cover as well details exactly why the costume design turned out the way it did.

It’s a great “behind the scenes” look at the genesis of the design for Joe’s signature villain.

While you’re there– check out the “Robert Atkins Art Custom Figure Contest” — in which one lucky customizer will be able to win an original 11″ x 17″ commission from Robert himself!

Robert Atkins unveils more details on Cobra Commander’s new look!

If you’ve been reading comics from IDW’s era of G.I. Joe then you’re most likely a fan of artist Robert Atkins.  His artwork has graced the pages of the main Joe title in volume 1 and is currently dominating the action in the intriguing Snake Eyes solo series.  It also turns out that he’s one of the minds behind the new design of Cobra Commander.

Over at his blog, Robert Atkins Art, he also unveils some awesome turnarounds of the Commander’s “new robes”.  Check it out in his posting Cobra Commander Revealed!  Also, be sure to check out G.I. Joe vol 2 #8 that’s hitting shelves today for the reveal on the identity of the new Cobra Commander!

IDW reveals new Cobra Commander in USA Today interview!

IDW’s G.I. Joe comic franchise took a pretty dramatic turn last year when, in Cobra #12, Joe agent Chuckles ended Cobra Commander’s leadership with a rifle slug.  Now,  nearly one chronological year later, the new Commander will be revealed in G.I. Joe vol 2 #8, which hits stands tomorrow.  It even features a “scratch off cover

If you want to be spoiled as to who the new Commander is, check out this interview at USAToday.com.

You’ve been warned… the article pretty much spills the beans.

What isn’t so spoilery is that the new Commander’s look is also revealed and it’s a pretty dramatic change.  In fact, it’s also hauntingly familiar to fans of Sigma 6.

Check out the “Commander’s new robes” below and check out G.I. Joe #8 on shelves tomorrow!  (Until then, there’s a preview on Scribd.com.)