G.I. Joe Zombie Initiative – the Souvenirs

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Fred Meyer

Whew! It’s the end of the G.I. Joe Zombie Initiative reviews! Happy Halloween!

If you’ve stuck with JBL this week then you’re seen that Chris and I have been covering the 2014 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention Zombie Initiative set! We’ve already covered the ECO-Force, the Zombie Hunters, and the Cobra Forces. You might be asking yourself “What’s left?” Why the souvenir items, of course!

In this final installment we take a look at the ECO-Striker, G.I. Joe aka Joe Colton, the Steel Brigade Delta and his VTOL, the Zombie Hunter VAMP, and lastly the Zombie Steel Brigade 3-pack! Sadly, only one of owns a Septic HISS so images of that will be posted later. Lastly, you might be thinking that we omitted the parachute figure- Night Force Crazy Legs. Don’t worry– he’ll be covered soon enough but will be posted when we cover the 2013 Nocturnal Fire set!

So, head on over the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index and check out the final installment of the Zombie Initiative!

G.I. Joe Zombie Initiative Reviews – Cobra Forces

Posted on October 30, 2014 by Fred Meyer

JBL’s G.I. Joe Zombie Initiative review continues as we count down the days to Halloween!

This week, we’ve covered the ECO-Force and the Zombie Hunters but today we head into a darker corner of the Zombie Initiative. It’s an area full of mad scientists, evil soldiers, and, of course, the animated dead! While the G.I. Joe forces in the set are tasked with finding a cure or containment of the Compound Z infected, Cobra has only one goal – to spread the Zombie Initiative as far as they can! Only when the infected have weakened the populace will Cobra make its move!

Check out the new reviews of the Cobra Lab Rat, Repulsor & Dawg, the Toxo-Vipers, and the Toxo-Zombies! They’re all posted in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index!

Plus, check back tomorrow as Chris and I round out the week with the Zombie Initiative souvenir extras!

Also, just a reminder that the Zombie Initiative boxed set is still available at the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club store!

G.I. Joe Zombie Initiative Review – Zombie Hunters

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Fred Meyer

The countdown to Halloween continues with another review from the 2014 G.I. Joe Zombie Initiative convention set! Today, meet the ragtag group of exterminators who are tasked with extermination– the Zombie Hunters!

A ninja, a survivalist, and a security team commander walk into an infestation zone. It sounds like the opening to a macabre anecdote that might be told to friends on Halloween. Instead, trio of T’Jbang, Outback, and the Steel Brigade Commander are assigned to wade into the hordes of infected and thin their numbers. The ECO-Force team was tasked with finding a cure but the Zombie Hunters have only one goal – eliminate the threat of the Zombie Initiative the only way they know how…

Are these soldiers up to the task? Do they have a prayer of reining in the threat of Compound Z? Check out the next installment of the G.I. Joe Zombie Initiative convention set review and find out two Joe fans’ opinions! It’s posted at the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index!

Just a reminder- this set is still listed as “in stock” over the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club store if you’d like to snag your very own Zombie Initiative! Check back tomorrow for the next installment in our Halloween countdown!

G.I. Joe Zombie Initiative Review – Eco-Force

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Fred Meyer

JBL is counting down the days until Halloween with a look at the Zombie Initiative!

Each day from now until All Hallows Eve this Friday, Chris and I will be delving into the 2014 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention set – the Zombie Initiative! It’s a varied set filled with evil scientists, zombie hunters, and the unfortunate infected that make up the hordes of the walking dead! The best part is that the set is still available at the G.I. Joe Club store if you’re still looking to pick one up for yourself!

Today’s reviews focus on that group of brave scientists and soldiers tasked with finding a way to cure the infected of the Zombie Initiative! That’s right– I’m talking about the E.C.O.- Force! Check out the reviews of Clean-Sweep, Flint, and Ozone in their generation 3 builds over in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index!

Check back tomorrow as JBL unveils the next installment of the Zombie Initiative in our Halloween Countdown!

G.I. Joe Convention 2014 Exclusives: What’s Still Available?

Posted on April 12, 2014 by Fred Meyer

I feel like this has to come with a disclaimer– I am not actually attending G.I. Joe Convention 2014 this year. However, thanks to some folks who are, I’ve had some pretty regular updates as to the status of many of the exclusives. So, here’s the rundown on the pieces that are offered for this year.

Zombie Initiative Set – Limited Run: AVAILABLE

Usually by this point at the convention, the 1:18 set is completely sold out. However, possibly due to late registration or other factors, the Zombie Initiative 15 piece is still available for attendees who haven’t previously registered.

Steel Brigade Pilot and VTOL – Limited Run of 800: SOLD OUT

This one caught a lot of folks by surprise with its hybrid design of both the 25th Sky Hawk and the later Pursuit of Cobra Ghost Hawk. Plus, as I was told by one particular Steel Brigade fan, “the camouflage on the pilot is AWESOME.”

Cobra Septic Tank HISS – Limited Run of 800: AVAILABLE

This is an interesting spin on the original Septic Tank HISS based on the DTC HISS frame. No pilot is included but it’s still there for a few more hours today at least.

G.I. Joe Rescue Ops 2- Pack featuring Clutch and Ice Storm – Limited Run of 700: SOLD OUT

Clutch seems to be inspired by the much-desired concept case version from a few years ago while Ice Storm was an obscure Rise of Cobra vehicle pilot. Together- they fight zombies! Clutch seems to be the big draw of this particular set which will most likely sell out before the weekend is over.

Steel Brigade Zombie 3- Pack – Limited Run of 1,000: SOLD OUT

This is one that I can guarantee will sell out this weekend. Sure, it’s mostly just the Pursuit of Cobra Steel Brigade figure with Zombie Viper arms and a new head, but it’s a troop-builder pack and the only one that is available. Plus, given the prices that these are going for on Ebay, attendees looking to make a quick buck will be snatching the remaining ones quickly.

Night Force Paratrooper Crazy Legs – Limited Run of 1,000: SOLD OUT

That’s right kids– this year’s parachute figure is actually part of LAST year’s set! Due to logistics at the event in Indy, the paratrooper was changed to a Kre-O figure in 2013 but it would seem that the Club had already produced these guys. Rather than offering them up to 2013 attendees to complete their sets, Crazy Legs was put on hold and used this year. Apparently these sold out before all of the Golden Ticket holders could get through the line and, given the going rate on Ebay for them now, it would seem that the bulk of these figures were intended for re-sale. Good luck getting one– they’re currently trending over $100.00 each.

Carded Joseph Colton Action Figure – Limited Run of 1,000? : AVAILABLE

I have to admit that I have a LOT of fan boy love for this particular figure. Based on his classic first appearance in the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic series published by Marvel Comics, this figure is essentially a Marvel Universe Professor Xavier with a 1:18 Adventure Team head and I love every bit of him! He’s going for big prices on Ebay but hopefully he’ll still be available for folks during and even after the con!

Currently I don’t have any information regarding the status of the Kre-0 multi-pack nor the carded Cross Country figures but I’ll update as I find out more.

G.I. Joe Convention 2014: Night Force Crazy Legs Revealed!

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Fred Meyer

I was hoping that Crazy Legs would make an appearance at G.I. Joe Convention 2014. In fact, I was hoping he’d be announced as part of FSS 3.0 which would most certainly be a terrific reason to sign-up for another go-round of the Club’s Figure Subscription Service. After all, last year’s Nocturnal Fire roster was nearly complete save for Lightfoot, Crazy Legs, and Sneak Peek. (Night Force Falcon came via the FSS.)

I never imagined he’d be this year’s parachute figure.

With a limited run of 1,000 pieces and a Golden Ticket limit of 3 per person, I have the feeling that this is going to be THE hard-to-get figure from this year’s Con. For those of you who are in attendance, be certain to snag one. For the rest of us who can’t attend this year– good luck in tracking one down for less than the cost of a mortgage payment.

Well played, GIJCC. Well played…

G.I. Joe Convention 2014: Eco-Striker and Souvenirs List

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Fred Meyer

G.I. Joe Convention 2014 has begun in Dallas, TX and we’ve got some early indication as to what exclusive items round out this year’s 1:18 Zombie Initiative convention set.

Last night an image of the attendee exclusive Eco-Striker was posted to the G.I. Joe Con Official Facebook page. Molded in blue and yellow plastic, this vehicle seems to compliment the “Neon 90’s” vibe the 1:18 set has going for it this year. The vehicle itself seems to be a reissue of the G.I. Joe Retaliation version released last year– complete with the spring-loaded missile launcher.

Over at GeneralsJoes.com, Justin has posted the descriptions and production numbers for the remaining souvenirs as found in the convention program/comic. It’s an interesting list that I’ve mirrored below:

Steel Brigade Pilot w/ VTOL (LE800)
Cobra Septic HISS Tank mk II (DTC HISS repaint by the looks of the comic art) (LE 800)
G.I. Joe Rescue Ops 2-Pack (no idea, and no clear insight based on internal comic art) (LE 700)
Steel Brigade Zombie 3-Pack (LE 1,000)
Kre-O Zombie Initiative 7 Pack (LE 600)
Night Force Para Trooper Crazy Legs (LE 500)

It’s the last piece on the list that is a real “kick in the o-ring” to this particular Joe fan! The amazing 2013 Convention set “Nocturnal Fire” featured terrific updates of the Night Force roster and yet the paratrooper Crazy Legs was missing– replaced with a Kre-O figure due to the logistics of the parachute drop. The fact that he was put off until this year means that many of last year’s attendees are going to be spending a pretty penny on trying to snag one on the secondary market just to complete their sets!

We’ll post more information as the weekend progresses!

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G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention Starts Tonight

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Fred Meyer

Tonight’s the night– the Golden Ticket pick-up for the G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention! That’s the time where the fans with premium passes get early access to the 2014 Zombie Initiative and Codename: G.I. Joe convention sets!

JBL will not be onsite this year due to some “real world” issues however good friend of the site Mike Breaux of TheBreauxShow.com is attending this weekend and will be posting several updates throughout the next few days. You can follow him directly on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/thebreauxshow. JBL will also repost news here on the front page as it is reported.

Also, be sure to check out the coverage over at YoJoe.com and GeneralsJoes.com as Justin “General Hawk” Bell is on scene for the 50th Anniversary celebration of “America’s Movable Fighting Man”!

To all who are attending– have a great weekend!

For more information on this year’s convention, visit GIJoeCon.com!

G.I. Joe Convention Repulsor Revealed at Last!

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Fred Meyer

The final figure from the 2014 G.I. Joe Convention “Zombie Initiative” set has been revealed! Say “Hello” to the Toxo-Viper Commander – Repulsor!

He may be a Toxo-Viper Commander but he’s HEAVILY based on the 1991 Sludge Viper – a figure who in development was considered for the name “Repulsor”. For his construction, he’s the 2011 Techno-Viper from the neck on down. He’s the final release in the entire set which features colors “straight out of the 90’s”. It’ll be interesting to see a final image of all 15 figures together to see how cohesively they all come together.

To recap, here’s the figures in this year’s G.I. Joe Convention set:

Zombie Hunters: Outback, T’J Bang, Steel Brigade Commander
E.C.O. Force: Flint, Ozone, Clean-Sweep
Cobra Lab Rat x2, Toxo-Vipers x 3, Toxo-Zombies x 3, and Repulsor with Dawg (NEW K-9).

For more information on the 2014 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention, visit GIJoeCon.com

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Dawg is the next G.I. Joe Convention Reveal!

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Fred Meyer

We’re 45 days out from the 2014 G.I. Joe Convention and G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has released another preview image from this year’s “Zombie Initiative” convention set. Not exactly a figure this time– but a zombie pit bull! Meet Dawg!

It’s not Repulsor but instead it’s his faithful Compound Z companion! Dawg is an all-new sculpted piece that fits in with the rest of the Zombie Initiative theme this year. Speaking of Repulsor, here’s what the GIJCC has to say about the final figure to be revealed:

REPULSOR is the director of security at Cobra Industries and keeps the TOXO-VIPERS in line with the help of his K-9 counterpart!

So, the GIJCC is definitely going with a more Resident Evil theme this year with the “zombie dog”. Very interesting… although this makes me wonder even more what exactly his handler is like! Just looking at him reminds me of an undead version of Bandit from Jonny Quest– even though Bandit wasn’t a pit bull.

That leaves Repulsor as the final preview option:

Zombie Hunters: ~~Outback~~, ~~T’J Bang~~, ~~Steel Brigade Commander~~
E.C.O. Force: ~~Flint~~, ~~Ozone~~, ~~Clean-Sweep~~
Cobra Lab Rat x2, Toxo-Vipers x 3, Toxo-Zombies x 3, and Repulsor ~~with Dawg~~ ~~(NEW K-9)~~.

For more information on the 2014 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention, visit GIJoeCon.com

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

Tag Archives: Joe Con 2014

G.I. Joe Zombie Initiative – the Souvenirs

G.I. Joe Zombie Initiative Reviews – Cobra Forces

G.I. Joe Zombie Initiative Review – Zombie Hunters

G.I. Joe Zombie Initiative Review – Eco-Force

G.I. Joe Convention 2014 Exclusives: What’s Still Available?

G.I. Joe Convention 2014: Night Force Crazy Legs Revealed!

G.I. Joe Convention 2014: Eco-Striker and Souvenirs List

G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention Starts Tonight

G.I. Joe Convention Repulsor Revealed at Last!

Dawg is the next G.I. Joe Convention Reveal!

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