Tag Archives: Joe Con 2018

GIJoeCon 2018: Boxed set and souvenir first look videos

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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

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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

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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…

bludd-1
footloose
hardball
lamprey
laser-viper
smasher
spirit
whoops

[Show as slideshow]

GIJoeCon 2018 Comic reveals souvenir list

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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 →

GIJoeCon 2018: Python Patrol Major Bludd is revealed at last!

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The GIJoeCon 2018 previews are nearly complete with a look at the Python Patrol Major Bludd

GIJoeCon 2018 Python Patrol Major Bludd front

PYTHON PATROL INFANTRY COMMANDER:
MAJOR BLUDD

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– Modern Era Update of Character based on 2003 design.
– Features NEW Head Sculpt with removable helmet.
– Includes removable grenade harness with pistol,
handgun with rocket, backpack with rockets x 3,
sonic bazooka, and Cobra Logo Stand.

Hmm… I find myself conflicted on this one.

On one hand, the overall deco looks fantastic!  It’s an excellent recreation of the 2003 six-pack Major Bludd! (Those colors are just ridiculously engaging.) I like the Cobra Shock Trooper legs and the Retaliation Cobra Trooper harness and torso look great together!  Heck, I even like the backpack choice.  I’d say that 85% of this figure is pure win. Continue reading →

GIJoeCon 2018: Slaughter’s Marauders Spirit stands proud!

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The preview for the GIJoeCon 2018 Slaughter’s Marauders Spirit dropped yesterday!

GIJoeCon 2018 Slaughter's Marauders Spirit and Freedom

SLAUGHTER’S MARAUDERS
TRACKER with EAGLE:
SPIRIT IRON-KNIFE & FREEDOM

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– Modern Era Update of Character in original SM design.
– Features exclusive NEW Head Sculpt with ponytail hairstyle.
– Includes removable harness, scoped dart rifle with cartridge,
knife, backpack with dart cartridges, and G.I. Joe Logo Stand.

It’s funny… I didn’t expect to be blow away by Spirit… and yet here I am.

The 2011 Slaughter’s Marauders Spirit was a fun update of the 1989 original version.  It borrowed the classic color scheme but leaned heavily into the “Predator Billy” Pursuit of Cobra Spirit that took the fandom by storm.  As such, I questioned the Club’s decision to update Spirit once again in the GIJoeCon 2018 set.  I was wrong to do so. Continue reading →

GIJoeCon 2018: Python Patrol Laser Viper lights it up!

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Another day and another GIJoeCon 2018 figure reveal!  Today we have a look at the Python Patrol Laser Viper!

GIJoeCon 2018 Python Patrol Laser Viper

PYTHON PATROL LASER TROOPER:
PYTHON LASER VIPER

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– Modern Era Update of Character based on 2003 design.
– Features RE-TOOL of Laser Backpack Weapons System
– THREE Army Builder action figures in this exclusive set.
– Includes removable helmet, dual cannon laser backpack,
connection hoses (not shown), adjustable control arm,
holster with pistol, and Cobra Logo Stand.

Sometimes, figure reveals are exactly what you expected them to be.  Other times, they’re BETTER than expected!

I don’t think anyone out there presumed that the Python Patrol Laser Viper would be anything more than a repaint of 2017’s GIJoeCon Laser Viper. It was a solid build, based on a concept case reveal from 2012, and it seemed to be a hit with the fan base.  Just toss on some of that sexy 2003 Python Patrol deco and the Club would be good-to-go, right?   Continue reading →

GIJoeCon 2018: Python Patrol HEAT Viper lights it up!

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The GIJoeCon 2018 previews are coming fast and furious! Today’s reveal: the Python Patrol HEAT Viper!

GIJoeCon 2018 Python HEAT Viper

PYTHON PATROL
HIGH EXPLOSIVE ANTI-TANK TROOPER:
H.E.A.T. VIPER

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– Modern Era Update of Character based on 2003 design.
– THREE Army Builder action figures in this exclusive set.
– Includes removable harness, bazooka shells x 6, bazooka,
connection tube, backpack, and Cobra Logo Stand.

Hmm… not quite as “hot” as I was hoping for…

The recipe for the Python Patrol HEAT Viper is pretty simple.  Take the 2014 50th Anniversary HEAT Viper and apply an approximation of the 2003 Python Patrol HEAT Viper color scheme.  I say “approximation” because this one is close but there’s something off about it. Continue reading →

GIJoeCon 2018: Slaughter’s Marauders Mutt revealed!

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Another day and another reveal from the GIJoeCon 2018 set.  Today: Slaughter’s Marauder’s Mutt & Junkyard!

GIJoeCon 2018 Slaughter's Marauders Mutt

SLAUGHTER’S MARAUDERS
MILITARY POLICE & K-9: MUTT & JUNKYARD

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– Modern Era Release of Character based on 1989 SM design.
– Includes removable helmet, muzzle, vest, submachine gun,
baton, knife, dog leash, and G.I. Joe Logo Stand.

Say what you want about the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club but they certainly stick close to the vintage designs. In this case, the recipe for the convention exclusive figure is simple: take the 25th Anniversary Mutt build and apply the 1989 Slaughter’s Marauders version color scheme.  Some might criticize this as not being different enough from the 25th release in terms of parts but it is in keeping with the spirit of this set so far.  After all, Footloose was a repaint of his previous Club release in the team deco. Continue reading →

GIJoeCon 2018: Python Patrol Lamprey preview!

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GIJoeCon 2018 is 139 days away and we’ve got our second figure preview– the Python Patrol Lamprey!

GIJoeCon 2018 Python Lamprey

PYTHON PATROL AMPHIBIOUS TROOPER:
PYTHON LAMPREY

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– Modern Era Update of Character based on 2003 design.
– THREE Army Builder action figures in this exclusive set.
– Includes removable face mask, vest, submachine gun,
pistol, swim fins, backpack, and Cobra Logo Stand.

Hmm… not entirely what I expected in terms of build.

Let’s be honest– this could have been an easy repaint for the Club.  Take the 2009 Defense of Cobra Island Cobra Lamprey, slap on the color deco from the 2003 Python Patrol Lamprey and call it a night.  Instead, the build is different– I’m possibly seeing some Paris Pursuit Snake Eyes legs.  They’re baggier than I would have presumed practical but they still look pretty solid. Continue reading →