GIJoeCon 2018: Meet Slaughter’s Marauders Footloose

GIJoeCon 2018 is a few months away and the reveals have begun!  First out of the gate is Slaughter’s Marauders Footloose!

GIJoe Con 2018 Slaughter's Marauders Footloose

SLAUGHTER’S MARAUDERS
INFANTRY TROOPER: FOOTLOOSE

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– Modern Era Release of Character based on 1989 SM design.
– Includes removable helmet, harness, assault rifle, rocket launcher,
knife, pistol, flashlight, backpack, and G.I. Joe Logo Stand.

(Note: Photo depicts action figure mock-up and final product may slightly differ.)

Hmm… this is interesting. Very interesting indeed…

It’s no secret that, when faced with between the decision to either adhere to vintage aesthetics or modernize a character design, the Club always chooses vintage.  Such is the case with Slaughter’s Marauders Footloose who is sporting a near-identical color scheme to the 1989 vintage figure.  The parts build should come as a surprise to no one as it is the same as was used for the 2012 Club membership incentive Footloose but the color scheme was a bit of a wild card.   Continue reading

GIJoeCon 2018 brochure is now online!

The suspense is over… the GIJoeCon 2018 brochure is now ONLINE!

GIJoeCon 2018 logo

No more speculation… thanks to the release of the GIJoeCon 2018 brochure we know the theme of the final G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention set: Python Peril – Marauders to the Rescue!

Here’s the official synopsis:

Python Peril: Marauders to the Rescue!

The COBRA PYTHON PATROL is an elite unit of troopers that have been handpicked for their various tactical specialties. They are expertly trained and equipped for stealth and infiltration missions. They wear unique camouflage grid uniforms to mask their presence, which confuses radar detection systems and allows them to accomplish sinister operations around the globe.

Using the latest radar absorbing materials and stealth technology, PYTHON PATROL 2.0 rears its ugly head with a surgical strike against their sworn enemy. Led by the nefarious MAJOR BLUDD, they have successfully captured a “Real American Hero” and key member of the G.I. JOE team.

The SLAUGHTER’S MARAUDERS unit is called into action to mount a dire rescue mission of their original commander. A fellow Marine Drill Instructor, SGT. SMASHER takes the squad leader position and selects highly specialized soldiers for a fast attack, ground assault into enemy territory to combat these devious COBRA forces.

PYTHON PATROL 2.0 is a dangerous unit, but it will take more than their special uniforms and slithering nastiness to get the best of the entire SLAUGHTER’S MARAUDERS team! Our 2018 exclusive 3 3/4-inch convention set contains a highly requested G.I. JOE team and updated COBRA army that are available for the first time in the modern era 25A action figure style. This special edition 15action-figure set includes:

Five G.I. JOE team members: Sgt. Smasher, Footloose, Hardball, Mutt & Junkyard (K-9), Spirit & Freedom (eagle).

Ten COBRA team members: Major Bludd, Python H.E.A.T. Viper (troop builder x 3), Python Lamprey (troop builder x 3), Python Laser Viper (troop builder x 3).

Each of these great teams comes with their classic weapons,
accessories, figure stands and file cards!

Hmmm… very interesting indeed.  It would seem that the Club is going to complete the Slaughter’s Marauders roster that was started several years ago in the 2011 Slaughter’s Marauders exclusive boxed set. That set included Falcon, Low-light, and Barbeque as well as Spirit.  (Apparently someone wasn’t a fan of that Spirit release?)  The addition of Footloose and Mutt round out most of the original team– minus Sgt. Slaughter, of course.  In his stead is another drill instructor known as “Sgt. Smasher.”  (After all, that was the name of his international repaint.) Now, could this be a repaint of the 2010 SDCC Sarge under a different name for copyright purposes?  Continue reading