Meet Sgt Slaughter and BJ Ward at Retro Con 2018

Are you going to Retro Con 2018 on October 13 – 14, 2018 in Oaks, PA?  Well, here are two more reasons you should consider going: Sgt. Slaughter & BJ Ward!

What is Retro Con?

Simply put: Retro Con is a celebration of all things 80’s and 90’s!  It’s a celebration of nostalgia of the greatest era of popular culture.  From television and films to cartoons and video games, Retro Con is THE family-friendly con for anyone who grew up in the last 30 years!

This year, however, Retro Con holds a special significance to G.I. Joe fans!  Two legendary performers from the classic G.I. Joe cartoon series produced by Marvel Productions and Sunbow will be on hand!  (Yes, one of them was also present in the DiC era but, let’s be honest, we don’t really like to talk about that series.)  Hold on to your hats as both Sgt. Slaughter and veteran voice actress BJ Ward (Scarlett, Princess Alura, Wonder Woman) are coming to this amazing two day event!

While Melendy Britt (She-Ra) is no longer able to attend the organizers of the event have stepped in a big way with Ms. Ward as the latest added guest!

Even better– these two legends of G.I. Joe animation history will be joining Greg Berger (Spirit, Grimlock, Odie) and Garry Chalk (Optimus Primal, Man-at-Arms, Metal-Head) in greeting guests, signing autographs, and being onsite for an amazing weekend.  Plus, if you’re looking to get a further Sunbow fix, Samantha Newark (Jem, Ariel) will be on site as well.  Plus, Larry Kenney (Lion-O) is also going to be there! It’s a chance to meet the voices and personas that dominated your cartoon viewing time as a kid!  (And, if you’re like me, as an adult today!)

If that’s not enough, there’s even a special concert by the famed Cybertronic Spree on Saturday night!

So, what are you waiting for?  If you’re looking for a great weekend to bask in the warm nostalgic glow of simpler times, head on over to RetroCons.com and snag your tickets for this awesome event!

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…

G.I. Joe FSS 8 Lt Clay Moore will hunt down the traitor!

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS 8 previews continue with a look at Cobra Shock Troops Commander Lt. Clay Moore!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS 8 Lt. Clay Moore

COBRA SHOCK TROOPS COMMANDER
Code Name: LT. CLAY MOORE
(Inspired by the Sunbow cartoon & 2007 GIJCC design.)
Includes: removable helmet, grenade bandolier, pistol, knife,
assault rifle, bazooka, backpack with shells x 4, and figure stand.

Well, this is certainly an interesting build…  Continue reading

Reflections on the G.I. Joe FSS 7 Tomax preview

Maintaining their current Tuesday/Thursday schedule, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has unveiled the preview of FSS 7 Tomax!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS 7 Tomax

EXTENSIVE ENTERPRISES CEO
Code Name: TOMAX

(Inspired by the Sunbow cartoon design.)
Features NEW head sculpt.
Includes: aerial platform with sky hook, auto pistol,
briefcase with warheads x 4, and figure stand.

This is the preview that shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone!

In FSS 6, fans were treated to the release of Shattered Glass Xamot.  While he was inspired by the character’s appearance in the club magazine comic, the design influence was clearly taken from the Sunbow cartoon series.  In those animated episodes, the “Crimson Twins” Tomax and Xamot wore business suits as often as they did their Crimson Guard uniforms.   Continue reading

Cobra Sentinel Automaton project coming to Kickstarter

Coming soon to Kickstarter: the Cobra Sentinel Automaton project!

G.I. Joe Cobra Sentinel from the Palace of Doom

Let’s face it– for many fans the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero animated series is THE version of Joe.  Debuting as a pair of syndicated mini-series, these cartoon adventures greeted countless school children as they rushed home from school each day to catch the next installment in the serial.  The cartoons showcased the vehicles and characters that were soon to dominate store shelves and children’s imaginations in the coming months.  However, as diverse as the roster of figures and vehicles was there some were moments in the story where the writers and animators introduced their own concepts.  One such moment occurred in the third episode of the “Revenge of Cobra” mini-series in episode cheekily-named “The Palace of Doom“:

Remember the Cobra Sentinel?  The giant snake-themed robot that went mano-et-mano with the giant temple guardian?  The mechanized monster just blew me away.  As a kid, I had to have one but sadly it was not meant to be.  The automaton that towered over Major Bludd existed only in the cartoon and was never produced in action figure form.  However, that is about to change. Continue reading

Hasbro Studios titles back on Vimeo!

The Hasbro Studios library of titles is now back on Vimeo!

hasbro studios on vimeo

It was just a week ago that the staff at JBL HQ noticed that the Hasbro library of titles had been removed from online streaming site Vimeo.  This was roughly a year and a half after the Pawtucket-based toymaker announced that the online video site would be the exclusive host for their digital content, both streaming and downloadable.

Thankfully, as of yesterday, it would appear that all of the previously available titles are back.  Fans of Transformers G1, Transformers Prime, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, G.I. Joe Renegades, and even Jem, are able to purchase or rent individual episodes and seasons.  The titles are available for direct download or streaming via the website or mobile app.

Whew!  I won’t lie– this admin is happy to see the content back again.  Over the past few months, we’ve discovered that Sunbow G.I. Joe is one of the few things that calms my future nephew when he’s cranky!  At 10 months, he’s already shown a clear penchant for Cobra Commander!

So, there’s no time like the present to snag your favorite Hasbro titles on Vimeo.  C’mon– portable Sunbow G.I. Joe is AWESOME!

Hasbro Studios titles quietly depart Vimeo

As of this week, all Hasbro titles are no longer available on Vimeo for purchase or rental.

Vimeo logoNearly a year-and-a-half ago, online video content site Vimeo became the exclusive digital home for the Hasbro Studios animation library.  Titles such as the classic 1980’s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Transformers (Generation 1), and Jem were available for both rental or purchase.  They were joined by other series like My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, G.I. Joe: Renegades, and Transformers Prime.  Accessible via website or mobile app, the Vimeo deal was a bold new step for Hasbro which had only previously hosted digital content on Netflix.

hasbro studios vimeoAs of Monday this week, the Hasbro Studios page on Vimeo told a very different story.  All content appears to have removed from the site, for either purchase or rental.  Users who had previously purchased animated episodes or series may still access them, but will also see a disclaimer attached.

g.i. joe gone vimeoFor those who have purchased Hasbro Studio titles, the question remains: how long will users continue to be able to access that content?  Vimeo titles may be downloaded DRM-free but, given the file size of both the Sunbow G.I. Joe and Transformers G1 series, this is not a simple task.  We’ve reached out to both Hasbro PR and Vimeo but have yet to receive an answer back at this time.

With a new Transformers movie hitting theaters this summer, is Hasbro seeking a new digital partner for their content?  Or is the Pawtucket toy maker seeking to develop its own online portal for content access going forward?  As of now, all we know is that the Vimeo run was nice while it lasted.  (My fiance’s nephew loves to watch animated Sunbow G.I. Joe on my phone.)  We’ll post more information as we have it but, for now, it seems that Hasbro’s partnership with Vimeo has come to an end.

Big Lob is the 2017 Collector’s Club Incentive figure!

The cover of the latest issue of the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club magazine has revealed the next membership incentive figure: BIG LOB!

G.I. Joe Collector's CLub Big Lob

Big Lob Revealed – Image courtesy of Michael Taylor

I’ll admit it– I’m both surprised and pleased by this! Who’d have imagined Big Lob as this next year’s figure?

For those of you who don’t remember, Big Lob was one of the Rawhides, a group of new recruits introduced in the Sunbow-produced 1987 film G.I. Joe: The Movie.  Along with Jinx, Tunnel Rat, Chuckles, and Law & Order, Big Lob was part of the next generation of Joes who were put through their paces and evaluated by Beach Head.  (Spoiler alert: they all passed– much to Beach Head’s chagrin!)  Despite this introduction, Big Lob never saw release as an action figure until 2010 when the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club released an o-ring version as the annual membership incentive figure.

G.I. Joe Collector's Club Big Lob

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Magazine reveal of Big Lob – courtesy of Doug Monroe

Now, after seven years history repeats itself again and the Rawhides are on their way once more to being complete– this time in generation 3 construction.  I’m seeing a lot of the first build of Roadblock from G.I. Joe Retaliation in this figure which gives Big Lob the height he needs, although more bulk than I’d have expected.  However, the new head is MILES AHEAD of the previously released version. Rather than a reused Mercer sculpt, he gets his own unique noggin!  (I’m digging the lopsided haircut!)

As always, to receive your Big Lob figure you’ll have to be a member in good standing of the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club by March 2016.  To learn more about the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club and to ensure your chance to own this sports-themed Joe, visit GIJoeClub.com!

The Most Dangerous Man in the World now on Kindle

Buzz Dixon’s long-lost Sunbow-inspired story “The Most Dangerous Man in the World” is now available as a G.I. Joe Kindle Worlds tale!

Most Dangerous Man in the World

Flash backwards in time for a moment.  It’s 1986 and the pre-production for the second season of the classic Sunbow G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero tv series is in full swing.  Story editor Buzz Dixon pitches an idea to Hasbro– a story called “the Most Dangerous Man in the World” that delves into the mysterious origins of Cobra.  Hasbro approved the story and things looked rosy for it to be developed into an episode  Suddenly the folks in Pawtucket threw the animation team a curve ball in the form of Serpentor.  His very existence causes this story to be rendered null and void.  Reluctantly, Buzz scraps the idea for the story and ultimately, that should have been the end for “the Most Dangerous Man in the World.”   Or was it…

Flash forward to June 9, 2014, when the announcement of G.I. Joe on Kindle Worlds caused Buzz to consider something — the resurrection of this now lost episode of G.I. Joe!

most-dangerous-3

The wait is over!  The classic Sunbow-inspired lost G.I. Joe story “The Most Dangerous Man in the World” is now available on Kindle Worlds for a whopping $3.99.  Rather than read as a continuation of a cartoon episode this is a novella inspired by the Sunbow series.  There are some tonal differences but there are also a myriad of references to classic episodes and bits of G.I. Joe lore.  It’s a rolicking read that will take Joe fans on a roller coaster ride of thrills and chills as they attempt to discover the identity of a man whose very existence can shake the foundation of Cobra to its serpetine core.

What are you waiting for– a written invitation?   Go check out “The Most Dangerous Man in the World” for yourself today!

Transformers the Movie 30th Anniversary Blu-Ray is coming!

Shout Factory will release a Transformers 30th Anniversary Blu-ray and DVD on September 13, 2016!

Transformers 30th anniversary blu-ray

Transformers: The Movie debuted on August 8, 1986 and changed the franchise forever.  In addition to thrusting the timeline forward from the 1980’s to 2005, it was the film that (spoiler alert) killed off the franchise’s core heroic character Optimus Prime!

Featuring a star-studded cast that included Judd Nelson, Eric Idle, Leonard Nimoy, and Orson Welles in his final role as the planet-eating titan Unicron, Transformers: The Movie was to be the first of a series of Hasbro/Sunbow films to hit theatres around the world.  However, poor box office receipts of this and the My Little Pony film, caused Hasbro to shift the release of G.I. Joe: The Movie to home video instead.

In the intervening years, the film has garnered true cult status and has become a favorite of Hasbro, Transformers, and Sunbow fans around the globe!  Plus, who can forget the soundtrack which featured song’s like Stan Bush’s “You’ve Got the Touch” and Weird Al Yankovic’s “Dare to be Stupid”?

This marks the first new region 1 release of the film since 2006’s 20th Anniversary edition and the first time the film has ever been offered on Blu-Ray. This also marks the first time that the film will be available in digital format. No word on what additional special features will be included at this time.

The new 30th Anniversary editions are currently up for pre-order at Amazon.com:

You can check out the official listing for Transformers: The Movie on ShoutFactory.com.