Tag Archives: Toy Fair

Toy Fair 2013: GI Joe Kre-O figures take over your Lego collection!

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One of the more unusual G.I. Joe lines to debut this year is the Kre-O series featuring our favorite Real American Heroes.  Exclusive to Toys R Us, Kre-O looks Lego square in the eye and says “bring it!”  Featuring characters from both the classic Generation 1 ARAH era and the earlier Adventure Team, Kre-O is a bold new direction for G.I. Joe.

Here’s the official word from Hasbro:

KRE-O G.I. JOE 2013 PRODUCT INFORMATION

A new line of KRE-O G.I. JOE building sets will be available exclusively at Toys “R” Us retail locations and www.Toysrus.com beginning in February 2013.  The addition of KRE-O G.I. JOE sets to the brand’s portfolio will offer the opportunity to build environments and vehicles to play out the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA fantasy and will feature KREON figures based on popular characters from both the heroic G.I. JOE team like DUKE and SNAKE EYES as well as the villainous COBRA organization like FIREFLY and STORM SHADOW.

Beginning with the single packs:

KRE-O G.I. JOE KREON FIGURE PACKS
(Approximate retail price: $3.19; Ages: 6-12; Available: Spring 2013)
Start your KRE-O G.I. JOE collection with these iconic G.I. JOE and COBRA characters!  Each G.I. JOE KREON figure comes with a unique weapon and cool accessories, and is sold blind-bagged. The first wave of characters includes CRAIG “ROCK N’ ROLL” MCCONNEL, KIM ARASHIKAGE, COBRA TROOPER, CRIMSON GUARD, SCARLETT, COBRA AXE NINJA, COBRA NINJA VIPER, QUICK KICK, ALLEY VIPER, EDWARD “TORPEDO” LEILOHA, and ADVENTURE TEAM COMMANDER.  Each sold separately.

Wave 1:

kre-o-g-i-joe-alley-viper-single-pack
kre-o-g-i-joe-cobra-axe-jinx-ninja-single-pack
kre-o-g-i-joe-cobra-ninja-viper-single-pack
kre-o-g-i-joe-cobra-trooper-single-pack
kre-o-g-i-joe-crimson-guard-single-pack
kre-o-g-i-joe-kamakura-single-pack
kre-o-g-i-joe-kim-arashakagi-dice-single-pack
kre-o-g-i-joe-quick-kick-single-pack
kre-o-g-i-joe-rock-n-roll-single-pack
kre-o-g-i-joe-scarlett-single-pack
kre-o-g-i-joe-single-pack-assortment-wave-1-a3360
kre-o-g-i-joe-talking-commander-single-pack
kre-o-g-i-joe-torpedo-single-pack

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Wave 2:

kre-o-fig-pack-1
kre-o-fig-pack-2

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Also included in the line are the “action sets”:
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G.I. Joe Tomahawk reissued as Eaglehawk helicopter!

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At Toy Fair 2013 Hasbro managed to pull a rabbit out of its hat and surprise fans with a reissue of the classic cargo helicopter- the Tomahawk.

Here’s the official word from Hasbro:

G.I. JOE EAGLEHAWK ASSAULT CHOPPER

(Approximate retail price: $39.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: 8/1/13)

Inspired by the live-action G.I. JOE movie, G. I. JOE: Retaliation, this EAGLEHAWK ASSAULT CHOPPER is the most dominating vehicle to transport your squadrons to battle. Each camouflaged chopper comes equipped with an action figure to pilot your most critical missions.

Hmm… interesting and unexpected.  Like last year’s Skystriker reissue, Hasbro continues to dip back into the ARAH Generation 1 well for inspiration.  It works, as perfect condition vintage Tomahawk’s are hard to find.  (The rotors were notorious for drooping and sagging over the years.)   I find the name a bit amusing as it is now essentially the “bird bird” helicopter but fans can rename it what they will.  Lift Ticket appears to have received a whole new deco and a new look.  At least there’s room in the cockpit for Lifeline as the Eaglehawk appears to be a two-seater.

Yeah, I’ll be snagging one!

Check out the official images below and more images over at YoJoe.com’s Toy Fair 2013 coverage.

a2024-g-i-joe-eaglehawk-chopper-a
a2024-g-i-joe-eaglehawk-chopper-b
a2024-g-i-joe-eaglehawk-chopper-c

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Toy Fair 2013: G.I. Joe Retaliation Wave 3 gets a huge expansion

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At Hasbro’s media event yesterday during Toy Fair 2013, G.I. Joe: Retaliation Wave 3 has been given quite an overall!

Apparently the current wave 3 is merely a “filler wave” with the full slew of characters to hit in a May 2013 release.  With  more movie-accurate “ultimate” versions of Duke, Flint, and Roadblock as well as ton ARAH-inspired figures like Storm Shadow and Cobra Commander, this wave represents a DRAMATIC expansion of product offerings.  However, for many Joe fans, the true “coup de grace” is found in the inclusion of two figures: the highly anticipated Data-Viper and the INCREDIBLY sought-after KWINN!!  Finally, everyone’s favorite Inuit mercenary is given the Generation 3 update he so rightly deserves.

Here’s the compiled details, courtesy of Justin Bell of GeneralsJoes.com.

Wave “2.5″ Filler Wave – Due 02/11/2013

  • Joe Colton
  • Lady Jaye
  • Alley-Viper
  • Dark Ninja Warrior
  • Cyber Ninja

Wave 3 – Due May, 2013

  • Crimson Guard
  • “Ultimate” Duke (Movie)
  • “Ultimate” Firefly (Movie)
  • Cobra Combat Ninja
  • “Ultimate” Snake Eyes (Vintage)
  • “Ultimate” Flint (Movie)
  • “Ultimate” Roadblock (Movie)
  • Storm Shadow (Vintage)
  • Cobra Commander (Vintage)
  • Data-Viper
  • Kwinn
  • Budo

All-in-all, I’m impressed.  Yes, I already have a metric ton of Cobra Commander and Storm Shadow figures but the updates on these show a marked improvement over their earlier 25th Collection entries.  The new “Ultimate” Duke, Firefly, Flint, and Roadblock are the movie-accurate versions I really wanted right away.  Data-Viper was never on my personal “must have” list but a lot of fans were really looking forward to him and I won’t begrudge anyone the opportunity to snag an anticipated figure.  Lastly, we have KWINN who has left me salivating since I first saw him.  Yeah… that one is a must-purchase item.

The only figure that puzzles me is Budo.  He’s a marked departure from the unproduced Walmart RoC two pack version that has popped up on the web.  More ornate and sporting a Ken Watanabe-inspired head sculpt, he’s a marked departure from both what has come before and from the rest of the military-themed toy line.  Plus, he’s wearing elk antlers– which seems like something more out of Naruto than a traditional samurai would wear.  Of course, that’s just my opinion.

Check out the press images from Hasbro below and hit up YoJoe.com for more awesome coverage!

g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-budo-samurai-warrior-a4032-a
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-budo-samurai-warrior-a4032-b
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-budo-samurai-warrior-a4032-c
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-cobra-combat-ninja-a2683
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-crimson-guard-a0968
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-data-viper-a4918-a
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-data-viper-a4918-b
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-kwinn-a4919-a
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-kwinn-a4919-b
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-kwinn-a4919-c
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-ultimate-cobra-commander-a2278-a
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-ultimate-cobra-commander-a2278-b
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-ultimate-cobra-commander-a2278-c
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-ultimate-duke-a3494
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-ultimate-firefly-a2679
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-ultimate-flint-a2681
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-ultimate-road-block-a2275-a
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-ultimate-roadblock-a2275-b
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-ultimate-snake-eyes-a2276
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-ultimate-storm-shadow-a2277-b

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Toy Fair 2012: Hasbro G.I. Joe press release

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Here’s the “official details” on all of Hasbro’s planned Retaliation offerings for 2012.  It’s a bit light on the details but it does provide a nice overview of what’s to come.

G.I. JOE SNAKE EYES NINJA GEAR

(Approximate retail price: $24.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

Gear up and get ready to take on the role of iconic Ninja-Commando SNAKE EYES from the G.I. JOE team. With the G.I. JOE SNAKE EYES NINJA GEAR set, kids can wield an electronic sword with authentic ARASKIGAE design, which features special lights and ninja battle sounds, a SNAKE EYES role-play mask, and two NINJA THROWING STARS allowing them to play the part of their favorite Ninja hero.

G.I. JOE BATTLE-KATA BLASTER

(Approximate retail price: $14.99; Ages: 6 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

Kids will love to role-play the ROADBLOCK character’s unique fighting style with the G.I. JOE BATTLE-KATA BLASTER toy. Featuring a 2-in-1 battle combo with interchangeable BATTLE-KATA blaster and ‘blade’ modes—kids can defend their heroic team against the vile enemy insurgents of COBRA. Includes three dart projectiles.

G.I. JOE NINJA COMMANDO BLASTER

(Approximate retail price: $24.99; Ages: 6 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

Enjoy the latest in G.I. JOE role-play technology with the G.I. JOE NINJA COMMANDO blaster! Defeat the COBRA enemies with this multi-dart, pump-action blaster which features a targeting lens to spy the enemy and helps you aim the projectiles like the very best snipers the G.I. JOE team has ever seen! Includes ten dart projectiles and targeting screen.

G.I. JOE BLADE OF JUSTICE

(Approximate retail price: $14.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

Replicate your favorite Ninja moves with the highly detailed, ARASHIKAGE-authentic G.I. JOE MOVIE BLADE OF JUSTICE sword used by two of the most iconic ninjas ever, SNAKE EYES and STORM SHADOW, in G.I. JOE RETALIATION.

G.I. JOE MOVIE NINJA COMMANDOS

(Approximate retail price: $19.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

Get ready for the next phase in G.I. JOE action figure evolution with the G.I. JOE NINJA COMMANDO figures! The NINJA COMMANDO figures are 10-inch large-scale figures that feature quick-draw BATTLE-KATA and Ninja action.  With the press of a button, figures magically “grab” weapons to arm themselves for battle. Figures also feature electronic sound effects and phrases available for in pack “Try Me.” Choose from the iconic Ninja SNAKE EYES and BATTLE-KATA skilled ROADBLOCK. (Figures sold separately.)

G.I. JOE MOVIE 3.75-INCH ACTION FIGURES Assortment

(Approximate retail price: $7.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

The live-action G.I. JOE movie, G.I. JOE: Retaliation, won’t hit theaters until June 2012, but you don’t need to wait to see the stars from the movie cast as G.I. JOE characters.  The G.I. JOE brand invented the action figure category more than 45 years ago, and the G.I. JOE MOVIE 3.75-INCH action figures continue this great legacy.  Figures are sculpted to match their on-screen counterparts, including Dwayne Johnson as ROADBLOCK, Channing Tatum as DUKE, and Bruce Willis as Joe Colton.  Each figure comes with  off-the-floor play such as  ninja zip lines and projectile launchers. Multiple waves are set to be released throughout the summer and fall 2012. (Figures each sold separately.)

G.I. JOE ALPHA VEHICLES Assortment

(Approximate retail price: $12.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

The G.I. JOE ALPHA VEHICLES assortment are the smallest and most covert of the G.I. JOE vehicles made for the 3.75-inch movie figures. These stealth vehicles are outfitted with universal projectiles, launchers, a surprise attack feature, and also come with a realistic articulated ride-on action figure that will help guide you through your action-packed adventures. (Vehicles each sold separately.)

G.I. JOE BRAVO VEHICLES Assortment

(Approximate retail price: $14.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

The G.I. JOE MOVIE BRAVO VEHICLES collection are mid-size vehicles inspired by the upcoming live-action G.I. JOE movie, G.I. JOE: Retaliation. Each represents the most technologically advanced vehicles in the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA arsenal, including the NINJA COMMANDO 4X4 WITH SNAKE EYES and COBRA FANG BOAT WITH SWAMP VIPER. Each vehicle comes with an action figure to help steer your squadron to victory. (Vehicles each sold separately.)

G.I. JOE MOVIE DELTA VEHICLES Assortment

(Approximate retail price: $19.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

The G.I. JOE MOVIE DELTA VEHICLES collection includes the largest hero and villain vehicles inspired by the live-action G.I. JOE movie, G. I. JOE: Retaliation. Each represents the most technologically advanced vehicles in the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA arsenal, including the G.I. JOE GHOST HAWK II and the COBRA H.I.S.S. TANK. Each vehicle comes with an action figure to help steer your squadron to victory. (Vehicles each sold separately.)

G.I. JOE NINJA SHOWDOWN SET Assortment

(Approximate retail price: $19.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

Kids can recreate the action-packed Ninja sequences of the upcoming live-action G.I. JOE movie, G.I. JOE: Retaliation or create their own adventures with these G.I. JOE sets. Each three-pack includes a three 3.75-inch action figures with off-the-floor action features. (each sold separately)

 

Toy Fair 2012 – Official Retaliation figure press images

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G.I. Joe: Retaliation

Sadly, the staff of JBL wasn’t able to attend Toy Fair 2012 this year.  However, the good folks at Hasbro were able to provide some press images for those sites who weren’t able to attend.  Included among those images (many of which were seen last week) were shots of the figures in waves 2 – 5 of the G.I. Joe: Retaliation movie line.  Included in those figures is one that will make many a “Die Hard” Joe fan cackle with glee– Bruce Willis as General Joe Colton!

Check ’em out below:

Wave 2:

  • Battle Kata Roadblock
  • Ninja Duel Snake Eyes
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-battle-kata-roadblock-98710
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-ninja-duel-snake-eyes-98709

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Wave 3:

  • Alley Viper
  • Cyber Ninja
  • Dragon Ninja
  • Joe Colton
  • Lady Jaye
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-alley-viper-a0487
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-cyber-ninja-a0484
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-dragon-ninja-a0488-1
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-dragon-ninja-a0488
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-joe-colton-a0486
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-lady-jaye

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Wave 4:

  • Blind Master
  • Kim Arashikage
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-blind-master-a0490
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-kim-arashikage-a0489

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Wave 5:

  • Crimson Guard
  • Night Viper
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-crimson-guard
g-i-joe-3-75-movie-figure-night-viper

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Here’s the official press blurb from Pawtucket:

G.I. JOE MOVIE 3.75-INCH ACTION FIGURES Assortment

(Approximate retail price: $7.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

The live-action G.I. JOE movie, G.I. JOE: Retaliation, won’t hit theaters until June 2012, but you don’t need to wait to see the stars from the movie cast as G.I. JOE characters.  The G.I. JOE brand invented the action figure category more than 45 years ago, and the G.I. JOE MOVIE 3.75-INCH action figures continue this great legacy.  Figures are sculpted to match their on-screen counterparts, including Dwayne Johnson as ROADBLOCK, Channing Tatum as DUKE, and Bruce Willis as Joe Colton.  Each figure comes with  off-the-floor play such as  ninja zip lines and projectile launchers. Multiple waves are set to be released throughout the summer and fall 2012. (Figures each sold separately.)

 

For more images, check out the coverage over at JBL sister site GeneralsJoes.com!

Also, here’s a look at the figure images that were previously released:

cobra-commander1
cobra-commander2
cobra-commander3
cobra_trooper
cobra_trooper2
duke1
duke1a
duke2
gi-joe_trooper1
gi-joe_trooper2
gi-joe_trooper3
redninja1
redninja2
redninja3
roadblock1
roadblock2
roadblock3
snakeeyes1a
snakeeyes2
snakeeyes3

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Hasbro Pre-Toy Fair images for G.I. Joe: Retaliation line!

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G.I. Joe: Retaliation

It’s been a busy weekend here at JBL HQ and I apologize for not getting these up sooner.

Friday Hasbro knocked everyone’s socks off with an unprecedented “info dump” for Retalation– in the form of HI-RES images of everything from Basic Figure assortment to Alpha Vehicles to figure battle sets to kids role-play gear.  It’s a lot of images to digest– but I’m going to post them based upon which assortment they fall into.

It’s a lot of Joe overload all in one post!

Basic figure assortment:

cobra-commander1
cobra-commander2
cobra-commander3
cobra_trooper
cobra_trooper2
duke1
duke1a
duke2
gi-joe_trooper1
gi-joe_trooper2
gi-joe_trooper3
redninja1
redninja2
redninja3
roadblock1
roadblock2
roadblock3
snakeeyes1a
snakeeyes2
snakeeyes3

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Alpha vehicle assortment:

ninja-speed-cycle-w-snakeeyes
road-retaliator-w-flint
wheel-blaster-bike-w-firefly

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Bravo vehicle assortment:

fangboat
g-i-joe-bravo-vehicle-tread-ripper-tank-w-clutch
ninja-commando-4x4-w-snake-eyes

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Delta vehicle assortment:

ghost-hawk-ii_0
hisstank
g-i-joe-delta-vehicle-ninja-combat-cruiser-98489

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Ninja Showdown assortment:

ninja-dojo-battle
ninjashowdown

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SDCC 2012 exclusives:

sdcc-kim-arashikage-variant_0
sdcc-kim-arashikage_0
sdcc-shockwave-hiss-tank_0
sdcc-jinx-01
sdcc-jinx-02
sdcc-jinx-03
sdcc-jinx-04

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Roleplay assortment:

blade-of-justice
battle-kata_blaster
battle-kata_exploded_view
g-i-joe-ninja-chucks-a0204
g-i-joe-special-ops-mask-98963
ninja-gear-mask
ninja-gear-star
ninja-gear-sword
snake-eyes
storm-shadow

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Battlers assortment:

roadblock-ninja-commando
snake-eyes-ninja-commando

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Podcast: What’s on Joe Mind #39

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Back with a new logo and a new episode… here’s the official (albeit lengthy) synopsis:

Where do I begin with this one?  What could have gone wrong DID in this one.  What started out to be a quiet standard episode turned into a 7 man battle royal.  I guess people will say, “Well, it wasn’t THAT bad,” and that might be true.  Editing removed a lot of the audio “cyloning,” coughing (i.e. check out the 01:20:31 mark for a doozy), wheezing, bickering and wayward topic discussion, you could clearly tell that most of us were simply not on our “A-Game” for this one.  First on the guest list was Chris Sims of ComicAlliance.com and War Rocket Ajax podcast.  OK, no big deal, standard podcast for us, right?  Well, we picked up a surprise host right before starting the record (now 6) and then Mike chimed in on an ill placed show entrance by Gary which interrupted our guest (now 7).  Sigh…this was not good.  Then the fun poking began as everyone targeted in on Gary for some reason.  Now Gary is a good guy, he can take a good ribbing, but when the night begins to spin out of control, well, everyone’s temper becomes a little salty.

Here’s a lesson in podcasting folks, don’t irk the editor. When we were done embarrassing ourselves in front of our guest, we read a listener’s letter and listened to some voice mail from friend of the show James Kavanaugh, Jr.  In the second half we talk about the two new guests for Roll Out/Roll Call 3 and transitioned into the unfortunate news that no Movie 2 merchandise was shown at UK Toy Fair.  We also talk about the upcoming HissTank.com March Madness thread where you can submit what characters you want to see in modern era contrux.  Last year’s bracket had some interesting names in the Sweet Sixteen that are now possibly in your collections.  Worth a look for sure.  Anyways, not sure how this episode will go down in the annals of Joe podcasting lore, but like our very bad pilot episode, you can stomach at least one full listen of the episode.  So send all hate mail care of Justin B. to GeneralsJoes.com – he’ll enjoy it!

As always, you can listen to the episode in the embedded player below:

 

G.I. Joe Toy Fair 2011 Press Release

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Hasbro issued the following press release concerning their G.I. Joe offerings for 2011.

HASBRO LAUNCHES NEW G.I. JOE TOY LINE TO CELEBRATE “30 YEARS OF G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO” 

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (February XX, 2011) – After nearly three decades, the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA battle rages on and legions of fans couldn’t be happier. When the fight between these two foes commenced in the early 1980’s – as G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO – it brought the world’s first action figure to life for a whole new generation of fans. To celebrate this milestone, Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is introducing new and updated versions of many fan-favorite characters, vehicles, and play patterns from the past 30 years. Hasbro’s 2011 G.I. JOE line will include the re-launch of 12” A REAL AMERICAN HERO figures, re-imagined versions of classic 3.75” figures and vehicles, and new characters from “G.I. Joe Renegades,” the hit animated series that premiered on the Hub last Fall. 

Hasbro invented the action figure category when it launched its G.I. JOE brand more than 45 years ago. The 2011 G.I. JOE line of action figures and vehicles lives up to that legacy with new sculpts showcasing favorite G.I. JOE and COBRA characters. Fans will love adding the new STORM SHADOW, FLINT, and SCARLETT figures, among many others, to their collections and kids will enjoy the characters from the “G.I. Joe: Renegades” program showing up in action figure form.

The brigade of 3.75” figures will have iconic vehicles to add to their arsenal, including a new version of the iconic H.I.S.S. tank and the SKYSTRIKER JET. The original SKYSTRIKER JET, released early in the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA series, has been at the top of fans’ wish lists since it was discontinued in the mid 1980’s. It will come with a 3.75” pilot to help navigate G.I. JOE through treacherous COBRA territory. Also, debuting is the BLACK DRAGON Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft taken directly from the new programming.  Continue reading →