Monthly Archives: May 2015

RIP John Stephenson – voice of Hawk, Dr. Quest, and more

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George Stephenson

Rest in peace, John Stephenson.

General Hawk, General Franks, Dr. Benton Quest, Doggy Daddy, Mr. Slate– these are all characters that were brought to life by the incredibly talented John Stephenson.  The voice actor passed away on Friday May 15, 2015 at the age of 91.

His career spanned an impressive 57 years in the entertainment industry with his first credited role listed in 1953 and his last in 2010.  Before his move to voice acting he was a prolific character actor in the early days of television with appearances on notable series such as The Lone Ranger, F Troop, The Beverly Hillbillies, Get Smart, Perry Mason, and even Hogan’s Heroes. He was also the voice that announced the verdicts at the end of episodes of the popular series Dragnet.

Later, he moved to voice acting and was possibly the most-used talent at Hanna-Barbera Studios providing voices for Fred Flintstone’s boss Mr. Slate, Doggy Daddy, and was the original voice for Dr. Benton Quest on Jonny Quest before the role was assumed by the late Don Messick.  His IMDB page lists over 230 acting credits.

Eventually John Stephenson went to work on many of the Sunbow animated series that fans of JBL are familiar with– providing the voices for such characters as General Hawk (substitute in “The Spy Who Rooked Me”), General Franks, General Flagg, Dr. Lucifer, Granak, Kup, Thundercracker, and Huffer for G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Inhumanoids, and The Transformers.

In his final years he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and had been living in a retirement home.

Rest in peace, John.  Thank you for all the hours of entertainment you’ve given us. Your talents will be missed.

GI Joe FSS 4 sign-up and reveals begin next week!

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gi joe fss 4

GI Joe FSS 4 sign-up begins next week!

Color me surprised!  In a completely out-of-the-blue moment, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club sent the following email message to its members regarding GI Joe FSS 4:

Hello all!

Just a heads up that FSS 4.0 order period and reveals will start next week.

Watch your mailbox and GIJoeClub.com for more details!

These are great figures!

Brian

Wow… talk about striking while the iron is hot!  Fans have just had just a scant month and a half to digest the Joe Con 2015 FSS reveals and now it’s time to sign-up for the next round.

In case you’ve fuzzy, here’s the cast of characters:

Also, here’s a great roster image courtesy of ItsAllTrue.net:

gi joe fss 4

So, that’s the news concerning GI Joe FSS 4.  Stay tuned to JBL next week as we’ll posted each reveal as it’s revealed.  Hang on to your seats– it’s going to be a fun week!

Real life Cobra CLAW gliders return!

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Remember a while back when we posted the video that seemed to show real life Cobra CLAW gliders?

Jetman (aka Yves Rossy) is back and this time he brought a friend!  The daring flyer took the air again in another 10 minute jet-powered flight that evokes memories of the Cobra CLAW swooping down on the unsuspecting forces of G.I. Joe from the old Sunbow cartoons.  The daring pilot has found a protege in fellow enthusiast Vince Reffet!

Now if only someone at Paramount would contact Jetman about G.I. Joe 3!  We might actually get a Cobra CLAW after all!  After all, the Howe & Howe Tech Ripsaw was in G.I. Joe Retaliation, right?

Check out the video below and follow more of Jetman’s incredible flights at Jetman.com!

See the resemblance to the Cobra CLAW?

new-wing-homepage

1984 Cobra CLAW

Support the Legion XIV Kickstarter!

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The Legion XIV Kickstarter can use your help with just SEVEN DAYS to go!

legion xiv kickstarter digital render 3d models

What is the Legion XIV Kickstarter project?  Simple: it’s a fan-driven endeavor to add a bit more diversity to your 1:18 action figure shelf.  The goal of the project is to secure funding to produce a highly articulated 1:18 series of modern army female action figures!  That’s right– FEMALE action figures!

Think about it– new female action figures made from a combination of both ABS and PVC plastics to allow for maximum durability and flexibility!  The Legion XIV Kickstarter’s modest funding goal of $21,000 will cover the production of the Basic Army, Basic Air Force, Night Ops, and Basic Blue trooper shown in the images below. (The last one is especially key— it’s essentially a FEMALE COBRA BLUESHIRT!!!)  Remember how crazy fans went for the Night Stalkers from the Tanks for the Memories convention set back at Joe Con 2007?

legion xiv kickstarter digital breakdown

Plus, have you SEEN the stretch goals?  Let’s just say that Nick Fury and Baron Strucker have the chance to add some lovely ladies to their respective commands as well!

Continue reading →

G.I. Joe FSS 3 Bombstrike & Night Creeper Leader Reviewed!

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G.I. Joe FSS 3 Bombstrike Night Creeper Leader

The next two G.I. Joe FSS 3 figures have arrived!

We’re one shipment away from the end of G.I. Joe FSS 3 and that means it’s time for two more figure reviews.  This month it’s the unusual pairing of G.I. Joe team member Bombstrike with the affiliate of Cobra – the Night Creeper Leader!

Do this blind-folded ninja master and forward air controller go together like chocolate and peanut butter?  Or is this pairing more of a case of oil and water?  Even more importantly, do Chris and Fred agree on anything when it comes to these two penultimate figures from G.I. Joe FSS 3?

Find out the answers to these exciting questions and more over in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index!

 

DiC G.i. Joe Series on Clearance

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G.I. Joe: Series 2, Vol 2

The DiC G.I. Joe animated series is now 70% off!

In my haste this morning to post the links to the complete Sunbow series sale I missed another bit of G.I. Joe animation that is on an ever deeper clearance– the DiC G.I. Joe series is also getting the close-out treatment.  With low stock remaining, the two volumes of the second G.I. Joe animated series are 70% off. Continue reading →

G.I. Joe Complete Series Now 50% Off!

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g.i. joe complete sunbow series

Do you miss having the Sunbow G.I. Joe Complete Series on your favorite streaming service?  Well, now you can pick up the classic animated cartoon saga for 50% off!

That’s right, it’s every single episode of the classic G.I. Joe Complete Series that ran from September 1983 to November 1986 in first-run syndication.  All 95 episodes are presented in this single slim pack case collection; everything from Fatal Fluffies to Cold Slither to Excalibur to the window cleaning services of “The Viper.”  Even better, it’s in a nice case that stores better than the previous footlocker edition. Continue reading →

New Pulp Fiction from Larry Hama!

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adventures of basil and moebius

Larry Hama may be known as the “godfather of G.I. Joe” but he’s also an accomplished  author as well.  He’s also the co-author of a brand-new graphic novel that was released today!

Check out this synopsis:

Alaric Moebius and Basil Fox are two lovable scoundrels looking to make a quick fortune. Basil is a former SAS trooper turned Queen’s Guard by day and thief by night. Moebius is an Oxford-educated charmer with a knack for getting into trouble. Together they chase adventure under the patronage of “The Collector,” a mysterious billionaire with a taste for rare and valuable supernatural objects of the occult. This first volume contains the first three adventures in their career together, introducing the unlikely duo for the first time in a highstakes chain of pulpy high adventures! Written by the legendary Larry Hama (G.I.Joe, Wolverine) with creator Ryan Schifrin, these wild adventures have the thrills of Indiana Jones, the wit and banter of the best buddy-cop pairings, and the globe-hopping wonder of James Bond. An exciting thrill ride from cover to cover!

Okay, let me get this straight— “Indiana Jones” and “James Bond” are used in analogies to describe this?  I’m sensing some pulp adventure of the highest order coming from this book which is, fortunately, on its way to me already from Amazon!  I’m a sucker for good pulp adventure novels as well as classic spy thriller.  Considering that this is written by one of my favorite writers, this purchase was a complete no-brainer.  If you’re a fan of high adventure novels or the spy genre, you might consider giving this one a read.  Even better– the second graphic novel in the series is due out on July 28, 2015!

If the description above isn’t enough to whet your appetite or if you’re curious about the world of Basil and Moebius, check out this short film by the series creator Ryan Schifrin and featuring the talents of Ray Park, Malcolm McDowell, and Kane Hodder.

No Rest for the Wicked — A Basil and Moebius Adventure from Neurobellum on Vimeo.

You can find more information on the entire series at WhoIsTheCollector.com

G.I. Joe FSS 3 Shipment 5 is arriving now!

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G.I. Joe FSS 3.0 logo

G.I. Joe FSS 3 Shipment #5 is now shipping!

Thanks to Alyosha of BrokenArrowToys.com, images of the latest G.I. Joe FSS 3 shipments have been posted on Facebook.  Having glanced at the pictures, I can safely say that this is most definitely a “glass half empty/glass half full month” with this shipment containing one of the most anticipated and one of the least desired figures from the entire series.

Want to know more?  Keep reading, Joe fan!  If you don’t want to be spoiled then stop right there! Continue reading →

Coil Con 6 is August 15 – 16 in Dayton Ohio

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Coil Con 6

Coil Con 6 will be held this year in Dayton, OH on August 15 – 16!  That’s right Joe fans, the 6th annual event is hitting the road and expanding to two full days!

It’s been exciting to watch Coil Con grow each year from its beginnings in Kokomo, IN on the grounds of Kokomo Toys to last year’s change of venue to Indianapolis.  However, this year proves to be the biggest year yet with the expansion to a two day event and the change of venue to Dayton, OH!

This event is entirely fan-driven and offers G.I. Joe collectors from across the Midwest a chance to gather together and share a common love of “all things Joe.”  There are dealers, special guests, and many opportunities just to kick back and share the love of the hobby.

While the official site hasn’t been updated yet, the announcement was made throughout many groups and communities on Facebook late last night.   For more information on scheduled events, guests, and lodging, keep your eyes peeled to both CoilCon.com as well as the official Coil Con Facebook page.

JBL had a blast at Coil Con IV and I’m planning on trying to make it back to this year’s event.   If you’re planning on attending, give a shout out in the comments below!