Author Archives: Fred Meyer

About Fred Meyer

Digital strategist by day, hack writer and photography by night - this long-time figure collector still thinks that he can string words together and form meaningful entertaining sequences. He is obviously mistaken.

G.I. Joe Retaliation trailer to hit Facebook in the US Monday evening?!

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G.I. Joe: Retaliation

The UK G.I. Joe movie Facebook page dropped an interesting piece of information this morning:

The trailer for GI Joe: Retaliation will launch EXCLUSIVELY on our page at 12:30am Tuesday

Now… let’s do the math.  IF we’re talking 12:30am on Tuesday morning London time, that puts it being viewable on the page at 7:30pm EST on Monday December 12th.  (6:30pm CST if you’re in the Midwest like I am.)   Granted, debuting a trailer at “midnight-thirty” local time seems an odd time to debut but that could be scheduled with international audiences in mind.

Either way, I’ll be hitting Facebook diligently on Monday night!

Want to see the G.I. Joe Retaliation trailer released? Here’s one way that might help!

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G.I. Joe: Retaliation

There’s been a lot of buzz about the pending release of the first trailer for G.I. Joe: Retaliation — the game-changing sequel to Rise of Cobra.  Regardless of what you may have thought about the first film’s quality, this one certainly boasts a lot more star power including Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Bruce Willis!   Longtime friend of JBL Justin from GeneralsJoes.com posted some information that may help to influence Paramount to drop the trailer sooner rather than later.  I’m just going to quote Justin’s post below:

In expressing my enthusiasm to see a trailer for next year’s G.I. Joe: Retaliation film, I had an opportunity to Tweet back and forth with the film’s director Jon Chu, and he recommended that if we want to see the trailer for the film, we should Tweet @ParamountPics and let them know.

So how about it, Joe fans?  Can we get together and let Paramount know that we want to see this thing?

Those of you with Twitter accounts, hit up ParamountPics and let them know!  If you don’t have Twitter, sign up and let’s do this!

Yo Joe!

Seriously guys– Justin’s right on the money.  If Paramount thinks they’ve got an audience, they’ll drop the trailer sooner rather than making us wait for it.  So, follow Justin’s advice and get on Twitter!  Let the power-that-be know that you want to see that Joe trailer– hopefully before year’s end.

While you’re at it– give JBL a follow on Twitter as well at @JoeBattlelines

Podcast: What’s on Joe Mind #33 is online!

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The guys at What’s on Joe Mind have posted their latest episode!  Here’s the “official” synopsis!

What do you do when one Chuck isn’t enough?  You add another, that’s what ya do!  Chuck from the very popular podcast, StarJoes joins us as a guest to double your Chuck power for the week.  StarJoes Chuck gives an impressive performance.  WOJM Chuck, just throws in the “rag.”  From the mailbag we ready Monte’s letter concerning theigh cuts and other items to make it easier to customize.  Hear the reactions from the live Tweet as man-cards were retracted then later reissued.  In the news, wave 3 just got here and it looks like wave 4 is nipping at its heels.  A date for COIL Con III is revealed.  The club debuts some more detail on the FSS figures and cardart, while Justin and Gary give their thoughts on the behavior of the fandom towards the club.  IDW crowns a new Cobra Commander – ample spoilers are given, you have been warned.  Ellen Tigh is still the 13th Cylon; sorry its a 5 year old show, spoiler limitations do not apply.  If you need more Joe on TV, The Hub is now showing season 2 of the Joe toon.  Lastly the crew wraps it up by discussing the Joe-molded Jurassic Park figures that were originally destined for TRU, but are showing up in various Asian markets.  Greg was moody so we ended it short so he could get some sleep.  Shhh, don’t laugh too loud, you’ll wake him.

You can check out the episode here!

Card art for all 12 “Club Sub” figs and terms & conditions released!

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Okay, it’s a mega-update for the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Figure Subscription Service (aka “Club Sub”) and it’s full of card art and terms and conditions!

First off, over the past few weeks the GIJCC has been releasing images of the card art for all 12 of the revealed FSS figures.  Now, this has caused some degree of controversy over the perceived quality of the art.  Personally, I feel that’s for each fan to decide on their own.  All 12 artwork previews are posted below for your viewing pleasure.

Secondly, the club has released a few head shots of the forthcoming figure including close-ups of Jinx, Topside, Big Boa and, most recently, Iron Klaw.  It seems the beret on the former G.I. Joe Extreme cast member is removable!

Lastly, the GIJCC has posted a link to a “Terms and Conditions” document for the FSS.  (No, the pricing STILL isn’t available– just the same $20 – $25 range that has been tossed around for months.)    It’s a PDF download and can also be accessed on the FSS Subscription page of GIJoeClub.com.

Check out ALL of the released images of the FSS offerings belows!

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Robert Atkins discusses the new IDW Cobra Commander design! Custom figure contest!!

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Okay, I’m starting to sound like a broken record here with all of the new IDW Cobra Commander love.  However, if there’s one thing that can sell me on a new character design in a comic it is the caliber of the artist– and there are currently non better on Joe than Robert Atkins!

In his latest blog post, Robert deconstructs the process of creating the forthcoming Cobra Commander cover as well details exactly why the costume design turned out the way it did.

It’s a great “behind the scenes” look at the genesis of the design for Joe’s signature villain.

While you’re there– check out the “Robert Atkins Art Custom Figure Contest” — in which one lucky customizer will be able to win an original 11″ x 17″ commission from Robert himself!

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Crimson HISS & 20% off + free shipping code for HasbroToyShop.com

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Tis the season to buy presents… fa-lalala…

HasbroToyShop.com is seeking your holiday dollars and they’ve got a new product and an offer to tempt many a Joe fan!

Just added to their “New To HasbroToyShop” section is the Crimson HISS w/Crimson Horsemen.  Retailing at $19.99 it’s a slick new update on the Pursuit of Cobra HISS from last year.  Plus, it’s piloted by the first-ever Crimson Guard pilot specialist!   However, use the discount code “FNF20FS” and receive 20% off your order with FREE shipping!  Even better– there’s no minimum order so army builders can purchase tanks like the plastic candy they are!

Here’s the official announcement:

HasbroToyShop.com Friends & Family Offer
There’s still time to finish your holiday shopping! Shop now and save 20% OFF plus FREE SHIPPING on your next purchase at HasbroToyShop.com. Simply enter promo code FNF20FS during checkout to enjoy the savings. You’ll find the season’s hottest brands like, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MONOPOLY, LITTLEST PET SHOP, TRANSFORMERS, SESAME STREET, BEYBLADE and more! Feel free to share this special event with friends and family! Offer ends December 18, 2011. 20 % off and FREE STANDARD SHIPPING on most orders at HasbroToyShop.com. Not valid on previous orders. Offer excludes purchases of HasbroToyShop.com exclusives, Hasbro’s Ultimate Gifts category, and PLAYATHON Fundraising Kits. This offer cannot be combined with any other coupon or offer. Subject to terms and conditions of use and HasbroToyShop.com policies. Void where prohibited. Offer expires December 18, 2011 11:59 pm (ET).

So, go get ’em gang!

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Robert Atkins unveils more details on Cobra Commander’s new look!

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If you’ve been reading comics from IDW’s era of G.I. Joe then you’re most likely a fan of artist Robert Atkins.  His artwork has graced the pages of the main Joe title in volume 1 and is currently dominating the action in the intriguing Snake Eyes solo series.  It also turns out that he’s one of the minds behind the new design of Cobra Commander.

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Over at his blog, Robert Atkins Art, he also unveils some awesome turnarounds of the Commander’s “new robes”.  Check it out in his posting Cobra Commander Revealed!  Also, be sure to check out G.I. Joe vol 2 #8 that’s hitting shelves today for the reveal on the identity of the new Cobra Commander!

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IDW reveals new Cobra Commander in USA Today interview!

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IDW’s G.I. Joe comic franchise took a pretty dramatic turn last year when, in Cobra #12, Joe agent Chuckles ended Cobra Commander’s leadership with a rifle slug.  Now,  nearly one chronological year later, the new Commander will be revealed in G.I. Joe vol 2 #8, which hits stands tomorrow.  It even features a “scratch off cover

If you want to be spoiled as to who the new Commander is, check out this interview at USAToday.com.

You’ve been warned… the article pretty much spills the beans.

What isn’t so spoilery is that the new Commander’s look is also revealed and it’s a pretty dramatic change.  In fact, it’s also hauntingly familiar to fans of Sigma 6.

Check out the “Commander’s new robes” below and check out G.I. Joe #8 on shelves tomorrow!  (Until then, there’s a preview on Scribd.com.)

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Skystrikers now $19.99 at Amazon.com!!

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The holiday deals from Amazon.com continue!

On Black Friday the Skystrikers dropped to $24.99.  Today, they’ve dropped again– to a whopping $19.99!   That’s a full 56% off of the MSRP!!

$19.99 Skystriker w/ Captain Ace – $19.99

These jets are normally $39.99 at the Toys R Us store near me.  At this price, I can snag 2 for the price of one– and possibly even toss the extra into the Toys For Tots bin.  At this price, I’ve no idea how much longer Amazon is going to keep discounting them but if you are looking for a few more jets to fill up the deck of the USS Flagg or merely wish to fill the ceiling of your Joe room with a flying armada, this is the time to buy!

30th Anniversary wave 4 pre-orders hit BBTS, Kokomo Toys, and SmallJoes.com!

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After a long drought, it seems like Joe fans are about to be swimming in product.  Several online e-tailers have now listed pre-orders for wave 4 of the 30th anniversary line!  That’s right– at a time when most fans still haven’t found wave 3 at retail new versions of Airtight, Law & Order, Lifeline, Sci-Fi, and the infamous Zombie Viper are due to arrive in early December!

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I’ll be honest– wave 3 took me completely by surprise.  My pre-order from SmallJoes.com hit early this past week and I’ve been FLOORED by the quality of the product.  The articulation, the design, and even the accessories (which were pared down from what was originally shown) are all pretty spectacular.  In many ways, the 30th Anniversary run is FAR superior to the early waves of the 25th Anniversary line but that’s just my opinion.

Check out the links below.  Many of these e-tailers are still accepting orders for some individual figures.

BigBadToyStore.com:

Kokomo Toys:

SmallJoes.com:

For clarification, the “set of 5” includes one each of: Lifeline, Airtight, Sci-Fi, Zombie-Viper, and Law & Order.  The initial case pack seems to be: Lifeline (x 1), Zombie-Viper (x 2), Sci-Fi (x 1), Law & Order (x 1), Techno-Viper (x 1), Steel Brigade (x 1), Airtight (x 1), Scarlett (x 1), Ripcord (x 1), Tunnel Rat (x 1), and Cobra Trooper (Renegades version) (x 1).

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