Hasbro Pulse Con is coming October 22 – 23, 2021

HASBRO ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF THE SUCCESSFUL 2-DAY EVENT “HASBRO PULSE CON” ON OCTOBER 22-23, 2021 

Hosted by Jackie Jennings and Khleo Thomas, the Ultimate Pop Culture Celebration Promises Access to Iconic Fan Brands, G.I. JOE, Magic: The Gathering, NERF, Power Rangers, Transformers, Dungeons & Dragons, Ghostbusters, Fortnite, Marvel and Star Wars™, Plus Special Guest Appearances, Including the Cast of “Power Rangers Dino Fury”! 

Hasbro Pulse Con 2021 Will Be Livestreamed Exclusively on the  

Hasbro Pulse YouTube Channel  

View the Hasbro Pulse Con 2021 Sizzle Reel HERE! 

 

PAWTUCKET, RI – August 20, 2021 – Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS) today announced the return of Hasbro Pulse Con 2021 on October 22-23, 2021, which promises fans in the US, Canada and UK one-of-a-kind experiences to celebrate the company’s iconic brands through engaging brand panels, exclusive content drops, over 50 new product reveals, celebrity appearances, exclusive Pulse Premium Member opportunities, fan interactivity and more. Hasbro Pulse Con will be livestreamed exclusively on the Hasbro Pulse YouTube Channel 

 Presenting fans with the best in entertainment and toys, Hasbro Pulse Con will showcase programming based on its iconic fan brands, including G.I. JOEMagic: The GatheringNERF, Power RangersTransformers and Dungeons & Dragons, along with premier partner brands Star Wars™, Marvel, GhostbustersFortnite, and more. Jackie Jennings, SYFY Wire on-air correspondent, writer, and producer, returns to Pulse Con to co-host the pop culture celebration and joins new co-host Khleo Thomas, actor, influencer, artist, and entrepreneur. The program will feature special guest appearances including the cast of Power Rangers Dino Fury as well to get fans excited for the show’s highly-anticipated return this fall: Russell Curry (Red Ranger), Kai Moya (Blue Ranger), Hunter Deno (Pink Ranger), Tessa Rao (Green Ranger), Chance Perez (Black Ranger) and Jordon Fite (Gold Ranger).  Continue reading

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!

GIJoeCon 2018: Boxed set and souvenir first look videos

GIJoeCon 2018 has come and gone and I’m still playing catch-up posting the convention coverage.  The JBL staff (IE Fred) drove to the con this year and apparently making the solo 8.5 hour drive back in 9.5 hours wasn’t the best idea in the world.  Maybe it’s true what Indiana Jones said:

It’s not the years… it’s the mileage…

Regardless, I managed to post a few LIVE videos over on JBL’s Facebook page with a quick look at the various souvenir items.  I’ve archived them below for easy viewing.  In reverse order, these videos cover the following:

Python Peril: Marauders to the Rescue 2018 boxed set

including:

Slaughter’s Marauders:

  • Footloose
  • Mutt & Junkyard
  • Spirit & Freedom
  • Hardball
  • Sgt. Smasher

Python Patrol 2.0:

  • Major Bludd
  • Laser Viper
  • HEAT Viper
  • Lampreys

Continue reading

GIJoeCon 2018 Comic reveals souvenir list

GIJoeCon 2018 is almost officially here but last night was the Golden Ticket package pickup!  This means that Golden Ticket Holders were able to not only acquire their convention sets one night early (more on this later) but they were also able to pick up their 2018 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention comic books– which included the following souvenir list:

GIJoeCon 2018 souvenir items

That’s right– these are the Club’s extra offerings for GIJoeCon 2018. Continue reading

GIJoeCon 2018: Convention sets are still available!

GIJoeCon 2018 is now 91 days away and this year’s exclusive sets are still available!

GIJoeCon 2018 bannerOkay, that headline is slightly misleading.  The 1:18 Python Peril: Marauders to the Rescue 15 figure convention sets had previously sold out during the preview period. That’s right– before fans even had the reveals for all nine figure builds, the sets (both attending and non-attending) were gone! Apparently, announcing that this was the final year for a Fun Publications run event was good for sales!

The folks at the GIJCC, however, were able to secure an additional run from the factory and more Python Patrol vs. Slaughter’s Marauders sets were produced– both for Homefront Heroes and convention attendees.

As of this morning, those sets are STILL available!

Continue reading

GIJoeCon 2018: Python Patrol Major Bludd is revealed at last!

The GIJoeCon 2018 previews are nearly complete with a look at the Python Patrol Major Bludd

GIJoeCon 2018 Python Patrol Major Bludd front

PYTHON PATROL INFANTRY COMMANDER:
MAJOR BLUDD

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– Modern Era Update of Character based on 2003 design.
– Features NEW Head Sculpt with removable helmet.
– Includes removable grenade harness with pistol,
handgun with rocket, backpack with rockets x 3,
sonic bazooka, and Cobra Logo Stand.

Hmm… I find myself conflicted on this one.

On one hand, the overall deco looks fantastic!  It’s an excellent recreation of the 2003 six-pack Major Bludd! (Those colors are just ridiculously engaging.) I like the Cobra Shock Trooper legs and the Retaliation Cobra Trooper harness and torso look great together!  Heck, I even like the backpack choice.  I’d say that 85% of this figure is pure win. Continue reading

GIJoeCon 2018: Slaughter’s Marauders Spirit stands proud!

The preview for the GIJoeCon 2018 Slaughter’s Marauders Spirit dropped yesterday!

GIJoeCon 2018 Slaughter's Marauders Spirit and Freedom

SLAUGHTER’S MARAUDERS
TRACKER with EAGLE:
SPIRIT IRON-KNIFE & FREEDOM

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– Modern Era Update of Character in original SM design.
– Features exclusive NEW Head Sculpt with ponytail hairstyle.
– Includes removable harness, scoped dart rifle with cartridge,
knife, backpack with dart cartridges, and G.I. Joe Logo Stand.

It’s funny… I didn’t expect to be blow away by Spirit… and yet here I am.

The 2011 Slaughter’s Marauders Spirit was a fun update of the 1989 original version.  It borrowed the classic color scheme but leaned heavily into the “Predator Billy” Pursuit of Cobra Spirit that took the fandom by storm.  As such, I questioned the Club’s decision to update Spirit once again in the GIJoeCon 2018 set.  I was wrong to do so. Continue reading

GIJoeCon 2018: Hardball swings for the fences!

The GIJoeCon 2018 previews continue with a look at the Slaughter’s Marauders take on Hardball!

GIJoeCon 2018 Slaughter's Maruaders Hardball front

SLAUGHTER’S MARAUDERS
MULTI-SHOT GRENADIER: HARDBALL

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– First Modern Era Release of Character in SM design.
– Includes removable hat, harness, pistol with suppressor,
knife, re-tooled multi-shot grenade launcher, backpack,
and G.I. Joe Logo Stand.

“Multi-Shot Grenadier”… that makes me laugh. It should be “guy with a grenade launcher so big he’s going to blow up the world!!!”

Man, I love the character of Hardball!  Ever since I first encountered his vintage 1988 version I had an affinity for the character. He was never the most popular Joe nor did he get any screen time in animation.  Still, a guy who carries a launcher that large is a force to be reckoned with and the Club did just fine with this build! Continue reading

GIJoeCon 2018: Python Patrol HEAT Viper lights it up!

The GIJoeCon 2018 previews are coming fast and furious! Today’s reveal: the Python Patrol HEAT Viper!

GIJoeCon 2018 Python HEAT Viper

PYTHON PATROL
HIGH EXPLOSIVE ANTI-TANK TROOPER:
H.E.A.T. VIPER

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– Modern Era Update of Character based on 2003 design.
– THREE Army Builder action figures in this exclusive set.
– Includes removable harness, bazooka shells x 6, bazooka,
connection tube, backpack, and Cobra Logo Stand.

Hmm… not quite as “hot” as I was hoping for…

The recipe for the Python Patrol HEAT Viper is pretty simple.  Take the 2014 50th Anniversary HEAT Viper and apply an approximation of the 2003 Python Patrol HEAT Viper color scheme.  I say “approximation” because this one is close but there’s something off about it. Continue reading

GIJoeCon 2018: Slaughter’s Marauders Mutt revealed!

Another day and another reveal from the GIJoeCon 2018 set.  Today: Slaughter’s Marauder’s Mutt & Junkyard!

GIJoeCon 2018 Slaughter's Marauders Mutt

SLAUGHTER’S MARAUDERS
MILITARY POLICE & K-9: MUTT & JUNKYARD

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– Modern Era Release of Character based on 1989 SM design.
– Includes removable helmet, muzzle, vest, submachine gun,
baton, knife, dog leash, and G.I. Joe Logo Stand.

Say what you want about the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club but they certainly stick close to the vintage designs. In this case, the recipe for the convention exclusive figure is simple: take the 25th Anniversary Mutt build and apply the 1989 Slaughter’s Marauders version color scheme.  Some might criticize this as not being different enough from the 25th release in terms of parts but it is in keeping with the spirit of this set so far.  After all, Footloose was a repaint of his previous Club release in the team deco. Continue reading