Category Archives: Fandom

JoeCon 2013: Custom figures, part 1

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One of my favorite parts of any JoeCon is the display of custom figures up for judging.  I’m not a customizer myself.  (Just a hack writer who likes to shoot pics of figures and offer opinions under the guise of a “review.”)  However, I am in awe of the creativity and inventiveness of the G. I. Joe fan community when it comes to customs.  Whether it be a simple repaint or a complete transformation of one figure into another, the individuals that showcase their talents here deserve ever ounce of recognition that the community can give them.

So, you’re sitting there saying “enough gushing– GET ON WITH IT!” I couldn’t agree more so below are most of the custom figures that were on display on Friday.  I was shooting these as judging was happening and could only get half so look for another update tomorrow.

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Today is G.I. Joe Retaliation day – G.I. Joe

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It’s time for the final image in Twitziller‘s fantastic “40 Reasons to be Excited for G.I. Joe Retaliation” series with the best reason of them all – G.I. Joe!

g.i. joe retaliation - joe colton

 

Some things just speak for themselves.  When Larry Hama first introduced Joe Colton into the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero title I was floored!  It was the first honest attempt to draw a connection between the world of the 12″ Joes and the Adventure Team and the 1:18 ARAH era.  In a flawless move, Larry gave a name to the 12″ Adventure Team Commander and made him the inspiration for the then-current team.  Brilliant!!!

When Jon M. Chu and his team set out to cast the movie there was one name to which they looked to bring such an iconic character to life: Bruce Willis.  No other American actor today has the presence, cinematic history, and attitude to bring General Colton to life– even if he doesn’t have “life-like hair and beard.”  Bravo, team.  Bravo.

Now we’re at the end— G.I. Joe Retaliation is now in theatres.  So, quit lolly-gagging around looking at your computer and go out and see the movie already!   Yo Joe!!

A HUGE thanks to Twitziller for all of his hard work in crafting these images.  We’ve never met, good sir, but when we do the first brew is on me.

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Happy G.I. Joe Retaliation Day!!!

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g.i. joe retaliation flag

That’s right– today is March 28, 2013!  It’s the premiere of G.I. Joe Retaliation!!!!

We’ve waited months for this and now the day has finally arrived.  This weekend fans will flock to see that latest live action adventure of our favorite Real American Hero on the big screen and I have the feeling that they’re going to love it.

The film is currently sitting at 42% over at RottenTomatoes.com with the critics but 82% of audiences have enjoyed it thus far.  I’ve managed to see it twice now (cough FANBOY, cough) and have enjoyed myself both times.  It’s a film that holds up to a repeated viewing rather well.  You can read JBL’s Review of G.I. Joe Retaliation RIGHT HERE as well as other reviews from around the fandom.

My advice– go and see it for yourself.  Get some popcorn, a large drink, and prepare to kick back and relax for next hour and forty minutes as the Joes once again prove themselves to be Real American Heroes!

HAPPY RETALIATION DAY!!!

2 days to G.I. Joe Retaliation – battle kata gear

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Twitziller nears the conclusion of his “40 Reasons to Be Excited for G.I. Joe Retaliation” series with “battle kata gear.”

G.I. Joe Retaliation battle kata gear

Honestly this is a tricky one to write up because it’s not really overtly featured in the film.  The Battle Kata Roadblock figure showcased the full extend of the variable weapons system wielded by Roadblock rather effectively.  It’s a dynamic concept and one that can offer a soldier in combat more options than they can shake a stick at.  Plus, it’s hard not to look at the image above and think just how cool that pistol is.

Check out the rest of Twitziller’s series of images below.  Tomorrow is RETALIATION DAY!!!

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G.I. Joe Retaliation reviews from around the Joe community

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G.I. Joe Retaliation March 28

While tomorrow is the official release date, a few theater chains across the US had early screenings of G.I. Joe Retaliation last night and more showings this evening.  With showings come comments and reviews– many from site owners and long-time Joe fans.  In order to give fans a fair picture of the overall community vibe for the movie, I’ve collected Joe site and Joe fan reviews below.  These aren’t from paid media outlets but rather from folks just like you and I.  Just remember, everyone is entitled to their opinion– even if it isn’t necessarily in step with your own.

Note: some of these will contain spoilers to varying degrees.   Read at your own risk.

G.I. Joe Retaliation Reviews:

I’ll add more as I find them.  If you know of a Joe site with a review of the film, toss me a comment below and I’ll add it to the list!

3 days until G.I. Joe Retaliation – Lighting!

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Twitziller counts down the final days to G.I. Joe Retaliation‘s full release in the US with “lighting”!

day 3 - lighting

In film, lighting is one of the myriad tools available to a director to paint a scene.  In the black and white era, it provided a necessary contrast and was used to place subtle emphasis on a particular element.  In G.I. Joe Retaliation, lighting plays a crucial element in framing the scenes.  With action set during the day and the night, how light plays across the various elements will set mood and tone.  Audiences will see how effectively it used in just a few days.

You can view the entire series released thus far below:

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4 days until G.I. Joe Retaliation – Lady Jaye

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Twitziller gives fans the final few reasons to be excited for G.I. Joe Retaliation including Lady Jaye!

G.I. Joe Retaliation Lady Jaye

Lady Jaye became an essentially part of my personal G.I. Joe universe with her first appearance in G.I. Joe: The Revenge of Cobra!  Debuting at the same time as her paramour Flint (as well as Shipwreck, Mutt, etc), the Covert Operations specialist proved herself to be smart, capable, and more than a little sassy!  She was the kind of strong confident female that brands like She-Ra aspired to have.  Whereas the female characters in Rise of Cobra were portrayed in relation to other mail character, G.I. Joe Retaliation shows Lady Jaye as an extremely strong and capable addition to the team.  She’s a qualified marksman as well as a master of covert operations and infiltration and, if the trailers are any indication, Adrianne Palicki brings her to life with the respect the character deserves!

JBL has previously reviewed the G.I. Joe Retaliation Lady Jaye action figure.

Check out Twitziller’s previously-released images from “40 Reasons to Be Excited for G.I. Joe Retaliation” below:

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5 days to G.I. Joe Retaliation – motion

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Twitziller counts down the final few days until G.I. Joe Retaliation with today’s reason to be excited – the use of “Motion”.

G.I. Joe Retaliation motion

A properly choreographed fight sequence is very much akin to an intricate dance. The individuals involved flow and shift with each other’s moves to form a seamless piece that is more effective than the sum of its parts.  As a long time fan of martial movies, I’ve seen this time and time again– both in the films and in the interviews that accompany them on DVD.  However, the same can also be said for action sequences in general in film– they’re all about motion.  It’s what separates a film from other visual media like comic books.  The effective use of movement enhance a scene where as too much motion can utterly destroy it.  (Anyone remember the motion-sickness inducing car chase as the end of the Bourne Supremacy?)  Director Jon M. Chu seems to employ motion effectively in the clips we’ve seen thus far– keeping his camera perspectives steady for the most part while letting the visual focus be on the actors and the subjects of the scenes.  The audiences eyes are draw to the motion of the film, not the motion of the camera trying to capture the action and the result looks like it will be a visual feast for the eyes.

It’s good to see the G.I. Joe brand being treated in such a respectful fashion rather than as a “live action kids cartoon” this time around.

Check out the rest of Twitziller’s images below as the countdown to G.I. Joe Retaliation continues!

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6 days until G.I. Joe Retaliation – Cobra Commander’s battle helmet

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Twitziller counts down the final few days until G.I. Joe Retaliation with today’s reason to be excited – Cobra Commander’s battle helmet.

G.I. Joe Retaliation Cobra Commmander battle helmet

Let’s face it- Cobra Commander looked ridiculous in Rise of Cobra.  His mask, seen on screen for all of 5 minutes, resembled a silver bed pan more than anything he’d ever worn before.  Thankfully the production designers this time paid attention to the source material and the incredible Retaliation Cobra Commander was born.  Now if they can just erase that whole “Rex Lewis” garbage from existence.

Check out the recent JBL Review of the G.I. Joe Retaliation Cobra Commander and peruse the rest of Twitziller’s images below:

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7 days until G.I. Joe Retaliation – Roadblock

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Twitziller is counting down the final seven days until G.I. Joe Retaliation with today’s reason to be jazzed: ROADBLOCK!

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As a kid, I had a core group of favorite Joes– and the center of the group where Gung-Ho and Roadblock!  In some ways they were the Riggs & Murtaugh, Butch & Sundance,  .  On of my favorite stories featuring them was in Marvel Comics G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero vol 1 #39 – #41 which involved a mission to Sierra Gordo.  Two of my favorites were front and center– what’s not to love?!

When it came time to play one of the largest Joes in the sequel film, Paramount went to one of the biggest names in entertainment – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.  It’s a brilliant move as who else would be able to wield the giant M2 (as seen above) and yet still exude the charisma to play the team’s resident heavy machine gunner and chef?  The Rock brings with him not only a fan base but a strong confident portrayal of a fan-favorite character with the action-hero chops to back it up.  Seriously– the casting director should get one heck of a Christmas bonus for this!

Now if only Gung-Ho can join him in the sequel!

Check out the rest of Twitziller’s images below:

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