It’s been pretty quiet around JBL for the past 13 months.
No new reviews, no news postings, no snarky nostalgia-filled pieces about things that just happen to pique the admin’s interest.
Instead, it’s been quiet. Or, in the words of Elmer Fudd “vewy vewy qwiet…”
What’s the reason for that silence? Well, I can’t really say but there are several things that have contributed to it. Continue reading
It’s time to announce the Vitruvian HACKS Atelis Warrior photo contest winners!
(I know… JBL is late on this but what else is new, right? I need to find a way to make this my full-time gig!)
Thanks to friend of JBL Kokomo Toys, we had three of their killer exclusive Vitruvian HACKS Atelis Warrior Armored Amazon figures to give away. Two were going to be awarded to a Facebook entrant and one to an Instagram participant.
Sadly, we had no entries on Instagram which just means that we’re giving away TWO prizes on Facebook instead! The first place winner gets a pair of these awesome serpentine Atelis Warrior figures while the runner-up is the recipient of a single Atelis Warrior to add to his or her collection. The decision-making process wasn’t easy and but in the end the winners were chosen based on photo composition as well as their descriptions. So, without further adieu…
Want to win a Kokomo Toys exclusive Vitruvian HACK Atelis Warrior Altered Amazon figure? Read on and find out how you could one or two of your very own!
It’s no secret that the Boss Fight Studio Vitruvian HACKS line has taken the 1:18 action figure community by storm. It’s also no secret that Kokomo Toys is one of THE best sources for quality vintage and modern action figures out there. When these two giants partnered together to produce the Atelis Warrior Altered Amazon figure– the result was PURE WIN!
Thanks to Kokomo Toys, JBL has THREE of these deadly warriors to give away! However, we’re not going to give them away all at once! Here’s how to win one or two of your very own starting on Saturday, August 17th: All you need to do is snap an original image and post it on one of the social media channels listed below! The catch? It’s an image that would be improved by the inclusion of an Atelis Warrior!
Facebook is currently the world’s largest social media platform so we’re giving away not one but TWO of the Atelis Warriors over the JBL Facebook page! Simply find the contest announcement post and reply with an original action figure image that you think NEEDS to include two Atelis Warriors. In your entry, tell us if you’re using another figure as a stand-in and describe how you’d use the Atelis Warrior to improve the shot! Entries need not be limited to a Greek setting! Feel free to let your creativity run wild be it with Indiana Jones, Marauder Task Force, Jurassic Park, etc. The image just has to be posted from your profile in the contest post discussion before the deadline listed at the bottom of this article!
Instagram is a perfect place to show off your amazing action figure photos! Now just imagine how much more awesome those photos would be with an Atelis Warrior showcased front and center! To be eligible to win one of these figures, simply shoot and post a photo on Instagram that would be made that much more exciting if it included an altered Amazon warrior! Post your pic, tell us how the Atelis Warrior would make the shot better (and which figure is standing in for the serpentine warrior), and tag @joebattlelines in the description as well as use the hashtag #JBLHacks. That’s it!
The deadline to submit your entries on BOTH platforms is 11:59pm CST on August 25, 2018! JBL staff will peruse through the entries following the deadline. We’ll announce the winners of each giveaway both here and on our social media channels on Tuesday August 28, 2018. So, fire up your cameras, grab some action figures, and snap some amazing photos for your chance to win one or two of these amazing figures!
While you’re at it, learn more about the Atelis Warriors at the Vitruvian Facts Wiki! Or if you want to snag even more Atelis Warriors for your armies, snag ’em via the Kokomo Toys eBay store!
Merry Christmas from your friends here at JBL!
Today is Christmas Day! Whether or not you celebrate it for its religious significance, today is day in which much of the western world seems to set aside differences and grievances and instead focuses on a spirit of giving and compassion. For children, it’s a day in which brightly wrapped packages appear under a decorated tree– each promising hours of excitement to come. For parents, it’s a day to watch over their children or even grandchildren as they embrace Christmas with open arms.
For all of you who read this, I’d like to express my wamest wishes for a safe and happy holiday to your and your families. While our favorte brand of adventurers, soldiers, and Real American Heroes are no longer in stores, we can still enjoy the spirit of the season and look back fondly on the days when boxes of familar Hasbro products were unwrapped and new adventures with G.I. Joe were ahead. G.I. Joe will return– and whether or not it is in a form familiar or in a brand new aspect, we all hope that name “G.I. Joe” will continue to foster the imagination of future generations.
Or rather, as the “Great Snake” himself once put it so succinctly:
Animal Warriors of the Kingdom returns to Kickstarter on May 1, 2017! Check out the official announcement below!
Spero Studio was founded by Jason Bienvenu and Brandon Gary, inspired by the 4 scale, toy lines of the mid 70’s, 80’s & 90’s, Spero focuses on bringing back the fun and joy from these eras with high quality products featuring modern articulation and accessories!
Figure design and control art by Jason Bienvenu, beautifully sculpted by Jose Fernandez and Fabiano Carlos Coelho.
ANIMAL WARRIORS OF THE KINGDOM™ Series One: will consist of Ape, Canine, and Feline warriors, including the series main protagonist the albino ape Pale and he’s vile nemesis Baron Kah Lee. Each figure features 17 points of articulation as well as weapon accessories.
THE FIGURES: are 1:18 scale figures similar to G.I. Joe, Marvel Universe, H.A.C.K.S, Marauders Task Force, Dime Novel Legends, Eagle Force Returns, Zombie Lab and Hellscreamerz figures. The figures are sculpted, colored and faithful of the comic book source material while remaining highly detailed with have great crossover potential for lines like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Vitruvian H.A.C.K.S.!
SERIES ONE WAVE ONE
FIGURE INCLUDES: 1 Figure, accessories as well as removable armor! Mix and match your figures weapons and gear to create unique army builders
PALE: ADVENTURE ARMOR –The young albino ape king sports his trademark Mohawk and red armor while wielding the ability to absorb his fallen enemies powers; however this gift comes at a great cost as their ghosts become attached to him and slowly drive him mad!
BARON KAH LEE – The tyrannical ruler over all of the Ape Kingdom. This devious villain rules with an Iron paw and will stop at nothing to secure his place at the thrown, including eliminating the rightful ruler, Pale the young ape king! Create Kah Lee’s Elite Guard with alternate head accessory.
LEON: This traveling hero roams from town to town fighting for honor and revenge. His people were among the first to be displaced and enslaved by the Baron’s reign.
CHUNARIAN SOLDIERS -These heroic soldiers make up the backbone of the Chunarian army and guard the walls of the sanctuary jungle city of Chuh-Nar from enemies of every kind. Create the Captain of the Guard with alternate head accessory.
CAPTAIN BRUTUS & THE HORRID KNIGHTS – Feral Mandrill soldiers meant to overwhelm and decimate rival armies; what they lack in fighting skill they make up for with sheer numbers and unhinged savagery! Create the Horrid Knights with alternate head accessory.
HORRID ASSASSINS – Only slightly less vile than the mandrills these chimps are deadly with a bow but can wield a blade when in a bind. These apes rain hate down on opposing armies as the city gates give way to the steady push of the horrid!
STRETCH GOAL FIGURES! Sneak Peak
SERIES ONE WAVE TWO
STENCHER! This skunk is his own one animal army, his wretched stench can incapacitate almost anyone; and if his fowl odder doesn’t defeat you his formidable fighting skills will.
For more information, follow Animal Warriors of the Kingdom on Facebook or visit SperoToys.com!
The Girls of the Finest are back with a brand new 2017 calendar!
Each year the talented Girls of the Finest put their costuming abilities to work to raise funds for a worthy cause by producing an amazing G.I. Joe themed calendar. This year is no exception and the 2017 Calendar drive is fully under way on IndieGoGo with just 15 days remaining!
This year the lovely ladies of Finest are raising funds for K9’s for Warriors, an organization dedicated to providing service dogs for veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and/or military sexual trauma as a result of service post 9/11. The organization recognizes the healing power of animal therapy and how the emotional bond formed between a veteran and a therapy dog can help these brave warriors overcome the trauma they incurred while in the line of duty.
I’ll admit it– we’ve been remiss in our duties here at JBL when it comes to this project. There are only 15 days remaining to support this endeavor on IndieGoGo and this is the first time that any news regarding the Girls of the Finest 2017 Calendar Project has been featured on JBL. Ladies, I wholeheartedly apologize for that omission. Your work this year has been stellar!
Seriously folks– I’ve supported this project for the past two years and the calendars are always top-notch! The photography is fantastic, the costumes flawless, and you sense the passion that these ladies have for their work in every image. Plus, each year the funds raised from the calendar project help support our troops. A simple donation of $25.00 secures your printed copy of the 2017 calendar. Those who donate $50.00 receive a set of trading cards AND a calendar! Plus there are even MORE perks available at other financial levels!
Support the Girls of the Finest 2017 Calendar Project today! Plus follow these costumers and track all of their appearances over on the Girls of the Finest Facebook page!
Happy 50th Anniversary Star Trek!
On September 8, 1966 on the NBC television network a new TV series saw its premiere. Originally billed at a “wagon train to the stars” by its creator, this new science fiction adventure propelled audiences to the furthest reaches of the galaxy and spawned a phenomenon that would endure for decades. Today is the day that Star Trek, the original series, premiered!
While the series wasn’t a ratings hit and often struggled to find an audience, Star Trek proved to be ground-breaking many ways. During the racially-charged 1960’s, the crew of the Enterprise was the most ethnically diverse on TV at the time. Even more importantly, there was little differentiation between men and women on the series– with both genders being treated equally. (Yes, there was that whole “Kirk effect” on the female guest stars but that’s another story.)
Even better– Star Trek featured stories that made the audience think. The stories featuring William Shatner, DeForest Kelley, and Leonard Nimoy were on the surface classic sci-fi adventures. However, looking deeper it was obvious that the writers were striving for something more– chock full of social commentary on equality, human rights, and even genocide. (Remember the horta in “Devil in the Dark“?)
I won’t lie– I’m not old enough to remember the actual first airings which occurred years before I was born. I was however fortunate enough to grow up in the late 1970’s and 1980’s– a time period in which this series saw HEAVY syndication. As a result, the characters of Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Scotty, Uhura, Sulu, and Chekov were very much a part of my formative years. In many ways, the television adventures of these characters helped shaped my beliefs on tolerance, diversity, exploration, and more.
Over the years, Star Trek has spawned a total of 6 spin-off television series (including the animated adventures that aired in the 70’s) and 13 feature films. It has inspired individuals from all walks of life to aspire to be scientists and astronauts. Even better it has encouraged us to become more tolerant individuals. It taught us that there truly is infinite diversity in infinite combinations.
Happy 50th Anniversary Star Trek! Live long and prosper for another 50 years.
Happy Independence Day!
Today is a day in America in which we celebrate our freedom as a nation. It was on this day in 1776 that the Continental Congress formerly adopted the Declaration of Independence. It was this day that our founding fathers made their intentions to establish a free and independent nation known to the world.
In the intervening years, the focus Independence Day has been more on backyard barbecues and fireworks and yet it is also a day for all Americans to reflect upon the freedoms and individual liberties that they enjoy as citizens of our nation. It is also an opportunity to reflect upon those who sacrfice so that we might be able to enjoy a day of festivities and celebration.
From all of us here at JoeBattlelines, have a safe and happy July 4th – our Independence Day!
There are 12 days remaining to support the Animal Warriors of the Kingdom Kickstarter project!
We’ve talked about it once before and as part of our Armchair Coverage of Joe Con 2016 but it’s time to sound the rallying cry once more! The Animal Warriors of the Kingdom can use your support! Time is running out!
Yes, I realize that there are plenty of high-quality toy lines vying for the attention of collectors these days. From the Marauder Task Force to the amazing Vitruvian HACKS to the forthcoming Legends of the West, collectors are finding themselves faced with a veritable cornucopia of high quality products to choose from. From modern military to Greek mythology to the Old West, there seems to be something for everyone. So what makes the Animal Warriors of the Kingdom unique? What reason could I possibly give to persuade action figure collectors to support this project in its final two weeks?
I won’t give you one. I’ll give you:
As we get closer to the full launch of the Hasbro Cinematic Universe, we’re hearing more and more mentions of the properties involved. Case in point: the Micronauts are returning to SDCC 2016!
As first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, this year’s Hasbro San Diego Comic Con exclusives will include a special reissue set consisting of three classic figures from the original 1976 – 1980 toyline that was released in the US by Mego. The original Micronauts line itself was based on the Takara Microman line that was sold in Japan beginning in 1974.
The Micronauts set will be available at the Hasbro booth at SDCC 2016 from July 21 – 24 and with limited stock available after the show at HasbroToyShop.com. They’ll also be making an appearance at Fan Expo Canada from Sept. 1-4 at the Metro Toronto Convention Center.
The SDCC 2016 Micronauts set includes modern reissues of three original line characters including:
While I would never considered myself a life-long Micronauts fan I’m just old enough to have had a few figures from the line as a kid– including Pharoid. Granted, I was probably too young to truly appreciate him (which explains why he’s missing ALL of his accessories now) but seeing him included in the set tugs on the nostaligic heartstrings in such a way that I’m going to do my darndest to try and acquire one of these SDCC 2016 Micronauts sets when they drop on HTS post-show. I still have enough vague memories of the old Micronauts commercials from TV to get excited about their inclusion in the Hasbro Cinematic Universe!
