G.I. Joe Convention Zombie Hunter Outback Unveiled!

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Fred Meyer

The 2014 G.I. Joe Convention previews continue! For today’s reveal, the folks at the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club have released the final member of the “Zombie Initiative” containment team– Zombie Hunter Outback!

I’ll admit it– the announcement of Zombie Hunter Outback intrigued me from the get-go! When picking a team to contain a zombie outbreak the inclusion of a survival specialist seems a pretty logical choice. Using the Pursuit of Cobra Snow Job head and the Pursuit of Cobra Recondo/ Retaliation Joe Colton upper body with some parts from the Desert Nomad Zartan, the result is a very new look for the team’s survival specialist. It is a bit odd that the survival guy is wearing ear protection but that’s just my opinion.

Zombie Hunter Outback comes complete with everything shown.

That leaves the following as the next preview options:

Zombie Hunters: ~~Outback~~, ~~T’J Bang~~, ~~Steel Brigade Commander~~
E.C.O. Force: ~~Flint~~, ~~Ozone~~, Clean-Sweep
Cobra Lab Rat x2, Toxo-Vipers x 3, Toxo-Zombies x 3, and Repulsor with Dawg (NEW K-9).

For more information on the 2014 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention, visit GIJoeCon.com

[Show as slideshow]

G.I. Joe Convention Toxo-Vipers Previewed!

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Fred Meyer

As the 2014 G.I. Joe Convention draws ever nearer the Collector’s Club continues to tease fans with images from this year’s exclusive “Zombie Initiative” convention set. Today’s reveal is none other than the Toxo-Vipers!

The Toxo-Vipers made their debut in 1988 and saw a single update in 1991. These environmental polluters spread the Plasma-Tox compound during their heyday and now have seemingly converted over to the dissemination of the dreaded Compound Z! Heavily inspired by the second (and some might say “more iconic” look), this figure features a removable helmet — which only makes me wonder: WHAT IS UNDERNEATH IT? The rest of the body would seem to be made up using the torso of the PoC Arctic Destro, the arms of the 30th Airtight, and the legs of the 30th Techno-Viper. Simply brilliant work by Boss Fight Studio!

Overall, a solid addition to the G.I. Joe Convention set!

The Cobra Toxo-Vipers come complete with everything shown.

That leaves the following as the next preview options:

Zombie Hunters: Outback, ~~T’J Bang~~, ~~Steel Brigade Commander~~
E.C.O. Force: ~~Flint~~, ~~Ozone~~, Clean-Sweep
Cobra Lab Rat x2, Toxo-Vipers x 3, Toxo-Zombies x 3, and Repulsor with Dawg (NEW K-9).

For more information on the 2014 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention, visit GIJoeCon.com

[Show as slideshow]

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Big Boa Reviewed!

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Fred Meyer

Big Boa has the distinction of only having received one single figure release in the classic G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero era. It wasn’t until last year’s debut of the Figure Subscription Service from the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club that fans had a chance to own an updated “no-ring” construction version of the character. For many fans, Big Boa was THE reason to sign up for the debut run of 13th figures from the GIJCC. In the intervening year, this figure’s popularity hasn’t diminished and demand for him on the secondary market remains strong.

However, is Big Boa worth owning? Is he a champion or a chump?

Head on over to the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

G.I. Joe Convention 2014 – Ozone Revealed!

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Fred Meyer

The 2014 G.I. Joe Convention is 68 days away and yet it’s time for another reveal from this year’s convention set: The Zombie Initiative! This time the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has unveiled ECO-Force technician Ozone!

This year’s convention set has been a series of almost spot-on updates to designs from the latter half of the A Real American Hero run and this is no exception. Ozone is a terrific update to his 1991 Eco-Warriors version both in terms of color and overall aesthetic. I strongly suspect the expert hands of the team at Boss Fight Studios in this update which includes the reuse of recent parts like the grenade web gear from the G.I. Joe Retaliation Cobra Trooper! Otherwise it looks the the Resolute Zartan arms are seeing some use as are the thighs that were most recently used with the Retaliation Kamakura action figure. Now, if only we could see his bearded head!!! Also, is it me or is that helmet sitting a bit odd on the shoulders? Otherwise, solid work from the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club!

ECO-Force Ozone comes complete with everything shown.

That leaves the following as the next preview options:

Zombie Hunters: Outback, ~~T’J Bang~~, ~~Steel Brigade Commander~~
E.C.O. Force: ~~Flint~~, ~~Ozone~~, Clean-Sweep
Cobra Lab Rat x2, Toxo-Vipers x 3, Toxo-Zombies x 3, and Repulsor with Dawg (NEW K-9).

For more information on the 2014 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention, visit GIJoeCon.com

[Show as slideshow]

G.I. Joe Convention 2014 – Zombie Hunter T’Jbang Revealed!

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Fred Meyer

We’re 71 days away from the 2014 G.I. Joe Convention and it’s time for another preview image from the Zombie Initiative set! This time the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has unveiled Zombie Hunter T’Jbang!

Wow! Talk about being lifted directly from the vintage line! T’Jbang is spot-on from his original 1992 A Real American Hero version! I like the reuse of the armor that we’ve seen previously with the Resolute Comic Pack Storm Shadow and the Temple Guardian Snake Eyes! Plus, the new head really just pops! Sure, he’s an obnoxiously colored figure from the 90’s– but he’s a COOL-looking obnoxiously colored figure from the 90’s! Solid work from the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club!

Zombie Hunter T’Jbang comes complete with everything shown.

That leaves the following as the next preview options:

Zombie Hunters: Outback, ~~T’J Bang~~, ~~Steel Brigade Commander~~
E.C.O. Force: ~~Flint~~, Ozone, Clean-Sweep
Cobra Lab Rat x2, Toxo-Vipers x 3, Toxo-Zombies x 3, and Repulsor with Dawg (NEW K-9).

For more information on the 2014 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention, visit GIJoeCon.com

[Show as slideshow]

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Cesspool Reviewed!

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Fred Meyer

Cesspool! He’s a toxic menace who’s out to destroy the world! The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club figure has arrived!

In the early 90’s, environmentalism was all the rage. TBS had “Captain Planet” and the recycling movement was gaining steam. Ever the product of its time, G.I. Joe responded and introduced the heroic Eco-Warriors vs. the embodiment of corporate pollution– the evil Cobra C.E.O. Cesspool! Once a greedy corporate tycoon, this twisted mad man was driven to bring the world to its knees with the use of his Plasma-Tox chemicals! Thanks to the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Figure Subscription Service, this insane villain is now ready to menace Joe collections everywhere!

Chris Chung of Joesightings.com and I sit down to take a look at this latest FSS release that sports an all-new head sculpt from the talent team at Boss Fight Studios. Does this figure live up to the hype? Or is he a toxic addition to the ranks of Cobra?

Check out the review in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index!

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Night Force Lt. Falcon Reviewed!

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Fred Meyer

Ladies and gentlemen, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Night Force Lt. Falcon has arrived!

January’s Figure Subscription Service shipment brought two of my more anticipated figures right to my door in one convenient package. Even better– this delivery helped to complete the Nocturnal Fire convention set roster! JoeSightings.com admin Chris Chung stops by to offer this thoughts as two Joe fans examine the newest addition to both of our G.I. Joe collections! Was he worth the wait? Does he fit in with the Nocturnal Fire set? Is he scared of the dark?

Check out the review in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index and find out!

G.I. Joe Convention 2014: Eco-Force Flint Revealed!

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Fred Meyer

What’s this– another preview image from the 2014 G.I. Joe Convention Set? The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has unveiled the next figure in the 2014 Zombie Initiative set as the Eco-Force Flint!

Well, no one can say that the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club isn’t trying to stay true to the original Eco-Warriors Flint from 1991! With this bright green and yellow color palate, it’s pretty clear that nostalgia fever will be running high at the con this year. While I see the giant cannon that was originally released with the wave 1 Retaliation Duke, I also see what appears to be some Resolute accessories (on the left arm) and a brand new helmet! Plus, that’s a brand new head sculpt! It is interesting that the figure’s web gear is molded in black– almost in an attempt to add a bit more realism to the character design.

This is one of those times when the GIJCC has to walk a fine line between faithfulness to the original design and keeping the figure marketable. The 90’s were a neon age that was heavily influenced by toy lines like the TMNT. The original Eco-Warriors Flint was so bright that he required Joe fans to wear shades just to look at him. With this update, the original color scheme has been preserved but it’s also been muted some– a change that works very much in this figure’s favor!

The Eco-Force Flint Commander comes complete with everything shown.

That leaves the following as the next preview options:

Zombie Hunters: Outback, T’J Bang, ~~Steel Brigade Commander~~
E.C.O. Force: ~~Flint~~, Ozone, Clean-Sweep
Cobra Lab Rat x2, Toxo-Vipers x 3, Toxo-Zombies x 3, and Repulsor with Dawg (NEW K-9).

For more information on the 2014 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention, visit GIJoeCon.com

[Show as slideshow]

G.I. Joe Convention 2014 Reveal: Steel Brigade Commander

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Fred Meyer

It’s time for another preview image from the 2014 G.I. Joe Convention Set! Today, “Commander Lane” has unveiled the next figure in the 2014 Zombie Initiative set as the Steel Brigade Commander!

Interesting. The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club is definitely dipping into the “vintage well” with this design which seems to be a straight-up recreation of the 1992 Steel Brigade v2 figure. From the bright blue body to the green vest to the gold helmet this figure is pretty much the ARAH era design brought forth into the generation 3 era. I’ll be honest– it’s not really knocking the socks off of this particular Joe fan as I’ve never been a huge fan of the original Steel Brigade. In many ways I wish the Club would have gone back to the color scheme that was used for the Steel Brigade Commander in the MARS Invades set. I’m picturing this guy in the gray rain camouflage and it’s much more practical image than the Colorforms version I’m seeing here. He’s just a bit too– “Crayola” for me to take seriously, especially facing off against a zombie invasion. Two previews in and I’m still looking for the “WOW Factor” in this particular set. Of course, that’s just one Joe fan’s opinion. Vintage purists are probably going to love this!

The Steel Brigade Commander comes complete with

That leaves the following as the next preview options:

Zombie Hunters: Outback, T’J Bang, ~~Steel Brigade Commander~~
E.C.O. Force: Flint, Ozone, Clean-Sweep
Cobra Lab Rat x2, Toxo-Vipers x 3, Toxo-Zombies x 3, and Repulsor with Dawg (NEW K-9).

For more information on the 2014 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention, visit GIJoeCon.com

[Show as slideshow]

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS Shipment 4 is Now Arriving!

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Fred Meyer

It’s a brand new year and the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club is ensuring that some fans will be starting 2014 with some brand-new Joes! That’s right, shipment #4 of the Figure Subscription Service is now shipping!

Now it’s become a big deal that some folks are discussing which figures are in the shipment as soon as they arrive. I can understand that some people want to be surprised while others want to know which of the figures they paid nearly $30.00 each for are arriving. I won’t sink to dragging this discussion down into the sewers by outright revealing who has arrived even though the internet is a conduit for information. However, if you find yourself staying up all night with your curiosity piqued and want to seek out the answer like some sort of nocturnal bird-of-prey, then scroll down a bit further for some images courtesy of the G.I. Joe Reference Guide Facebook page.

Okay, you’ve been warned. It’s Cesspool and Night Force Falcon!

Finally we’re getting to what I consider to be the real meat of FSS 2.0! When the list was first announced at Joe Con 2014, these were two of the figures that convinced me to sign up, along with Dragonsky, Admiral Keel Haul, and Tollbooth. Early images of Falcon spotted on the web show that he is a straight-up repaint of the Slaughter’s Marauder’s version but now features the web gear of the 30th Anniversary Cobra Trooper. Cesspool utilizes the awesome 30th Anniversary Techno-Viper body and features an AMAZING new head sculpt from Boss Fight Studios. Personally, I can’t wait for these two beauties to arrive in my mailbox– most likely on Tuesday!

So, there you have it– the identities of the next two figures. Just like the cartoon said: “And now you know…”

Check back later this coming week for two brand-new reviews of the latest FSS figures added to the Collector’s Club Review Index here at JBL!

[Show as slideshow]

JoeBattleLines

G.I. Joe news, action figure reviews, and discussion

Category Archives: Collector’s Club

G.I. Joe Convention Zombie Hunter Outback Unveiled!

G.I. Joe Convention Toxo-Vipers Previewed!

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Big Boa Reviewed!

G.I. Joe Convention 2014 – Ozone Revealed!

G.I. Joe Convention 2014 – Zombie Hunter T’Jbang Revealed!

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Cesspool Reviewed!

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Night Force Lt. Falcon Reviewed!

G.I. Joe Convention 2014: Eco-Force Flint Revealed!

G.I. Joe Convention 2014 Reveal: Steel Brigade Commander

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS Shipment 4 is Now Arriving!