Photonut is a MACHINE down at the con this year– cranking out images far faster than a certain “at home admin” can post them. However, he came through with some great pics of the Day 1 Retaliation offerings from the Hasbro case.
Stay tuned for his post-Hasbro panel images later today. The next wave of figures will hit store shelves February 2013!
Seriously– Hasbro pulled out all of the stops this year with their “Vault” offerings. Some of the unproduced items included an entire series of Arashikage ninja as well as an insanely cool ZOMBIE series that included Compound Z-infected versions of Cobra Commander, Storm Shadow, Steel Brigade, and a Cobra Viper.
Remember– the rule of the day is: Playing with Compound Z in school isn’t cool!
Check out Photonut’s pics below!
Photonut is on the scene and been providing pics when he can. (Plus, the admin is a bit late in getting these posted.) Friday Hasbro unveiled part 1 of their “Vault”– a series of figures and vehicles that were in development but never saw final production. Up first– the much lamented G.I. Joe: Renegades ANIMATED figures.
Some of these are pretty close to what actually hit shelves (Tunnel Rat, Scarlet, Ripcord) but some of these are pretty radically different. The less I say about the reveal of the Coyote the better– otherwise you’ll see a grown admin cry.
Check out the pics below!
When it rains, it pours– at least for Joe fans.
Hot on the heels of recent news about the rescheduling of G.I. Joe: Retaliation’s premiere from June 29, 2012 to March 29, 2013, Variety.com ran this bit of news:
Yanking G.I. Joe toys with retailers
Reversal causes spirited round of musical shelves
By MARC GRASERAt major retailers nationwide, something is missing from the toy aisles: “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” action figures. In their place, an empty space.With Paramount moving the actioner from June 29 to March 29, 2013, to give it more muscle at the box office with 3D, retailers are being asked to send back the line of Hasbro toys that were starting to appear on shelves.Some Walmart, Toys R Us and Target locations had started to stock the toys this week, although they weren’t supposed to make them available until next week. Those that did wanted to get a jump on demand, and some of the 47 items that would’ve been sold are expected to show up on eBay at inflated prices by the end of the weekend.
In a statement, released Friday, Hasbro said: “G.I. Joe is an ongoing consumer franchise and therefore there is merchandise available to consumers. There is a limited amount of ‘G.I. Joe Retaliation’ product at retail now, but in light of the movie moving out to March 29, 2013, the majority of the movie line will be made available early next year in time for the film’s release.”
SDCC exclusives can be a tricky thing. Figures like the 25th “Pimp Daddy Destro” were easy to get if you wanted the silver version but the variant gold head proved far more elusive. Sgt. Slaughter was HIGHLY sought after and yet the Convention Cobra Commander is still relatively easy to find. (Let’s not mention Zarana– she’s a sore spot for some collectors… especially after the BigBadToyStore.com Dreadnok 7 pack made her an essential piece to complete any Dreadnok collection.)
At Toy Fair 2012, Hasbro unveiled their SDCC exclusives which included two versions of Kim Arashikage– better known to fans as “Jinx”. Over at JoeDeclassified.com, Gyre-Viper has gotten his hands on an early sample and has posted a gallery of images of the red version. I’ve mirrored a few below but I’d suggest checking out the thread over at JoeDeclassified for more.
Overall she looks pretty solid! It’s an interesting mix of new and existing Storm Shadow parts. While I don’t know about the white version yet, I’ll most likely be tracking down this red version come late summer.
I love streaming Netflix to my TV via my Xbox 360. In fact, I love it so much that I ditched cable over a year ago and replaced it with Netflix and a HD antenna. However, there have been times when I wish that the streaming library had just a bit more content. Well, thanks to a multi-year deal between Hasbro and Netflix, the future is a bit brighter!
Hasbro Studios, the Los Angeles-based television production and distribution division of Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), today announced a multi-year deal with Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX). Ten highly popular franchises, including new and catalog seasons of famed Hasbro content, will be available to instantly watch on Netflix.
“This deal allows us to offer even more great kids’ programming to our members, both adults and kids alike, including new seasons of My Little Pony, Transformers Prime, and Pound Puppies after the season finale airs on The Hub.”
Transformers Prime, My Little Pony, Pound Puppies, G.I. Joe: Renegades and The Adventures of Chuck & Friends are now available to instantly watch on Netflix. JEM & The Holograms, Transformers: Generation 1, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Transformers: Beast Wars and Transformers: Rescue Bots will follow later in 2012.
The Hasbro content will be available on Netflix and included in the Netflix “Just For Kids” section. Netflix “Just For Kids” is a collection of TV shows and movies that is specifically selected for children 12 and under, making it easier and more fun for kids and families to browse and instantly watch a large selection of kid-friendly TV shows and movies within Netflix.
“We are very excited to be working with Hasbro Studios,” said Cindy Holland, Vice President of Content Acquisition at Netflix. “This deal allows us to offer even more great kids’ programming to our members, both adults and kids alike, including new seasons of My Little Pony, Transformers Prime, and Pound Puppies after the season finale airs on The Hub.”
“We are pleased that consumers will now be able to watch our award-winning programming on Netflix, the leading internet subscription service,” Hasbro Studios President Stephen Davis said. “We are making our content easy to access, anytime, anywhere and on all platforms where audiences are consuming content and this is a big step forward with our all screen strategy.”
My girlfriend and I have already been enjoying Renegades via the streaming service (She’s a huge Snake Eyes fan now) and I managed to check out Transformers: Prime last night. With the promise of even more Joe-related content in the future, Netflix has secured my loyalty for the foreseeable future.
Here’s the latest from Yahoo Finance and Reuters:
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Hasbro Inc is cutting about 170 jobs as the second-largest U.S. toy company tries to recover from sluggish sales during the holiday season.
Most of the jobs are in the United States and Canada, company spokesman Wayne Charness said, including “about 55” in Rhode Island where it is based.
“These moves were made to address both the under-performance in the U.S. and Canada segment, and the need for different skill sets in the company’s workforce to be better aligned with a quickly evolving business,” Charness said.
All employees affected will get “competitive” severance packages, including outplacement services, he said.
Hasbro will take some related charges in the first quarter, but they won’t be material, he added.
The maker of Nerf foam toys and Monopoly board games suffered from weak post-Thanksgiving demand, especially for its games and puzzles, in the United States and Canada.
Larger rival Mattel also missed sales expectations in the holiday quarter, but still outperformed Hasbro and gained share from Mattel, according to data from NPD, a market research firm.
Hasbro, based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, has 5,900 employees worldwide, including about 1,400 in that state.
According to information posted at ActionFigureInsider.com, this includes employees from the Boys & Collector lines. No news is available as to what effect this will have on the G.I. Joe design team.
Here’s the “official details” on all of Hasbro’s planned Retaliation offerings for 2012. It’s a bit light on the details but it does provide a nice overview of what’s to come.
G.I. JOE SNAKE EYES NINJA GEAR
(Approximate retail price: $24.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Summer 2012)
Gear up and get ready to take on the role of iconic Ninja-Commando SNAKE EYES from the G.I. JOE team. With the G.I. JOE SNAKE EYES NINJA GEAR set, kids can wield an electronic sword with authentic ARASKIGAE design, which features special lights and ninja battle sounds, a SNAKE EYES role-play mask, and two NINJA THROWING STARS allowing them to play the part of their favorite Ninja hero.
G.I. JOE BATTLE-KATA BLASTER
(Approximate retail price: $14.99; Ages: 6 & up; Available: Summer 2012)
Kids will love to role-play the ROADBLOCK character’s unique fighting style with the G.I. JOE BATTLE-KATA BLASTER toy. Featuring a 2-in-1 battle combo with interchangeable BATTLE-KATA blaster and ‘blade’ modes—kids can defend their heroic team against the vile enemy insurgents of COBRA. Includes three dart projectiles.
G.I. JOE NINJA COMMANDO BLASTER
(Approximate retail price: $24.99; Ages: 6 & up; Available: Summer 2012)
Enjoy the latest in G.I. JOE role-play technology with the G.I. JOE NINJA COMMANDO blaster! Defeat the COBRA enemies with this multi-dart, pump-action blaster which features a targeting lens to spy the enemy and helps you aim the projectiles like the very best snipers the G.I. JOE team has ever seen! Includes ten dart projectiles and targeting screen.
G.I. JOE BLADE OF JUSTICE
(Approximate retail price: $14.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Summer 2012)
Replicate your favorite Ninja moves with the highly detailed, ARASHIKAGE-authentic G.I. JOE MOVIE BLADE OF JUSTICE sword used by two of the most iconic ninjas ever, SNAKE EYES and STORM SHADOW, in G.I. JOE RETALIATION.
G.I. JOE MOVIE NINJA COMMANDOS
(Approximate retail price: $19.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Summer 2012)
Get ready for the next phase in G.I. JOE action figure evolution with the G.I. JOE NINJA COMMANDO figures! The NINJA COMMANDO figures are 10-inch large-scale figures that feature quick-draw BATTLE-KATA and Ninja action. With the press of a button, figures magically “grab” weapons to arm themselves for battle. Figures also feature electronic sound effects and phrases available for in pack “Try Me.” Choose from the iconic Ninja SNAKE EYES and BATTLE-KATA skilled ROADBLOCK. (Figures sold separately.)
G.I. JOE MOVIE 3.75-INCH ACTION FIGURES Assortment
(Approximate retail price: $7.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012)
The live-action G.I. JOE movie, G.I. JOE: Retaliation, won’t hit theaters until June 2012, but you don’t need to wait to see the stars from the movie cast as G.I. JOE characters. The G.I. JOE brand invented the action figure category more than 45 years ago, and the G.I. JOE MOVIE 3.75-INCH action figures continue this great legacy. Figures are sculpted to match their on-screen counterparts, including Dwayne Johnson as ROADBLOCK, Channing Tatum as DUKE, and Bruce Willis as Joe Colton. Each figure comes with off-the-floor play such as ninja zip lines and projectile launchers. Multiple waves are set to be released throughout the summer and fall 2012. (Figures each sold separately.)
G.I. JOE ALPHA VEHICLES Assortment
(Approximate retail price: $12.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012)
The G.I. JOE ALPHA VEHICLES assortment are the smallest and most covert of the G.I. JOE vehicles made for the 3.75-inch movie figures. These stealth vehicles are outfitted with universal projectiles, launchers, a surprise attack feature, and also come with a realistic articulated ride-on action figure that will help guide you through your action-packed adventures. (Vehicles each sold separately.)
G.I. JOE BRAVO VEHICLES Assortment
(Approximate retail price: $14.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012)
The G.I. JOE MOVIE BRAVO VEHICLES collection are mid-size vehicles inspired by the upcoming live-action G.I. JOE movie, G.I. JOE: Retaliation. Each represents the most technologically advanced vehicles in the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA arsenal, including the NINJA COMMANDO 4X4 WITH SNAKE EYES and COBRA FANG BOAT WITH SWAMP VIPER. Each vehicle comes with an action figure to help steer your squadron to victory. (Vehicles each sold separately.)
G.I. JOE MOVIE DELTA VEHICLES Assortment
(Approximate retail price: $19.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012)
The G.I. JOE MOVIE DELTA VEHICLES collection includes the largest hero and villain vehicles inspired by the live-action G.I. JOE movie, G. I. JOE: Retaliation. Each represents the most technologically advanced vehicles in the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA arsenal, including the G.I. JOE GHOST HAWK II and the COBRA H.I.S.S. TANK. Each vehicle comes with an action figure to help steer your squadron to victory. (Vehicles each sold separately.)
G.I. JOE NINJA SHOWDOWN SET Assortment
(Approximate retail price: $19.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012)
Kids can recreate the action-packed Ninja sequences of the upcoming live-action G.I. JOE movie, G.I. JOE: Retaliation or create their own adventures with these G.I. JOE sets. Each three-pack includes a three 3.75-inch action figures with off-the-floor action features. (each sold separately)
G.I. Joe: Retaliation
Sadly, the staff of JBL wasn’t able to attend Toy Fair 2012 this year. However, the good folks at Hasbro were able to provide some press images for those sites who weren’t able to attend. Included among those images (many of which were seen last week) were shots of the figures in waves 2 – 5 of the G.I. Joe: Retaliation movie line. Included in those figures is one that will make many a “Die Hard” Joe fan cackle with glee– Bruce Willis as General Joe Colton!
Check ’em out below:
Wave 2:
Wave 3:
Wave 4:
Wave 5:
Here’s the official press blurb from Pawtucket:
G.I. JOE MOVIE 3.75-INCH ACTION FIGURES Assortment
(Approximate retail price: $7.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012)
The live-action G.I. JOE movie, G.I. JOE: Retaliation, won’t hit theaters until June 2012, but you don’t need to wait to see the stars from the movie cast as G.I. JOE characters. The G.I. JOE brand invented the action figure category more than 45 years ago, and the G.I. JOE MOVIE 3.75-INCH action figures continue this great legacy. Figures are sculpted to match their on-screen counterparts, including Dwayne Johnson as ROADBLOCK, Channing Tatum as DUKE, and Bruce Willis as Joe Colton. Each figure comes with off-the-floor play such as ninja zip lines and projectile launchers. Multiple waves are set to be released throughout the summer and fall 2012. (Figures each sold separately.)
For more images, check out the coverage over at JBL sister site GeneralsJoes.com!
Also, here’s a look at the figure images that were previously released:
G.I. Joe: Retaliation
Hasbro is taking the pre-Toy Fair initiative and has launched a page revealing many of the initial figure and vehicle offerings for the forthcoming film G.I. Joe: Retaliation!
It’s a pretty diverse list that’s filled with a lot of repaints of both classic and recent vehicles. However, it’s not just a “reused and repainted slate”– the infamous HISS Scout which only arrived in Canada has been retooled as a Joe vehicle and the recent POC/30th HISS has been given an upgrade as well. Plus, there’s new figures galore! Even better– Hasbro is promising 14 more reveals coming soon!
There’s even a Kim Arashikage SDCC figure coming this year!
Check it all out at Hasbro’s G.I. Joe: Retaliation page!
