Category Archives: News

The latest news regarding the G.I. Joe brand is found here.

G.I. Joe Convention 2014: Night Force Crazy Legs Revealed!

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Convention Night Force Crazy Legs

 

I was hoping that Crazy Legs would make an appearance at G.I. Joe Convention 2014. In fact, I was hoping he’d be announced as part of FSS 3.0 which would most certainly be a terrific reason to sign-up for another go-round of the Club’s Figure Subscription Service.  After all, last year’s Nocturnal Fire roster was nearly complete save for Lightfoot, Crazy Legs, and Sneak Peek.  (Night Force Falcon came via the FSS.)

I never imagined he’d be this year’s parachute figure.

With a limited run of 1,000 pieces and a Golden Ticket limit of 3 per person, I have the feeling that this is going to be THE hard-to-get figure from this year’s Con.  For those of you who are in attendance, be certain to snag one.  For the rest of us who can’t attend this year– good luck in tracking one down for less than the cost of a mortgage payment.

Well played, GIJCC.  Well played…

G.I. Joe Convention 2014: Eco-Striker and Souvenirs List

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Convention 2014

G.I. Joe Convention 2014 has begun in Dallas, TX and we’ve got some early indication as to what exclusive items round out this year’s 1:18 Zombie Initiative convention set.

Last night an image of the attendee exclusive Eco-Striker was posted to the G.I. Joe Con Official Facebook page.  Molded in blue and yellow plastic, this vehicle seems to compliment the “Neon 90’s” vibe the 1:18 set has going for it this year.  The vehicle itself seems to be a reissue of the G.I. Joe Retaliation version released last year– complete with the spring-loaded missile launcher.

G.I. Joe Convention 2014 Eco-Striker

 

G.I. Joe Convention Eco-Striker bottom

Over at GeneralsJoes.com, Justin has posted the descriptions and production numbers for the remaining souvenirs as found in the convention program/comic.  It’s an interesting list that I’ve mirrored below:

  • Steel Brigade Pilot w/ VTOL (LE800)
  • Cobra Septic HISS Tank mk II (DTC HISS repaint by the looks of the comic art) (LE 800)
  • G.I. Joe Rescue Ops 2-Pack (no idea, and no clear insight based on internal comic art) (LE 700)
  • Steel Brigade Zombie 3-Pack (LE 1,000)
  • Kre-O Zombie Initiative 7 Pack (LE 600)
  • Night Force Para Trooper Crazy Legs (LE 500)

It’s the last piece on the list that is a real “kick in the o-ring” to this particular Joe fan!  The amazing 2013 Convention set “Nocturnal Fire” featured terrific updates of the Night Force roster and yet the paratrooper Crazy Legs was missing– replaced with a Kre-O figure due to the logistics of the parachute drop.  The fact that he was put off until this year means that many of last year’s attendees are going to be spending a pretty penny on trying to snag one on the secondary market just to complete their sets!

We’ll post more information as the weekend progresses!

con14web
cobra-lab-rat
steel-brigade-commander
zombie-initiative-box
eco-force-flint
tjbang
ozone
toxo-viper
2014-joe-con-hat
2014-joe-con-shirt
ozone-head-shot
zombie-hunter-outback
clean-sweep
toxo-zombie
clean-sweep-head
dawg
repulsor
[Show as slideshow]

So What’s Up With the JBL Forums?

Posted on by

 

forums update

 

“So, what’s the deal with the JBL forums, Mainframe?!!”

That’s a question that some of you might be asking after an earlier post teased that the forums were getting an update.  There is some news on that forums update– some good and some bad so I’ll break it down as follows:

  • The forums are updated and functional for all registered users.
  • Registration, however, isn’t quite working for new members.

In a nutshell, the current iteration of JBL’s forums is approaching its seventh birthday.  That’s right– there are nearly seven years worth of posts, registrations, uploads, attachments, etc cluttering the database.  Our hosting company, GoDaddy, has informed me that the database is a larger than it should be by nearly a factor of 150%!  This meant that the forums needed some serious attention– something that they’ve not seen in an administrative sense for a long time.

After a few hours work, the database has been pared down somewhat but there is still more work to do on the back end.  However, for anyone who has previously registered on the site, the old forums are back in business.  This means that anyone who has posted to JBL in the past 6+ years should be able to log in use the old site just like they used to.

It’s a fact that the forums traffic has dwindled in the past two years.  Much of that came from the hiatus of the site admin (namely me) from the hobby failing to generate new content to the site.  Further attrition is probably due to the ups and downs of the brand over the past few years as well as the rise of social media sites like Facebook.  Let’s face it– the advent of Facebook groups means that just about anyone can set up a group, invite their friends, and start posting.  Plus, the average net users spends over 10% of their daily time on the net on Facebook.

The point is– the JBL forums are still open for business.  If you’re so inclined to log back in, poke around, and discuss the world’s greatest toy line we’ve left the lights on for you.  So, why not stop on in and check them out once more?  You might just enjoy yourself.  (In the meantime, I’ve got to get the user registration settings fixed!)

https://joebattlelines.com/phpBB3/index.php

G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention Starts Tonight

Posted on by

2014 G.I. Joe Convention Joe Colton

Tonight’s the night– the Golden Ticket pick-up for the G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention!  That’s the time where the fans with premium passes get early access to the 2014 Zombie Initiative and Codename: G.I. Joe convention sets!

JBL will not be onsite this year due to some “real world” issues however good friend of the site Mike Breaux of TheBreauxShow.com is attending this weekend and will be posting several updates throughout the next few days.  You can follow him directly on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/thebreauxshow.  JBL will also repost news here on the front page as it is reported.

Also, be sure to check out the coverage over at YoJoe.com and GeneralsJoes.com as Justin “General Hawk” Bell is on scene for the 50th Anniversary celebration of “America’s Movable Fighting Man”!

To all who are attending– have a great weekend!

For more information on this year’s convention, visit GIJoeCon.com!

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Accepting Pre-Orders for Carded Cross Country Figures

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Collector's Club Cross Country carded

 

One of the perks of attending the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club annual conventions is being able to purchase carded versions of the annual membership renewal figures.  However, the GIJCC has stepped up their game a bit this year and is currently accepting pre-orders for carded version of the 2014 membership incentive figure Cross Country for $30.00!

The pre-orders are limited to one per membership and are slated to ship in April 2014.

If you’re a carded collector, this is a great opportunity to snag this exclusive figure.  Just use the link below and get yours today.

2014 Carded Cross Country Figure

Marauder Gun-Runners Action Figure Kickstarter Launches!

Posted on by

Marauder Task Force

We LOVE Marauder Gun-Runners here at JBL!  Sure, I’m incredibly behind on reviews of the last series but that doesn’t mean that the MGR love has diminished in any way.  So, just imagine our reaction when this announcement dropped in the JBL mailbox late last night:

Marauder “Gun-Runners”ACTION FIGURE Pre-Order
Marauder Task Force Action Figures “Pre-Order”

Hey Folks!

Introducing the MARAUDER TASK FORCE Action Figures!

Highly detailed, fully articulated figures with multi-role customizable designs and featuring a wide variety of “modular” interchangeable accessories.  The nameless, faceless, minions are ideal “army builders” or perfect “backup” troopers to use with other currently available action figures.  “Night-Ops” Marauders, “Desert-Ops” Marauders, “Urban-Ops” Marauders…whatever mission, the Marauder Task Force figures can fill the need.

The Marauder Task Force figures feature multiple designs, several color options and a large number of accessories.  REMOVABLE Helmets, headgear and vests coupled with a wide variety of INTERCHANGEABLE accessories (holsters, sheaths, ammo pouches, pockets & more)…leaves the final  figure & accessory combination up to you!

Each fully assembled, factory painted, 1:18th scale action figure is produced at a high tech manufacturing facility using modern ABS & PVC materials (NOT handmade “castings” made out of “resin”).  We were fortunate to work with the incredibly talented designers and sculptors at Boss Fight Studio on this project. Seriously, the figures need to be seen in person to really appreciate the level of detail (pictures DO NOT do the figures or accessories justice!).

We’ve launched a Kickstarter pre-order project to help get the required funding to start production.   Designs, prototypes and paint masters are COMPLETE…all that remains to do is tool up and produce the actual figures and accessories. Please visit the Marauder Task Force Kickstarter project page for more pictures and greater in-depth details about the project.

(either “click” the link or go to kickstarter.com and enter “Marauder GR” in the search field)

Hope you like Marauder Task Force figures & accessories and consider participating in the Marauder GR Pre-Order event!

Thanks again for all your support and if you have any questions, please let us know via email, thru the kickstarter message system or on our facebook page.
Take care!
MJ & the entire Marauder Team
Marauder “Gun-Runners”
www.marauderinc.com
Marauder GR Pre-order for NEW items on kickstarter.com
Seriously, what are you waiting for– an engraved invitation from Sgt. Slaughter himself?!!  Get over there and throw some support for this AMAZING project!
Just in case you need any further convincing, check out the Marauder Gun-Runners Review Index here at JBL!
Time to start digging spare change out of the couch cushions again!

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS Grand Slam Review

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS Grand Slam

The final figure in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS Grand Slam is here!

Always a mystery until the very end, the FSS bonus figure this year definitely generated a great deal of discussion.  Shipping just one month after Bombardier, the original version of Grand Slam was seen by some as a great addition to their collections and by others as a “lazy repaint” of a figure subscribers had received just the month before.  For the final review of FSS 2.0, Chris Chung of JoeSightings.com and I put Grand Slam “under the lens” and ask the question: “Is he worth owning?”

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

 

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS Oktober Guard Dragonsky Review

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS Dragonsky

When the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club unveiled their 2012 convention set “Operation Bear Trap” many fans asked one question: “Where’s Dragonsky?”   After all, the stalwart Russian engineer and flamethrower specialist had been with the team from their second appearance in Yearbook #2 all the way to the end of the classic Marvel Run.  Aside from Daina, he was the longest running member of the team.  To complete the Oktober Guard Dragonsky was essential!

Thankfully, at the 2013 Joe Con in Indy, the GIJCC announced Dragonsky as part of the second Figure Subscription Service.  All who signed up for the premium batch of 12 announced figures would receive him.

Flash forward nearly a year later and Dragonsky has finally arrived as part of the final shipment in the series.  Was this Russian pyrotechnic expert worth the long wait?  Check out the opinions of two long-time Joe fans in the review!

It’s posted in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index!

Also, check back on Monday for the review of the “13th Bonus Figure” – Grand Slam!

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS Big Bear Review

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS Big Bear

It’s a bit of a dry spell for collectors out there– with no new 1:18 product hitting until Fall at Toys R Us.  Thankfully, the final shipment of the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS dropped not one but three figures into the hands of Joe fans recently.  It was a decidedly Oktober Guard heavy shipment (which is never a bad thing) that included a certain fur-capped Russian Anti-Armor Specialist.  Oh yes, comrades, I’m talking about Big Bear!

What did two Joe fans think of this bearded Sean Connery look-a-like?  Head on over to the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index and find out!

Plus, check back tomorrow as Dragonsky goes under the lens!

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS 2.0 Final Shipment & 13th Figure

Posted on by

I was waiting my final FSS shipment from the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club to arrive before posting this but apparently today was not the day!  The final delivery which features Oktober Guard members Dragonsky and Big Bear has started to arrive in mailboxes across the U.S.  Given that these two figures were the last two in the 12 figure stated roster there’s no outcy over “spoiling the surprise” on these.

This shipment did contain the “13th bonus figure” which was touted as an incentive to sign up for the Figure Subscription Service last year– and that figure is Grand Slam— in his original Heavy Artillery Laser uniform.  (I’ve included a borrowed photo below.)

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS Grand Slam

 

I have to admit– I’m a bit torn over how I feel about this figure.  On one hand, I’m a HUGE fan of the original 1982 roster as that was when I first started collecting G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero.  Grand Slam was the first casualty of my then-new puppy who decided to chew the living daylights out of him one evening.  As such the red pads version of the character has always been a bit of a tragic figure for me.

On the other hand, we just received Bombardier in that last shipment and he was a straight-up repaint of the original 25th Anniversary Flash.  The GIJCC version of Grand Slam marks the fourth time that this character has been released in the “modern era” of G.I. Joe and three of those times will have been as a straight repaint- right down to the head sculpt.  As incentives go, it’s pretty lackluster. Sure, it’s a great cost-saving method for the Collector’s Club but it’s not quite up to the “premium figure standards” that the FSS was touted as having.  It kind of takes the wind out of a collector’s sails to realize that two $30+ figures in one shipment are mostly straight repaints of figures from earlier waves.

Right now, the Joe fandom is in a pretty bad way.  The highly anticipated 50th Anniversary of G.I. Joe announcement at Toy Fair turned out to be the “32nd Anniversary of A Real American Hero” with a bunch of repaints and concept case figures.  The most-recent G.I. Joe design team at Hasbro has been utterly dismantled and the members dispersed to other brands.  It’s been revealed that Hasbro will NOT have an official presence at the 2014 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention.  What should have been a banner year for the brand is turning out to be anything but… and the fandom is seemingly more polarized than I’ve seen it in a while.

Still, I’m kind of happy to see Grand Slam get some attention– if only for my own nostalgia.  Do I think that this was the way to go with him?  Absolutely not– a new/different head would have gone a long way with winning over folks who don’t necessarily feel that they’re getting their money’s worth from this.  From a marketing standpoint, the final figure in a subscription should be one of the strongest.  It’s the last impression before members are asked to subscribe for the subsequent year and it should really pull out all of the stops.  Sadly, someone at the Club thought that this was the way to go and as a result poor ole James J. Barney is getting the brunt of it.

Knock on wood my shipment arrives tomorrow.  Expect reviews to follow in the next week here at JBL.  In the meantime, feel free to leave your thoughts on this below.  Was this really a worthy choice for the 13th slot?

Figure subscription service 2