GIJoeCon 2018: Python Patrol Lamprey preview!

GIJoeCon 2018 is 139 days away and we’ve got our second figure preview– the Python Patrol Lamprey!

GIJoeCon 2018 Python Lamprey

PYTHON PATROL AMPHIBIOUS TROOPER:
PYTHON LAMPREY

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– Modern Era Update of Character based on 2003 design.
– THREE Army Builder action figures in this exclusive set.
– Includes removable face mask, vest, submachine gun,
pistol, swim fins, backpack, and Cobra Logo Stand.

Hmm… not entirely what I expected in terms of build.

Let’s be honest– this could have been an easy repaint for the Club.  Take the 2009 Defense of Cobra Island Cobra Lamprey, slap on the color deco from the 2003 Python Patrol Lamprey and call it a night.  Instead, the build is different– I’m possibly seeing some Paris Pursuit Snake Eyes legs.  They’re baggier than I would have presumed practical but they still look pretty solid. Continue reading

GIJoeCon 2018: Meet Slaughter’s Marauders Footloose

GIJoeCon 2018 is a few months away and the reveals have begun!  First out of the gate is Slaughter’s Marauders Footloose!

GIJoe Con 2018 Slaughter's Marauders Footloose

SLAUGHTER’S MARAUDERS
INFANTRY TROOPER: FOOTLOOSE

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– Modern Era Release of Character based on 1989 SM design.
– Includes removable helmet, harness, assault rifle, rocket launcher,
knife, pistol, flashlight, backpack, and G.I. Joe Logo Stand.

(Note: Photo depicts action figure mock-up and final product may slightly differ.)

Hmm… this is interesting. Very interesting indeed…

It’s no secret that, when faced with between the decision to either adhere to vintage aesthetics or modernize a character design, the Club always chooses vintage.  Such is the case with Slaughter’s Marauders Footloose who is sporting a near-identical color scheme to the 1989 vintage figure.  The parts build should come as a surprise to no one as it is the same as was used for the 2012 Club membership incentive Footloose but the color scheme was a bit of a wild card.   Continue reading

GIJoeCon 2018 brochure is now online!

The suspense is over… the GIJoeCon 2018 brochure is now ONLINE!

GIJoeCon 2018 logo

No more speculation… thanks to the release of the GIJoeCon 2018 brochure we know the theme of the final G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention set: Python Peril – Marauders to the Rescue!

Here’s the official synopsis:

Python Peril: Marauders to the Rescue!

The COBRA PYTHON PATROL is an elite unit of troopers that have been handpicked for their various tactical specialties. They are expertly trained and equipped for stealth and infiltration missions. They wear unique camouflage grid uniforms to mask their presence, which confuses radar detection systems and allows them to accomplish sinister operations around the globe.

Using the latest radar absorbing materials and stealth technology, PYTHON PATROL 2.0 rears its ugly head with a surgical strike against their sworn enemy. Led by the nefarious MAJOR BLUDD, they have successfully captured a “Real American Hero” and key member of the G.I. JOE team.

The SLAUGHTER’S MARAUDERS unit is called into action to mount a dire rescue mission of their original commander. A fellow Marine Drill Instructor, SGT. SMASHER takes the squad leader position and selects highly specialized soldiers for a fast attack, ground assault into enemy territory to combat these devious COBRA forces.

PYTHON PATROL 2.0 is a dangerous unit, but it will take more than their special uniforms and slithering nastiness to get the best of the entire SLAUGHTER’S MARAUDERS team! Our 2018 exclusive 3 3/4-inch convention set contains a highly requested G.I. JOE team and updated COBRA army that are available for the first time in the modern era 25A action figure style. This special edition 15action-figure set includes:

Five G.I. JOE team members: Sgt. Smasher, Footloose, Hardball, Mutt & Junkyard (K-9), Spirit & Freedom (eagle).

Ten COBRA team members: Major Bludd, Python H.E.A.T. Viper (troop builder x 3), Python Lamprey (troop builder x 3), Python Laser Viper (troop builder x 3).

Each of these great teams comes with their classic weapons,
accessories, figure stands and file cards!

Hmmm… very interesting indeed.  It would seem that the Club is going to complete the Slaughter’s Marauders roster that was started several years ago in the 2011 Slaughter’s Marauders exclusive boxed set. That set included Falcon, Low-light, and Barbeque as well as Spirit.  (Apparently someone wasn’t a fan of that Spirit release?)  The addition of Footloose and Mutt round out most of the original team– minus Sgt. Slaughter, of course.  In his stead is another drill instructor known as “Sgt. Smasher.”  (After all, that was the name of his international repaint.) Now, could this be a repaint of the 2010 SDCC Sarge under a different name for copyright purposes?  Continue reading

G.I. Joe Club Female Cobra Troopers 3-pack review

G.I. Joe Collector's Club Female Cobra TroopersNo, you’re not seeing things.  A new review HAS been posted at JBL.  Really.  This is not an illusion, hoax, or #fakenews.  It’s the first of many to come as the admin works to update and reorganize the existing review indexes on the site!

In 2017, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club released a three pack of figure that many fans feel is LONG overdue: the female Cobra Troopers!  There’s been a precedent for female troopers set in both cartoon and comic format and yet for years the ranks of the Cobra blue shirts were dominated by men.  However, in an age where the role of women in combat has evolved it seemed only natural that Cobra would keep pace.

Is this three pack worth getting?  Do these troops hold up to previous releases?  Does Deadpool make any sort of a cameo?  Find out in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Female Cobra Trooper 3-pack review over at the revised G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index!

While you’re at it– be sure to check out the updated G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS Review Index.  With the volume of figures released by the Club in the FSS it only seemed proper to split that series off into its own page.  We’ll have updated reviews there soon including: Ambush, Scoop, Raptor, Gaucho, Shattered Glass Tomax, Steel Raven, G.I. Jane, Captain Skip, Dojo, Crosshair, Payload, Night Stalker Commander, and Rampart!

Dreadnok Ground Assault 4WD and Heartwrencher revealed!

Christmas may have come and gone but the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has one more present for members: the reveal of the Dreadnok Ground Assault 4WD and Heartwrencher!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club Heartwrencher Dreadnok Ground Assault

Wow… just wow… this one came out of nowhere!  Ever since it was announced at the Collector’s Club roundtable back in 2015, fans have speculated about the fate of the club exclusive Dreadnok Ground Assault 4WD with Heartwrencher figure.  Now, thanks to the our friend “Shattered Glass Jazz” we have a look at the preview of this upcoming set.  (Rick always gets his newsletters before anyone else.  I’m thinking he has “mob ties.”)

Let’s start with the driver Heartwrencher…   Continue reading

G.I. Joe FSS 7 Crystal Ball mesmerizes your mind!

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club dropped the final FSS 7 preview today: Crystal Ball!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS 7 Crystal Ball

COBRA HYPNOTIST
Code Name: CRYSTAL BALL

(Inspired by the 1987 action figure.)
Features NEW head sculpt!
Includes: removable vest, pistol, knife,
Re-tooled Hypno-shield, and figure stand.

Finally!  My reason for subscribing to FSS 7 has been revealed!

Let’s start off and see how this mock-up stands up to the original 1987 Crystal Ball.

I’m seeing the legs of the 25th Anniversary Iron Grenadiers Destro. The vest appears to be from the 30th Anniversary Gnawgahyde while the hypno-shield looks to be brand new.  (Please, let that be a lenticular decal.  Seriously– that’s non-negotiable.)  However, that’s not the real selling point of the figure. Continue reading

G.I. Joe FSS 7 Tundra Ranger Stalker preview is awesome!

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS 7 previews continue with a look at the mock-up for Tundra Ranger Stalker!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS 7 Tundra Ranger Stalker

G.I. JOE TUNDRA RANGER
Code Name: SGT. STALKER

(Inspired by the 1989 action figure.)
Includes: removable tactical vest, NEW hat, rifle,
knife, kayak with stabilizer, machine gun mount,
double-ended paddle, and figure stand.

“That guy’s AWESOME!”

That was the reaction by Scoop in the DiC mini-series Operation: Dragonfire the very first time Stalker deployed his Tundra Ranger kayak.

That statement might just hold true today with the reveal of the FSS 7 update to this classic 1989 Stalker design.  Sure, the Club is reusing some existing parts but that’s to be expected.  The Retaliation G.I. Joe Trooper legs are back– as is the head that was most recently used for the Tiger Force Stalker and the FSS Jammer figures.  However, the accessories are clearly the focus here– including a reproduction of the original cold weather outrigger kayak!  Continue reading

Is G.I. Joe FSS 7 Kangor a knockout?

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has a Cyber-Monday surprise in the form of FSS 7 Kangor!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS 7 Kangor

COBRA SAVAGE FIGHTER
Code Name: KANGOR

(Inspired by the Brazilian exclusive action figure.)
Includes: removable harness, boxing gloves/hands,
dumbbell weights x 2, kangaroo, and figure stand.

Well, this preview of Kangor shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone!

Let’s be honest– the 2013 FSS 1 Big Boa was pretty much the best figure of that initial wave of Club offerings.  He was a perfect update of the original 1987 vintage Cobra Trainer— right down to the boxing gloves.  Since his release, he’s become one of the most sought-after FSS figures and commands big bucks on the secondary market.  Therefore, the Club made him available again but with a twist. Continue reading

G.I. Joe FSS 7 Budo stands with honor!

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club gives fans a Black Friday surprise in the form of FSS 7 Budo!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS 7 Budo

G.I. JOE SAMURAI WARRIOR
Code Name: BUDO

(Inspired by the 1988 action figure.)
Features NEW head sculpt!
Includes: Samurai helmet, removable chest armor,
belt, sais x 2, swords x 2, and figure stand.

YES!!!!  FSS 7 Budo has finally been revealed!

Okay, it’s time for an unpopular opinion: I’m not a fan of the 2013 Retaliation Budo figure. It’s not a bad figure by any stretch of the imagination but it’s design is that of a historically accurate samurai– which isn’t what 1988’s Budo was all about. The original figure was less “The Last SamuraiKen Watanabe and more of a melding of traditional samurai with the modern world.  As such, that figure never worked for me.  Continue reading

Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at JBL!

JBL would like to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving!

JBL Thanksgiving

(Yes, it’s that same picture again.  I’ll update it someday!)

Today is the day that is dreaded by turkeys across the land– where groups of friends and family gather round the table to share a meal and enjoy some time together.  It’s also a time to look back and consider all the things that we have to be thankful for.

Sure, there’s a lot going on the world that can, as individuals, raise our blood pressure and cause us to raise our fists in the air but there’s also still a lot of things that are going right. As such, Thanksgiving can be a day in which we reflect on everything that has actually gone right for us and our friends.

At JBL, we’re thankful for each and every person who reads this post, visits the forums, reads the reviews (when I get around to publishing them!) and even who stops by our Facebook page.  Without each of you, this page would literally be a series of random musings thrown into the wind.  Thank you for making JBL a part of your G.I. Joe life!

To everyone out there: Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Christmas G.I. Joe