While the New York Comic Con may not be the font of new product news that many G.I. Joe fans were hoping for, all is not bleak in Joe-land! New Kre-O sets and blind-bagged figures are dropping at Toys R Us stores across the nation. To celebrate this, the good folks at Hunter PR passed on a stop-motion animation gem that is sure to put a smile on the face of even the most stodgy of Joe fans!
So, check out “G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers” — Kre-O style!
DISCLAIMER: There will be little-to-no objectivity shown in this post. If you’re looking for objective journalism, try a real news site! We love Marauder Gun-Runners here at JBL!
Just when you thought Marauder Gun Runners couldn’t make their products any better, something like this occurs! MGR is now offering a factory-painted set of their incredible Series 6 weapons! That’s right– you can deck out your favorite 1:18 action figures with gear that has been molded in gun-metal gray and then painted with either desert or forest colors. It’s an amazing set of 33 painted weapons and accessories for only $24.99!
Think of the possibilities:
Check out JBL’s review of the original Series 6 and keep your eyes peeled for an updated gallery of the painted set in the next few days! (Also, check out the rest of JBL’s Marauder Gun Runners Review Index!)
You can place your order for this incredible set HERE!
It’s been awfully quiet on the G.I. Joe toy news front lately. However, the good folks over at the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club decided to spice things up a bit with a bit of an unveiling today. Over on their Facebook page they unveiled a carded sample of one of the figures from FSS 2.0— the Cobra CEO: CESSPOOL!
Cesspool, not to be confused with the uber-awesome Merc With a Mouth Deadpool, was Cobra’s analogy to the 1989 movie version of the Joker. Disfigured in a chemical accident, he was one part brilliant businessman and two parts chemically-induced nutjob. Granted, good old Cesspool was used only sparingly in both the DiC series and in the Marvel Comics run but, by all appearances, this figure does a SOLID job of capturing the classic ARAH figure and bringing him forward into the Generation 3 era. Based on the body of the Techno-Viper and featuring an AMAZING headsculpt from Boss Fight Studio, this was one of the figures that immediately convinced me to sign up for the second round of the FSS.
One cool detail that I noticed when drooling over looking at the image above is that Cesspool’s right eye is now completely “dead”. LOVE IT! I’m not entirely sold on the card art which seems just a bit too jolly even with the giant scar but I also have ZERO intention of leaving this figure sealed. (GASP! I know! I’m not a real collector!) Going just on the figure alone this one looks to be a good addition to the Cobra shelf.
No ETA on when FSS 2.0 will start shipping but this just ramps up the excitement a bit. So while you’re waiting for him to arrive, check out JBL’s Review of the 1991 Cesspool figure!
The 90’s were an interesting time for G.I. Joe. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with their bright neon colors were dominating store shelves and ninjas were EVERYWHERE in popular culture. Video games were more popular than ever and a certain band of Real American Heroes didn’t seem to have the luster that they once did.
So, what was a toy line to do? Well, as the saying goes: if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!
G.I. Joe did what it did best and adapted– becoming more ninja-centric and much more neon. The brand even co-opted Street Fighter II and tried to portray it as a “sister line”. Results were mixed at best; you know you’re in trouble when the new-comers are beating up one of the main characters in your lineup.
Take a look at this 90’s gem that features live-action portrayals of both the Joes and the cast of Street Fighter II.
At JBL, we’re big fans of the innovative website 3DJoes.com! No other site on the web allows visitors to watch a seamless rotating image of classic ARAH-era figures. Sure, it’s one thing to look at different static images showing front/back/side/etc but it’s another to see the entire figure in such a fluid manner. Well, the folks at 3DJoes.com are developing another poster concept to help offset the costs of running the site and they need your help in deciding on the final form the project will take.
Here’s the official word from 3DJoes.com:
“The G.I. Joe Yearbook: A Visual Index of Carded Figures” page has been really popular, and several folks have recommended I make a poster of it. So, I started working on the first one tonight, featuring the 1982-1985 single carded figures. I figured this would be a good first group since they all featured the 2D G.I. Joe logo.
As I started designing the poster I realized they could all fit on one poster (without including the Tomax & Xamot two pack), or they could be split up over two posters (and the twins could be included). I’m torn over which I prefer. My gut is print them all on one poster, but I want to see what the rest of the community thinks before making a decision.
Please go vote either on HissTank.com or OG13 and let me know which option you’d rather buy!
https://www.og13.com/forums/showthread.php?8433-Carded-3DJoes-poster%28s%29-I-need-your-input!
Check out the two mirrored image options below and then head on over and make your voice heard as to which piece of wall art you’d rather display in your Joe room!
Option 1:
Option 2:
The 2013 San Diego Comic Con exclusive G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set has been announced via USA Today and trust me, this SDCC set is a doozy!
Listing at only $99 and available at the HasbroToyShop.com booth, this year’s set includes the following:
Just looking at this list it’s easy to see that Hasbro is going for broke with what is billed as the “epic conclusion” to their series of G.I. Joe vs. Transformers exclusives. With two larger vehicles, three figures, and a slew of new accessories it’s easily the most impressive piece in the series. (Last year’s Shockwave HISS w/ Destro and Constructi-BAT was no slouch, however.) For the cost, this set is a STEAL!
For me, one of the high points of the entire set is the Baroness and Ravage which hearkens back to the cancelled statue that was based on early artwork from Dreamwave’s G.I. Joe vs. Transformers crossover comic series. The new Baroness head is awesome and, well, Ravage has been one of my favorite Transformers since G1 debuted! Plus, the VAMP has been and always will be my favorite G.I. Joe vehicle– throwing in Jetfire just makes this set PURE WIN to me. The use of the forthcoming Budo body to produce Bludgeon is just the icing on the cake. (Nice work by John Warden and the guys in Pawtucket on this one!)
Check out Brian Truitt’s article on USAToday.com for some great quotes from both John and Derryl DePriest about this set and start making plans now to snag this one– I have the feeling that Hasbro could never produce enough to meet the demand this time!
The G.I. Joe Retaliation reviews continue as we’re now 9 days away from the film’s debut on March 28, 2013!
There’s no shortage of Snake Eyes action figures in the G.I. Joe figure line so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the team’s ninja commando has already had three figures released for the movie. However, only one of those figures is screen accurate– the Ninja Duel Snake Eyes from wave 2. Featuring an entirely new sculpt and increased articulation, this figure brings our favorite silent warrior’s updated look to your action figure shelf. Does this figure justify the purchase of yet “another” Snake Eyes or can you pass and save yourself some extra cash?
Check out the break down in the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!
G.I. Joe Retaliation reviews continue here at JBL!
He’s large and in charge and he just might be carrying the “people’s heavy machine gun!” That’s right– I’m talking about an action figure based on Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s portrayal of Roadblock in G.I. Joe Retaliation! In the second wave of figures Marvin S. Hinton is dubbed “Battle Kata Roadblock” based on his innovative modular weapon system. He’s also sporting a full Arashikage tattoo on his forearm. So, has Roadblock gone over to the “Ninja Side”? Is this figure worth the $9.99 sticker price?
Check out the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!
Reviews are back! This time JBL takes a look at the G.I. Joe Retaliation Cyber Ninja action figure from wave 2.5. A fusion of modern technology and traditional techniques, this figure is a stealth warrior in a stealth suit that makes me wish we were still getting actual file cards with the figures! He’s a mix of existing tooling that creates a brand new character for Cobra!
However, is this figure worth picking up? Hit the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and check him out!
After last week’s unexpected set back reviews should continue now all the way up to the film’s release on March 28!
The G.I. Joe Retaliation reviews continue here at JBL with a figure that has had a long history in G.I. Joe comics. Making their debut in the celebrated G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero vol 1 #21 by Marvel Comics, the red ninjas were originally believed to be a trio of apprentices to the Cobra ninja Storm Shadow. However, after their quick and violent defeat at the hands of Snake Eyes, the Red Ninjas returned time and time again in an ever-expanding role in the comics. At one point they were even in the service of the Cobra Saboteur Firefly!
For G.I. Joe Retaliation, the Red Ninjas appear to have gone back to their roots as warriors hidden away in a remote mountain castle. Recent trailers have shown them accompanying Cobra Commander through ranks of Cobra Special Forces soldiers as part of an entourage. Regardless of how they’re used, these familiar warriors will be hitting the big screen on March 28, 2013. However, the real question to be asked is: “are these figures worth adding to my G.I. Joe collection?” After all, there was a release of the Red Ninjas back in the 25th anniversary collection, right? Well, check out the review to find out this Joe fan’s opinion!
The Red Ninja review and many others can be found in the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index!