So- what’s the deal with G.I. Joe Retaliation Duke’s orange gun?

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Fred Meyer

If you’ve already purchased and opened your G.I. Joe Retaliation Duke action figure, you’ve probably found that his accessory compliment is “less than stellar”. The figure is equipped with a gun that I can only call the “Blast-o-Matic 6000” as well as an orange rifle that resembles Agent Coulson’s final weapon in the Marvel movie The Avengers.

However, there was something oddly familiar about it. Over at MarvelousNews.com, Jay had posted PR pics of the variants from Hasbro’s Marvel Legends 2013 series 3 figures including the brand-spanking new Blade figure. As I was looking at the image a certain weapon leaped off the screen and caught my attention.

Once you see it, you can’t “unsee” it. It looks like Hasbro continues the tradition of sharing tooling and molds across brand lines. After all, the G.I. Joe Renegades Storm Shadow mold is getting a reuse in a forthcoming Wolverine line. Plus, it makes poor Retaliation Duke just a bit cooler by association.

And now you know…

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation wave 1 Duke

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Fred Meyer

The G.I. Joe Retaliation reviews continue here at JBL! To start off this week, we’re going back to the debut wave of figures and examining one that many fans might overlook merely because of the actor chosen to portray the character. That’s right– we’re taking a look at Duke as portrayed by Channing Tatum! Featuring an ENORMOUS action-feature weapon, this figure originally hit shelves for a few weeks back in 2012 before the film’s release date was moved to March 28, 2013.

So, is an action figure of the “Magic Mike guy” worth adding to your G.I. Joe collection? Well, check out the review to find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

He’s posted at the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index!

Plus, check back this week for more reviews as JBL continues to play “catch up” on the deluge of recent G.I. Joe Retaliation product!

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS wave 3 now shipping!

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Fred Meyer

According to the crew over at HISSTank.com, the 3rd shipment of the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Figure Subscription Service is now shipping to fans! (That’s got to be the longest title ever.)

The GIJCC has asked that people not reveal what items are in the shipment until “everyone has theirs.” However, if you’re curious, just click the link below and check out the top of the page to see what figures are landing in the ring this month.

FSS wave 3 revealed

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation Tread Ripper tank!

Posted on February 24, 2013 by Fred Meyer

G.I. Joe Retaliation is hitting theatres in just over a month and, for the first time in a long time, new product is hitting store shelves! With a recent restock at a local Kmart, I was able to snag not only the wave 2.5 figures but also a tiny armored vehicle that has a very real world inspiration. That’s right– I’m talking about the Tread Ripper tank! Based on the Howe & Howe Tech Ripsaw tank, the tiny Tasmanian Devil of an armored vehicle is one of the newest vehicles that fans can add to their G.I. Joe motor pool! However, just because something is new doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth purchasing right? Does that question apply to the Tread Ripper?

Check out the review at the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation Flint!

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Fred Meyer

Another day and another G.I. Joe Retaliation figure review! This time I’ll be taking a look at a figure based on the cinematic debut of the G.I. Joe team’s premiere warrant officer– Flint! Brought to life by actor D. J. Cotrona, Dashiell R. Fairborne will be hitting the big screen on March 29, 2012 and his action figure is hitting stores now. It’s not 100% screen accurate to the trailers and yet the figure has its merits. However, is it worth spending your hard-earned cash to add this figure to your collection? Read the review to find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

Check out Flint in the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index!

(Yes, it is the end of the world– 3 reviews in the span of 7 days. This can’t be JBL, right? Right?!)

Alexx Shorts: Why Not G.I. Joe Kre-O?

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Alexx

G.I. Joe Kre-O Adventure Team Commander

Hey, Alexx should review some toys already! WAIT NO NOT KRE-O AWWWWWW.

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club unveils Iceberg renewal figure mock-up

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Fred Meyer

The last few years the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has been on a ROLL when it comes to renewal figures. From Dial-Tone to Footloose, it would seem that the Club can do no wrong when it comes to offering members an incentive to sign up for another year. That trend appears unbroken with the reveal this afternoon of a mock-up of this year’s incentive figure: Iceberg!

Here’s the official text from the GIJCC:

ICEBERG is the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club FREE Membership Incentive Figure for 2013! This FREE figure will be sent to any 3 3/4-inch Officer level G.I. Joe Club member whose membership is active by March 16, 2013. Iceberg features a figure stand, classic file card and accessories, including: assault rifle, rocket launcher with shell, knife, sub-machine gun, snow board and backpack with attachment frame. Members can expect to receive this bagged figure with all his accessories in late spring/early summer of 2013!

If you join after the March 16th deadline, you will be eligible for the 2014 figure. Also, if you have missed any of the previous figures, check the official Club Store for availability. Please note that the 2010, 2011, and 2012 membership 3 3/4″ action figures are SOLD OUT!

Don’t miss out on these great exclusive figures! Renew your membership or sign up for the first time TODAY!

Call 1-817-448-9863 or CLICK HERE to join the Club!

Wow– I see all sorts of goodness there including 25th Snow Serpent parts as well as the snow board from the cancelled Pursuit of Cobra Arctic Duke action figure! Now, my only question is– does this figure turn into a whale or not?

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation Firefly!

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Fred Meyer

When G.I. Joe Retaliation hits theatres in just shy of two months, fans will see the return of Duke, Snake Eyes, as well as the introduction of several new faces for the Joes in the form of Flint, Lady Jaye, and Roadblock. Cobra, on the other hand, only sees one familiar character make his cinematic debut: the mercenary Firefly! A long time favorite of fans, the Cobra Saboteur is brought to life by actor Ray Stevenson– recently seen in other genre films like Thor and Punisher: War Zone.

The good folks at Hasbro included Firefly, complete with actor likeness, in Wave 2 of the G.I. Joe Retaliation toy line which is just now hitting toy shelves. So, is this new incarnation of Firefly, complete with Blast Board, worth adding to any Joe collection? Check out the review at the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

On a side note, I’ve finally got most of my photo set-up put back together post-move so expect more reviews of Retaliation figures in the coming days!

Toy Fair 2013: G.I. Joe Micro Force images…

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Fred Meyer

G.I. Joe Micro Force represents on of Hasbro’s more unusual merchandising forays for the G.I. Joe brand. Similar to the gashapon figures from Japan, these tiny blind-package PVC figures are incredibly small stylized representations of our favorite Real American Heroes.

Here’s Hasbro’s official word on Micro Force:

G.I. JOE MICRO FORCE

(Approximate retail price: $2.99-$5.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Series 1: 2/11/13 & Series 2: 8/1/13)

Micro heroes, mega battles! Iconic G.I. JOE characters get a collectible new battle twist, as players use MICRO FORCE figures for extra small battling fun! 43 G.I. JOE MICRO FORCE figures will be available in 2013 and will feature a unique new style based on classic G.I. JOE vs. COBRA characters including SNAKE EYES, STORM SHADOW, COBRA COMMANDER, SCARLETT and more! Collect them, set them up on their included stands, and knock them down in head-to-head battling play! Each set sold separately.

G.I. JOE MICRO FORCE Series 1 Blind Bag

(Approximate retail price: $2.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: 2/11/13)

The new G.I. JOE MICRO FORCE collectible battling experience offers fans a micro way to have big battles! For a surprise, pick up the Blind Bag, which offers two mini figures and two stands – just what kids need to start the battle! Series 1 includes 43 figures to collect!

G.I. JOE MICRO FORCE Series 1 Starter Pack

(Approximate retail price: $5.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: 2/11/13)

The MICRO FORCE starter packs include five mini figures and five stands to help kids begin to build their MICRO FORCE collection. Series 1 includes 43 figures to collect! Each sold separately.

Here’s the most recent set of press images:

[Show as slideshow]

Now, it’s been a while since I was a widely-followed presence in the Joe community but I’m still going to offer up some thoughts on this line. I have the feeling that Hasbro here is targeting the same market segment that buys the Angry Birds toys, etc and not the action figure collecting community. As such, I don’t know if they’re for me. Part of this indifference comes from the fact that a large number of the characters in the line are unproduced ninjas shown at the 2012 G.I. Joe Collector’s convention. As such, I don’t really have any attachment to these characters. It’s good to see a nod to the Adventure Team Commander and I’ve seen images of Gung-Ho in some of the on-site coverage from Toy Fair but the blind-box aspect can be a bit frustrating. (I tried to complete my girlfriends Avengers gashapon figure collection– and ended up with more Nick Fury figures than you can shake a stick at!)

Of course, this is just one Joe fan’s opinion.

Toy Fair 2013: GI Joe Kre-O figures take over your Lego collection!

Posted on February 10, 2013 by Fred Meyer

One of the more unusual G.I. Joe lines to debut this year is the Kre-O series featuring our favorite Real American Heroes. Exclusive to Toys R Us, Kre-O looks Lego square in the eye and says “bring it!” Featuring characters from both the classic Generation 1 ARAH era and the earlier Adventure Team, Kre-O is a bold new direction for G.I. Joe.

Here’s the official word from Hasbro:

KRE-O G.I. JOE 2013 PRODUCT INFORMATION

A new line of KRE-O G.I. JOE building sets will be available exclusively at Toys “R” Us retail locations and www.Toysrus.com beginning in February 2013. The addition of KRE-O G.I. JOE sets to the brand’s portfolio will offer the opportunity to build environments and vehicles to play out the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA fantasy and will feature KREON figures based on popular characters from both the heroic G.I. JOE team like DUKE and SNAKE EYES as well as the villainous COBRA organization like FIREFLY and STORM SHADOW.

Beginning with the single packs:

KRE-O G.I. JOE KREON FIGURE PACKS
(Approximate retail price: $3.19; Ages: 6-12; Available: Spring 2013)
Start your KRE-O G.I. JOE collection with these iconic G.I. JOE and COBRA characters! Each G.I. JOE KREON figure comes with a unique weapon and cool accessories, and is sold blind-bagged. The first wave of characters includes CRAIG “ROCK N’ ROLL” MCCONNEL, KIM ARASHIKAGE, COBRA TROOPER, CRIMSON GUARD, SCARLETT, COBRA AXE NINJA, COBRA NINJA VIPER, QUICK KICK, ALLEY VIPER, EDWARD “TORPEDO” LEILOHA, and ADVENTURE TEAM COMMANDER. Each sold separately.

Wave 1: