Category Archives: Reviews

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Eagle’s Edge Review

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G.I. Joe 50th anniversary Eagles edge

It’s a new week with a new G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary review!  This time JBL takes on the Eagle’s Edge three-pack featuring General Hawk, Leatherneck, and a brand-new Destro!

It’s an interesting mix of old and new– a mix of G.I. Joe Retaliation and Pursuit of Cobra as Hasbro attempts to celebrate a half century of “America’s Moveable Fighting Man.”  I won’t lie– there’s some good, some bad, and some ugly but it’s still three classic characters in one reasonably-priced retail three-pack that’s currently available at both Toys R Us retail locations and online at Bigbadtoystore.com.

Check out the individual reviews in the G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Review Index!

Plus, check back this week as JBL debuts a series of Halloween-themed reviews tomorrow!  Plus, the Social Clash review is coming soon!

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Reviews Return!

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G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary HEAT Viper

It’s been a bit but the G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary reviews continue with the first two two-packs in the line– the Heated Battle and the Night Marksmen!

I’ve been sitting on these for a while now– digesting what may be some of the last new 1:18 Joes from Hasbro for a while.  As with much of this 32nd Anniversary of A Real American Hero 50th Anniversary of G.I. Joe line, it’s a case of “what was old is new again.”  These two packs feature three characters who have seen prior releases and one that makes his debut in the generation 3 style of construction.

So, were Blowtorch, Low-Light, HEAT Viper, and Night Viper worth picking up?

Head on over to the G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Index and check out one Joe fan’s opinion!

SDCC 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks Review

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50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks

Last week the SDCC 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks sets went up on ToysRUs.com and this site admin was lucky enough to snag one!  It finally arrived last week and that means it’s time for a brand new review here at JBL!  Was this set, which features the VAMP Mk 2 and Flint in their original color schemes worth it?  Or, was it another case of “wash, rinse, repaint?”

Head on over to the brand new 50th Anniversary Review Index and check it out the review of the SDCC 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks to find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

G.I. Joe Adventure Team Sea Adventurer Review

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G.I. Joe Adventure Team Sea Adventurer

 

The G.I. Joe Adventure Team Sea Adventurer was the last piece released in 2011 as part of the Collector’s Club’s foray into merging the 1:18 and 1:6 continuities.  Part sailor, part engineer– he’s a specialist who is more at home in the oceans than he is on the land.  When the call of the Adventure Team went out and the mission was set at sea, he was the man that answered!

Is this version of the G.I. Joe Adventure Team Sea Adventurer worth purchasing?  Does he measure up to the legacy of the Adventure Team line that ran from 1970 – 1976?  (A fact that is completely ignored by Hasbro’s “50th Anniversary line” this year.)

Check out the review of the 1:18 scale version of the Sea Adventurer in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

G.I. Joe Retaliation Blind Master Review

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G.I. Joe Retaliation Blind Master

Up until recently the Blind Master was one of the hardest figures to find at retail, being part of the Wave 4 assortment.  Based on the likeness of actor/musician RZA, the Blind Master proved to be a key figure in the film’s Arashikage story line.  Thankfully, the flood gates have opened and fans are able to find this figure at stores such at Toys R Us and Ross.

Was he worth the wait?  Or is he just another kitbashed movie figure used to pad out the line?  Will I be making a bunch of “Daredevil and Blind Master” gags in the review?

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

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Air Adventurer Review

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G.I. Joe Collector's Club 1:18 Air Adventurer

 

The G.I. Joe Air Adventurer must be a real daredevil of a pilot.  Clad in his signature orange jumpsuit, he hops into the pilot’s seat of his bright yellow helicopter and flies right into danger with no care for his own safety.  He’s got a mission to accomplish and nothing is going to stand in his way!

In 2010, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club attempted to bridge the gap between the 1:6 and 1:18 segments of their membership by releasing the Adventure Team members in the smaller scale.  The Air Adventurer was third in the series of four and was packaged with the Club’s interpretation of the original Adventure Team copter.

Did this daring pilot successfully make the transition to the smaller scale?  Or, does his bright color scheme scare off even the most die-hard of G.I. Joe fans?

Check out the review in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Membership Cross Country Review

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G.I. Joe Collector's Club Cross Country

 

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Cross Country figure is here!!!

I’ve been waiting for this figure to hit my mailbox ever since it was first announced.  I can’t really explain it but the concept of an updated Cross Country with new parts from Boss Fight Studio had me more excited than a Joe fan at opening night of G.I. Joe Retaliation!  Even though I was never a huge fan of Cross Country as a kid this version looked like sheer plastic perfection.

So was he worth the wait?  Check out the review in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club 1:18 Land Adventurer Review

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G.I. Joe Collector's Club 1:18 Land Adventurer

 

JBL delves back into the world of the G.I. Joe Adventure Team with a review of the Collector’s Club exclusive Land Adventurer!

From 1970 – 1976, the G.I. Joe brand transformed and Joe went from being an active duty soldier to a “man of action”.  He became a combination of scientist and adventurer– travelling the globe and taking on missions that would have left the cast of Jonny Quest envious!  In 2010, the folks at the GIJCC decided to bring the concept to a new generation of fans by introducing the Adventure Team into the popular 1:18 scale.  Following in the footsteps of the Adventure Team Commander, the Land Adventurer was the second Adventure Team member to see release in this new format.

Was the endeavor successful?  Did the smaller version convey the same sense of rugged adventure as his 1:6 predecessor?

Check out the review in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index and find out this Joe fan’s opinion!

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club 1:18 Adventure Team Commander Review

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G.I. Joe Collector's Club 1:18 Adventure Team Commander

There’s just something about the Adventure Team Commander.  He’s a former soldier who leads a team of adventurers and scientists in missions across the globe that range from disaster relief to artifact recovery to rescuing endangered species.  In other words, he’s a “Man of Action” with a kung-fu grip!

Up until 2010, the Adventure Team Commander existed only in his original 1:6 scale form.  (I’m  not counting the various “Joe Colton” figures.)  However, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club decided that that Adventure Team Commander was ready for a change and released him and his team in a series of 1:18 scale sets.  Did the original “Man of Action” make the transition smoothly?

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

G.I. Joe Retaliation Cobra Night Viper Reviewed

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G.I. Joe Retaliation Cobra Night Viper

 

If the Cobra Night Viper is doing his job properly, he’s never seen.  With that logic, these troopers must be some of the most effective Cobra Troopers in history as, up until recently, very few people have ever seen one at retail!  Through some blind luck and the courtesy of another Joe fan, JBL is finally able to review the G.I. Joe Retaliation Wave 4 Cobra Night Viper!

Were these troops worth the wait?  Do they hold up to months of searching?

Hit the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and find out ONE Joe fan’s opinion!