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

Posted on November 28, 2017 by Fred Meyer

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 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?

Posted on November 27, 2017 by Fred Meyer

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

Posted on November 24, 2017 by Fred Meyer

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club gives fans a Black Friday surprise in the form of 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 Samurai” Ken 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!

Posted on November 23, 2017 by Fred Meyer

JBL would like to wish everyone a very happy 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!

A chilling look at the FSS 7 Ice Viper Officer

Posted on November 22, 2017 by Fred Meyer

Another FSS 7 preview today before the Thanksgiving holiday: the Ice Viper Officer!

COBRA ARCTIC TRANSPORT OFFICER
Code Name: ICE VIPER OFFICER
(Inspired by the 2007 action figure.)
Includes: removable helmet, goggles, harness,
radio, rifle, sais x 2, boot cleats, and figure stand.

So, there he is– the FSS 7 Ice Viper Officer.

He’s pretty much exactly what this Joe fan expected: an updated version of the 2007 Collector’s Club exclusive “Flaming MOTH” Cobra Arctic Technician figure. The design of that exclusive has been updated pretty much 100% to the current style of construction. Continue reading →

G.I. Joe FSS 7 Tiger Force Jinx shows her stripes!

Posted on November 20, 2017 by Fred Meyer

With the forthcoming holiday, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club dropped the latest FSS 7 preview early: Tiger Force Jinx!

G.I. JOE TIGER FORCE NINJA
Code Name: KIM “JINX” ARASHIKAGE
(Inspired by the 2003 action figure.)
Features NEW head sculpt.
Includes: masked/unmasked heads, swords x 2,
dual sword sheath backpack, Naginata, and figure stand.

At long last– it’s Tiger Force Jinx!

This figure has been a bit of a no-brainer for some time now. She’s been teased in the Club comics and she’s an easy build to boot. Essentially, this is the SDCC exclusive Jinx with the deco of the 2003 Tiger Force six-pack version. It’s a simple build and yet amazingly effective– even if it does make her look like Cringer/Battle Cat from Masters of the Universe! Continue reading →

Reflections on the G.I. Joe FSS 7 Tomax preview

Posted on November 16, 2017 by Fred Meyer

Maintaining their current Tuesday/Thursday schedule, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has unveiled the preview of FSS 7 Tomax!

EXTENSIVE ENTERPRISES CEO
Code Name: TOMAX
(Inspired by the Sunbow cartoon design.)
Features NEW head sculpt.
Includes: aerial platform with sky hook, auto pistol,
briefcase with warheads x 4, and figure stand.

This is the preview that shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone!

In FSS 6, fans were treated to the release of Shattered Glass Xamot. While he was inspired by the character’s appearance in the club magazine comic, the design influence was clearly taken from the Sunbow cartoon series. In those animated episodes, the “Crimson Twins” Tomax and Xamot wore business suits as often as they did their Crimson Guard uniforms. Continue reading →

G.I. Joe FSS 7 Skidmark stops you in your tracks!

Posted on November 14, 2017 by Fred Meyer

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club continues the FSS 7 previews with a look at Treadmark… uh… SKIDMARK!

G.I. JOE ASSAULT VEHICLE DRIVER
Code Name: TREADMARK
(Inspired by the 1988 action figure.)
Includes: removable vest, assault rifle, pistol,
combat knife, and figure stand.

Holy orange hunting vests, Batman! Skidmark looks pretty good!

Okay, I’m just going to clarify this here and now. While the stand says “Treadmark” we all know who this is. It’s Skidmark; in fact, it’s a direct homage to the one and only 1988 Skidmark release. His code name was changed– maybe for legal reasons or maybe because his original name makes Joe fans giggle like a bunch of second graders. Regardless, I’m just going to call him Skidmark from this point on. Continue reading →

G.I. Joe FSS 7 Dreadnok Kaos slashes your expectations!

Posted on November 9, 2017 by Fred Meyer

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has dropped another FSS 7 preview: Dreadnok Kaos!

DREADNOK SALVAGE CREW
Code Name: DREADNOK KAOS
(Inspired by the unreleased “concept case” action figure.)
Includes: removable harness, pistol, bolo,
wrist crossbow, machete, and figure stand.

Ladies and Joe fans– feast your eyes on Jason Voorhies! Um…. I mean… Dreadnok Kaos!

All kidding aside, this figure has been on some fans’ “most wanted” radar ever since his first reveal as part of the Concept Case from Joe Con 2012. He’s got a very Dreadnok look with the rugby/web gear from the 2011 Thrasher (or “Thunder” as Hasbro dubbed it) and the Road Pig crossbow that was finally released as part of the Danger in the Docks set. The original Dreadnoks were inspired by the Marauders in the Road Warrior and this design is in keep with that aesthetic.

I do have to laugh at the fact that he was a machete and hockey mask. I know he’s supposed to be a troop builder but for the love of Colton’s Ghost please let his birthplace be listed at “Crystal Lake”. Continue reading →

FSS 7 General Hawk soars into view!

Posted on November 7, 2017 by Fred Meyer

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club reveals another preview from FSS 7. Look up– it’s General Hawk!

G.I. JOE COMMANDER
Code Name: GENERAL HAWK
(Inspired by the 1991 action figure.)
Includes: removable helmet, harness with holster,
pistol, rifle, glider backpack with pop-out wings,
detachable rockets x 2, and figure stand.

Holy cow – it’s the DiC era 1991 General Hawk and he’s looking pretty good!

I like the reuse of the helmet and the backpack from the 2011 Pursuit of Cobra Skydive. Aside from the 2016 Sky Patrol convention set, these parts haven’t seen an excessive number of reuses. The Retaliation Cobra Trooper web gear is a pretty decent match for the original 1991 tooling and the colors look pretty spot-on. During last week’s Just Another G.I. Joe Show, I had pegged this figure as a “maybe”, depending on how the preview turned out. As of now, he’s just shot up to a “Yes, please!”

Now, the real question is: whose head is underneath that helmet? Hopefully the Club will use the 25th General Hawk noggin to keep the character’s appearance consistent. Otherwise, I could see the Resolute boxed set Duke head as a viable alternative.

Either way– I’m digging this build!

For those who are keeping score, here’s the roster of FSS 7:

Arctic Cobra Commander – based on the cancelled two-pack version
Budo – G.I. Joe Samurai
Crystal Ball – Cobra Hypnotist
Dreadnok Salvage Crew – Code name: Dreadnok Kaos
Dusty & Sandstorm (v3) – DiC era Desert Trooper and coyote
General Hawk (1991) – DiC era jet pack version
Ice Viper Officer – based on the Club’s Flaming Moth version
Kangor – International repaint of Big Boa
Stalker (Tundra Ranger) – DiC era cold weather version with kayak
Treadmark (aka Skidmark) – the Desert Fox driver returns
Tiger Force Kim “Jinx” Arashikage – based on the 2003 six-pack version
Tomax – inspired by the Shattered Glass/Sunbow look

The FSS 7 page is LIVE now! The cost of the thirteen figure set (including the bonus piece) is $375.00 plus shipping. Place your order prior to December 4, 2017 and keep your eyes peeled to GIJoeClub.com for more previews.