“Dollar Store” Joes take the fan community by storm!!

If you’ve not heard the news in the past week, some of the most anticipated new Joe products to hit shelves in the near future AREN’T related to the film G.I. Joe: Retaliation.  Revealed by Gyre-Viper over the JoeDeclassified.com, there is apparently a series of 6 new-style construction figures that will be hitting “discount stores” later this year.  I’ve mirrored a few of the images here but I highly encourage everyone to check out the full slate of images over at JoeDeclassified.com.

The initial assortment appears to consist of the following figures:

However, it doesn’t stop there– it appears that there will be running color changes for all six figures including one that highly resembles the driver of the Pile Driver T’Gin-Zu!

Check out all the rest of Gyre-Viper’s pics and the discussion over at following threads on the JoeDeclassified.com forums:

At the end of the day, these leave me far more excited than most of the forthcoming G.I. Joe: Retaliation figures hitting later next month.  Great-looking parts use, figure stands, and repaints that give us even more obscure characters all combine into a SOLID WIN!  Now if only these would start hitting stores!

JoeCon 2012: Schrage revealed!

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club continues their 2012 1:18 convention set reveals with Schrage!

The Oktober Guard infantryman from East Germany is looking pretty spiffy in his first 25a-style construction!  He’s even clutching his beloved AK-47 and sports some very detailed web gear with what appears to be a sculpted canteen!  In fact, this figure looks as if he’s stepped right off the pages of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero issue #6 in which the Soviet team debuted.

Honestly– if this is any indication of how the rest of this set is going to turn out, I’m going to be one happy Joe fan when my non-attending con set arrives in the mail.

JoeCon 2012: Daina revealed as first con set figure!

At long last the figure previews for the 2012 Collector’s Convention set have begun!

First up is Oktober Guard sniper- Daina!

The Club’s tooling choices are solid this time with what appears to be a new head, new tooled helmet (possibly based loosely on the DTC Barrel Roll), and a very familiar Draguov sniper rifle.  The design works to give her a slightly more “bulky Russian military” feel than one would have expected.  (Personally I was thinking a straight-up reuse of either the RoC Cover Girl or the 25A Lady Jaye.)  Either way, it’s a great way to start off the convention set which makes me think that things can only get better from this point out!

This is the first version of Daina since the release of the VvV era Comic Pack #6

For more information, visit GIJoeCon.com!

GIJCC: Footloose is shipping and CC monitoring for members!

Last night the Collector’s Club dropped a “one-two-punch” email into the inbox of its membership.   The first piece of news is that the 2012 renewal figure of Footloose is starting to ship to members who renewed by the March deadline.  That’s right– the second Infantryman of the G.I. Joe is on its way soon!

The second item is that GIJCC members should be on the lookout for a letter coming via mail.  Inside is an individual code redeemable for a year of free credit card monitoring.  It’s a very unexpectedly proactive step that the Club has taken– one that is most likely generated by the volume of criticism over the handling of the recent data breach that affected members of both Fun Pub’s major clubs.

The full contents of the email are posted below:

Here are the latest updates from the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club:

SURPRISE! This week we started mailing the FREE membership figures for 2012!  We were able to get these manufactured much earlier this year, so off they go to you!  It will take several weeks for them to reach all of the membership, so please be patient.  If you don’t receive your figure by the end of May, please let us know.

In your April issue of the Club Magazine, you will find a letter that offers:  credit card fraud counseling; instructions on how to place a credit alert on your accounts; and a free one-year subscription to a Credit Monitoring and Identity Theft Recovery Service that we have purchased on your behalf.

If you have received any evidence of fraud on your credit cards, please call and make a report with the 800 number listed in the letter for the recovery services.

Continue reading

Oktober Guard to be featured in the 2012 G.I. Joe Convention set!

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club posted an update for the 2012 Convention which includes a teaser image– featuring Daina of the Oktober Guard!

No other information is yet available but the thought of the return of the Russian version of G.I. Joe is sure to light a fire in the heart of many a Joe fan!

Check out the teaser image below and keep your eyes on JBL and the 2012 Convention page for more details!

Alexx Shorts: Slaughter’s Marauders 7-Pack

Now I get to put the laughter in Slaughter!

Deadline for GIJCC renewals is STILL March 16th

It’s been no secret that the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has fallen on some pretty hard times lately in terms of public relations.  First, there have been the continual delays in launching the Figure Subscription service.  Secondly, the convention date and hotel were changed weeks after being formally announced.  Mostly recently, members of both the G.I. Joe and Transformers Collector’s Clubs have been reported fraudulent charges used at Fun Publications in the past few years.  The club was slow to respond but finally acknowledged the issue last week — by suspending online ordering capabilities.

The big question on EVERYONE’S mind has been — what are we supposed to do about renewals?  March 16th is the deadline to renew membership in order to receive either the 12″ Man of Evil or the 4″ Footloose action figure premiums.

Yesterday, Brian Savage set out the following email stating that, regardless of any security issues, the March 16th deadline is firm.

    This update is going out to all members:

Due to the issue with processing credit cards we have currently suspended your ability to renew and join the club online. The deadline is coming March 16th for you to be eligible to receive the 2012 free club exclusives.

On Monday, we will have a pdf online on the club site for membership renewals and new memberships that you can mail in with a check or money order.  We will process your membership as soon as they arrive.

Please note that the March 16th deadline is a hard deadline (in house) so please make sure any mail is in the postal system by March 9th.

If you want to receive the free club exclusive Footloose or Man of Evil, your membership must be active as of March 16th.  At the bottom of this email you will find your expiration date.  If it is after March 16, 2012, you are good to go for the 2012 figure.

Also, please log into the club club site <https://www.gijoeclub.com/club/> and ensure you have the figure selected you want to receive for this year, either 3 3/4″ or 12″.

Thanks for your support and patience during this difficult time.

Brian

Questions/comments about this announcement should be directed to admin2@funpubinc.com .

Toy Fair 2012: Hasbro G.I. Joe press release

Here’s the “official details” on all of Hasbro’s planned Retaliation offerings for 2012.  It’s a bit light on the details but it does provide a nice overview of what’s to come.

G.I. JOE SNAKE EYES NINJA GEAR

(Approximate retail price: $24.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

Gear up and get ready to take on the role of iconic Ninja-Commando SNAKE EYES from the G.I. JOE team. With the G.I. JOE SNAKE EYES NINJA GEAR set, kids can wield an electronic sword with authentic ARASKIGAE design, which features special lights and ninja battle sounds, a SNAKE EYES role-play mask, and two NINJA THROWING STARS allowing them to play the part of their favorite Ninja hero.

G.I. JOE BATTLE-KATA BLASTER

(Approximate retail price: $14.99; Ages: 6 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

Kids will love to role-play the ROADBLOCK character’s unique fighting style with the G.I. JOE BATTLE-KATA BLASTER toy. Featuring a 2-in-1 battle combo with interchangeable BATTLE-KATA blaster and ‘blade’ modes—kids can defend their heroic team against the vile enemy insurgents of COBRA. Includes three dart projectiles.

G.I. JOE NINJA COMMANDO BLASTER

(Approximate retail price: $24.99; Ages: 6 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

Enjoy the latest in G.I. JOE role-play technology with the G.I. JOE NINJA COMMANDO blaster! Defeat the COBRA enemies with this multi-dart, pump-action blaster which features a targeting lens to spy the enemy and helps you aim the projectiles like the very best snipers the G.I. JOE team has ever seen! Includes ten dart projectiles and targeting screen.

G.I. JOE BLADE OF JUSTICE

(Approximate retail price: $14.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

Replicate your favorite Ninja moves with the highly detailed, ARASHIKAGE-authentic G.I. JOE MOVIE BLADE OF JUSTICE sword used by two of the most iconic ninjas ever, SNAKE EYES and STORM SHADOW, in G.I. JOE RETALIATION.

G.I. JOE MOVIE NINJA COMMANDOS

(Approximate retail price: $19.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

Get ready for the next phase in G.I. JOE action figure evolution with the G.I. JOE NINJA COMMANDO figures! The NINJA COMMANDO figures are 10-inch large-scale figures that feature quick-draw BATTLE-KATA and Ninja action.  With the press of a button, figures magically “grab” weapons to arm themselves for battle. Figures also feature electronic sound effects and phrases available for in pack “Try Me.” Choose from the iconic Ninja SNAKE EYES and BATTLE-KATA skilled ROADBLOCK. (Figures sold separately.)

G.I. JOE MOVIE 3.75-INCH ACTION FIGURES Assortment

(Approximate retail price: $7.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

The live-action G.I. JOE movie, G.I. JOE: Retaliation, won’t hit theaters until June 2012, but you don’t need to wait to see the stars from the movie cast as G.I. JOE characters.  The G.I. JOE brand invented the action figure category more than 45 years ago, and the G.I. JOE MOVIE 3.75-INCH action figures continue this great legacy.  Figures are sculpted to match their on-screen counterparts, including Dwayne Johnson as ROADBLOCK, Channing Tatum as DUKE, and Bruce Willis as Joe Colton.  Each figure comes with  off-the-floor play such as  ninja zip lines and projectile launchers. Multiple waves are set to be released throughout the summer and fall 2012. (Figures each sold separately.)

G.I. JOE ALPHA VEHICLES Assortment

(Approximate retail price: $12.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

The G.I. JOE ALPHA VEHICLES assortment are the smallest and most covert of the G.I. JOE vehicles made for the 3.75-inch movie figures. These stealth vehicles are outfitted with universal projectiles, launchers, a surprise attack feature, and also come with a realistic articulated ride-on action figure that will help guide you through your action-packed adventures. (Vehicles each sold separately.)

G.I. JOE BRAVO VEHICLES Assortment

(Approximate retail price: $14.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

The G.I. JOE MOVIE BRAVO VEHICLES collection are mid-size vehicles inspired by the upcoming live-action G.I. JOE movie, G.I. JOE: Retaliation. Each represents the most technologically advanced vehicles in the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA arsenal, including the NINJA COMMANDO 4X4 WITH SNAKE EYES and COBRA FANG BOAT WITH SWAMP VIPER. Each vehicle comes with an action figure to help steer your squadron to victory. (Vehicles each sold separately.)

G.I. JOE MOVIE DELTA VEHICLES Assortment

(Approximate retail price: $19.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

The G.I. JOE MOVIE DELTA VEHICLES collection includes the largest hero and villain vehicles inspired by the live-action G.I. JOE movie, G. I. JOE: Retaliation. Each represents the most technologically advanced vehicles in the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA arsenal, including the G.I. JOE GHOST HAWK II and the COBRA H.I.S.S. TANK. Each vehicle comes with an action figure to help steer your squadron to victory. (Vehicles each sold separately.)

G.I. JOE NINJA SHOWDOWN SET Assortment

(Approximate retail price: $19.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

Kids can recreate the action-packed Ninja sequences of the upcoming live-action G.I. JOE movie, G.I. JOE: Retaliation or create their own adventures with these G.I. JOE sets. Each three-pack includes a three 3.75-inch action figures with off-the-floor action features. (each sold separately)

 

Toy Fair 2012 – Official Retaliation figure press images

G.I. Joe: Retaliation

Sadly, the staff of JBL wasn’t able to attend Toy Fair 2012 this year.  However, the good folks at Hasbro were able to provide some press images for those sites who weren’t able to attend.  Included among those images (many of which were seen last week) were shots of the figures in waves 2 – 5 of the G.I. Joe: Retaliation movie line.  Included in those figures is one that will make many a “Die Hard” Joe fan cackle with glee– Bruce Willis as General Joe Colton!

Check ’em out below:

Wave 2:

  • Battle Kata Roadblock
  • Ninja Duel Snake Eyes

Wave 3:

  • Alley Viper
  • Cyber Ninja
  • Dragon Ninja
  • Joe Colton
  • Lady Jaye

Wave 4:

  • Blind Master
  • Kim Arashikage

Wave 5:

  • Crimson Guard
  • Night Viper

Here’s the official press blurb from Pawtucket:

G.I. JOE MOVIE 3.75-INCH ACTION FIGURES Assortment

(Approximate retail price: $7.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012)

The live-action G.I. JOE movie, G.I. JOE: Retaliation, won’t hit theaters until June 2012, but you don’t need to wait to see the stars from the movie cast as G.I. JOE characters.  The G.I. JOE brand invented the action figure category more than 45 years ago, and the G.I. JOE MOVIE 3.75-INCH action figures continue this great legacy.  Figures are sculpted to match their on-screen counterparts, including Dwayne Johnson as ROADBLOCK, Channing Tatum as DUKE, and Bruce Willis as Joe Colton.  Each figure comes with  off-the-floor play such as  ninja zip lines and projectile launchers. Multiple waves are set to be released throughout the summer and fall 2012. (Figures each sold separately.)

 

For more images, check out the coverage over at JBL sister site GeneralsJoes.com!

Also, here’s a look at the figure images that were previously released:

 

Hasbro Pre-Toy Fair images for G.I. Joe: Retaliation line!

G.I. Joe: Retaliation

It’s been a busy weekend here at JBL HQ and I apologize for not getting these up sooner.

Friday Hasbro knocked everyone’s socks off with an unprecedented “info dump” for Retalation– in the form of HI-RES images of everything from Basic Figure assortment to Alpha Vehicles to figure battle sets to kids role-play gear.  It’s a lot of images to digest– but I’m going to post them based upon which assortment they fall into.

It’s a lot of Joe overload all in one post!

Basic figure assortment:

 

Alpha vehicle assortment:

 

Bravo vehicle assortment:

 

Delta vehicle assortment:

 

Ninja Showdown assortment:

 

SDCC 2012 exclusives:

 

Roleplay assortment:

 

Battlers assortment: