Support Collecting the Art of G.I. Joe on Kickstarter

Collecting the Art of G.I. Joe vol 1

 

The Kickstarter for Collecting the Art of G.I. Joe is now LIVE!

If you’ve been to 3DJoes.com any time recently you might have already seen the hardcover edition of this book listed.  It’s an incredible coffee table volume that spotlights the amazing package art from the 1982 – 1983 releases from the classic G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line.  The hardcover volume collects newly digitally restored artwork in an incredible 8″ x 11″ volume that shows just what made the classic packaging so attractive.  The only downside of this volume was that it carried a hefty price tag of $205.

Enter the Collecting the Art of G.I. Joe Kickstarter!

A pledge of $45.00 (plus shipping) will secure your very own paperback copy of Collecting the Art of G.I. Joe vol 1!  With a modest funding goal of $6,000.00 this project will make paperback copies of the book available to more fiscally-conscious fans everywhere!

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3DJoes.com Kickstarter is Now LIVE

3DJoes.com Kickstarter

The staff at JBL are big fans of the website 3DJoes.com.  (Let’s not forget its sister site Vintage3DJoes.com!)
Running a website is a labor of love and, for the most part, it’s a strictly not-for-profit endeavor.  All of those costs that go into keeping a site up and running are typically absorbed by the site owner unless he or she happens to generate some ad revenue.  Or, if you’re very very clever like Carson Mataxis, you can sell some truly AWESOME posters to help offset the costs.

Unfortunately, to produce such high quality posters also costs money– which is where the 3DJoes.com Kickstarter comes in.  Here’s the announcement from Carson:

For two years I’ve been building 3DJoes.com, the ultimate G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero archive! 3DJoes is the only interactive, three dimensional museum of G.I. Joe A Real American Hero nostalgia. Best of all, it’s ad-free.

To help pay for the site, I’ve created three awesome posters (check them out here). I’ve taken a HUGE gamble each time I’ve printed one of these posters. The last couple posters have gone on a credit card and they have each taken over four months to break even. I simply cannot put another poster on credit, but that won’t stop me!

I’m ready to make three more, and I need your help! Each poster costs $3,000 to produce. SO, I’ve set the goal at $3,300 (to cover Amazon and KS fees) and hope to at least produce one of the following posters. If we hit the first stretch goal ($6,600), we’ll make two, and if we hit the second stretch goal ($9,900), we’ll make all three!

As always, I’m impressed with the level of detail that Carson puts into restoring each image to optimum quality.  If you’ve seen his previous work, you’ll know that the final product is the best possible version of each piece of art.  Now, imagine that level of meticulous detail applied to the vehicle artwork, or the 1986 – 1987 Joes, or even smaller pieces like post cards of the “To The Rescue” or “Yo Joe!” posters.  Or, if artwork isn’t necessarily your cup-o-Joe you can walk away with a fantastic embroidered hat– just for supporting a truly terrific fan resource.

Even better– top-tier supporters can walk away with some of their items autographed by two of the minds behind the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero era — Larry Hama and Kirk Bozigian!

With 42 days to go, the project already has 42 backers and has raised $2,816.00 of its modest $3,300.00 goal.  Let’s push that over the top and ensure that 3DJoes.com can keep on spinning!  The deadline to contribute is September 3, 2014 at 8:01pm CST.

Show what support you can and let ’em know that the fan community supports 3DJoes.com!

3DJoes.com Kickstarter Project

New G.I. Joe carded artwork poster available from 3DJoes.com!

3DJoes.com 1982 - 1985 card art poster project.

3DJoes.com 1982 – 1985 card art poster project.

Here at JBL, we’re suckers for good G.I. Joe artwork and the website 3DJoes.com.  So, imagine the utter glee that was experienced by one admin in particular when the following announcement went up on 3DJoes regarding their recent carded artwork poster project!

Carded 3DJoes” posters are here!

The first “Carded 3DJoes” poster is here! It features every single carded figure from 1982-1985. That’s 49 unforgettable Joes and Cobras on one 24″x36″ poster!Paper details: All 3DJoes posters are printed on 65 lb. sterling premium gloss paper stock. According to my printer, 65 pound paper is the thickest you can use and still roll them without creasing or damaging. It wont easily crease, pinch, or wrinkle. These posters are definitely frame worthy, but the paper is thick enough that if you just want to tack them up, that will work too.

Printing details: We use a four color printing process (CMYK), not digital. Four color prints are much higher quality than digital laser prints. To see behind the scenes at the printer, check out my “3DJoes of the 80s” album on Facebook.

Cost: All 3DJoes posters are an even $20 a piece, plus an estimated $9 for shipping. Comic/Collectibles dealers: please contact me for bulk purchase discounts. Orders of 20 or more are half off!

Why: Proceeds will help pay the $80/month that I’m paying to Arqball for their pro subscription. More info on that here: Pricing » Arqball Spin Blog  Fan response has been great and visitors enjoyed 47,000 spins last month, so hopefully I’ll sell plenty of posters!

Wow!  1982 – 1985 were considered by many to be the peak years of the original A Real American Hero toy line.  These were the years that introduced fans to most of the line’s core characters from Snake Eyes to Cobra Commander to Firefly to Shipwreck to the Dreadnoks!  49 nine of your favorite characters stunningly reproduced on heavy card stock in a gorgeous 24 x 36 image?  This promotion already had me at “poster” but the fact that this is also helping to offset site maintenance costs for 3DJoes.com just makes it a complete no-brainer!Seriously– we’re moving into third quarter now and that means holiday shopping has begun.  (Or, at least, you might want to think about getting started.)  What better gift for the Joe fan in your life than one of these posters hanging proudly on the wall of their office/den/Joe room!

Check out the “Carded Joes 82 – 85” page over at 3DJoes.com for ordering information!

3DJoes.com wants your input on carded artwork poster!

3DJoes logo

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!

http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-toys-vintage-discussion/373372-carded-3djoes-poster-s-i-need-your-input.html

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:

3djoes-option-1-jpg

Option 2:

3djoes-option-2a-jpg 3djoes-option-2b-jpg

3DJoes.com: Posters are on the way!

3DJoes.com G.I. Joe

G.I. Joe fans are a lucky group sometimes.  Compared to other fandoms, we have some of the most detailed and organized online resources on the internet.  Looking for when a figure was released?  Check out YoJoe.com.  Interesting in perusing custom work?  Hit JoeCustoms.com.  Need some diorama inspiration?  JoeDios.com and DioWarriors.com have got your back.  Plus, let’s not forget the plethora of Joe review sites out there from GeneralsJoes.com to JoeADay.com to JBL (when I get updates posted.)  However, if you’re looking for 3D turnarounds of your G.I. Joe figures– look no further than 3DJoes.com!  Taking the fandom by storm last year, 3DJoes has consistently updated their site with figures and vehicles all the way through 1989 with no signs of stopping.

Like any fansite, however, there are costs involved.  In order to keep 3DJoes.com spinning, the minds behind the site are offering a unique and exciting fundraiser that’s sure to be the highlight of any Joe fan’s wall!

Posters are on the way!

The first 3DJoes poster will feature every figure from 1982-89. The second will feature every figure from 1990-94. There will be a whopping 244 figs on the first poster and 236 on the second. They will each be 24″W x 36″H.

The image to the right shows the first poster, which is currently in progress. I have made it through 1988. The last four rows are just placeholder Night Force Falcons (a personal favorite). As soon as I find and document the last six 1989 Night Force figures (if you have them, please contact me using the links at the top) then I’ll be able to finish up 1989 and finish this poster.

The image below shows a close up of what the poster will look like. I’m currently going into Photoshop to clean up the images and digitally remove the figure stands. It’s going to be awesome!

The first poster, “3DJoes of the 80s” should be available in the next few weeks. Cost will be determined by the quality of paper you want, and I’m probably going to use Zazzle for distribution. Proceeds will help pay the $80/month that I have to start shelling out to Arqball for the 3D photos. Viewers enjoyed 47,000 spins last month and the kickstarter grace period has finally worn off, so now I have to start paying for the pro subscription. More info on that here: Pricing » Arqball Spin Blog

If you want 3DJoes on your wall, please submit your contact info below and I’ll email you as soon as the first poster is ready to order. If you’re not already following @3DJoes on twitter, then please do… and tell your fellow G.I. Joe friends.

Help me get the word out and keep 3DJoes spinning ad free!

Seriously, the 3DJoes site is one of the more unique twists on a figure archive to drop on any fandom in a long time.  As such, I’d like to see it continue on for a good long time.  Plus, the concept of one giant poster covering the A Real American Hero figures from ’82 – ’89 is pure awesome!  What Joe fan isn’t going to want one of these on the wall of their office/studio/Joe room?  Just check out the preview images below!

Hit the 3D  Joes Merchandise page and drop your contact information if you’re interested in learning more.

 

3DJoes.com update: 1983 and swivel arm G.I. Joe figures added!

3DJoes.com

3DJoes.com is back with more G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero figures added to their already impressive archives!  The latest addition encompasses one of my favorite years of the classic Generation 1 Joes: 1983!  Featuring Gung-Ho, Duke, Doc, as well as as the 1982 “fixed” figures that we re-released with the now signature “swivel arm battle grip.”

If you liked the 1982 update you’ll LOVE the 1983 additions!

Check out www.3DJoes.com today!

Check out some more preview images below!

3DJoes.com – a whole new way to view your G.I. Joe figures…

3DJoes.com

I first got involved in the online G.I. Joe community back in the late 1990’s and eventually became a site admin back in late 2003/2004.  Since then I’ve seen all manner of G.I. Joe sites come and go– review sites, dio-story sites, forums, fanfic, “Release the DiC Series on DVD” sites, etc.  However, I received a tweet yesterday that led me to something that took me completely by surprise.

http://www.3DJoes.com

Imagine being able to look up any G.I. Joe figure or vehicle– and then rotate that piece of plastic goodness 360 degrees to examine every detail.  That’s the concept behind 3DJoes.com.  Currently only displaying the 1982 line-up, the sight offers an unprecedented way to view your favorite Gen 1 ARAH figures in all their 3.75″ glory.  It’s such a fantastic idea it makes me wonder why no one had ever thought of it before.

Seriously– go check it out.  It’s a sight that promises to get a great deal of use from this particular admin– especially when the later 90’s era Joes are uploaded.