Tag Archives: A Real American Hero

G.I. Joe FSS 5 Darklon preview is live!

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Another day, another G.I. Joe FSS 5 preview featuring Darklon!

G.I. Joe FSS 5 Darklon

IRON GRENADIER COURIER: DARKLON
(Based on the classic 1989 action figure!)

Includes: removable harness, scabbard belt with sword, re-tooled projectile rifle, auto pistol, courier case, pistol, and figure stand.

NOTE: All images are Photoshop representations, final product, accessories and/or colors may vary!

Holy 1989 homage, Destro! This Darklon is straight up an homage to the original version of the character from the A Real American Hero line.  Right off the bat, I’m seeing a reuse of the convention exclusive Darklon from 2012 head sculpt– which makes perfect sense to me.  I’m also seeing the legs of the 25th Anniversary Iron Grenadiers Destro which adds a nice bit of MARS cohesion.  As far as the rest of the build, it’s hard to tell with this heavily photo-shopped mock-up.  Still, it’s a decent look for the G.I. Joe FSS 5 build of Darklon.

With three reveals in three days, is the sign-up coming soon?

The G.I. Joe FSS 5 Roster:

  • Concealment Specialist – Ambush
  • Flamethrower – Charbroil (Classic deco)
  • Iron Grenadier Courier – Darklon (more modernized version than previous convention version)
  • G.I. Joe Strategic Commander – General Flagg (similar to Battle Corps version)
  • Cobra Battle Corps Cobra Viper – based on Iron Anvils from 2015 Convention version
  • Anti-Armor Trooper – Salvo (more Pursuit of Cobra styled, based on existing tooling)
  • Combat Journalist – Scoop (using the Sky Patrol Airborne head sculpt from this year’s con set)
  • Cobra Falconer – Raptor
  • Advanced Recon – Sneak Peek (based on FSS 4 Tiger Force version)
  • SKAR Infantry Officer – Steel Raven (based on Club magazine comics – FEMALE character)
  • Cobra Shattered Glass Xamot (from the Club Comic Adventure Team storyline with new head sculpt)
  • Z-Force Mechanic Gaucho (pairs with Jammer)

Keep your eyes peeled to GIJoeClub.com and JBL for more G.I. Joe FSS 5 reveals!

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Meet G.I. Joe FSS 5 Ambush!

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Another G.I. Joe FSS 5 preview from the Collector’s Club – Concealment Specialist Ambush!

G.I. Joe FSS 5 Ambush

G.I. JOE CONCEALMENT SPECIALIST: AMBUSH
(Based on the classic 1990 action figure!)

Includes: removable helmet, camouflage cape, grenade bandolier, assault rifle,
sub machine gun, camouflage net, and figure stand.

NOTE: All images are Photoshop representations, final product, accessories and/or colors may vary!

Is it me or is that the General Mayhem head from the Peril in Paradise Tiger Force Convention set?  It totally looks like it is and, since there’s no mention of a new head sculpt in the Club’s description that would appear to be the case.  So, Ambush will have a twin over in MARS.

Otherwise, Ambush looks decent– very evocative of his 1990 action figure debut. I’m seeing what appears to be the net from Shadow Tracker which is an “okay” substitute for the original Ambush’s build-a-blind feature.  Overall, he looks “good but not great” without any real new tooling to give him a more unique look.

The G.I. Joe FSS 5 Roster:

  • Concealment Specialist – Ambush
  • Flamethrower – Charbroil (Classic deco)
  • Iron Grenadier Courier – Darklon (more modernized version than previous convention version)
  • G.I. Joe Strategic Commander – General Flagg (similar to Battle Corps version)
  • Cobra Battle Corps Cobra Viper – based on Iron Anvils from 2015 Convention version
  • Anti-Armor Trooper – Salvo (more Pursuit of Cobra styled, based on existing tooling)
  • Combat Journalist – Scoop (using the Sky Patrol Airborne head sculpt from this year’s con set)
  • Cobra Falconer – Raptor
  • Advanced Recon – Sneak Peek (based on FSS 4 Tiger Force version)
  • SKAR Infantry Officer – Steel Raven (based on Club magazine comics – FEMALE character)
  • Cobra Shattered Glass Xamot (from the Club Comic Adventure Team storyline with new head sculpt)
  • Z-Force Mechanic Gaucho (pairs with Jammer)

Keep your eyes peeled to GIJoeClub.com and JBL for more G.I. Joe FSS 5 reveals!

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Meet Charbroil in first G.I. Joe FSS 5 preview

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The G.I. Joe FSS 5 previews have started with a first-look at Charbroil!

G.I. Joe FSS 5 Charbroil preview

Here’s the details from the Club:

G.I. JOE FLAMETHROWER: CHARBROIL
(Based on the classic 1988 action figure!)

Includes: removable helmet, flamethrower, flamethrower tanks backpack
with connection hose, flame burst attachment, pistol, and figure stand.

NOTE: All images are Photoshop representations, final product, accessories and/or colors may vary!

This one pretty much a no-brainer for the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club to release in G.I. Joe FSS 5.  Essentially, Charbroil is the same build as his previous 2013 Nocturnal Fire version, simply rendered in his original 1988 color scheme.  The Club took a similar approach with their FSS releases of Repeater, Muskrat, Hit & Run, Spearhead & Max, and Psyche-Out back in FSS 3.  Interestingly enough, I could have sworn that it was mentioned that at the 2016 Collector’s Club Roundtable at Joe Con that his helmet would NOT be removable so this is a nice surprise.

There’s still no word on when the sign-up period for G.I. Joe FSS 5 will be begin but now that the floodgates have opened for reveals we have to anticipate it being sooner rather than later.

The G.I. Joe FSS 5 Roster:

  • Concealment Specialist – Ambush
  • Flamethrower – Charbroil (Classic deco)
  • Iron Grenadier Courier – Darklon (more modernized version than previous convention version)
  • G.I. Joe Strategic Commander – General Flagg (similar to Battle Corps version)
  • Cobra Battle Corps Cobra Viper – based on Iron Anvils from 2015 Convention version
  • Anti-Armor Trooper – Salvo (more Pursuit of Cobra styled, based on existing tooling)
  • Combat Journalist – Scoop (using the Sky Patrol Airborne head sculpt from this year’s con set)
  • Cobra Falconer – Raptor
  • Advanced Recon – Sneak Peek (based on FSS 4 Tiger Force version)
  • SKAR Infantry Officer – Steel Raven (based on Club magazine comics – FEMALE character)
  • Cobra Shattered Glass Xamot (from the Club Comic Adventure Team storyline with new head sculpt)
  • Z-Force Mechanic Gaucho (pairs with Jammer)

For more information, keep your eyes peeled to both JBL and GIJoeClub.com!

North Florida G.I. Joe Show – October 22, 2016

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Do you live in North Florida?  Are you a fan of “America’s Moveable Fighting Man” and “A Real American Hero?”  If you can answer either of those questions in the affirmative then check out the North Florida G.I. Joe Show!

North Florida G.I. Joe Show

Head to the Downtown Arts Center in Lake City Florida on Saturday October 22, 2016 to meet up with your fellow Joe fans.  There’s a full slate of activities planned from 10am – 7pm including:

  • Dealer tables (space still available)
  • Buy-Sell-Trade events
  • Costume contest
  • Screening of the 1987 G.I. Joe: The Movie after the sales floor closes

Admission is just $2.00 or FREE with a valid military ID.  Plus, it’s guaranteed to be an afternoon of fun and camaraderie with your fellow Joe fans!  If you’re in the area, check out the North Florida G.I. Joe Show!  It’s an event for Joe fans of all eras: Action Soldier, Adventure Team, Super Joe, A Real American Hero, Sigma Six, Sgt. Savage, and even Extreme!

Plus, there’s that screen of G.I. Joe: the Movie.  Who doesn’t love to watch Serpentor get thrown into the Broadcast Energy Transmitter?  How often do you get the chance to watch that film with your fellow Joe fans?

Stay up-to-date with the latest additions and head on over to the North Florida G.I. Joe Facebook page for more details!

 

G.I. Joe FSS 4 Tiger Force Outback, Sneak Peek and Doc

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JBL reviews the G.I. Joe FSS 4 Tiger Force Outback, Tiger Force Sneak Peek, and bonus Carla “Doc” Greer!

G.I. Joe FSS 4 Tiger Force Sneak Peek Tiger Force Outback Doc

Just last week subscribers in this wave of the  G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Figure Subscription Service received the final figures in the series.  Tiger Force Outback and Tiger Force Sneak Peek, based on the 1990 European exclusive figures, arrived along with the mysterious “13th bonus figure.”  Initially, fans speculated that this figure was going to be Tiger Force Jinx.

The internet speculation was wrong!  Instead, fans were treated to an ARAH generation 3 update to Carla “Doc” Greer!

Fred and Chris take on the task of reviewing Tiger Force Outback, Tiger Force Sneak Peek, and Carla “Doc” Greer.  As always, our two intrepid reviewer take a look what’s good and would could be improved with these latest Club releases. Were these figures worth the wait?  Does Fred finally agree that Tiger Force isn’t so bad? Will Chris like any of these G.I. Joe Collector’s Club figures? Does Deadpool make another cameo?

The answers to these questions can be found over at the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index!  Afterwards, feel free to leave your own thoughts on these new figure in the comments below!

G.I. Joe FSS 4 final shipment is incoming!

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The final shipment of G.I. Joe FSS 4 is inbound!  That’s right Joe fans, Tiger Force Outback and Sneak Peek are on their way to subscribers as I type this.  However, this shipment is also noteworthy for containing the “Mysterious 13th Figure” whose identity remained cloaked under a veil of G.I. Joe Collector’s Club secrecy– until now.  Thanks to Alyosha of BrokenArrowToys.com, we have images of this final shipment!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club Figure Subscription Service logo

First, let’s take a look at the two figures we knew were coming– Tiger Force Outback and Tiger Force Sneak Peek.

Tiger Force Outback:

G.I. Joe FSS 4 Tiger Force Outback

I look at Tiger Force Outback and I hear the immortal words of Winston Zedmore from the original Ghostbusters film:

“Man, I have seen $#!% that will turn you WHITE!”

If you’ve been reading the comics in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club monthly magazines then you’ve likely read the Club’s rationale for why Outback is suddenly a candidate for the position of Grecian Formula spokesman.  According to those comics, after the events of the Compound Z incident, Stuart Selkirk found his hair irrevocably changed due to the exposure to the Z+ formula.  As cheesy as that might sound, it’s honestly the best explanation for why he went from being a ginger in 1987 to a Santa Claus stand-in in 1990.  In addition, he’s sporting a styling new head which looks a bit less like Chuck Norris than the 2009 25th Anniversary version did.  Plus he now has hinged wrists!

Tiger Force Sneak Peek:

G.I. Joe FSS 4 Tiger Force Sneak Peek

I feel like I start off every single Tiger Force review or article with the phrase “I’m not a big fan of Tiger Force.”  However, I have to say that it’s good to see both Sneak Peek FINALLY see representation in the generation 3 construction style and the color orange being used for Tiger Force.  (Chris and I discuss this in the “Peril in Paradise” reviews that I’ve yet to post.  I know… the admin sucks…)  Much like Outback, Sneak Peek underwent a bit of a color change from his debut in 1987 to his 1991 European Tiger Force release.  The Club version is pretty faithful to the European color scheme– and it’s surprisingly solid.  (Did I just start to warm up to Tiger Force?  Say it ain’t so!)  I do like the fact that we got a newly tooled periscope and can only hope that we also see both a standard and a Night Force version of Sneak Peek in the near future!  After all, my Joe Con 2013 Nocturnal Fire set isn’t going to complete itself!

And now, the moment that folks have been waiting for– the reveal of the 13th figure.  If you don’t want to know… turn back now!

Seriously… Continue reading →

Toys R Us SDCC G.I. Joe exclusives from the Loyal Subjects

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Toys R Us has revealed their SDCC exclusives including two new G.I. Joe Loyal Subjects vinyl figures!

Yesterday, ToyNewsI.com broke the news of the highly-anticipated Toys R Us SDCC exclusive list.  Many of the usual suspects were represented– Transformers, My Little Pony, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, etc.  However, in spite of the fact that this is a “quiet year” for G.I. Joe, one item on the list caught my attention:

G.I. JOE TIGER FORCE WRECKAGE AND BEACH HEAD 2-Pack from The Loyal Subjects

That’s right– Toys R Us will be offering a SDCC exclusive G.I. Joe Loyal Subjects vinyl two-pack featuring Tiger Force Wreckage and Beach Head.

SDCC Toys R Us Loyal Subjects G.I. Joe exclusives

Featuring the likeness of WRECKAGE and BEACH HEAD from G.I. JOE’S TIGER FORCE™ unit, these 3.2-inch tall vinyl figures feature 14 points of articulation, several accessories to help bring the action of this special subteam to life and come complete in a window box for display. Available only at the Comic Convention and online at Toysrus.com/ComicConvention.

Interesting… I’ll give props to both Toys R Us and the Loyal Subjects for their selection of some out-of-the-normal decos for these characters.  I’m especially excited to see a new spin on the Joe Con 2004 Tiger Force Beach Head who, in spite of his garish color scheme, manages to look AWESOME!  This figures will be available online at ToysRUs.com from July 21 – July 24 in limited quantities.

Continue reading →

Carded Pythona and Mike Power now at the Collector’s Club Store

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The Carded Pythona figures and the Mike Power – Atomic Man 1:16 renewal figures are now available at the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club store!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club Pythona carded

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club really hit one out of the park this year with the Pythona membership renewal figure and attendees of Joe Con 2016 were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to by special carded versions while at the event in Loveland, CO a few weeks ago.  Now, members who weren’t able to make the trek to Colorado also have the opportunity to snag a carded Pythona of their very own!

I won’t sugar coat it– I love this figure.  (As you can tell from the review we posted about three weeks ago.)  She’s absolutely worth owning – both as a modern construction figure and as piece of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero history.  Considering that this is the first-ever figure of the Cobra-La Emissary/Assassin, this figure probably won’t stick around forever.

However, the Club isn’t just catering to the 1:18 crowd.  The latest additions to the Club store also include two options for acquiring the KILLER 1:6 updated Mike Power action figure!  The Atomic Man and his accessory set can be purchased individually or bundled together at a moderate savings.

If you’re going shopping, here are some handy direct links.  (Good for you, bad for your wallet.)  Each item is limited to one per membership.

Check out these and more exclusive items (Dr. Isotope anyone?) over at the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club store!

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Joe Con 2016: Sky Patrol Skystrikers in Club Store

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Joe Con 2016 is now one for the history books but we’ve got one last bit of news.  The Sky Patrol Skystrikers are now available online!

Joe Con 2016 Sky Patrol Skystriker

That’s right Joe fans– the remaining inventory of the silver finish Joe Con 2016 Sky Patrol Skystrikers are now up for sale to anyone with a Club membership.    They’re limited to two per member and each jet will set you back a cool $160.00 but for fans who were debating purchasing one on Ebay this is your chance to get one for retail!

Here’s the official verbiage describing this latest reissue of the G.I. Joe F-14 Tomcat:

LIMITED TO 2 PER MEMBERSHIP.

The Cobra Air Force won’t know what hit them with the Sky Patrol Sky Striker (XP-26) Combat Jet! This fantastic 3 3/4-inch scale aircraft has tons of moving parts and amazing detail. The Limited Edition convention exclusive Sky Patrol Sky Striker features a unique silver color scheme and has wings that sweep in and out, working landing gear and removable missile accessories.

Vehicle and accessories are packed in a silver metallic display box (Figure Not Included)

However, as the informercials say: “But wait, there’s more!” Continue reading →

G.I. Joe 2016 Official Press Images

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This past weekend, Hasbro unveiled the G.I. Joe 2016 roster that was initially teased in the crossword puzzle.  Attendees of Joe Con 2016 were able to get an up close look at the figures at the Hasbro booth.

Today, Hasbro released hi-res press images for the rest of us!

G.I. Joe 2016 lineup

 

As a reminder, here’s the roster of characters that we’ll be seeing this year across the forthcoming G.I. Joe 2016 “Versus two-packs” and squad three-packs.

G.I. Joe 2016 Versus two-packs

G.I. Joe 2016 Squad three-packs

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These figures will be available November 2016 at Toys R Us and EntertainmentEarth.com.

WOO HOO!!!  New Joes are coming!!!!  Even though this a “quiet year” for the brand, the G.I. Joe 2016 lineup offers, to borrow a phrase, “something old, something new.”  The hard-to-find Zombie Vipers are a nice boon to collectors– especially since they will be packed two to a case.  In addition, new characters like Stiletto and Tombstone counter-balance the inclusion of Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes.  Plus, as it was pointed out by Chris John on the JBL Facebook page, the female Cobra Officer looks a bit familiar.

"Careful Destro, she'll cost you your ancestral home!"

“Careful Destro, she’ll cost you your ancestral home!”

What do you think of the G.I. Joe 2016 line-up?  Will be be adding any of these to your collection?  Let us know in the comments below, over on the JBL forums, or on the JBL Facebook page!