Tag Archives: A Real American Hero

2016 G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Pythona Mock-Up!

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The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Pythona mock-up has been unveiled!

G.I. Joe Collectors CLub Pythona

Every so often the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club catches my by surprise.  Today is one of those days.

When Pythona was revealed as the 2016 membership incentive figure I was a bit skeptical.  Sure, the Club said that they would be releasing a Pythona figure but given the Club’s history of wash, rinse, repaint I found myself wondering if they could really pull off the new headsculpt and complicated paint deco that would be needed to bring this Cobra-La emissary to life.

Color me surprised.  Pleasantly.  In fact, she looks pretty good when compared to the animated appearance of the character:

Sunbow Pythona

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G.I. Joe 50th Swamp Steam 2-pack Review

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G.I. Joe 50th Swamp Steam two-pack

The G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Swamp Steam two-pack has been reviewed!

I’ll admit it– I’ve fallen a bit behind on getting these posted.  Too many trips on the road for work and some pesky house issues around the JBL photo setup have pushed reviews back a bit further than I would have liked.  Thankfully, after this week, much of the obstacles to publication will have been removed and we can get the review train rolling again!  After all, there are a few three packs and the Silent Strike set yet to cover!  (The Rock Rampage 3-pack continues to prove decidedly elusive.)

The Swamp Steam pack has the distinction of being the set that few people saw coming during the Hasbro reveals at Joe Con 2015.  Based on two cancelled Pursuit of Cobra figures, this set finally puts the more tactically-colored Blowtorch and the Python Patrol Croc Master in the hands of fans after a four year delay.

Was it worth the wait?  Are these figures worth adding to your collection?  Will the name “Swamp Steam” ever make sense?

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

Marissa Fairborn & Afterbreaker Review

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G.I. Joe & the transformers marissa fairborn & afterbreaker

The Marissa Fairborn & Afterbreaker G.I. Joe & the Transformers set have been reviewed!

Thanks to our good buddy Otto “The Otter” Phillips, JBL has a fresh review of this shared exclusive set from both the G.I. Joe & Transformers Collectors Clubs.  Featuring the future daughter of Flint & Lady Jaye as well as Techno-bot team member Afterburner, um… Afterbreaker, this set has something for fans of both lines.

Is the Marissa Fairborn & Afterbreaker two-pack worth your hard-earned cash?  Did Otto finally convert over to being a full-time Transformers fan?  The answers to these questions and more can be found over at the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index!

Old Snake & Stealth BAT Duo Review

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G.I. Joe & the Transformers Old Snake & Stealth BAT duo

The Old Snake & Stealth BAT Duo two-pack review is live!

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club blew the fandom’s collective minds at Joe Con 2015 when it was revealed that one of the pieces in their G.I. Joe & the Transformers series was a two-pack featuring Old Snake aka “Future Cobra Commander.”  Featured in the classic G1 Transformers episode “Only Human“, this 1:18 figure recreates the look of a familiar-voiced arms dealer who went by the moniker of “Old Snake” and who just happened to be in possession of Synthoid technology.  However, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club took things a step further and packaged this distinctive villain with two repurposed Transformers Prime Soundwave figures in classic Battle Android Trooper deco.

The result: the Old Snake & Stealth BAT Duo two-pack!

Check out the guest review from Otto “The Otter” Phillips over in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index and then let us know your thoughts on this set in the comments below!

G.I. Joe Classic Clash two-pack review

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G.I. Joe Classic Clash two-pack

The G.I. Joe Classic Clash two-pack review has been posted!

He’s a native American tracker with a degree in psychology who can find anyone anywhere.  He’s a former assasin who comes from an ancient and mysterious ninja clan who once served as the bodyguard for the “most dangerous man alive.”  Together– they comprise the G.I. Joe Classic Clash two-pack!

Who’s the better figure – Spirit or Storm Shadow?  Does either one of them know where Freedom is?  Will Deadpool make a cameo?  Does any of these even matter?

Check out the two reviews from the G.I. Joe Classic Clash pack over in the G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Review Index!

Also, for Joe fans who are having trouble finding these– EntertainmentEarth.com still has FULL CASES of two-packs available shipped for only $119.99!

G.I. Joe Poster Returns to IanFell.com

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G.I. Joe poster by Ian Fell

The amazing 1982 – 1987 G.I. Joe posters have returned to IanFell.com!

Some of you may remember a few years ago when JBL reported on an incredible original 11″ x 17″ poster that was being produced by talented artist Ian Fell.  Featuring the G.I. Joe roster from 1982 – 1987, this work of art was offered for an incredibly low price of cost + shipping!

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Hunt for Cobra Commander two-pack review

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G.I. Joe Hunt for Cobra Commander

The G.I. Joe Hunt for Cobra Commander two-pack review is now posted!

It’s been a bit of a busy week here at JBL HQ but that’s not stopping us from whittling our way through the new G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary two-packs!  This time, Fred takes a look at the Hunt for Cobra Commander set which pits the 2012 concept case Shipwreck up against a darker more sinister Cobra Commander.  These sets are just now hitting Toys R Us stores across the nation and full cases are STILL available at EntertainmentEarth.com for just $119.99.

Who will emerge victorious?  Do the red shoes help?  Should Deadpool make more cameos in reviews? Does it even matter?

Check out the Hunt for Cobra Commander Shipwreck and Cobra Commander reviews over in the G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Review Index!

FYI – We want your feedback!  Either drop us a comment below or post thoughts on this set and our review over at the JBL Facebook page!  (Seriously, we love to talk G.I. Joe!)

G.I. Joe Marine Devastation Gung-Ho & Shadow Guard Reviews

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G.I. Joe Marine DevastationThe G.I. Joe Marine Devastation two-pack reviews have been posted!

It feels like I’ve been waiting to pen this review for two years now— ever since this new Gung-Ho figure was unveiled at the end of Saturday’s events during the 2013 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention in Indianapolis.  Two long years of waiting for a truly breath-taking update of my favorite Joe.  It wasn’t until this year’s Joe Con that the G.I. Joe Marine Devastation set was announced and Gung-Ho was finally slated for release.  Even better– he was being packaged with a sinister-looking Cobra Shadow Guard!

When the pre-orders for the new cases hit EntertainmentEarth.com, I jumped and within a few days the G.I. Joe Marine Devastation set was FINALLY in my greedy little hands.

Was it worth the wait?  Can any figure truly live up to two years of fan anticipation?

Check out the G.I. Joe Marine Devastation reviews over the G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Review Index and then let us know your thoughts on these figures in the comments below!

Also, check back this week for more 2015 G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Two-pack reviews!

 

G.I. Joe Club Sub Viper & Wave Crusher now in stock!

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Wave Crusher & Sub Viper

The long-awaited Wave Crusher & Sub Viper set is now IN STOCK at the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club store.

Apparently the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club doesn’t care that the new 50th Anniversary product is hitting stores now and that the SDCC exclusives just went up for sale at HTS as today they’ve opened up sales on both the Wave Crusher and the two G.I. Joe / Transformers crossover sets!  After all, aren’t all collectors independently wealthy?

Regardless, this repaint of the 25th Anniversary Night Specter (SHARC) comes complete with an exclusive Sub Viper figure.  It was stated at Joe Con 2015 that sales of future vehicle sets such as the announced Dreadnok Heartwrencher are dependant upon sales of the Wave Crusher and Sub Viper.

If you’re looking to snag the Wave Crusher and Sub Viper, it’s listed for $49.00 at the Club store.

G.I. Joe Club Exclusive Wave Crusher and Sub Viper

And now you know…

G.I. Joe Club Old Snake & Stealth BATS in stock!

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Old Snake & Stealth BATS

The G.I. Joe/Transformers “Old Snake & Stealth BATs” set is now IN STOCK at the G.I.Joe Collector’s Club store!

The past few years have seen more G.I. Joe/Transformers crossovers than I would have thoguht possible including three SDCC exclusives from Hasbro.  This year Fun Publications, the company behind both the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club and the Transformers Collectors Club, announced two different crossover sets– one featuring Marissa Faireborne, the daughter of Flint and Lady Jaye, and a second featuring a beloved character from the Transformers episode “Only Human.”  In this episode, the villain Drath approached an indvidual named “Old Snake” for his synthoid technology, something that Cobra had used numerous times in the G.I. Joe cartoon.  Old Snake, as most fans will immediately recognize, was intended to be the future version of Cobra Commander! Continue reading →