SDCC 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks Review

50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks

Last week the SDCC 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks sets went up on ToysRUs.com and this site admin was lucky enough to snag one!  It finally arrived last week and that means it’s time for a brand new review here at JBL!  Was this set, which features the VAMP Mk 2 and Flint in their original color schemes worth it?  Or, was it another case of “wash, rinse, repaint?”

Head on over to the brand new 50th Anniversary Review Index and check it out the review of the SDCC 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks to find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

In Hand Images of the SDCC Danger at the Docks Set!

SDCC Danger at the Docks in hand

The SDCC Danger at the Docks sets have shipped from ToysRUs.com and JBL admin Madmac41 received his set yesterday.

I have to say that I hate him for it!  Oh jealousy, you are truly a green-eyed monster.

After a quick phone conversation, I was able to get a few thoughts on the set:

  • Flint is built using the Resolute head and the Retaliation 3-pack torso.
  • The plastic on the vehicles, like much of the 50th product, is softer.  Apparently he’s had some issues with the rear axle.
  • The Night Landing weapons crate appears to contain an updated version of Road Pig’s wrist crossbow.
  • Overall, he’s pretty happy with the set and would like to see a Cobra Stinger re-release soon!

Check out the images of the SDCC Danger at the Docks set below.  These were posted to the JBL Facebook page earlier this afternoon.  My set is scheduled to arrive tomorrow so I have the feeling tomorrow night will be spent putting together a review as fast as my greedy little fingers can type!

Last Call for G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS 3.0

Today is the day– the final day to sign-up for the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS 3.0.  In order to provide that final incentive, the Club released the following “group shot” yesterday.

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS 3.0Yes, it’s just a composite image of the previews shown thus far but it provides the only real “at a glance” look  at what subscribers will receive over the forthcoming months.

It’s an interesting roster– with many Nocturnal Fire alumni, three Cobra-affiliated ninjas, a member of Action Force, and the final member of the Stall family whose saga played out in the file cards of the G.I. Joe vs. Cobra era.

As an addition teaser, the Club showcased hard resin prototypes of three of the unique headsculpts from the line that were designed by the insanely talented Boss Fight Studio team.  Seen below are the sculpts for Bombstrike, Big Ben, and the Crimson Guard Immortal.

It’s not a cheap subscription– with the subscription running $315.00 if paid in full with additional charges for both shipping and credit card processing.  (Or paid in three installments of $105.00 each.)  However, if you really want to obtain these figures and don’t want to have to deal with the hassle of tracking them down individually the subscription is the way to go– and the only way to guarantee receipt of the “mysterious 13th figure”.

To subscribe, visit the sign-up page for the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Figure Subscription Service 3.0 today.

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Revises FSS Hit & Run

Apparently, if you complain loudly enough, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club will listen.  Check out the REVISED image of Hit & Run from the  Figure Subscription Service 3.0.

G.I. Joe Collector's Club Revised Hit & Run

The Club posted this brief comment along with the updated image:

Thanks for all your feedback and interest in the GIJCC: Figure Subscription Service 3.0 selections. Upon reviewing your comments for HIT & RUN, we have made some changes that we feel best represent the majority of requests we have received.

Please see the updated image above. In addition, we appreciate your passion and comments. Thanks again for being so involved in the G.I. Joe Brand.

 

Now, if only they’d also fix the Night Creeper Leader which is a completely different version than the one that was originally shown at JoeCon 2014.

If you’ve not already subscribed to FSS 3.0, you’ll want to do so before June 30, 2014!

Crimson Guard Immortal is the next FSS reveal!

The staff of the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club have only a few more previews left from  Figure Subscription Service 3.0 to reveal.  Check out the latest mock-up– the Crimson Guard Immortal!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS Crimson Guard Immortal

As far as the updates go, this one looks pretty close to the 1991 vintage Crimson Guard Immortal figure, especially considering the fact that the only new part is the figure’s head!

The whomever is helping build these figures for the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has a solid eye for which existing parts are most similar to the classic designs.  In this case, the body seems to be the very one used to build the G.I. Joe Retaliation Crimson Guard with a re-use of the Pursuit of Cobra Firefly vest to help round out the torso.  Also, perhaps my eyes are playing tricks on me but do the figure’s weapons appear to be chromed?  Very interesting indeed.

If you’ve not already subscribed to the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS 3.0, you’ll want to do so before June 30, 2014!

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Reveals FSS Big Ben

Even with Botcon 2014 in full swing, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club gives fans one more preview of Figure Subscription Service 3.0.  Meet Special Action Force Commando – Big Ben!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS Big Ben

Look at this image it’s pretty clear that the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club design crew is a fan of the 1991 original version!

In terms of body construction, I see a lot of parts that were recently used for the Night Force Lt. Falcon— and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.  Plus, a brand new head from Boss Fight Studio is always a welcome sight.  I like the Union Jack on the right hand shoulder which better reflects Big Ben’s origins.  Plus, making him a formal member of Action Force means that Quarrel and Bombardier have some company now!

If you’ve not already subscribed to the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS 3.0, you’ll want to do so before June 30, 2014!

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Previews FSS 3.0 Repeater

Better late than never, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club starts off the week with another preview of Figure Subscription Service 3.0.  Feast your eyes on the G.I. Joe machine gunner Repeater!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS 3.0 Repeater

 

As with many of the Nocturnal Fire characters in this series, Repeater is back to basics!  Based on the G.I. Joe Retaliation Ultimate Roadblock body, this figure is generation 3 version of the original 1988 Repeater!

Owners of the 2013 Night Force Repeater raved about the figure design when it was used in that year’s Joe Con set.  The bulky body design gave the character a lot more body mass than the original but that was fitting for a soldier who wielded the massive steadicam machine gun that came in the convention set.  This time around, however, Repeater has been downsized just a bit and is merely a “machine gunner”.

He’s got a slick painted SAW but I can’t help but miss the character’s signature weapon more than just a little.  Fans have been mixed in their reactions to some of the recent FSS 3.0 reveals from the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club so it remains to be seen if this will get the same attention that Hit & Run’s missing face paint did.  Still, it’s a nice update on the original, even if his kit looks a bit light.

If you’ve not already subscribed to the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS 3.0, you’ll want to do so before June 30, 2014!

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Unveils FSS 3.0 Hit & Run

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club rounds out the week with another preview of Figure Subscription Service 3.0.  As you get ready for the weekend, feast your eyes on Hit & Run!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS Hit & Run

You could have heard the collective gasp from the fandom when the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club announced that Hit & Run was going to be included in FSS 3.0.  Based on his appearance from the Concept Case as revealed at Joe Con 2012, this figure instantly became one of those “lost gems” that many fans wanted simply because he wasn’t scheduled for production.  It was ironic considering that Hit & Run never had much of a presence in the original G.I. Joe line outside of his vintage 1988 version.  It wouldn’t be until 2009 when fans would receive a 25th Anniversary version as part of the Assault on Cobra Island 7 Pack with a second generation 3 release that was based on a cancelled vintage vehicle driver as part of the 2013 Joe Con Nocturnal Fire set.  The convention version was met with some controversy due to the color deviance from the original ’88 version and so it seems the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club is taking one last shot at giving members the Hit & Run they asked for.

The FSS version appears to be straight out of the concept case and essentially replaces the 2009 version as a modern interpretation of the character. All the signature elements are there– including the missing camouflage on the figure’s face– something that was noticeably absent in the Nocturnal Fire version.  The base green color is gone– which is most likely a cost-savings issue in terms of paint apps but overall the look of Hit & Run is still there. (Since this is a recoloring of the same version that was in the Nocturnal Fire set they’re using the same paint masters for the head and just adding in the striping.)  While he doesn’t have his duffle bag, it’s not a deal-breaker for me and I find that this version will easily replace the 2009 release in my collection.

If you’ve not already subscribed to FSS 3.0, you’ll want to do so before June 30, 2014!

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Reveals FSS Muskrat!

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club starts the week off with another preview from the roster of the Figure Subscription Service 3.0.  Today’s image of of the team’s expert swamp fighter- Muskrat!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS 3.0 Muskrat

I really like the 1988 version of Muskrat but I grew to like the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Nocturnal Fire version that was released just over a year ago.  However, as nice as the blue version is this green one is better!  Plus, for those fans out his boogie board the Club has produced a brand new version!

It is interesting to note that Muskrat has some changes to his kit including the Kwinn’s rifle and a different combat shotgun.  Plus, he comes equipped with the Pursuit of Cobra Recondo’s bear trap!. In addition, it looks like he’s sporting the Resolute Cobra Trooper’s backpack this time around.

I was a bit skeptical about the reuse of so many Nocturnal Fire characters in this round of the FSS but even this stodgy Joe fan has to admit that seeing the original color schemes on characters like Muskrat and Psyche-Out stokes the old fires of nostalgia more than just a little.

It’s another solid preview of a very solid roster.  If you’ve not already subscribed to FSS 3.0, you’ll want to do so before June 30, 2014!

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Unveils FSS Psyche-Out

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has dropped another preview from the roster of the Figure Subscription Service 3.0.  Today’s image of of the team’s resident psychological warfare expert – Psyche-Out!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club FSS Psyche Out

I was a fan of this figure design when the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club first unveiled his appearance in the Nocturnal Fire 2013 convention set.  In fact, at that time I said that Psyche-Out was turning into one of the strongest figures in the entire set.  That opinion still stands as the GIJCC was able to replicate the original 1987 color scheme and yet have it look plausible.  Everything that worked for the convention design works here as well.

It is interesting to note that Psyche-Out has some changes to his kit including the Resolute Cobra Trooper SMG and a different backpack that was originally seen with the 25th Anniversary Zartan.

It’s another solid preview of a very solid roster.  If you’ve not already subscribed to FSS 3.0, you’ll want to do so before June 30, 2014!