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Registration for Joe Con 2017 is now LIVE and we’ve got another preview: Battle Force 2000 Blaster!

G.I. JOE BF 2000 TEAM:
Brian “Blaster” Davis

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– 1st Modern Era Release of Character based on 1987 design.
– NEW Head Sculpt and includes removable Holster, Knife,
Assault Rifle, original DK-528 Laser weapon,
with G.I. Joe Logo Stand.

(Note: Photo depicts action figure mock-up and final product may slightly differ.)

Now THAT’S what I’m talking about! Battle Force 2000 Blaster is looking GOOD!

Let’s be honest– reaction to the Joe Con 2017 preview images so far has been pretty mixed. Fans seemed to like Maverick and Avalanche and they were lukewarm to both Dodger and Knockdown. With only three figure designs left to show, it was up to the Club to turn the tide with the remaining figures.

Blaster does a pretty solid job in that department. Yes, it’s the return of the tried and true PoC Duke torso that has been used by the Club for both Psyche-Out and Barrell Roll. I think I’m seeing the PoC Jungle Viper arms and at least the lower legs of of the amazing PoC Snake Eyes. For the most part, it’s a decent match to the original 1987 Blaster design. I’m still not 100% sold on retooling the vintage weapons but c’est la vie.

I’m very curious to see what this head sculpt looks like in a non-digital sense. It’s still hard to get a feel for what Blaster will really look like from this Photoshop preview.

With this preview we’re down to two previews remaining– Blocker and the new BAT v1.8 — of which there will be eight included in the set.

In case you’re keeping score, here’s the roster and all of the previews shown thus far:

Battle Force 2000:

Avalanche
Blaster
Blocker
Dodger
Knockdown
Maverick

Cobra:

Cobra BAT Squad Leader
Cobra BATs v1.8 x 8

According to the convention brochure, this year’s Joe Con 2017 boxed set will retail for $410.00. Also, there’s no word on souvenir pricing at this time although it’s a safe bet that prices will remain at or around levels seen in both 2015 and 2016. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how the Club intends to replicate the signature vehicles of this DARPA-inspired team. Could another RHINO re-release be in the works?

For more information on this year’s event at Walt Disney World, visit GIJoeCon.com!

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The 2013 San Diego Comic Con exclusive G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set has been announced via USA Today and trust me, this SDCC set is a doozy!

Listing at only $99 and available at the HasbroToyShop.com booth, this year’s set includes the following:

Jetfire (modified Skystriker)
Hound (modified 25th Anniversary VAMP)
Snake Eyes
Baroness (new head sculpt!)
Ravage (with leash)
Blaster (with 3 cassettes)
Bludgeon (based on the forthcoming Budo body!)

Just looking at this list it’s easy to see that Hasbro is going for broke with what is billed as the “epic conclusion” to their series of G.I. Joe vs. Transformers exclusives. With two larger vehicles, three figures, and a slew of new accessories it’s easily the most impressive piece in the series. (Last year’s Shockwave HISS w/ Destro and Constructi-BAT was no slouch, however.) For the cost, this set is a STEAL!

For me, one of the high points of the entire set is the Baroness and Ravage which hearkens back to the cancelled statue that was based on early artwork from Dreamwave’s G.I. Joe vs. Transformers crossover comic series. The new Baroness head is awesome and, well, Ravage has been one of my favorite Transformers since G1 debuted! Plus, the VAMP has been and always will be my favorite G.I. Joe vehicle– throwing in Jetfire just makes this set PURE WIN to me. The use of the forthcoming Budo body to produce Bludgeon is just the icing on the cake. (Nice work by John Warden and the guys in Pawtucket on this one!)

Check out Brian Truitt’s article on USAToday.com for some great quotes from both John and Derryl DePriest about this set and start making plans now to snag this one– I have the feeling that Hasbro could never produce enough to meet the demand this time!