Tag Archives: Cobra

SDCC 2017 exclusive: Cobra Missile Command Base

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This year’s SDCC exclusive G.I. Joe item has leaked a bit early, thanks to the folks at io9.com!

sdcc 2017 cobra missile command

Sweet Colton’s Ghost!  It’s the Cobra Missile Command playset!!!

This bad boy is one of the rarest of the rare– a cardboard playset that was released exclusive to Sears back in 1982 when there was virtually no other product available.  It came with Cobra Commander, a Cobra Officer, and a Cobra Trooper along with a diorama that seemed inspired by Ken Adam’s designs from the James Bond franchise.

It was gorgeous.  It was also fragile as all get out, due to being cardboard.

Here’s the details direct from Hasbro:

G.I. Joe Cobra Missile Command Headquarters

(Ages 5 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $49.99/Available at Booth #3329 at Comic-Con International in San Diego)

Cobraaaa! One of the rarest of all G.I. Joe playsets is back! The G.I. Joe Cobra Missile Command Headquarters, this convention exclusive is a faithful reproduction of the original and iconic Cobra Missile Command Headquarters Set from 1982. It recreates the classic design of the original in exacting detail with a weathered finished, following the original die-lines with all new re-created graphics. Assemble the highly detailed, sturdy graphic board components to build a headquarters that includes missile base, missile support systems, cruise missile, control panel, movable elevator, work platform, and seats. The set also comes with reproductions of the three figures that came with the original set – Cobra Commander (with a logo that is an homage to the original, first version Cobra Commander logo), Cobra Officer, and Cobra Trooper. Set includes file cards for the figures, as well as a file card holder for the cards. The G.I. Joe Cobra Missile Command Headquarters will be for sale during San Diego Comic-Con 2017. Following the convention, a limited number will be available on HasbroToyShop.com .

Yes! Yes!  YES!!!  A “Mickey Mouse” variation based on the Retaliation Ultimate Cobra Commander and an update to the killer 30th Cobra Trooper?  For $50.00?!!

Consider this Joe fan SOLD!  I never had a Cobra Missile Command Headquarters as a kid and now I can.  Now we just have to receive confirmation if this is also the Hascon 2017 exclusive as well.

Yo freaking Joe!!!

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FSS 6 previews conclude with Guillotine

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The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS 6 previews conclude with a look at Eel Commander Guillotine!

FSS 6 Guillotine

COBRA EEL COMMANDER
Code Name: GUILLOTINE
(Inspired by the 2006 action figure!)
Features NEW head sculpt. Includes: removable scuba mask,
harness, belt, pistol with silencer, knife, assault rifles x 2,
skull sword, scuba backpack, and figure stand.

The fan-favorite Eel Commander has landed and he’s quite the update! Continue reading →

G.I. Joe FSS 6 WORMS Officer may make you squirm

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We’re nearing the end of the G.I. Joe FSS 6 previews with a look at the Cobra WORMS Officer!

G.I. Joe FSS 6 Cobra WORMS Officer

COBRA ARTILLERY COMMANDER
Code Name: COBRA W.O.R.M.S. OFFICER
(Inspired by the 1987 Cobra vehicle driver!)
Features NEW cloth ascot & re-tooled classic helmet.
Includes: removable helmet, jacket, ascot,
pistol, computer pad, explosive projectile,
and figure stand.

He’s an officer and a gentleman!  Or is he? Continue reading →

Cobra Sentinel Automaton project coming to Kickstarter

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Coming soon to Kickstarter: the Cobra Sentinel Automaton project!

G.I. Joe Cobra Sentinel from the Palace of Doom

Let’s face it– for many fans the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero animated series is THE version of Joe.  Debuting as a pair of syndicated mini-series, these cartoon adventures greeted countless school children as they rushed home from school each day to catch the next installment in the serial.  The cartoons showcased the vehicles and characters that were soon to dominate store shelves and children’s imaginations in the coming months.  However, as diverse as the roster of figures and vehicles was there some were moments in the story where the writers and animators introduced their own concepts.  One such moment occurred in the third episode of the “Revenge of Cobra” mini-series in episode cheekily-named “The Palace of Doom“:

Remember the Cobra Sentinel?  The giant snake-themed robot that went mano-et-mano with the giant temple guardian?  The mechanized monster just blew me away.  As a kid, I had to have one but sadly it was not meant to be.  The automaton that towered over Major Bludd existed only in the cartoon and was never produced in action figure form.  However, that is about to change. Continue reading →

G.I. Joe Club Female Cobra Troopers up for preorder

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The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club female Cobra Trooper 3-packs are up for pre-order!

G.I. Joe Club Female cobra troopers

Yes, this isn’t exactly “breaking news”– we’ve fallen a bit behind on the Club updates of late.  However, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club recently opened up pre-orders for the female Cobra Troopers 3-pack.   The set makes for an ideal compliment to the female Cobra Officer that was released at Toys R Us in Oct/Nov 2016 as part of the Cobra Legions 3-pack.

A set of three female Cobra Troopers will set fans back a cool $65.00.  This trio of femme fatales will arrived poly-bagged and will include all weapons shown as well as file cards and combat knives.

There’s been no official word on what the projected availability of these figures will be after the pre-order period.  (The projected shipping date is “early April” according to the product listing.) We can assume that the Club will have some on hand for attendees of the 2017 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention but that’s not guaranteed. Given how quickly the 2016 Toys R Us product disappeared from both store shelves and the website, these might be gone sooner rather than later.

So, if you’re looking to add some ladies to the ranks of the armies of the serpent, now’s your chance!

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G.I. Joe FSS 5 shipment 3 is inbound!

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G.I. Joe FSS 5 subscribers should start checking their mailboxes – shipment 3 is incoming!

G.I. Joe FSS 4 shipment

It’s that time again– when a new G.I. Joe FSS shipment hits the porches and mailboxes of subscribers everywhere!  However, after an error with the warehouse, fans are getting one shipment early.  Shipment 3 has deployed… well ahead of shipment 2 and, thanks to Alyosha of BrokenArrowToys.com, we’ve got an early look at just who is in the box.

For those of you that wish to remain spoiler-free, click no further.  To paraphrase the old pirate maps: “Here there be G.I. Joe FSS spoilers…” Continue reading →

Joe Con 2017: Meet the Cobra BAT Squad Leader

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The Joe Con 2017 previews continue with a look at the Cobra BAT Squad Leader!

Joe Con 2017 Cobra BAT squad leader

COBRA B.A.T. SQUAD LEADER

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– Modern Era Character Update with NEW Head Sculpt!
– Includes removable Hands with Weapon attachments x 3,
Rocket Launcher with projectile, and Cobra Logo Stand.

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

Hmmm… do I see a 1991 BAT v2 design in this Joe Con 2017 preview?  I believe I do!

There’s not a lot of surprises in this reveal as the BAT v2 design is a classic that has yet to have a good update in the generation 3 era.  With a set that is going to be chock-full of mechanical Cobra troops, I was going to be surprised if we DIDN’T see this design presented.  However, I like the new head sculpt with is a very faithful recreation of the original.  (This design hasn’t been used since 2003’s BAT troop builder packs!)  Plus, with the title of “Squad Leader” there’s only going to be one of this mechanical menace in the set.

Hmm… now that just begs the question: what will the other Cobra BAT’s look like?

With the reveal of Battle Force 2000 Maverick, this makes two reveals down– more to come!

For more information on the Joe Con 2017 event, visit GIJoeCon.com!

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Joe Con 2017: Battle Force 2000 Maverick preview

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The first Joe Con 2017 preview is live and it’s Battle Force 2000 Maverick!

Joe Con 2017 Battle Force 2000 Maverick

G.I. JOE BF 2000 SQUAD LEADER:
Thomas “Maverick” Kiley

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– 1st Modern Era Release of Character based on 1987 design.
– Includes removable Helmet, Vest and Pistol, Re-tool of iconic
Semi-Automatic Machine Pistol, and G.I. Joe Logo Stand.

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

Whoa! I must have stepped into a strange parallel universe– possibly the one seen in World’s Without End!  Literally the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has reached into my brain to pull out a darn-near perfect Maverick build!  I love the reuse of the “jet pack” Resolute Duke helmet!  The 25th Matt Trakker web gear is a solid match for the 1987 Maverick design and the retool of his unique machine pistol is just terrific.  Sure, these are initial photos but I’m digging them!

Bring on more Battle Force 2000!!!

This year’s theme is a perfect fusion of man vs. machine as it seems that the oft-maligned and yet still fan-favorite Battle Force 2000 will be going toe-to-toe with a force of Cobra BATs!  Here’s the official description of the set’s theme from the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club:

FORCE OF BATTLE 2000!

We’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of the G.I. JOE BF 2000 team with this untold
tale of the original team members from a recently declassified special mission.

The G.I. JOE BF 2000 team is the walking, breathing proving grounds for tomorrow’s battlefield technology today!
These highly trained specialists are entrusted with one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art prototype weapons. Their mission
is to field-test experimental equipment under battlefield conditions.

COBRA has developed a new laser weapon system so dangerous that it threatens the safety of the entire planet!
The G.I. JOE: BF 2000 team is called into action and must travel through the Pacific Northwest into British Columbia to dismantle the operation.
What they don’t know is that COBRA is ready for them with a battalion of their upgraded B.A.T. (Battle Android Troopers) guarding their base.
This G.I. JOE team will be fighting against insurmountable odds, and must pull their individual specialties together to battle these deadly threats.
Will the cold and calculated programming of the COBRA B.A.T. SQUAD LEADER be the end of this G.I. JOE team?

For more information on this year’s G.I. Joe Con 2017 event, head on over to gijoecon.com!

 

50th Anniversary Heavy Conflict and Mission Accepted reviews

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The Heavy Conflict and Mission Accepted G.I. Joe two-pack reviews are LIVE!

G.I. Joe Heavy Conflict Mission Accepted reviews

It’s been a while since we’ve had any new reviews here at JBL.  The holidays, a lost family pet, and some crazy workloads led to a crazy few weeks here at JBL HQ.  However, we’re getting back on track and that means not one but TWO brand-new reviews from the G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Collection, year 3!

Check out what Fred and Chris have to say about the four figures from the Heavy Conflict and the Mission Accepted two-packs!  It’s a brand new take on Heavy Duty and Duke and the debut of Fan’s Choice figure Stiletto and Tombstone!

There’s some good.  There’s some bad.  There’s a few rants by Chris and some snark from Fred.  There may even be a Deadpool cameo or three.  However, there’s something that almost everyone can find to love in both the Heavy Conflict and the Mission Accepted two-packs.  After all, what’s not to love about the return of two familiar faces as well as the debut of two brand-new characters?  Well… if I told you then you wouldn’t have to read the reviews!  (Unless you just want to look at the pretty pictures.  That’s okay too.  Really.  This way you don’t have to deal with another “Chris rant.”)

You can check out all four reviews over at the G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Review Index!

 

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club reveals female Cobra Troopers!

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G.I. Joe Collector's Club logo

The latest issue of the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club magazine reveals the upcoming female Cobra Trooper figures!

During Joe Con 2016, the Club announced that a brand-new three pack would be coming.  Designed to work alongside the Toys R Us exclusive (and somewhat elusive) Cobra Legions three-pack Cobra Officer, female Cobra Troopers would be available for order some time in 2016/2017.  Thanks to HissTank.com forum user Bluemax, we have our first look at these upcoming additions to the ranks of Cobra.

G.I. Joe Collector's Club female Cobra Troopers

Okay, the details on the female Cobra Troopers:

  • Preorder is “coming soon”
  • Figures will be polybagged
  • each figure includes a rifle, pistol, knife, stand, and removable helmet
  • Three different hair colors will be included

At first glance, these look pretty good.  The helmet seems to be a straight re-release of the 2007 Night Stalker from the Tanks for the Memories set.  The upper torso seems to be another reuse from the 2016 Pythona figure.  For the arms, lower torso and legs the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club opted to use parts from the Rise of Cobra Agent Helix figure. I do miss the painted knee-pads of the classic Cobra Trooper design and I’m not certain why the sleeves are sculpted rolled up but that’s more of a design aesthetic preference.  I do wonder why the face masks are red instead of “Sunbow black.” Continue reading →