Tag Archives: Conventions

G.I. Joe Convention 2014 Reveal: Steel Brigade Commander

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Convention 2014

It’s time for another preview image from the 2014 G.I. Joe Convention Set! Today, “Commander Lane” has unveiled the next figure in the 2014 Zombie Initiative set as the Steel Brigade Commander!

Joe Con 2014 Steel Brigade Commander

 

Interesting.  The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club is definitely dipping into the “vintage well” with this design which seems to be a straight-up recreation of the 1992 Steel Brigade v2 figure.  From the bright blue body to the green vest to the gold helmet this figure is pretty much the ARAH era design brought forth into the generation 3 era.  I’ll be honest– it’s not really knocking the socks off of this particular Joe fan as I’ve never been a huge fan of the original Steel Brigade.  In many ways I wish the Club would have gone back to the color scheme that was used for the Steel Brigade Commander in the MARS Invades set.  I’m picturing this guy in the gray rain camouflage and it’s much more practical image than the Colorforms version I’m seeing here.  He’s just a bit too– “Crayola” for me to take seriously, especially facing off against a zombie invasion. Two previews in and I’m still looking for the “WOW Factor” in this particular set. Of course, that’s just one Joe fan’s opinion.  Vintage purists are probably going to love this!

The Steel Brigade Commander comes complete with

That leaves the following as the next preview options:

  • Zombie Hunters: Outback, T’J Bang, Steel Brigade Commander
  • E.C.O. Force: Flint, Ozone, Clean-Sweep
  • Cobra Lab Rat x2, Toxo-Vipers x 3, Toxo-Zombies x 3, and Repulsor with Dawg (NEW K-9).

For more information on the 2014 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention, visit GIJoeCon.com

con14web
cobra-lab-rat
steel-brigade-commander
zombie-initiative-box
eco-force-flint
tjbang
ozone
toxo-viper
2014-joe-con-hat
2014-joe-con-shirt
ozone-head-shot
zombie-hunter-outback
clean-sweep
toxo-zombie
clean-sweep-head
dawg
repulsor
[Show as slideshow]

G.I. Joe Convention 2014 Unveils Cobra Lab Rat

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Convention 2014

It’s time again for the annual unveiling of the G.I. Joe Convention figures!  Each year, prior to registration the good folks at the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club launch their marketing blitz and tantalizingly unveil the figures from the year’s convention set.  It’s a slow “dance of the seven veils” with reveals occurring over the course of days if not weeks until the entire 15 figure 1:18 scale set is unveiled in all its plastic glory.

Of course, as a long time Joe fan, you probably already knew that.

So, who’s this year’s first reveal?  It’s none other than the first of several troop builder: the Cobra Lab Rat

Cobra Lab Rat

Hmm… it’s an interesting concept although not quite as strong of a figure as I’d hoped for a debut.  The concept seems pretty simple– take a standard Cobra blue shirt and put him into a lab environment.  A such the figure uses the Retaliation Ultimate Cobra Commander body with the same lab coat that we’ve seen tossed around since the days of “Dr. Rex Lewis” from Rise of Cobra.  He’s topped off with a repaint of the Pursuit of Cobra Dusty extra head.  It’s not a bad look as could have thought of worse ways to make a toxic lab technician.  The use of the Cobra Commander body works for the thicker heavier gloves although personally I might have used a standard Cobra Trooper body underneath just to give it a more rank and file appearance.  However, aside from some personal preferences, it’s not a bad look.

The Cobra Lab Rat comes complete with a Compound Z injector, tablet, briefcase with Compound Z cannisters, and a figure stand.

That leaves the following as the next preview options:

  • Zombie Hunters: Outback, T’J Bang, Steel Brigade Commander
  • E.C.O. Force: Flint, Ozone, Clean-Sweep
  • Cobra Lab Rat x2, Toxo-Vipers x 3, Toxo-Zombies x 3, and Repulsor with Dawg (NEW K-9).

For more information on the 2014 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention, visit GIJoeCon.com

con14web
cobra-lab-rat
steel-brigade-commander
zombie-initiative-box
eco-force-flint
tjbang
ozone
toxo-viper
2014-joe-con-hat
2014-joe-con-shirt
ozone-head-shot
zombie-hunter-outback
clean-sweep
toxo-zombie
clean-sweep-head
dawg
repulsor
[Show as slideshow]

Review: 2012 SDCC Jinx (white variant) Reviewed!

Posted on by

2012 SDCC Jinx variant

I love being able to get caught up on older reviews.  Take, for example, the 2012 SDCC Jinx exclusive figure!  I was able to get the red version posted shortly after the convention but the white one has taken significantly longer.  However, what better way to spend a cold winter day than writing and reading a G.I. Joe figure review!  (Okay, I can think of a few but go with me, okay?)

If you’ve already got the red version, is this figure worth picking up?  Is an unmasked head really warranted?  How does she compare to other SDCC variants offered in the past?

Check out the review at the Exclusives Review Index and find out this Joe fan’s opinions!

G.I. Joe Convention 2014 Joe Colton Will Be Available Carded!

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Convention 2014

Yesterday’s G.I. Joe Convention 2014 news rocked the online Joe fandom with its announcement of ECO-Warriors vs. Zombies for this year’s 1:18 con set.  However, it was the news that a 1:18 scale Joseph Colton was going to be included in the 1:6 scale set that received most of the discussion I’d read.  Fans were wondering if this figure would be available to those who didn’t purchase the 1:6 set.  Well, according to the official Joe Con Facebook page, it will be:

We are getting questions about the 3 3/4″ Joseph Colton figure:

“I see that there is a 3 3/4” Joseph Colton that comes with the General’s Package (with the club display stand system). I’m a 3 3/4” collector and don’t want to purchase the 12” set just to get this loose figure. Are there any plans to make this figure available to other attendees?”

Yes! We will be carding a number of these same figures (no display stand or backdrop) for our 3 3/4” attendees to have access to this figure.

This was left out of the brochure accidentally. We hope that answers everyone’s questions.

I think that single announcement just made the fandom a lot happier!

Sgt. Slaughter to Appear at Retro Con 2014

Posted on by

sgt slaughter

The fan-run convention Retro Con gets better and better with each new announcement. First, the event for 2014 has been extended to two days.  Next Zack Hoffman (the voice of Zartan from the Sunbow animated series) is added to the guest roster.  However, yesterday Retro Con pulled out all the stops– wrestling legend and “real life” G.I. Joe Sgt. Slaughter is now scheduled to appear for both days of the nostalgia event!   You can read the original announcement here.

Autographs or posed photos will be available for $20 with a discount being available for both. So grab your vintage Sgt. Slaughter file cards and make plans to head to Oaks, PA!

Long-known to fans of G.I. Joe from his appearances in the second season of Sunbow’s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero series, Sgt. Slaughter joined WWE (then WWF) in the early 80’s and quickly achieved celebrity status.  Brandishing his signature move “the Cobra Clutch”, he delighted wrestling fans each week with his hard-nosed drill sergeant persona.  Yet it may be his appearance in the animated G.I. Joe: The Movie that permanently endeared him to Joe fans around the world with his leadership of the Renegades and his “itty bitty ditty bag.”

Retro Con 2014 will run from September 27 – 28 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA.  To keep up with the latest on Retro Con 2014, keep your eyes peeled to JBL and follow them online on Twitter at @Retrocons and at www.RetroCons.com.

Code Name Iowa’s Assembled Required 2013 is This Weekend!

Posted on by

code name iowa assembly required 2013

There are myriad reasons to live in the Midwest: changing seasons, friendly people, good regional food, and more G.I. Joe gatherings than you can shake a stick at!  Earlier this year, Midwestern fans were able to attend Coil Con IV in Kokomo, IN and this weekend they’ll be able to attend Code Name: Iowa’s annual Assembly Required gathering in Des Moines!

In it’s third year this event has grown to such an extent that it requires a brand new location!  Join fans from around the nation in attending panels, checking out dealer tables, and mingling with some very special guests.  It promises to be a fantastic free event that will be fun for collectors of all ages!

Special guests at this year’s event include:

  • Ron Wagner – comic artist from Marvel/IDW
  • Matt Brandenburg – former Hasbro prototype painter
  • Joe:Declassified exhibit – the premiere “behind the scenes” exhibit of rare prototypes, design sketches and more will be on hand featuring G.I. Joe archivists Gary “Goggles” Head and Chris “Topson” Murray

In addition, fantastic door prizes include a set of 20 G.I. Joe Retaliation Night Vipers and a MISB Killer W.H.A.L.E. hovercraft!  That’s right Joe Fans– two lucky individuals are walking away with prizes that will make even the most hardened Cobra loyalist green with envy!   However, as the game show hosts are fond of saying “But wait… there’s more!”

This year marks the debut of the next series of incredible minimalist art prints featuring the 1985 line-up!  Plus, two special minimalist prints will be given away as prizes– Flint and Lady Jaye signed by Bill Ratner and Mary McDonald-Lewis herself!  So, what are you waiting for– a signed invitation for Serpentor himself?!!  Make plans to hit the road this Saturday and join in on the fun! The Code Name Iowa Assembly Required event is THE place to be!

The event is free to the public. For more information visit CodeNameIowa.com or follow them on Facebook at Code Name: Iowa!  (Oh yeah, and tell ’em JBL sent you!)

1379584_578538072193240_1784082547_n
1380636_576485079065206_2078023660_n
1382352_583861104994270_582364919_n
1391536_586926368021077_1414057003_n
1391800_579908818722832_1321794085_n
1401747_582810708432643_1376415714_o
1424469_592279574152423_322480273_n
1425543_595705730476474_1134604454_n
1450054_589958527717861_580094470_n
1455050_595709937142720_378049489_n
996036_587696944610686_1421803921_n
[Show as slideshow]

Zack Hoffman, the Voice of Zartan, Will Be Attending Retro Con 2014!

Posted on by

Zack Hoffman voice of Zartan

Retro Con 2014, the annual celebration of all things 80’s, has just announced that Zack Hoffman, the voice of Zartan in the Sunbow animated series G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, will be appearing at the two day event!

We’re happy to announce the addition of Zack Hoffman to our guest list! Zack is best known for giving voice to master of disguise ‘Zartan’ on the original 1980′s GI Joe cartoon created by Marvel Sunbow Productions!

Zack has also recorded hundreds of commercials throughout a career spanning over 30 years in the industry. In addition you may recognize him as the movie director in Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, when Pee Wee reclaims his bike after briefly impersonating a nun!

Most recently Zack has created his own One Man Show call Tuxedo Man, with another entitled The Last DJ coming soon! Check out his website to follow all his works past and present!

Zack will be on hand all weekend to sign autographs free of charge. We only request you limit your items signed to 2 or 3. We thank Zack immensely for agreeing to come out for the show!!

He joins fan-favorite author Mark Bellomo, renowned voice actor Larry Kenney (Lion-O, Thundercats), and internet movie host Mr. Lobo on the guest list.  For its third convention, Retro Con will expand to a full two days to September 27 – 28 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA.  Last year’s guests including Sunbow voice actor Neil Ross and the “godfather of G.I. Joe” Larry Hama!

For more information, visit RetroCons.com or follow them on Twitter at @Retrocons!

2013 SDCC G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set now in stock at HasbroToyShop.com

Posted on by

G.I. Joe vs. Transformers SDCC 2013 exclusive set

There’s no need for a lot of verbiage here!  This year’s SDCC G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set is finally available!

UPDATE: 10/16/2013 AS OF NOW THE SET APPEARS TO BE SOLD OUT!

Now that the lawsuit between Hasbro & Harmony Gold has been settled it would seem that the flood gates have been opened for the 2013 SDCC G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set featuring Jetfire, Hound, Blaster, Bludgeon, Baroness, Ravage, and more!  (Okay, there’s that Snake Eyes repaint but who REALLY needs Snake Eyes v 10,203 anymore? It’s a solid set and the “epic conclusion” to the series that began three years ago with Cobra Commander & Starscream and then evolved to Destro & Shockwave in 2012.

Got get it at HasbroToyShop.com:

http://www.hasbrotoyshop.com/gi-joe-transformers-jetfire-vehicle?BR=496&ID=32166

1370450365000-blaster-1306051241_4_3_rx1443_c1920x1440
1370450754004-hasbro-2013-sdcc-gi-joe-transformers-vamp-autobot-hound-1306051321_4_3_rx1443_c192
1370451337000-hasbro-2013-sdcc-gi-joe-transformers-snake-eyes-1306051259_3_4_r1083_c0-0-1080-144
1370453687000-jetfire-1306051418_4_3_rx1443_c1920x1440
1370455754000-baroness-1306051410_4_3_rx1443_c1920x1440
1370455874000-bludgeon-1306051451_3_4_r1083_c0-0-1080-1440
sdcc-2013-box
[Show as slideshow]

Cobra 1st Legion hits October events in force!

Posted on by

Cobra First Legion

The Cobra 1st Legion in on the move once again!!!

Not content to rest on their laurels after an amazing slew of events in September, the G.I. Joe community’s own costuming army is back in force with a whole bevy of appearances lined up for October.  Check out these hard-working cos-players at the following locations:

Seriously– if you’re living anywhere near ANY of these events, stop on by, pose for some pics with the crew, and give them a hearty “YO JOE!” (or “Hail Cobra!”) to show your support!  These talented guys and gals are bringing our favorite Real American Heroes to life for fans across the nation!

Cobra 1st Legion October 2013

Meet Larry Hama and Neil Ross at Retro Con 2013 this weekend!

Posted on by

Looking for something to do this weekend in the Philadelphia area?  Check out Retro Con 2013 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA!

Chock full of 80’s goodness, Retro Con has grown even larger in its second year!  Featuring a plethora of exciting guests, over 150 dealer tables, classic “star cars” (weather permitting), and even a special screening of Back to the Future on the big screen it’s bound to make fans of G.I. Joe, Transformers, Thundercats, classic video games, etc feel like a kid again.

Organized by uber-fans Tony and Rosemary (Ward) Tuski and featuring a door ticket price of only $14.00, it’s an affordable and fun way to indulge your inner nostalgia child!

Just check out this guest list:

  • Larry Hama – writer,artist for G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (Marvel, IDW, Devil’s Due) and writer for Hasbro’s file cards
  • Bob Budiansky – writer for Transformers (Marvel Comics) as well as author of Hasbro’s Tech Spec cards
  • Neil Ross – voice actor for G.I. Joe, Transformers, Voltron, InHumanoids and more! (Shipwreck, Dusty, Slag, Springer, Keith, Pidge, etc)
  • James Rolfe – the “Angry Video Game Nerd”, internet game reviewer
  • Don Fullilove – mayor “Goldie Wilson” from the Back to the Future trilogy
  • Mark Bellomo – author The Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe: 1982 – 1994, Transformers: Identification & Price Guide, and Totally Tubular 80’s Toys!
  • Doug Walker – the Nostalgia Critic from www.thatguywiththeglasses.com
  • Mr. Lobo – host of the nationally syndicated Cinema Insomnia!
  • The Cobra 1st Legion – the ever-growing G.I. Joe costume organization! www.Cobra1stLegion.com
  • The Mandalorian Mercs!
  • And many more!

In addition there will be door prizes, a costume contest, and a chance to have your picture taken with such “star cars” as K.I.T.T. (Knight Industries Two Thousand), Black Beauty, a Jurassic Park jeep, a full-size TARDIS, the Delorean from Back to the Future, and more!

Seriously, this is the kind of event that makes me wish I wasn’t living in Central Illinois.  It promises to be a fun-filled day for all.  Plus, while you’re there, stop by and say hello to the cast of The Breaux Show, a weekly internet radio show covering genre news, movie reviews, and Deer Park Water.  (Yes, you read that correctly.)

For more information, check out www.RetroCons.com!

 Retro Con 2013