Tag Archives: Conventions

Joe Con 2017: JBL’s armchair coverage begins this evening

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Joe Con 2017 coverage

Joe Con 2017 begins today at the Walt Disney World Hotel in Orlando!

While hundreds of Joe fans flock down to the Dolphin Hotel to celebrate their love of the original action figure, many of us are still sitting at home.  This includes the JBL admin who will not be attending this year.  However, that doesn’t mean that JBL can’t provide convention coverage once more!

Each day we’ll be providing armchair cover– a round up of the day’s events right here.  From panel live streams to pictures of the exclusives, we’ll be curating the best content from across the web into a single source so that all of us “Homefront Heroes” have a place to follow the events of Joe Con 2017.

Plus, Saturday night, join us at 3:30pm CST for a special “From the Convention Floor” episode of Just Another G.I. Joe Show with Mike Tinnel who broadcasting LIVE from Orlando as the Dealer’s Room closes.

Tune back in this evening at we’ll get our first glimpses of this year’s Joe Con 2017 set when Golden Ticket Package Pickup begins at 8:30pm EST.

It’s bound to be an interesting con this year.

Joe Con 2017: Battle Force 2000 Blocker revealed

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A new week and a new Joe Con 2017 preview.  Meet Battle Force 2000 Eliminator driver Blocker!

G.I. Joe Con 2017 Battle Force 2000 Blocker

G.I. JOE BF 2000 TEAM:
David “Blocker” McCarthy

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– 1st Modern Era Release of Character based on 1987 design.
– NEW Head Sculpt and includes removable Vest,
Tactical Shotgun, original XL-13 Laser weapon,
with G.I. Joe Logo Stand.

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

Just like that we’ve now seen every member of the Joe Con 2017 iteration of Battle Force 2000.

Blocker’s not bad… It looks like we’ve got another Club use of the Retaliation G.I. Joe Trooper web gear to recreate the original 1987 Blocker torso.  I see my least favorite Pursuit of Cobra Snake Eyes lower legs as well.  We do get a brand new head sculpt for the figure– but it appears to be missing the visor found on the original figure.  Really?  That’s kind of big omission but the Club seems to be going with head sculpts that require ZERO additional attachments these days– most likely to keep costs down.  Thank goodness that cost savings was passed on to the Joe Con 2017 attendees.  Oh wait…

Overall, it’s a decent approximation of the original vintage figure.  Plus, there’s the recreated 1987 sidearm that the Club has tooled up for each member of the team.

With this preview we’re down to the preview of the new BAT v1.8 — of which there will be eight included in the set.  (Let’s hope it’s good.)

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

Battle Force 2000:

Cobra:

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.  With so many vehicle drivers in the mix it’s a sure bet that the souvenirs this year will be mostly vehicles.  The question remains– which vehicle molds will be repainted and reused?

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

Joe Con 2017: Meet Battle Force 2000 Blaster

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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 Con 2017 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:

Cobra:

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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Joe Con 2017: Battle Force 2000 Dodger unveiled

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The Joe Con 2017 preview came early today with a look at Battle Force 2000’s Dodger!

G.I. Joe Con 2017 Battle Force 2000 Dodger

G.I. JOE BF 2000 TEAM:
DODGER

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– 1st Modern Era Release of Character based on 1987 design.
– NEW Head Sculpt and includes removable Vest, Gaunlet,
Tactical Shotgun, original Ulta-Sonic Photon Rifle,
with G.I. Joe Logo Stand.

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

Okay, I’ll just say it— “a swing… and a miss!!!”

I get it… not every one of these previews can be a winner.  In the case of Dodger… yeah, I don’t know what happened.

Several years ago, I sat down and reviewed the 1987 Battle Force 2000 Dodger figure.  Of all of his compatriots, Dodger was the most realistic looking in terms of overall design.  From this sculpted web gear, to the darker hues of green and orange used for his uniform, to the helmet design, the Marauder driver conveyed the impression that his design might be plausible someday in the future.  The only thing about his design that seemed truly fantastic was his rifle and that was my least favorite part.

I don’t know– maybe it’s the fact that this image is HEAVILY Photoshopped.  Maybe it’s the fact that the odd hue of metallic green is so prevalent that it overpowers the entire image.  I just know that the figure that I was looking forward to the most in this Joe Con 2017 isn’t all that and a bag of chips in this preview.  At all… (Plus, I really really hate those gimmicky Snake Eyes legs.)  He’s missing some of the bulk that made the original Dodger so impressive. Plus, where’s the comms gear from his helmet?

We’re now over the halfway point when it comes to the previews of this year’s set.  So far, the reaction online has been “lukewarm” to the set.  Hopefully the remaining three previews will knock it out of the park as fans have been requesting Battle Force 2000 for years now.  (I hate to think of what the Club will charge for the souvenir vehicles this year.)

Here’s the roster, just in case:

Battle Force 2000:

Cobra:

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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Joe Con 2017: Battle Force 2000 Avalanche preview

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The Joe Con 2017 previews continue with a look at Battle Force 2000 Avalanche!

Joe Con 2017 Battle Force 2000 Avalanche

G.I. JOE BF 2000 TEAM:
Ian “Avalanche” Costello

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– 1st Modern Era Release of Character based on 1987 design.
– NEW Head Sculpt and includes removable Bandolier, Knife,
Assault Rifle, Re-tool of iconic P-460 Sub-Zero Stun Gun,
with G.I. Joe Logo Stand.

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

Holy Photoshop, Batman! The preview of Battle Force 2000’s Avalanche is more digital than real!

According to the description, we’re getting a new head for this figure, which is a good thing.  However, given the fact that the helmet is non-removable and the design deviates somewhat from the original 1987 design, it’s a good bet that we’ll be seeing this head reused in the next FSS as we did with Airborne into Scoop.  (I’m thinking maybe Windmill?  That’s just some idle speculation on my part.) There’s also the fact that last year’s Static Line head bore more than a passing resemblance to Persuader driver Backstop.  Hmm…

Additionally, we’re seeing another original Battle Force 2000 weapon retooled for this figure.  This begs the question: are THAT many fans really enamored with BF2K’s vintage weapons?

As far as the rest, I think I’m seeing the Retaliation Firefly torso, and maybe Wraith’s lower legs?  (I can’t be certain the last point– it’s been a long time since I looked at my Wraith figure.)

With four Joe Con 2017 figures previewed, we’re at the halfway point for the character designs in this year’s set.  As such, that leaves just four more previews before the entire set is revealed.

Here’s the roster, just in case:

Battle Force 2000:

Cobra:

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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Joe Con 2017: Brochure now online and pricing revealed

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As Joe Con 2017 grows closer, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club is releasing more details about this year’s event in Walt Disney World.  Yesterday, the convention brochure was released— containing details on this year’s sets as well as the pricing.

Gi joe con 2017 logo

You can view the entire Joe Con 2017 brochure HERE but here are a few of the highlights:

Battle Force 2000 vs. Cobra BATs:

We’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of the G.I. JOE Battle Force 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-theart 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?

 

Our 2017 exclusive 3 3/4-inch convention set contains a highly requested G.I. JOE team and some new additions to your COBRA army that are available for the first time in the modern era 25A action figure style. This special edition 15 action-figure set includes:

 

Six G.I. JOE team members: Ian “Avalanche” Costello, Brian “Blaster” Davis, David “Blocker” McCarthy, Thomas “Maverick” Kiley, Knockdown, and Dodger.

 

Nine enemy combatants: COBRA B.A.T. SQUAD LEADER, and COBRA B.A.T. V1.8 (troop builder x 8). Each of these great teams comes with their classic weapons, accessories, figure stands and file cards!

We now have the roster for this year’s set: 6 members of Battle Force 2000 vs. 1 Cobra BAT Squad leader and 8 Cobra BATs.  This means that the Club will be utilizing a total of 8 unique figure designs this year to produce the boxed set. Continue reading →

Joe Con 2017: Battle Force 2000 Knockdown unveiled

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As the Joe Con 2017 reveals continue, feast your eyes on Battle Force 2000 Knockdown!

Joe Con 2017 Battle Force 2000 Knockdown

G.I. JOE BF 2000 TEAM:
KNOCKDOWN

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

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

The Battle Force 2000 Sky Sweeper driver Knockdown is back– even if this image is pretty Photoshop heavy.  Right off, I’ll admit that I didn’t see the reuse of the 2013 Retaliation Lift Ticket helmet coming but it works!  The PoC Techno-Viper lower legs are a decent approximation of the original 1987 Knockdown design— or at least as well as could be done with existing parts.  I can also appreciate the newly-tooled vintage weapon recreation– even if I’d much rather have a new head sculpt for the character.

As far as the Joe Con 2017 previews go, he’s not bad.  He’s not the strongest of the three, but he’s not bad.  Definitely a decent approximation of the original design.

So far, we’ve had the following characters from this year’s set revealed:

G.I. Joe Battle Force 2000:

  • Avalanche, Blaster, Blocker, Dodger, Knockdown, Maverick

Cobra: BATs:

Without a greater description of this set, we’re still left wondering just who exactly is coming on the Cobra side of this year’s Battle Force 2000 vs Cobra BATs set.  Could Overkill be in the works?

For more information of this year’s event, visit GIJoeCon.com.

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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!

 

Hascon is coming September 8 – 10, 2017

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Hascon 2017 has been officially announced!

Hascon

It’s been rumored.  It’s been speculated.  Now it’s been announced.  Hascon, Hasbro’s combined property entertainment event, is coming to Providence Rhode, Island from September 8 – 10, 2017!

Described as a one-of-a-kind event, Hascon is slated to feature “live interactive experiences, exclusive products, talent appearances, panels” and much more.  The event, which will be held at the Rhode Island Convention Center and Dunkin Donuts Center promises to bring the company’s core brands together for an event that is targeted to both fans and families.  This includes Transformers, My Little Pony, Nerf, Magic the Gathering, Play-Doh, Monopoly, and G.I. Joe all featured under one single roof.

I’ll be honest– I’ve no idea how Hascon is going to play out.  It could be a fantastic event that proves to be more mass-audience friendly than some of the more focused individual property conventions.  It could be more wallet-friendly as Hasbro seeks to draw in both fans and families and not just cater to the top-tiers of the adult collector market.  In some ways, it could almost serve as a mini-Comic Con for Hasbro located right in their backyard as the company continues to try to expand its brand presence in the entertainment worth with the development of the Hasbro Cinematic Universe. (Are Play-Doh fans really going to travel for an event?  Are there actually Play-Doh fans?)

Right now there’s not much on the official Hascon website other than a sign-up form and a press release link but I expect that to change in the coming months.  Regardless, it’s nice to see G.I. Joe included in the list of properties being featured as the brand has become far more of a niche property over the past few years.

What do you think of this announcement?  Are you onboard for a combined-properties event?

i can haz hascon Continue reading →