G.I. Joe Convention Exclusive Reviews Coming Soon!

G.I. Joe convention exclusive reviews are coming!

Gi joe convention exclusive reviews

You’d never know it by looking at the front page but it’s actually been a busy few weeks here at JBL.  There’s been a lot of behind-the-scenes work as JBL migrated from our existing (and failing) server to a brand new virtual location.  Now it’s time to get back to work and that means add more new reviews to the site!

Chris and I’ve been frantically writing away these past few weeks and we’ve got a slew of new reviews coming.  We’ll be looking at both the G.I. Joe Convention 2015 “Peril in Paradise” (Tiger Force vs. Iron Grenadiers) and the 2016 “Operation Downfall” (Sky Patrol) sets.  In addition, thanks to a hassle-free sale at HasbroToyShop.com there’s also this year’s G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set to cover! (Hello new Scarlett figure that’s still available!)

The order of publication is still up in the air but it’s about time that we got back on track here at JBL.  No excuses… while this is a hobby site and not a full-time job, it’s about time that the admin got off his butt and got back to work.

Do you have a preference on the order?  Are you more excited about Powerglide than Tiger Force Big Brawler?  Does Flying Scorpion rate higher on your priority list than another Zartan release? Let JBL know in the comments below or over on the JBL Facebook page.

 

Today is SDCC exclusive day at HasbroToyShop!

Today is the day that the SDCC exclusive items will be listed at HasbroToyShop!

SDCC 2016 Hasbro exclusives

That’s right– today’s the day in which toy collector’s across the globe hit HasbroToyShop.com, constantly refreshing their connections in the hopes that the links will become active.  It’s the day when F5 keys everywhere cry out in anguish…

Or maybe not!

Here’s a list of some of the most relevant items on today’s list:

NOTE: Product is LIVE NOW!

2016 SDCC exclusive Hasbro items:

Here’s a link to the full list of SDCC exclusive Hasbro items at HasbroToyShop.

So, good luck today in obtaining the SDCC exclusive items you’re after!  In previous years, they’ve gone live around 11:00am CST on HasbroToyShop.com but that’s just pure speculation.

North Florida G.I. Joe Show – October 22, 2016

Do you live in North Florida?  Are you a fan of “America’s Moveable Fighting Man” and “A Real American Hero?”  If you can answer either of those questions in the affirmative then check out the North Florida G.I. Joe Show!

North Florida G.I. Joe Show

Head to the Downtown Arts Center in Lake City Florida on Saturday October 22, 2016 to meet up with your fellow Joe fans.  There’s a full slate of activities planned from 10am – 7pm including:

  • Dealer tables (space still available)
  • Buy-Sell-Trade events
  • Costume contest
  • Screening of the 1987 G.I. Joe: The Movie after the sales floor closes

Admission is just $2.00 or FREE with a valid military ID.  Plus, it’s guaranteed to be an afternoon of fun and camaraderie with your fellow Joe fans!  If you’re in the area, check out the North Florida G.I. Joe Show!  It’s an event for Joe fans of all eras: Action Soldier, Adventure Team, Super Joe, A Real American Hero, Sigma Six, Sgt. Savage, and even Extreme!

Plus, there’s that screen of G.I. Joe: the Movie.  Who doesn’t love to watch Serpentor get thrown into the Broadcast Energy Transmitter?  How often do you get the chance to watch that film with your fellow Joe fans?

Stay up-to-date with the latest additions and head on over to the North Florida G.I. Joe Facebook page for more details!

 

Coil Con 7 – October 9, 2016 in Dayton OH

It’s back!  Coil Con 7 IS happening this year!

Coil Con 7

I’ll admit it — I wasn’t certain if Coil Con was going to be happening this year.  There’d been no updates on the Facebook page or the website in a long time but thankfully the guys behind the event have rallied and we have some official details for this year’s event to be held in Dayton, Ohio!  The teaser image dropped last week and now we’ve got more information on the venue, the date, and some of the planned activities for the day.

The Coil Con Details:

Mark your calendars! The COIL strikes again this October with COIL Con 7!

 

October 9, 2016 – 10am-4pm

 

2800 Presidential Drive Fairborn, OH 45324 at the Holiday Inn Dayton/I-675 Hotel by Wright State University off of Colonel Glenn Drive.

 

  • Show Exclusives
  • Vendor Booths
  • Door Prizes
  • Custom Contest
  • Special Guests
  • Collector Panels
  • Toys for Tots Toy Drive – bring an unopened toy for a great cause. Cash donations also accepted.

$5 admission at the door. Children 12 and under get in free. Wear a GI Joe costume and get free admission.

Coil Con is a completely fan-organized event.  That’s right– run by the fans, for the fans.  So make your plans, back your back, grab your Toys for Toys donation tiem, and get ready to hit Coil Con 7 in Fairborn, OH this October!  Trust me, from having attended past Coil Con events, it’s going to be a great day filled with Joes, Joe fans, and fun for everyone! Whether it was in Kokomo, Indianapolis, or Dayton, the Coil Con events are fun for Joe fans of all age.

For more information, including updates to the schedule of events and special guests that will be appearing, keep your eyes peeled to the Coil Con Facebook page or the Coil Club Facebook Group.

SDCC 2016 Hasbro exclusives to hit HTS on August 9, 2016

SDCC 2016 is fleeting memory but the hunt for the Hasbro exclusives is only just beginning for many fans.  According to the updated FAQ at HasbroToyShop.com, the remaining inventory of SDCC 2016 Hasbro exclusives will be available online on August 9, 2016.

SDCC 2016 Hasbro exclusives

As stated in this morning’s FAQ update, all exclusives will be available under the “Exclusives” category starting on August 9, 2016.  In addition, the per-person limits that were enforced at SDCC 2016 will apply to all online transactions as well.

sdcc 2016 hasbro exclusives FAQ

So there you have it.  Depending upon the availability and the timing, a great many fans of Hasbro properties will be frantically hitting the F5 key that day in order to try and snag the latest 2016 exclusives.  (This particular fan is eyeing both the G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set as well as the Marvel Legends Collector’s Vault set.  Man, I NEED more Howard the Duck in my life! Plus, MICRONAUTS!)

It’s a pretty full-slate this year with Hasbro showcasing more of their lines (and upcoming properties) than this fan can recall the Pawtucket toymaker doing in previous years.

Here’s the full list of SDCC 2016 Hasbro exclusives: Continue reading

Joe Con 2016 Sky Patrol Skystriker assembly video

Our good friends over at TheBreauxShow have released a video showing the assembly of the Joe Con 2016 Sky Patrol Skystriker!

Breaux Show Sky Patrol Skystriker Joe Con 2016Much like the JBL staff, our good friends over at TheBreauxShow.com weren’t able to attend Joe Con 2016 in person.  However, that didn’t stop intrepid videographer Mike Breaux from snagging an in stock Sky Patrol Skystriker from the Club Store.

This silver-hued beauty arrived late last week and to celebrate the Breaux Show put together a short assembly video of this Joe Con 2016 exclusive item.  While the general construction of the jet is familiar to most Joe fans through its multiple releases over the past few years, the time-lapse video really shows off the color scheme and deco of the Sky Patrol Skystriker!

Check out the embedded video below and be sure to check out more videos over on The Breaux Show YouTube Channel!

Toys R Us SDCC G.I. Joe exclusives from the Loyal Subjects

Toys R Us has revealed their SDCC exclusives including two new G.I. Joe Loyal Subjects vinyl figures!

Yesterday, ToyNewsI.com broke the news of the highly-anticipated Toys R Us SDCC exclusive list.  Many of the usual suspects were represented– Transformers, My Little Pony, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, etc.  However, in spite of the fact that this is a “quiet year” for G.I. Joe, one item on the list caught my attention:

G.I. JOE TIGER FORCE WRECKAGE AND BEACH HEAD 2-Pack from The Loyal Subjects

That’s right– Toys R Us will be offering a SDCC exclusive G.I. Joe Loyal Subjects vinyl two-pack featuring Tiger Force Wreckage and Beach Head.

SDCC Toys R Us Loyal Subjects G.I. Joe exclusives

Featuring the likeness of WRECKAGE and BEACH HEAD from G.I. JOE’S TIGER FORCE™ unit, these 3.2-inch tall vinyl figures feature 14 points of articulation, several accessories to help bring the action of this special subteam to life and come complete in a window box for display. Available only at the Comic Convention and online at Toysrus.com/ComicConvention.

Interesting… I’ll give props to both Toys R Us and the Loyal Subjects for their selection of some out-of-the-normal decos for these characters.  I’m especially excited to see a new spin on the Joe Con 2004 Tiger Force Beach Head who, in spite of his garish color scheme, manages to look AWESOME!  This figures will be available online at ToysRUs.com from July 21 – July 24 in limited quantities.

Continue reading

Joe Con 2016: Sky Patrol Skystrikers in Club Store

Joe Con 2016 is now one for the history books but we’ve got one last bit of news.  The Sky Patrol Skystrikers are now available online!

Joe Con 2016 Sky Patrol Skystriker

That’s right Joe fans– the remaining inventory of the silver finish Joe Con 2016 Sky Patrol Skystrikers are now up for sale to anyone with a Club membership.    They’re limited to two per member and each jet will set you back a cool $160.00 but for fans who were debating purchasing one on Ebay this is your chance to get one for retail!

Here’s the official verbiage describing this latest reissue of the G.I. Joe F-14 Tomcat:

LIMITED TO 2 PER MEMBERSHIP.

The Cobra Air Force won’t know what hit them with the Sky Patrol Sky Striker (XP-26) Combat Jet! This fantastic 3 3/4-inch scale aircraft has tons of moving parts and amazing detail. The Limited Edition convention exclusive Sky Patrol Sky Striker features a unique silver color scheme and has wings that sweep in and out, working landing gear and removable missile accessories.

Vehicle and accessories are packed in a silver metallic display box (Figure Not Included)

However, as the informercials say: “But wait, there’s more!” Continue reading

SDCC 2016: Micronauts return in exclusive set!

As we get closer to the full launch of the Hasbro Cinematic Universe, we’re hearing more and more mentions of the properties involved.  Case in point: the Micronauts are returning to SDCC 2016!

SDCC 2016 MICRONAUTS CLASSIC COLLECTION Set

As first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, this year’s Hasbro San Diego Comic Con exclusives will include a special reissue set consisting of three classic figures from the original 1976 – 1980 toyline that was released in the US by Mego.  The original Micronauts line itself was based on the Takara Microman line that was sold in Japan beginning in 1974.

The Micronauts set will be available at the Hasbro booth at SDCC 2016 from July 21 – 24 and with limited stock available after the show at HasbroToyShop.com.  They’ll also be making an appearance at Fan Expo Canada from Sept. 1-4 at the Metro Toronto Convention Center.

The SDCC 2016 Micronauts set includes modern reissues of three original line characters including:

While I would never considered myself a life-long Micronauts fan I’m just old enough to have had a few figures from the line as a kid– including Pharoid.  Granted, I was probably too young to truly appreciate him (which explains why he’s missing ALL of his accessories now) but seeing him included in the set tugs on the nostaligic heartstrings in such a way that I’m going to do my darndest to try and acquire one of these SDCC 2016 Micronauts sets when they drop on HTS post-show.  I still have enough vague memories of the old Micronauts commercials from TV to get excited about their inclusion in the Hasbro Cinematic Universe!

Joe Con 2016: Legends of the West

Joe Con 2016 concludes today but we’d be remiss if we didn’t talk about Legends of the West.

Legends of the West control art

Earlier in the Armchair Coverage of Joe Con 2016, there was mention of the Broken Arrow Toys booth and how there were several lines being displayed there.  JBL’s already highlighted Spero Studios Animal Warriors of the Kingdom but now it’s time to acknowledge another more classic-themed line: Chicken Fried Toys’ Legends of the West!

Imagine if you will a brand-new 1:18 scale series of Western-themed figures.  Now, take those figures and add in incredible sculpting detail.  Sound pretty good?  Let’s take it a step further and give them modern-level articulation!  Now, if that doesn’t make you want to saddle up and support the line I don’t know what will!

According to the images shown at the Broken Arrow Toys booth, the line will consist of the following figures:

  • The Head Honcho
  • The Gunfighter
  • Trail Drover
  • Masked Lawman
  • The Marshall
  • The Sheriff
  • Territories Lawman
  • The Shopkeeper
  • The Trail Boss
  • The Ranch Hand

There’s also the possibility of two others who, according to the initial artwork, seem to be a combination of parts from the other figures.  Each figure also appears to include at least two accessories (firearms) as well as a unique Chicked Fried Toys display base.

But wait, there’s more!!! Continue reading