Big Lob is the 2017 Collector’s Club Incentive figure!

The cover of the latest issue of the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club magazine has revealed the next membership incentive figure: BIG LOB!

G.I. Joe Collector's CLub Big Lob

Big Lob Revealed – Image courtesy of Michael Taylor

I’ll admit it– I’m both surprised and pleased by this! Who’d have imagined Big Lob as this next year’s figure?

For those of you who don’t remember, Big Lob was one of the Rawhides, a group of new recruits introduced in the Sunbow-produced 1987 film G.I. Joe: The Movie.  Along with Jinx, Tunnel Rat, Chuckles, and Law & Order, Big Lob was part of the next generation of Joes who were put through their paces and evaluated by Beach Head.  (Spoiler alert: they all passed– much to Beach Head’s chagrin!)  Despite this introduction, Big Lob never saw release as an action figure until 2010 when the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club released an o-ring version as the annual membership incentive figure.

G.I. Joe Collector's Club Big Lob

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Magazine reveal of Big Lob – courtesy of Doug Monroe

Now, after seven years history repeats itself again and the Rawhides are on their way once more to being complete– this time in generation 3 construction.  I’m seeing a lot of the first build of Roadblock from G.I. Joe Retaliation in this figure which gives Big Lob the height he needs, although more bulk than I’d have expected.  However, the new head is MILES AHEAD of the previously released version. Rather than a reused Mercer sculpt, he gets his own unique noggin!  (I’m digging the lopsided haircut!)

As always, to receive your Big Lob figure you’ll have to be a member in good standing of the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club by March 2016.  To learn more about the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club and to ensure your chance to own this sports-themed Joe, visit GIJoeClub.com!

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Pythona review

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Pythona review is live!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club Pythona review

Seriously, I can scarely believe that I’m typing the words “Pythona review.”  Since her debut in G.I. Joe: The Movie nearly 30 years ago, this deadly emissary/assassin from the mysterious kindgom of Cobra-La has been on the top of G.I. Joe fans’ wishlists.  Thanks to the folks at the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club, this long sought-after femme fatale is finally making her way into the displays of Joe fans everywhere as the 2016 membership renewal figure.

Was she worth the wait?  Did the Club deliver the good this time around?  Does Deadpool make yet another gratuitous cameo?  Do Fred and Chris finally completely agree on a figure?  Will I ever stop asking questions and get to the Pythona review?

For the answers to these questions, head on over the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index and check out the long-await Pythona review!

Pythona is arriving!

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Pythona figures are shipping!

pythona bagged

Okay, yes, these have been arriving for a few days now.  The JBL admin was hoping that his Pythona would have arrived by now so that I could shoot some actual in-hand photos.  Sadly, the US Postal Service seems to have other plans. Thankfully, my writing partner-in-crime Chris Chung came through with a couple of photos last night.  Plus, the “Legendary” Tom Brooks snapped a few killer photos that he posted on Facebook last night.

G.I. Joe Collector's Club Pythona

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G.I. Joe Collector’s Club unveils Pythona!

Pythona is revealed!!!

Today is the last day to sign up for a 2016 membership to the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club and the folks at Cattle Barron Drive have pulled out all of the stops in encouraging people to sign up by showing off a prototype for Pythona!

Not a digital mock-up.  Not a render but a painted sample of Pythona!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club Pythona

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Arctic Dr. Mindbender Review

arctic dr. mindbender

I never thought I’d own an Arctic Dr. Mindbender figure.  More importantly, I never thought I’d want to own an Arctic Dr. Mindbender figure.

When this figure was announced at the 2014 G.I. Joe Collector’s Club, my reaction was less than enthusiastic.  After all, who would want a figure based on a character’s appearance in just a few short scenes in the animated G.I. Joe: the Movie?  Plus, hadn’t Mindbender already been released back in 2009?  Was there really a need to update him?  Apparently, there was and the result is surprisingly… well, you’ll have to read the review to find out this Joe fan’s opinion!

Check out the Arctic Dr. Mindbender review in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index!

Sgt. Slaughter to Appear at Retro Con 2014

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.