Tag Archives: Hasbro

JoeCon 2012: Parachute figure revealed as Retaliation movie trooper!

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You’ve got to hand it to the Club sometimes.  (Yes, I did just say that.)  In the wake of the 11th hour rescheduling of the release of G.I. Joe Retaliation, the GIJCC found itself with a HUGE gap in its convention schedule.  However, the traditional parachute drop was added back and figures were produced at the last minute.  Today, fans found out what those were.

The Cobra “Stealth” Paratrooper is a repaint of the Retaliation Cobra Trooper— parachute and all.

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It’s a completely logical move, actually.  The figure was already designed to work WITH a parachute and is a mold that Hasbro most certainly could produce a fast run of figures on.   I do have to admit– the paratroopers DO look a lot like Snake Eyes.  Still, kudos to the Club for pulling this one off.

(Photos courtesy of Madmac41, GeneralsJoes.com & HISSTank.com)

 

CardedHeroes.com: Kwinn figure reviewed!

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Okay, I’m just going to come out and say it– I’m jealous!  Jay over at CardedHeroes.com has had the good fortune to review one of the most-anticipated figures in recent Joe memory: the Inuit Mercenary Kwinn!

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This figure has been in “development hell” for some time now.  Originally slated to come out in the 30th Anniversary line, Kwinn’s fate is that of other figures such as the infamous Data-Viper– pushed back due to the movie line.   However, with the movie now being pushed back to March, Kwinn’s fate is even more uncertain.  Hasbro has stated that this figure will come out eventually and rumors have swirled of a NYCC exclusive but nothing official has ever been announced.

Regardless– thanks to a loan from Gary of “What’s on Joe Mind“, Jay was able to get his mitts on Kwinn and produce a review that makes me wish the figure were in my grabby little hands now.

Check out Jay’s review of Kwinn over at CardedHeroes.com!

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Alexx Shorts: Retaliation Cobra Trooper

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How long has it been since you’ve had to get a figure off the roof?  Parachutes are back!

Alexx Shorts: Retaliation Cobra Commander (with black variant)

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Why does Cobra Commander always wear either black or blue?  Is it because he is always taking a beating?

Variety: Retailers to recall unsold Retaliation merchandise?

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G.I. Joe Retiation - moved to March 29, 2013

When it rains, it pours– at least for Joe fans. 

Hot on the heels of recent news about the rescheduling of G.I. Joe: Retaliation’s premiere from June 29, 2012 to March 29, 2013, Variety.com ran this bit of news:

Yanking G.I. Joe toys with retailers

Reversal causes spirited round of musical shelves

At major retailers nationwide, something is missing from the toy aisles: “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” action figures. In their place, an empty space.With Paramount moving the actioner from June 29 to March 29, 2013, to give it more muscle at the box office with 3D, retailers are being asked to send back the line of Hasbro toys that were starting to appear on shelves.

Some Walmart, Toys R Us and Target locations had started to stock the toys this week, although they weren’t supposed to make them available until next week. Those that did wanted to get a jump on demand, and some of the 47 items that would’ve been sold are expected to show up on eBay at inflated prices by the end of the weekend.

In a statement, released Friday, Hasbro said: “G.I. Joe is an ongoing consumer franchise and therefore there is merchandise available to consumers. There is a limited amount of ‘G.I. Joe Retaliation’ product at retail now, but in light of the movie moving out to March 29, 2013, the majority of the movie line will be made available early next year in time for the film’s release.”

Continue reading →

Podcast: WOJM special edition #13 – the Retaliation fallout discussion

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G.I. Joe Retiation - moved to March 29, 2013

Nothing moves as quickly as a fandom angered.  The crew of What’s On Joe Mind reacted with lighting speed yesterday and recorded an “emergency podcast” to discuss the news of the last minute change in release date for G.I. Joe: Retaliation that was announced late yesterday afternoon.

Here’s the official synopsis:

It is the news NO ONE wanted to read.  It was the news NO ONE wanted to believe.  Regardless what no one wanted, it is the new reality of the motion picture dedicated to our favorite hobby.  Instead of being released June 29, 2012, the movie that we’ve waited so long for and seemed only a few weeks away got moved to March 2013.  Join WOJM co-hosts Chuck, Justin, Mike and Gary along with special guests Arune Singh from Marvel Comics and Brian Truitt from USA Today as we have a roundtable discussion with a number of community leaders about what this move means to the line and its future.  While disbelief and frustration are the theme of the night, the cast looks hard toward what if any silver lining can be found and attempt to predict what the next 9 months will bring.  Its a raw, unedited recording of a roundtable of fans picking up the pieces from the day.  May 23, 2012 is the start of a new reality for GI Joe.  Hear what the gang has to say…

You can listen to the podcast below:

 

Retaliation now pushed back to March 2013; Paramount cites the need to convert to 3D

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G.I. Joe: Retaliation

Wow… this is one thing I didn’t see coming at all.  Especially one month out from the film’s release. Citing the need to convert the film to 3D as it “resonates more with audiences”, Retaliation will not be released until March 29, 2013.

This has to have the folks in charge of the brand spinning.  The toy line, which has been trickling into stores, carries a street date of May 28, 2012– just a few days away.  Now, without a movie tie-in, those same toys are going to be sitting on store shelves for a full THREE fiscal quarters before the film that was to drive their sales hits theatres.  That means that Hasbro will have to come up with an entirely NEW crop of items to tie into the film in order to keep things “fresh” for both consumers and retailers. Also, the entire marketing campaign will have to be reworked– with new trailers, new promotions, and an entirely crop of promotional materials to be produced and distributed.  In other words, all of the momentum that was gained during the past few months will have to be regained 100%.

Yeah… what was dubbed the “Year of Joe” is rapidly turning into something else entirely.

The press release is posted below:

G.I. JOE: RETALIATION Film to Be Released in 3D

Hasbro Reaffirms 2012 Guidance that it Expects to Grow Revenues and Earnings Per Share Absent the Impact of Foreign Exchange

PAWTUCKET, R.I., May 23, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Hasbro, Inc HAS +0.52% , and Paramount Pictures, announced today that G.I. JOE: RETALIATION will now be released in 3D. The film, originally slated for release in June 2012, is scheduled to be released March 29, 2013.

“It is increasingly evident that 3D resonates with movie-goers globally and together with Paramount, we made the decision to bring fans an even more immersive entertainment experience,” said Brian Goldner, Hasbro’s President and CEO.

“In 2012, we continue to have several strong motion picture and television entertainment backed properties that are selling well at retail and our entertainment strategy remains strong and on-track,” Goldner said. “Through our own Hasbro Studios for television and in partnership with several movie studios including Paramount, Universal, Sony and Relativity, we are creating entertainment experiences around many of our highly popular iconic brands. For the full year 2012, we continue to believe, absent the impact of foreign exchange, we will again grow revenues and earnings per share.” Continue reading →

SDCC 2012: In hand pics of red Jinx

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SDCC exclusives can be a tricky thing.   Figures like the 25th “Pimp Daddy Destro” were easy to get if you wanted the silver version but the variant gold head proved far more elusive.  Sgt. Slaughter was HIGHLY sought after and yet the Convention Cobra Commander is still relatively easy to find.  (Let’s not mention Zarana– she’s a sore spot for some collectors… especially after the BigBadToyStore.com Dreadnok 7 pack made her an essential piece to complete any Dreadnok collection.)

At Toy Fair 2012, Hasbro unveiled their SDCC exclusives which included two versions of Kim Arashikage– better known to fans as “Jinx”.  Over at JoeDeclassified.com, Gyre-Viper has gotten his hands on an early sample and has posted a gallery of images of the red version.  I’ve mirrored a few below but I’d suggest checking out the thread over at JoeDeclassified for more.

Overall she looks pretty solid!  It’s an interesting mix of new and existing Storm Shadow parts.  While I don’t know about the white version yet, I’ll most likely be tracking down this red version come late summer.

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Alexx Shorts: Renegades 4-Pack

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I know you have an ache in your bones for more Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow, and Duke!  Still, even if that’s a complete lie, why not come in and check them out anyway?

Podcast: What’s on Joe Mind episode #54

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The guys at What’s On Joe Mind have been going at it for over a year now!  Covering a full slate of topics from figures to voice actor interviews to convention news, this is the longest running Joe podcast on the web.  (Even if they never post their updates here!)

Check out the synopsis of episode #54, including a surprise bit by a hack website admin.

This week we step back into the shadowy depths of the fandom to find the person responsible for the very cool, but very outlawed fan made video game, GI Joe: The Attack on Cobra Island.  A crack team of WOJM investigative reporters, seasoned by watching 20/20 tracked down the lead designer of the game, known to us as Lord Skiff (aka Range Viper).  Skiff, or Skiffer as Mike likes to call him, agreed to a clandestine interview.  TO protect his privacy, Skiff asked that we disguise his voice.  He’s an every day collector and fan just like you and me.  Find out what he has to say about his game, the C&D issued by Hasbro’s lawyers and its foggy future.  Rounding out the first half of the program, our buddy and admin of JoeBattlelines.com, Fred Meyer (aka Leo T. Dragon) gives an indepth review and historical lession of the 2002 JoeCon Crimson Strike Team set.  Following halftime we were joined by Michael (aka Counterpunch) co-host of the Seibertron.com Twincast Podcast to discuss the atmosphere at BotCon and some of the differences and similarities of the opposing fandoms.  You’d be surprised at what we discover.  After our good byes with Counterpunch, we dip into the mailbag for some JoeCon related questions.  In the news, Chuck GUSHES about the new YoJoe.com layout.  The rest of us admit, it is AWESOME!  THe GIJCC unveils Stormavik and the first figure of the opposing faction – you get our reactions. All this and a ton more, PLUS we debut our new ORIGINAL theme music by composer Mat Howlett!!  The countdown to JoeCon 2012 continues!  Join the fun, won’t you?

Apparently they’ll let anyone contribute!

Check it out below: