Tag Archives: Hasbro

Joe Con 2015: Day 2 Hasbro & Club panels today!

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Joe Con 2015

Joe Con 2015 is about to begin!

It’s early and the JBL staff is about to head down to Joe Con 2015 for day two of the festivities.  Today is the biggest day of the event with key panels occurring today at both 11am CST (Hasbro) and 3pm CST (Collector’s Club).  We’ll be live tweeting out both of those events so, if you haven’t already, consider giving JBL a follow on Twitter and then tune in for BOTH panels as they happen.

For those of you interested in images from the events, I’ll be posting pics up on the site later tonight from Hasbro’s product cases which are set to debut at 1pm CST today.  (Since this admin is commuting from home each day I don’t have full access to my PC until the evening.)  However, over on JBL’s Facebook page I’ll toss up some early images throughout the day.

Also, and a bit of a mea culpa here, it looks like I’ll be re-shooting the custom contest pictures this morning.  Due to the strong fluorescent lighting too many of the images came out “dark” and that’s just not acceptable to this photog’s eyes.  So, there’s a bit of a delay but I’d rather be about quality over quantity!

So, that’s the news from the front for now!  JBL is about to hit the road once more!

 

Joe Con 2015: Hasbro info gleaned from Con Comic

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Joe Con 2015 has begun!

Technically it began a few days ago but last night was package registration and souvenir purchasing at the store.  In true Joe Con fashion, getting through the lines was a lot like the intended cruise on Gilligan’s Island – it was a 3 hour tour!

This year’s convention comic contains an introduction by new brand manager Mark Weber which offers some clarity as to the direction the brand will take in 2015.

Mark Webber intro

  • The G.I. Joe 50th line will continue as a shared Toys R Us/BigBadToyStore.com line in the Fall of 2015.  New product will be shown at the Hasbro booth this weekend. (PLEASE have Concept Case Gung-Ho!!!)
  • There will be a new SDCC 2015 G.I. Joe exclusive that will be sold at the SDCC with limited quantities to be available on HasbroToyShop.com later.

I’ve included scans below of both the cover and the intro page with the full introductions.  Now it’s time to pack the car and head back down to Springfield for Joe Con 2015 day 2!  (Really 1.5)  Expect some souvenir pictures up on JBL within the next 24 hours as well as new Joe Con 2015 pictures this evening!

con-comic-cover
con-comic-intro

[Show as slideshow]

Rank & File: More info from author James Kavanaugh!

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Rank & File cover

No sooner did we post the press release info for the forthcoming Rank & File guide to ARAH generation 3 Joes than “Noted Author” James Kavanaugh Jr reached out and provided some addition information on the all of the volumes in this new and exciting series:

Basic Information

The MSRP for The Rank & File Guide Volume 1 is $20.  Volume 1 will be first available at Joe Con in Springfield, IL and available to purchase online after the show at www.rahcguide.com.  Buyer will pay all additional shipping and handling costs.  If you have purchased the R.A.H.C. Guide, the process will be very similar.   This guide was self published and produced in quantities reflecting the R.A.H.C. Guide’s sales so do not hesitate in ordering if owning a guide is a priority. You can join the mailing list at: rahc.guide@gmail.com and like on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/RAHCGuide to get the latest updates between press releases.

 

In order to get content to the fans as quickly as possible, the decision was made to divide the series up into, as of this announcement, up to six volumes.  They working divisions are as follows:

 

Volume 1:  Introduction, 25th Anniversary, Resolute

Volume 2:  The Rise of Cobra, Pursuit of Cobra

Volume 3: Celebrating 30 Years of A Real American Hero / Renegades, Retaliation, Basic G.I. Joe Asst., 50 (should include 2015 figures and possibly beyond).

Volume 4:  Convention Exclusives, G.I. Joe Collector’s Club (up to at least 2015)

Volume 5:  Complete and organized Accessories section comprised of Volumes 1 through 4

*** Depending on sales and other factors*** Volume 6:  Complete Sealed Packages comprised of Volumes 1 through 4.

James was also good enough to share a custom image from the book with JBL that showcases the quality of the work contained within!  Check out this look at two of the admin’s favorite figures from the G.I. Joe Resolute line! Continue reading →

Mark Weber is new G.I. Joe Brand Manager

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Meet Mark Weber, the new brand manager for G.I. Joe.

Meet Mark Weber, the new brand manager for G.I. Joe.

It’s a new year and Mark Weber is the new brand manager of G.I. Joe!

The latest G.I. Joe Collector’s Club newsletter is hitting mailboxes now and inside is a short one-page interview with the newest G.I. Joe brand manager.  Eagle-eyed fans will recall the rumors in late 2013/early 2014 that the then-current Joe team at Hasbro had been reassigned to other projects, leaving the brand in a stage of limbo.  Speculation was rampant as to what the future would hold for the brand that helped put Hasbro on the map as a leader in boys toys since 1964.  Now, it seems that our favorite brand might be getting back on track.

Weber, head of the Transformers brand since February 2012, is no stranger to the toy industry with over seven years experience at Todd McFarlane Productions.  However, for the past nearly three years he’s overseen the development of Construct-bots and Transformers Generations.

The newsletter should be arriving any day now to Collector’s Club members but this quote was reprinted over at HISSTank.com which first broke the story:

“For the most part, our biggest plans will be centered around future entertainment – the kind of stuff I can’t talk about just yet. We are finalizing our 2015 plans and expect to deliver a lineup constructively similar to 2014 – with popular characters and vehicles, as well as a few NEW Surprises. If things go as planned, we will have an update to reveal at JoeCon in Springfield.”

“We want to have stronger, more consistent dialogue with the collectors and fans. We want collectors to have NEW vehicles and playsets to energize the brand to a new generation of kids and a fantastic new feature film that is faithful to the soul of the brand (action, fun, weapons, vehicles). Two things I want to prioritize right away – I want to enable and simplify army building for Collectors, and I want the file cards to be brilliant for our characters.”

New vehicles? New playsets?  Any form of playset?  More importantly – FILE CARDS that are BRILLIANT?!!  Sign me up!  This just made the Springfield G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention that much more interesting!

Here at JBL we’d like to extend Mark a warm welcome to the G.I. Joe community and hope that his tenure on the brand brings with it a new era of a revitalized Joe!

Steel Brigade Deltas Have Landed on Ebay

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steel brigade delta

The Steel Brigade Delta has apparently invaded Ebay!  (Or at least one particular seller’s listings.)

Over the past few days, Ebay seller fzwlcmfyr has listed over 50 auctions for the Steel Brigade Delta v1.  Originally included with the 2011 30th Anniversary VAMP Mk II, the Steel Brigade Delta proved to be a surprise hit with fans– to the point where the Collector’s Club released their own version as part of the 2014 Zombie Initiative convention set.  However, for troop builders the figure has proven to be a bit more challenging to acquire.

Until now.

The auctions on Ebay appear to be for complete figures– and include the figure’s helmet, rifle, and two combat knives as well as a figure stand. (Also included is the VAMP Mk II’s ammo belt and firing projectile.)  Most of these figures are currently listing under $11.00 which is a significant price drop from the prices they’ve been closing for in recent months.

So, if you wanted to stock up on this troop builder and still now blow your Holiday budget, now is your chance!

Check out the auctions while they’re still active and good luck!

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Arctic Threat Review

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g.i. joe 50th anniversary arctic threat

The G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Arctic Threat review is long overdue!

Of all of the two-packs released thus far, this one features a pairing of characters that makes the most sense.  Snow Job is the G.I. Joe team’s premiere cold weather specialist and the Cobra Battle Android Troopers are immune to the frozen temperatures of the Arctic regions.  One is a highly trained specialized and championship marksman while the other is a relentless killing machine.  In almost any context, this is a recipe for excitement!

Is this two pack worth a purchase?  Or, is it along the lines of the “Heated Battle” which is still lingering on the pegs in stores?

Check out Snow Job and the Arctic BAT as part of the Arctic Threat review!  It’s posted in the 50th Anniversary Review Index!

Also, you can now get your 50th Anniversary fix at the Zone Comic Shop!  Check out their website for your current G.I. Joe needs!

G.I.jOE Woos Jem in Honda Commercial

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g.i. joe jem honda

Even at 50, G.I.jOE still has a way with the ladies!

Honda’s current retro “Happy Honda Days” ad campaign has featured a number of classic toys having all manner of adventures in and around the latest Honda vehicles.  However, none of these spots have caught my eye as much as the ones featuring good old Adventure Team Commander G.I.jOE!  In this latest spot, Joe gets his “woo on” and serenades Jem in an effort to melt her icy heart.

Guess what– it works!

Also, Honda is apparently willing to donate $50,000 to the Orange County Children’s Hospital if the video is the “most viewed” from its Holiday Tunes playlist.  If you enjoyed it, consider giving it a share!

It’s good to see that someone is acknowledging the older figures in the G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary year.

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Social Clash Review

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g.i. Joe social clash review

 

The G.I. Joe Social Clash review has been posted!

Of all of the 50th Anniversary sets available this year, the Social Clash was one of the most anticipated by fans.  Featuring the mass market release of the “Concept Case” Lady Jaye as well as a re-release of the Baroness, this two-pack was part of the “second wave” of product hitting both Toys R Us and BigBadToyStore.

Were these two ladies worth the wait?  Or was it a case of the anticipation being greater than the realization?  Check out the Social Clash review over in the G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Reviews Return!

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G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary HEAT Viper

It’s been a bit but the G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary reviews continue with the first two two-packs in the line– the Heated Battle and the Night Marksmen!

I’ve been sitting on these for a while now– digesting what may be some of the last new 1:18 Joes from Hasbro for a while.  As with much of this 32nd Anniversary of A Real American Hero 50th Anniversary of G.I. Joe line, it’s a case of “what was old is new again.”  These two packs feature three characters who have seen prior releases and one that makes his debut in the generation 3 style of construction.

So, were Blowtorch, Low-Light, HEAT Viper, and Night Viper worth picking up?

Head on over to the G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Index and check out one Joe fan’s opinion!

SDCC 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks Review

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50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks

Last week the SDCC 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks sets went up on ToysRUs.com and this site admin was lucky enough to snag one!  It finally arrived last week and that means it’s time for a brand new review here at JBL!  Was this set, which features the VAMP Mk 2 and Flint in their original color schemes worth it?  Or, was it another case of “wash, rinse, repaint?”

Head on over to the brand new 50th Anniversary Review Index and check it out the review of the SDCC 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks to find out one Joe fan’s opinion!