Tag Archives: Hasbro

Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation Battle Kata Roadblock

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Retaliation Battle Kata Roadblock

G.I. Joe Retaliation reviews continue here at JBL!

He’s large and in charge and he just might be carrying the “people’s heavy machine gun!”  That’s right– I’m talking about an action figure based on Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s portrayal of Roadblock in G.I. Joe Retaliation!  In the second wave of figures Marvin S. Hinton is dubbed “Battle Kata Roadblock” based on his innovative modular weapon system.  He’s also sporting a full Arashikage tattoo on his forearm.  So, has Roadblock gone over to the “Ninja Side”?  Is this figure worth the $9.99 sticker price?

Check out  the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

11 days to G.I. Joe Retaliation – Snake Eyes and a bit of catching up.

Posted on by

Twitziller continues his countdown to G.I. Joe Retaliation with today’s reason to be excited for the film’s release – Snake Eyes.

day-11-snake-eyes

In some ways, the Marvel Comics series of G.I. Joe very much became the story of Snake Eyes.  Initially the silent member of the original 13, the black-clad commando found himself to be the subject of more and more of the series mythos until finally for a brief period the title was dubbed “G.I. Joe – Starring Snake Eyes & Ninja Force.”  That level of over-exposure, however, did nothing to hamper his appeal because Snake Eyes was written as a character with substance.  From his tragic background with the death of his family to his time in Japan to his horrific disfigurement Snake Eyes was the Joe who never gave up and never surrendered.  He fought on against endless odds when lesser men would have quit, sat down, and wallowed in a sense of self-pity.  For that very reason, Larry Hama took what could have been a gimmicked character and instead turned him into someone who could serve as an inspiration to anyone who has ever found themselves facing a seemingly impossible situation.

During the past few days, the countdown updates haven’t posted at JBL.  Without going into details, there was a bit of a medical emergency which kept me from updating the site as often as I would have liked.  So, to bring those folks who haven’t see the rest of the reason up to date they will be presented below without comment.  (Especially the “14 days” image which even Twitziller felt needed to explanation.

Reason #12 – London Attack

day-12-london-attack

 

Reason #13 – Costume Design

day-13-costume-design

 

Reason #14 – Cobra Commander

day-14-cobra-commander

 

You can view the entire countdown series below as March 28, 2013 draws closer and closer.

day-40-color
day-39-minitank
day-38-desert-ambush
day-37-flint
day-36-concept-design
day-35-hiss-tank
day-7-roadblock
day-5-motion
day-6-cobra-commander-battle-helmet
day-4-lady-jaye
day-34-zartan
day-33-on-the-run
day-32-cobra-helicopter
day-31-rappelling-assault
day-30-practical-effects
day-29-assault-vtol
day-3-lighting
day-2-battle-kata-gear
day-1-gi-joe
day-28-storm-shadow
[Show as slideshow]
1 2

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation Cyber Ninja!

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Retaliation Cyber Ninjas

Reviews are back!  This time JBL takes a look at the G.I. Joe Retaliation Cyber Ninja action figure from wave 2.5.  A fusion of modern technology and traditional techniques, this figure is a stealth warrior in a stealth suit that makes me wish we were still getting actual file cards with the figures!  He’s a mix of existing tooling that creates a brand new character for Cobra!

However, is this figure worth picking up?  Hit the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and check him out!

After last week’s unexpected set back reviews should continue now all the way up to the film’s release on March 28!

17 days until G.I. Joe Retaliation – Cobra fan boat

Posted on by

Twitziller continues the countdown to G.I. Joe Retaliation with a look at Cobra’s newest watercraft – the fan boat!

day-17-cobra-fan-boat

Ever since the first trailer debuted, this craft reminded me of the Cobra Water Moccasin.  The sleek fan-powered shallow water vessel first made it’s debut back in 1984 and has been a mainstay of the Cobra freshwater navy ever since.  Now, while it’s nice to see an homage to the original vessel in the film I think that the Cobra fan boat is more important for another reason: it is another example of how the G.I. Joe Retaliation design team has referenced the source material where possible.  Considering the Cobra Fangboat was released as movie tie-in toy and is essentially reuse of the 25th Anniversary Water Moccasin release, the fan boat could have been used in the movie at Hasbro’s insistence.  However, given how much control that Paramount Pictures’ production designers had over the look of G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra I like to think that this was included because the folks who were making the film wanted to go back to the source material.  They could have used any watercraft for the scenes with Cobra Commander and Storm Shadow but instead they went with something that is a direct reference to a classic G.I. Joe toy.  In my book, that’s pure win!

Check out the rest of Twitziller’s awesome countdown below and check back tomorrow for the latest installment!   March 28 is coming at us all like an express train!

day-40-color
day-39-minitank
day-38-desert-ambush
day-37-flint
day-36-concept-design
day-35-hiss-tank
day-7-roadblock
day-5-motion
day-6-cobra-commander-battle-helmet
day-4-lady-jaye
day-34-zartan
day-33-on-the-run
day-32-cobra-helicopter
day-31-rappelling-assault
day-30-practical-effects
day-29-assault-vtol
day-3-lighting
day-2-battle-kata-gear
day-1-gi-joe
day-28-storm-shadow
[Show as slideshow]
1 2

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation wave 1 Red Ninja

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Retaliation Red Ninja figure review

The G.I. Joe Retaliation reviews continue here at JBL with a figure that has had a long history in G.I. Joe comics.  Making their debut in the celebrated G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero vol 1 #21 by Marvel Comics, the red ninjas were originally believed to be a trio of apprentices to the Cobra ninja Storm Shadow.  However, after their quick and violent defeat at the hands of Snake Eyes, the Red Ninjas returned time and time again in an ever-expanding role in the comics.  At one point they were even in the service of the Cobra Saboteur Firefly!

For G.I. Joe Retaliation, the Red Ninjas appear to have gone back to their roots as warriors hidden away in a remote mountain castle.  Recent trailers have shown them accompanying Cobra Commander through ranks of Cobra Special Forces soldiers as part of an entourage.  Regardless of how they’re used, these familiar warriors will be hitting the big screen on March 28, 2013.  However, the real question to be asked is: “are these figures worth adding to my G.I. Joe collection?” After all, there was a release of the Red Ninjas back in the 25th anniversary collection, right?  Well, check out the review to find out this Joe fan’s opinion!

The Red Ninja review and many others can be found in the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index!

So- what’s the deal with G.I. Joe Retaliation Duke’s orange gun?

Posted on by

If you’ve already purchased and opened your G.I. Joe Retaliation Duke action figure, you’ve probably found that his accessory compliment is “less than stellar”.  The figure is equipped with a gun that I can only call the “Blast-o-Matic 6000” as well as an orange rifle that resembles Agent Coulson’s final weapon in the Marvel movie The Avengers.

However, there was something oddly familiar about it.  Over at MarvelousNews.com, Jay had posted PR pics of the variants from Hasbro’s Marvel Legends 2013 series 3 figures including the brand-spanking new Blade figure.  As I was looking at the image a certain weapon leaped off the screen and caught my attention.

G.I. Joe Retaliation Duke and Marvel Legends Blade Once you see it, you can’t “unsee” it.  It looks like Hasbro continues the tradition of sharing tooling and molds across brand lines.  After all, the G.I. Joe Renegades Storm Shadow mold is getting a reuse in a forthcoming Wolverine line. Plus, it makes poor Retaliation Duke just a bit cooler by association.

And now you know…

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation wave 1 Duke

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Retaliation Duke action figure review

The G.I. Joe Retaliation reviews continue here at JBL!  To start off this week, we’re going back to the debut wave of figures and examining one that many fans might overlook merely because of the actor chosen to portray the character.  That’s right– we’re taking a look at Duke as portrayed by Channing Tatum!  Featuring an ENORMOUS action-feature weapon, this figure originally hit shelves for a few weeks back in 2012 before the film’s release date was moved to March 28, 2013.

So, is an action figure of the “Magic Mike guy” worth adding to your G.I. Joe collection?  Well, check out the review to find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

He’s posted at the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index!

Plus, check back this week for more reviews as JBL continues to play “catch up” on the deluge of recent G.I. Joe Retaliation product!

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation Tread Ripper tank!

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Retaliation Tread Ripper tank

 

G.I. Joe Retaliation is hitting theatres in just over a month and, for the first time in a long time, new product is hitting store shelves!  With a recent restock at a local Kmart, I was able to snag not only the wave 2.5 figures but also a tiny armored vehicle that has a very real world inspiration.  That’s right– I’m talking about the Tread Ripper tank!  Based on the Howe & Howe Tech Ripsaw tank, the tiny Tasmanian Devil of an armored vehicle is one of the newest vehicles that fans can add to their G.I. Joe motor pool!  However, just because something is new doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth purchasing right?  Does that question apply to the Tread Ripper?

Check out the review at the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

JBL Review: Some of what is in the G.I. Joe Retaliation queue

Posted on by

With G.I. Joe Retaliation dropping in just over a month it is an exciting time to be a Joe fan!  Product is back in stores, the media blitz has begun and the anticipation in the air is almost tangible!

Here’s a teaser image of some of what is sitting in JBL’s review queue in terms of Retaliation items.  Some of these pieces have been out for a while and others are brand new.  There are even a few things that wouldn’t fit in the picture!

retaliation review queue

The point is that I’m really making a concerted effort to make JBL a viable and useful G.I. Joe site for fans once more.

Keep watching JBL for more reviews all week!  In the meantime, feel free to stop by the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index!

YO JOE!

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation Flint!

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Retaliation Flint action figure

Another day and another G.I. Joe Retaliation figure review!  This time I’ll be taking a look at a figure based on the cinematic debut of the G.I. Joe team’s premiere warrant officer– Flint!   Brought to life by actor D. J. Cotrona, Dashiell R. Fairborne will be hitting the big screen on March 29, 2012 and his action figure is hitting stores now.  It’s not 100% screen accurate to the trailers and yet the figure has its merits.  However, is it worth spending your hard-earned cash to add this figure to your collection?  Read the review to find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

Check out Flint in the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index!

(Yes, it is the end of the world– 3 reviews in the span of 7 days.  This can’t be JBL, right? Right?!)