JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation Cobra Commander

G.I. Joe Retaliation Cobra Commander

 

I won’t mince words– G.I. Joe Retaliation looks to be an improvement on its cinematic predecessor in just about every way imaginable.  One of the most immediate examples of this would be found in the design of Cobra Commander.  No longer does the leader of the armies of the serpent look like a bad example of cosplay at a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles convention.  The Commander has been given a bold new look that long-time Joe fans will find surprisingly familiar.  However, is this new figure worth picking up when there are 50 other version of him already on the market?

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

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation Ninja Duel Snake Eyes

ndsnakeeyesglory2

 

The G.I. Joe Retaliation reviews continue as we’re now 9 days away from the film’s debut on March 28, 2013!

There’s no shortage of Snake Eyes action figures in the G.I. Joe figure line so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the team’s ninja commando has already had three figures released for the movie.  However, only one of those figures is screen accurate– the Ninja Duel Snake Eyes from wave 2.  Featuring an entirely new sculpt and increased articulation, this figure brings our favorite silent warrior’s updated look to your action figure shelf.  Does this figure justify the purchase of yet “another” Snake Eyes or can you pass and save yourself some extra cash?

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

Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation Battle Kata Roadblock

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!

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

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!

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

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!

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

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!

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

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!

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?!)

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation wave 1 Storm Shadow

G.I. Joe Retaliation Storm Shadow

I’m playing catch-up on my reviews of G.I. Joe Retaliation! (And Rise of Cobra, and 25th Anniversary, and every other line that dropped during my nearly 4 year hiatus…)  I was planning on jumping ahead and hitting the newer waves first but some figures are just so interesting that you can’t put them off for too long.  Such is the case with the wave 1 Storm Shadow figure.  I’ve had him sitting around since the figures dropped in 2012 but only recently sat down and spent some time really looking at the new design for Thomas Arashikage.

Do fans really NEED another Storm Shadow figure in their collections after having been inundated with them over the past few years?  Hit the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and check out this Joe fan’s opinion.

More reviews are coming– soon!