G.I. Joe Convention Exclusive Reviews Coming Soon!

G.I. Joe convention exclusive reviews are coming!

Gi joe convention exclusive reviews

You’d never know it by looking at the front page but it’s actually been a busy few weeks here at JBL.  There’s been a lot of behind-the-scenes work as JBL migrated from our existing (and failing) server to a brand new virtual location.  Now it’s time to get back to work and that means add more new reviews to the site!

Chris and I’ve been frantically writing away these past few weeks and we’ve got a slew of new reviews coming.  We’ll be looking at both the G.I. Joe Convention 2015 “Peril in Paradise” (Tiger Force vs. Iron Grenadiers) and the 2016 “Operation Downfall” (Sky Patrol) sets.  In addition, thanks to a hassle-free sale at HasbroToyShop.com there’s also this year’s G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set to cover! (Hello new Scarlett figure that’s still available!)

The order of publication is still up in the air but it’s about time that we got back on track here at JBL.  No excuses… while this is a hobby site and not a full-time job, it’s about time that the admin got off his butt and got back to work.

Do you have a preference on the order?  Are you more excited about Powerglide than Tiger Force Big Brawler?  Does Flying Scorpion rate higher on your priority list than another Zartan release? Let JBL know in the comments below or over on the JBL Facebook page.

 

Update on G.I. Joe FSS & Joe Con 2015 Reviews

FSS Crimson Guard Immortal

Sigh… I hate this kind of post.  I really do.

Joe Con 2015 and G.I. Joe FSS reviews are coming.  Really.  I had photos shot for these reviews for weeks now and even have the web page built.  Joe Con 2015, Joe Con 2013, and the FSS reviews for Hit & Run, Alpine, Crimson Guard Immortal, Big Ben, and Frostbite are about 85% ready to go!

So, you might find yourself asking, what’s the holdup?

Between my current real-life job and some family obligations, I’ve just not had the time to sit down and really finish the writing.  Knock on wood I can sequester myself away this weekend for a bit and finalize my portion of the text.

However, I don’t want to leave folks hanging.  Below is a preview gallery of images from many of the G.I. Joe FSS and Joe Con 2015 reviews that will be hitting here soon.  Consider it a bit of a “mea culpa” for being so tardy.

 

Joe Con 2015: The convention wrap-up is posted!

Joe Con 2015

Sure, it’s been over a week since Joe Con 2015 ended and most of the news from the event has already washed over the fandom like a tsunami.  However, it’s become a bit of a tradition here at JBL HQ to post a summary of the event.  I’ve updated the Joe Con 2015 coverage page with links to previous posts and added in some new commentary as well.

Also, a big thanks to the crew at ToyWorldOrder.com for recording Dave Tree’s awesome UK Action Force panel which I’ve embedded in the coverage.

Also, keep your eyes and ears tuned to JBL as the 2015 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention set review is coming!  Pics are mostly done and now it’s on to the text!

Joe Con 2015: Club announces FSS 4 and renewal figure

G.I. Joe Collector's Club Figure Subscription Service logo

At Joe Con 2015 the final “big announcement” panel was the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club annual round table.  Brian Savage, David Lane, Pete Sinclair, and Lanny Lathem took to the stage to discuss this year’s convention set as well as to unveil both the line-up for FSS 4.0 as well as next year’s renewal figure.

The crew from the Club was upfront about one thing– last year they took a lot of flack over the images used in the panel which were intended to illustrate the choice of character but that were not necessarily representative of the figure’s final deco.  As such, this year images were minimal as many of these figures are VERY early in the production process.

Also, figures released in the FSS are often chosen because they will NOT be released in that deco in a future convention set.  The FSS is a way to allow these characters to get to collectors and fill in gaps in individual collections.

We’ll start with FSS 4.0: Continue reading

Joe Con 2015: Hasbro retail two-packs unveiled!

Wow– there’s a lot to report for Joe Con 2015!

The Hasbro panel was yesterday and Derryl DePriest and Mark Weber revealed a whole new slate of products that will be exclusive to both Toys R Us and BigBadToyStore.com.  The line is essentially a continuation of the 50th anniversary series and will be available on August 1, 2015. Eagle-eyed fans will recognize some of these figures from previous concept case displays.

Swamp Steam

  • Croc Master & Blowtorch
  • the two announced-but-not-released figures at last

Swamp Steam 2pk
Continue reading

Joe Con 2015: Hasbro three packs revealed!

The Hasbro panel was yesterday at Joe Con 2015 and Derryl DePriest and Mark Weber revealed a whole new slate of products that will be exclusive to both Toys R Us and BigBadToyStore.com.  The line is essentially a continuation of the 50th anniversary series and will be available on August 1, 2015.  As with previous offerings, it’s a mix of existing parts and pieces that have only been glimpsed in concept cases of previous shows.

Chase for the MASS Device

  • Cobra Commander, Cobra CLAWS Trooper, Duke
  • revisits figures from the elusive final 25th Anniversary DVD pack

Chase for the MASS Device 3pk

Continue reading

Joe Con 2015: Images of Hasbro Vehicle Packs

We have new product images from Hasbro fresh from Joe Con 2015!

First off, I’d like to apologize for the tardiness of this posting.  I’ve been commuting back and forth to Joe Con each day which means my internet access has been restricted to the times that I’m actually back at JBL HQ.  However, let’s get on to the good stuff.

The Hasbro panel was today and Derryl DePriest and Mark Weber revealed a whole new slate of products that will be exclusive to both Toys R Us and BigBadToyStore.com.  The line is essentially a continuation of the 50th anniversary series and will be available on August 1, 2015.   Here are the vehicle set breakdowns and the images, both official and in case shots, for the vehicle packs:

Desert Duel Vehicle Pack

  • Cobra Basilisk w/ Elite Horseman
  • FOE (Forward Observation Encampment) Striker w/ Chuckles
  • NEW Chuckles head based on Mike Costa comic appearances

Desert Duel
Continue reading

Joe Con 2015: Custom Contest Entries

joe con 2015 custom preview

One of the highlights of Joe Con 2015 (and pretty much any Joe Con) for this fan is the annual custom contest.  Just seeing the creativity and the sheer talent that the fan community displays each and every year is honestly one of the most inspiring aspects of this hobby.

I’m not a customizer myself but I have incredible respect for those who take brush and knife to one figure to produce something entirely new!

Here are JBL’s initial pics of this year’s custom contest entries from Joe Con 2015:

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

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: Day 1 – shots from the floor

Tiger Force Pickup

Joe Con 2015 Day 1 is officially history!

Just a quick update from a tired admin who is uploading photos now.  So far, Joe Con 2015 has proven to be a great time spent catching up with old friends and getting my annual immersion in Joe culture.  It was even a time to make some new friends and finally meet folks face-to-face that I’ve only been able to interact with online.

However, enough about me.  Below are pictures from the convention floor, day 1!  Shots of the real-life Thunder Machine, the Tiger Force pick-up truck, and costumes and dealers galore!

Don’t worry– there’s more images from Joe Con 2015 coming including shots of the dioramas and the custom contest entry!