G.I. Joe Con 2013: No registration this week. Maybe next week.

G.I. Joe Collector's Convention 2013

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club sent the following email out to its membership.  Apparently registration is a “maybe” for next week.

Hello all,

Well, we have had an unforseen issue that is being resolved.  No registration this week.  Maybe next week, I just don’t know.

I  am just as frustrated with this as you are, so, I will no longer cry wolf.  There are 3 programmers working on this intermittent
error and we do not have a timeframe.  I’ll just tell you the earliest it could happen is Monday but, that is not a promise.

Thanks for your patience,

Brian

Yeah… so, let’s just all look at pics of the Nocturnal Fire con set and hope for better news next week.

G.I. Joe Con 2013: Registration goes live February 1st!

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club sent out the following email last night to let members know that registration for the 2013 convention should go live TODAY!

Hello all,

Barring any unforseen issues we will start registration on Friday, February 1.

If you can’t log in, check your log in at gijoeclub.com/shop.  If you have expired, you will not
be able to receive member pricing.

If you are registering with another member, you will need their log in and password to receive
member pricing.

If you complete your order with non-member pricing, we CANNOT adjust your pricing.   Please
understand what you are ordering and confirm the pricing before you check out.

Please take a look at the souvenir T-shirts, Hat and Beanie that you can add to your order at the end.
You will find pictures under the exclusives tab.  The Night Force shirt and both hats glow in the dark.

If you have not read the brochure, please do so before you register as you have 8 minutes to complete
your registration before the system puts your items back into stock.   You cannot hold them in your
cart longer than that amount of time, however you can start over.

Sets are limited and we cut the 12″ sets down by 1/3rd so they are really limited this year.

We do reserve the right to limit any member’s quantities if we deem them excessive.

Attending and Non-attending can both register Friday.

I’ll send out an email when the link is live.

Thanks for your patience, see you in Indy!

Brian

In a rare first, both attending and non-attending members can register at the same time!  Normally non-attending registration must wait until attending applicants have gone first, typically dealing with a limited stock of convention sets remaining.  Perhaps, after last year’s debacle with the near instantaneous sell-out of the Oktober Guard the Club has seen fit to increase production numbers to more reasonable levels, ensuring that more of their membership can enjoy the year’s convention set.

Also released were images of the 2013 convention t-shirts including an AWESOME GLOW-IN-THE-DARK Night Force t-shirt and hat!!!

For more registration info, keep your eyes and browsers peeled at GIJoeCon.com!

G.I. Joe Con 2013: The first group shot of Nocturnal Fire is up!

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club released the first “composite image” of the 2013 1:18 scale Convention set Nocturnal Fire today!


(click to make larger)

Sure, we’ve seen the previews over the past week but there’s something about seeing all of the figures together in one shot that shows how everything comes together.  The Joes look good together while the Cobra forces are a bit less cohesive.  (You can’t blame Letal for this one– Crimson Asp and the SAW Vipers aren’t helping.)  Still, Cobra Mortal manages to look above it all in his spotless white uniform.  It’s a diverse group of figures pulling from a variety of sources of inspiration– and it’ll set Club members back a cool $360.00 to bring it home!

For registration information, keep your eyes peeled to both JBL and GIJoeCon.com!

G.I. Joe Con 2013: Bill Ratner joins the guest list!

Bill Ratner

If you’re a fan of the Sunbow G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero series you’ll want to be at this year’s G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention!  Just added to the guest list is Bill Ratner- better know as the voice of Flint, the team’s premiere warrant officer!  Ratner will be joining Mary McDonald-Lewis (Lady Jaye) for what is sure to make for some exciting panels and fan interaction!  I mean– who didn’t like Flint?  (Plus, some of us remember Mr. Ratner from the Variety Arts Radio Network productions of The Adventures of Doc Savage!)

Check out the official announcement from the Club below:

01/28/2013 – We are thrilled to announce an additional guest to the GIJoeCon line-up. On hand for the entire weekend will be Bill Ratner, voice of Flint from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Heroanimated series!

Check out our special guest showcase and read their project bio’s…Click here! All will be scheduled for discussion panels and autograph sessions over the convention weekend.

Mr. Ratner was a guest on the popular What’s On Joe Mind podcast– featured in Episode #70!

For more information, visit GIJoeCon.com!

The Breaux Show: New live weekly radio show

The Breaux Show goes live with a weekly "radio" show!

There are a metric ton of good toy-related podcasts and “geek shows” out there and now you can add one more to the list: The Breaux Show Live Radio Show!

Each Sunday evening at 9:30pm EST, video toy review and web series host Michael Breaux takes to the virtual airwaves via Google Hangout to broadcast a live 30 minute show that runs down the week’s “geek news” and current events.  This week topics ranged from the 2013 Super Bowl to the recently-revealed 2013 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention set: Nocturnal Fire!  He even featured a “hack site admin” from a “familiar Joe site” who discussed his thoughts on this year’s surprising set reveals.

In all seriousness, I’ve know the host for many years now and always find his video shows entertaining.  He’s got a lot of enthusiasm for  action figures and toys in general and it shows!

You can watch the YouTube version of the episode below and check out the rest of his work over at TheBreauxShow.com!

G.I. Joe Con 2013: Charbroil is HOT!!!

Last night, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club updated the 2013 Joe Con page with the latest preview image from this year’s Night Force set.  Charbroil has been revealed!

NIGHT FORCE: FLAMETHROWER – CHARBROIL

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure
– Based on TRU Exclusive Action Figure from 1989
– NEW Re-tooled Classic Helmet that is Removable
– NEW Re-tooled Flamethrower Tanks Backpack
– Includes G.I. Joe Logo Stand, Flamethrower,
Backpack with Connection Hose, Flame Burst
attachment, and Pistol

Okay, let me just say this now: WOW!  I’ve never been a huge Charbroil fan and when the Club announced that he was part of the set I just assumed that this would be a repaint of the Toys R Us exclusive version that debuted in the Rise of Cobra line a few years ago.  I couldn’t have been more wrong– as this figure uses the body of the brand spanking new Retaliation G.I. Joe  Trooper!  That means that this figure is going to have some pretty fantastic poseability!  Even better– he’ll be sporting a brand new removable helmet!

Okay Collector’s Club– you’ve made this set incredibly hard to resist and we’re only four figures in!   I can’t wait to see what the next reveal has in store for us!

G.I. Joe Con 2013: First three figures from Nocturnal Fire previewed!

With registration for the 2013  G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention imminent, the folks at the GIJCC have posted previews of the first three figures from this year’s Night Force set!  First up are Cobra Mortal, Cobra Letal, and Cobra Frag-Vipers!

WARLORD: COBRA MORTAL

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure
– Based on “White” Variant Action Figure from Venezuela
– Includes Cobra Logo Stand, Crossbow, Knife,
Sword, Sub-Machine Gun, and Satchel

COBRA GRENADIERS: FRAG-VIPERS

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure
– Troop Builder THREE Action Figures in Box Set
– NEW Head Based on Action Figure from 1989
– Includes Cobra Logo Stand, Grenade Thrower,
Backpack with Connection Hose, Grenades,
Sub-Machine Gun, Pistol, and Knife

FRAG-VIPER COMMANDER: COBRA LETAL

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure
– Based on Variant “Green” Action Figure from Brazil
– NEW Head Shared with the Frag-Viper Troopers
– Includes Cobra Logo Stand, Bazooka Launcher,
Backpack with Removable Shells, Pistol, Knife,
and Sub-Machine Gun

So far, I’m liking what I’m seeing.  Some nice use of new tooling for the accessories of the Frag-Vipers and for the head gear on both them and Letal as well as a solid reuse of existing parts for the rest of the figures.  Cobra Mortal looks decidedly evil and you’ll never lose Letal in the dark with that day-glo speed skating suit of his!  Typically with these previews, the Club starts with the least-anticipated figures and works their way up to the ones that will make fans cry with joy– so I can anticipate some Night Force figures being revealed in the coming days.    I must say that I’m more excited about these troop builders than I was the Iron Grenadiers from last year so with only three figures in the GIJCC has my FULL attention.

Check out the pics mirrored below and visit GIJoeCon.com for more information.

G.I. Joe Con 2013 brochure is ONLINE!

G.I. Joe Collector's Convention 2013

The 2013 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention is happening in just over two months in Indianapolis!  So far, all that had been revealed about the 1:18 offerings for the con was some Night Force themed artwork hinting that “G.I. Joe was giving Cobra a reason to be afraid of the dark.

All of that changed this weekend (technically Friday afternoon) when the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club unveiled the 2013 convention brochure!  Along the requisite price increase (now $360.00 for this year’s set), some interesting details were revealed in this paragraph:

Nocturnal Fire

G.I. JOE: Night Force is a covert unit specializing in nighttime surveillance and defensive operations. Each team member has been selected for their enhanced skills, sophisticated hardware and advanced technology to surprise and vanquish any enemy!

This fan favorite and highly requested team contains several of the classic Night Force members and some new additions
available for the first time in the modern era 25A style. Our special edition Nocturnal Fire squad includes: Charbroil, Hit & Run, Muskrat, Psyche-Out, Repeater and Spearhead with Max (NEW Bobcat).

The Cobra Demolitions Team is ready to take on any obstacle that gets in their path of destruction. Led by the mysterious Cobra Mortal, he employs Cobra Letal and the deadly saboteur Crimson Asp (NEW female character). Their specialized troopers include: Cobra Frag-Vipers x 3, Cobra S.A.W.-Vipers x 3.

Each of these great teams comes with their classic weapons, accessories, figure stands and file cards in this exciting fifteen figure boxed set.

So, classic Night Force members Charbroil, Muskrat, Psyche-Out, Repeater, and Spearhead & Max are seeing release in the 25A construction with Hit & Run joining the team.  That leaves Lightfoot, Crazylegs, and Sneak Peek as the only classic members to not have an update.  Could there be an attendee 3 pack in the works?

Plus, on the Cobra side, Cobra Mortal sees his second release from the Club and his first new construction figure, the Frag-Vipers receive a new paint scheme both as troopers and as Letal, and a new female figure is introduced into the mix.  Plus, the first Generation 3 release of a SAW-Viper!  Could a Night Boomer from the new mold Skystriker be far behind?

I have to admit that I’m LOVING this set concept.  First off, I NEVER thought that Psyche-Out would ever see a Generation 3 update!  Plus, Muskrat has long been one of those characters that I’ve wanted to see more of.  For Charbroil, we have only to look at the Toys R Us exclusive Rise of Cobra version for inspiration but a brand-new Repeater in his Night Force colors is pure AWESOME! Seriously, the heavy gunner’s design has always appealed to me and I found the TRU exclusive version from a few years ago to be lacking.  Plus, a NEW Cobra female!  Seriously– that is what I love to see in the line– NEW CHARACTERS!  Yeah, this is one of those sets that I’ll have to pony up the cash for– even if it is more than my monthly car payments.

For more information, check out GIJoecon.com!

 

G.I. Joe Con 2013: Indianapolis Indiana!!

Sometimes an image speaks for itself– the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has announced the location of the 2013 Collector’s Convention.  (Some of us are happy that it is only a 4 hour drive!)

G.I. Joe Collector's Convention 2013

The Club has posted the official 2013 Joe Con page with a link for reservations.  Go now!!  It’s just one week after the much delayed premiere of G.I. Joe Retaliation!  Plus it looks like we’re dealing with a Night Force theme.  Could a repaint of the 30th Crazylegs be in the works?

Here’s the official press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

G.I.JoeCon 2013 Coming to Indianapolis, Indiana April 4th – April 7th!

Fort Worth, TX – December 4th, 2012 – Fun Publications, Inc., licensee for Hasbro’s official G.I.Joe Collectors’ Convention, G.I.JoeCon, announced today that next year’s convention will take place at the JW Marriott from April 4th thru April 7th in the great city of Indianapolis. You can make your hotel reservations now at GIJoeCon.com.

In the coming weeks, Pop Culture enthusiasts from around the world will be able to register for G.I.JoeCon 2013 through the GIJoeCon.com online registration system. Fans and Collectors’ who register for G.I.JoeCon as a General OR American Hero package holder will receive either the 12-inch Secret Mission to Dragon Island or 3 3/4-inch Nocturnal Fire convention set, admission to the Friday private sales room experience, priority seating at all panels and seminars throughout the weekend and admittance to the Saturday Night Casino Night Dinner event.  Finally, General and American Hero package attendees will also receive a special bonus to go along with their convention box set. General Admission for non-registered guests will be available on Saturday and Sunday only.

For more information on G.I.JoeCon and all activities and the exclusive figure offerings, please visit GIJoeCon.com.
About Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company’s world class brand portfolio.  From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its customers through the strategic leveraging of well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY.  The Hub, Hasbro’s multi-platform joint venture with Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) launched on October 10, 2010. The online home of The Hub is www.hubworld.com. The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.

About Fun Publications, Inc.
For nearly 20 years, Fun Publications, Inc. has been a Hasbro licensee offering fans and collectors of pop culture memorabilia news, exclusive product and family events through different print offerings, websites, collector clubs and brand specific conventions such as GIJoeCon and BotCon.  Located in Fort Worth Texas, Fun Publications reaches a large audience, serving the United States and many other countries such as Japan, Great Britain, Brazil, Australia and Canada. For more information visit TransformersClub.comGIJoeClub.comGIJoeCon.com, and BotCon.com.  BotCon is a registered trademark of Fun Publications, Inc. (C) 2012 Fun Publications, Inc.  All rights reserved.

 

G.I.Joe Con 2012: Operation Bear Trap sees second production run

The 2012 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention sets featuring the Oktober Guard sold out in near record time.  Those who were hoping to snag a non-attending Homefront Heroes set had to either be incredibly lucky to have been online when they were listed or have ties in the Springfield underground.  Realizing that this rapid of a sellout leads to an unhappy membership, the GIJCC raised the possibility of a second production run but made no guarantees.  Well, that run has now come to fruition.  This email went out to all Collector’s Club members late yesterday:

“Attention Comrades!

The official G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club is proud to announce a special limited edition second-run of the “sold out” and extremely popular 2012 Operation: Bear Trap! convention set.

This exclusive Oktober Guard vs. Iron Grenadiers set includes fifteen modern era 3 3/4-inch action figures with weapons and accessories. You will get the classic Oktober Guard characters such as Colonel Brekhov, Daina, Schrage, Stormavik and Horror Show. Plus, for the first time ever… the Oktober Guard General: Iron Bear. The Iron Grenadiers have unique troop builders that include: Iron Grenadier Elite Troopers x4, Iron Grenadier Elite Guards x2, Iron Grenadier Heavy Weapon Specialists x2 and also for the first time ever… the Iron Grenadier General: Voltar!

Don’t miss this limited edition second-run of these fantastic Oktober Guard vs. Iron Grenadiers action figures. You must be an official G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club member to order. Visit the Club Store to pre-order before the Nov. 30th, 2012 deadline! (Product will be shipping in the spring of 2013, exact date TBD).   Cost is $360 per set (plus shipping).  Only boxed sets will be produced and the production run will only be what is pre-ordered.   Don’t miss this final opportunity to own this highly sought after set! Check it out at GIJoeClub.com/shop.

For pictures of the individual figures from GIJoeCon.com click here!”

I don’t know what this bodes for the future but for those of you who missed this set, now is the time to try and snag a fantastic update on the Oktober Guard.  Once this particular site admin gets finished moving and unpacks, the review of those figures might FINALLY be posted.

Here are a few shots of this awesome set from the Collector’s Club.