Joe Con 2015: Tiger Force Recondo Revealed!

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Fred Meyer

The reveals for the Joe Con 2015 Tiger Force vs. Iron Grenadiers set continue as the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club reveals Tiger Force Recondo!

– 25th Anniversary Modern Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure
– 1st Tiger Force Release based on 1988 prototype**
– Removable Hat and Shoulder Harness with Pistol
– Includes Marksman Rifle, Mambele (Sickle Sword),
G.I. Joe Logo Stand, and Backpack

Tiger Force Recondo made his retail debut on Toys R Us store shelves in 1988. However, that’s not the version the Club chose to release, instead going with an obscure deco that appeared only in a 1988 catalog. To bring this design forward for Joe Con 2015, the folks at the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club appear to have used the body of the 25th Anniversary Recondo with the arms of the Retaliation Kwinn figure. It’s an interesting idea as hinged wrists have become a truly necessary part of the current style of construction and their absence in some recent figures has been very noticeable. Continue reading →

Joe Con 2015: Tiger Force vs. Iron Grenadiers theme!

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Fred Meyer

The brochure for Joe Con 2015 is live and with it comes this year’s 1:18 theme: “Springfield Island: Peril in Paradise.”
That’s right kids– it’s the Tiger Force vs. the Iron Grenadiers, who were last seen in 2012’s Operation Bear Trap set. Here’s the official description from the Club:

G.I. JOE intelligence reports that DESTRO has sent a regiment of his elite IRON GRENADIERS, led by GENERAL MAYHEM and executed a hostile takeover of a billionaire Montgomery Springfield, III’s tropical island in the South Pacific. The island’s private security force was no match for the blitzkrieg style attack by sea and air.

While the IRON GRENADIER leader’s exact plans are unknown, it is expected that this will become another primary location for them to stockpile munitions and test experimental M.A.R.S. technology. A G.I. JOE: TIGER FORCE unit, led by SGT. STALKER, is called in for this perilous mission to re-capture the island paradise and expel the IRON GRENADIERS at all costs. Getting onto the island will be extremely dangerous, but when the enemy sees the colors yellow and black, they will know that the TIGER FORCE team is hungry to fight and ready to attack!

The 2015 3 3/4-inch convention set contains highly requested teams and some new additions available for the first time in the modern era 25A action figure style.

This special edition set includes:

Tiger Force (six figures): Sgt. Stalker, Dial-Tone, Big Brawler, Wreckage, Recondo, Edwin “Lifeline” Steen.

Iron Grenadiers (nine figures): General Mayhem, Metal-Head, Undertow Officer, Iron Anvils x 3, Undertow x 3.

Okay… that’s totally not the direction that I would have predicted for this year’s set, aside from the Tiger Force inclusion. The Iron Grenadiers were featured heavily just three years ago so their return seems a bit soon. Ironically enough, this will also mark Dial-Tone’s THIRD release from the Club as he was both the renewal figure and part of Mission Brazil II in 2011. Also, another member of the 1982 “Original 13” makes an appearance as Stalker is given the convention treatment.

There’s also the matter of everyone’s favorite “Not Outback” – Big Brawler, who is named after a long-time Club staff member. However, to counter this, there’s also METAL-HEAD! BANG! BANG!!!

So far only Wreckage has been revealed so the Club has plenty of previews to tease in the coming weeks.

The entire brochure is up for your viewing pleasure at GIJoeCon.com!

What do you think of this roster? Sound off in the comments below!

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New G.I. Joe carded artwork poster available from 3DJoes.com!

Posted on September 23, 2013 by Fred Meyer

3DJoes.com 1982 – 1985 card art poster project.

Here at JBL, we’re suckers for good G.I. Joe artwork and the website 3DJoes.com. So, imagine the utter glee that was experienced by one admin in particular when the following announcement went up on 3DJoes regarding their recent carded artwork poster project!

Carded 3DJoes” posters are here!

The first “Carded 3DJoes” poster is here! It features every single carded figure from 1982-1985. That’s 49 unforgettable Joes and Cobras on one 24″x36″ poster!Paper details: All 3DJoes posters are printed on 65 lb. sterling premium gloss paper stock. According to my printer, 65 pound paper is the thickest you can use and still roll them without creasing or damaging. It wont easily crease, pinch, or wrinkle. These posters are definitely frame worthy, but the paper is thick enough that if you just want to tack them up, that will work too.

Printing details: We use a four color printing process (CMYK), not digital. Four color prints are much higher quality than digital laser prints. To see behind the scenes at the printer, check out my “3DJoes of the 80s” album on Facebook.

Cost: All 3DJoes posters are an even $20 a piece, plus an estimated $9 for shipping. Comic/Collectibles dealers: please contact me for bulk purchase discounts. Orders of 20 or more are half off!

Why: Proceeds will help pay the $80/month that I’m paying to Arqball for their pro subscription. More info on that here: Pricing » Arqball Spin Blog Fan response has been great and visitors enjoyed 47,000 spins last month, so hopefully I’ll sell plenty of posters!

Wow! 1982 – 1985 were considered by many to be the peak years of the original A Real American Hero toy line. These were the years that introduced fans to most of the line’s core characters from Snake Eyes to Cobra Commander to Firefly to Shipwreck to the Dreadnoks! 49 nine of your favorite characters stunningly reproduced on heavy card stock in a gorgeous 24 x 36 image? This promotion already had me at “poster” but the fact that this is also helping to offset site maintenance costs for 3DJoes.com just makes it a complete no-brainer!Seriously– we’re moving into third quarter now and that means holiday shopping has begun. (Or, at least, you might want to think about getting started.) What better gift for the Joe fan in your life than one of these posters hanging proudly on the wall of their office/den/Joe room!

Check out the “Carded Joes 82 – 85” page over at 3DJoes.com for ordering information!

: 3DJoes.com unveils second poster project.

: 3DJoes.com 1982 – 1985 card art poster project.

Alexx Shorts: Recondo Won’t Look You In The Eye!

Posted on November 20, 2010 by Alexx

Is it because he can’t or because he won’t? Find out in this thrilling, bear-trap filled review!

Press images of Pursuit of Cobra wave 2 figures!

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Fred Meyer

The good folks at Hasbro have sent over some press images of the next wave of the Pursuit of Cobra, due in stores October 2010. Among the latest additions to the line are the Arctic Destro, Jungle Viper, and Recondo figures first glimpsed at the 2009 G.I. Joe collector’s convention.

I’ve been hanging back on G.I. Joe for the past few years. Sure, I bought a great deal of the Rise of Cobra figures but the same-ness of the design from character to character just didn’t win me over. So far I have to admit that I’ve been impressed by what I’ve seen released for Pursuit of Cobra. Sure, there are still movie tie-in design elements found throughout, but many of these figures are just well thought out. Personally, that Recondo figure has me very intrigued. Yes, yes it does and even though I think the hi-tech gillie suit of the Jungle Viper will most likely limit his poseability, the overall aesthetic is very very sharp.

Check out the images in the gallery below.