Designer Bobby Vala interviewed at Hasbro Pulse

Hasbro Pulse has a brand new article posted – an interview with designer Bobby Vala.  The subject?  The Cobra Missile Command Headquarters!

Cobra Missile Command Headquarters mockupI’m not going to lie– I LOVE the Cobra Missile Command Headquarters.  First, I ranted about it here on JBL. In addition, I raved about it over on Just Another G.I. Joe Show.  It’s been a “Holy Grail” item for me for years and this year’s convention exclusive release was essentially a dream come true.  (Save for its limited availability- but that’s a story for another time.) Yet, I found myself wondering “Why this playset?  Why now?”

In a rare opportunity, this admin was able to sit down and discuss this iconic playset and the process of its reconstruction with Hasbro designer Bobby Vala.  He discusses the process of recreating this iconic piece of A Real American Hero history as well as the process of updating the included figures to modern specs.  Bobby’s passion for this project shines through in every answer. As a result, it’s obvious that this was truly a labor of love!

Check it out over on Hasbro Pulse!  Plus, if you’d like to see more features like this, let us know in the comments below!

Cobra Missile Command Headquarters box front

Reminder: SDCC 2017 exclusive items to hit HasbroToyShop.com Monday

On Monday, August 14, 2017 MOST of the Hasbro SDCC exclusive items will hit HasbroToyShop.com!

broken f5 button

“And there came a day unlike any other…”

No, we’re not talking about the first ever team-up of Marvel’s Avengers! Monday is going to be Summer Exclusives Day at HasbroToyShop.com.  That’s right– it’s that “magical time” (Read: FRUSTRATING) day in which fans from across the world will all be hitting HasbroToyShop.com and using their F5 keys to refresh their browsers in order to get the items they want.

Have no fear, Joe fans!  While we don’t know WHEN everything is going to drop– we do now WHAT the URL’s of the exclusive items will be.  To save yourself some time and some hasty item searches, here are all of the items and the pricepoints on each that will be dropping on Monday:

You can also see the FULL ITEM LIST if you’re looking for more than one item.

NOTE: Each item appears to be limited to 2 per household. (Save for the Magic set and Optimus Prime which is 1 per household.)

Good luck to everyone who is hitting the site tomorrow.  May you all get everything that you’re after!

SDCC G.I. Joe exclusives available 8/14 at HasbroToyShop

Cobra Missile Command Headquarters box front

SDCC 2017 is in full swing and G.Hasbro’s annual G.I. Joe exclusives are very much on everyone’s mind!  However, it would seem that those of us who are stuck at home know just when the sought-after comic con items will be dropping on HasbroToyShop.com.

Yesterday, two product listings were quietly added to the website.

Included in each product description was the note “available 8/14”.  Apparently that day, the second Monday in August, will be when fans from around the globe will be hitting the site, frantically hitting F5 to refresh their screens in the hopes of completing their transactions before the items sell out. While the exclusives of the past few years have been pretty easy to obtain, there’s something about this year’s two G.I. Joe-related SDCC items that feels very different.

Hasbro IDW Revolution Comic Crossover Mega-Set

I’m not going to lie– I’m giddy over the prospect of BOTH of these sets, for very different reasons.  Nostalgia plays a heavy hand in my love for both sets but I’d be hard-pressed right now to choose one over the other if I had to prioritize dropping one in my cart first.  One one had there’s the AMAZING recreation/update to the Cobra Missile Command Headquarters but on the other hand there’s the IDW Hasbro Comic Crossover Mega-Set that includes Renegades Roadblock, ROM the Space Knight, and the Micronauts.  Decisions, decisions.

Regardless, August 14th is the day to put on your calendars kids!

And now you know…

Hasbro’s IDW Revolution Comic Crossover Mega-Set:

Cobra Missile Command Headquarters:

 

SDCC 2017 exclusive: Cobra Missile Command Base

This year’s SDCC exclusive G.I. Joe item has leaked a bit early, thanks to the folks at io9.com!

sdcc 2017 cobra missile command

Sweet Colton’s Ghost!  It’s the Cobra Missile Command playset!!!

This bad boy is one of the rarest of the rare– a cardboard playset that was released exclusive to Sears back in 1982 when there was virtually no other product available.  It came with Cobra Commander, a Cobra Officer, and a Cobra Trooper along with a diorama that seemed inspired by Ken Adam’s designs from the James Bond franchise.

It was gorgeous.  It was also fragile as all get out, due to being cardboard.

Here’s the details direct from Hasbro:

G.I. Joe Cobra Missile Command Headquarters

(Ages 5 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $49.99/Available at Booth #3329 at Comic-Con International in San Diego)

Cobraaaa! One of the rarest of all G.I. Joe playsets is back! The G.I. Joe Cobra Missile Command Headquarters, this convention exclusive is a faithful reproduction of the original and iconic Cobra Missile Command Headquarters Set from 1982. It recreates the classic design of the original in exacting detail with a weathered finished, following the original die-lines with all new re-created graphics. Assemble the highly detailed, sturdy graphic board components to build a headquarters that includes missile base, missile support systems, cruise missile, control panel, movable elevator, work platform, and seats. The set also comes with reproductions of the three figures that came with the original set – Cobra Commander (with a logo that is an homage to the original, first version Cobra Commander logo), Cobra Officer, and Cobra Trooper. Set includes file cards for the figures, as well as a file card holder for the cards. The G.I. Joe Cobra Missile Command Headquarters will be for sale during San Diego Comic-Con 2017. Following the convention, a limited number will be available on HasbroToyShop.com .

Yes! Yes!  YES!!!  A “Mickey Mouse” variation based on the Retaliation Ultimate Cobra Commander and an update to the killer 30th Cobra Trooper?  For $50.00?!!

Consider this Joe fan SOLD!  I never had a Cobra Missile Command Headquarters as a kid and now I can.  Now we just have to receive confirmation if this is also the Hascon 2017 exclusive as well.

Yo freaking Joe!!!

 

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.

 

Today is SDCC exclusive day at HasbroToyShop!

Today is the day that the SDCC exclusive items will be listed at HasbroToyShop!

SDCC 2016 Hasbro exclusives

That’s right– today’s the day in which toy collector’s across the globe hit HasbroToyShop.com, constantly refreshing their connections in the hopes that the links will become active.  It’s the day when F5 keys everywhere cry out in anguish…

Or maybe not!

Here’s a list of some of the most relevant items on today’s list:

NOTE: Product is LIVE NOW!

2016 SDCC exclusive Hasbro items:

Here’s a link to the full list of SDCC exclusive Hasbro items at HasbroToyShop.

So, good luck today in obtaining the SDCC exclusive items you’re after!  In previous years, they’ve gone live around 11:00am CST on HasbroToyShop.com but that’s just pure speculation.

SDCC 2016 Hasbro exclusives to hit HTS on August 9, 2016

SDCC 2016 is fleeting memory but the hunt for the Hasbro exclusives is only just beginning for many fans.  According to the updated FAQ at HasbroToyShop.com, the remaining inventory of SDCC 2016 Hasbro exclusives will be available online on August 9, 2016.

SDCC 2016 Hasbro exclusives

As stated in this morning’s FAQ update, all exclusives will be available under the “Exclusives” category starting on August 9, 2016.  In addition, the per-person limits that were enforced at SDCC 2016 will apply to all online transactions as well.

sdcc 2016 hasbro exclusives FAQ

So there you have it.  Depending upon the availability and the timing, a great many fans of Hasbro properties will be frantically hitting the F5 key that day in order to try and snag the latest 2016 exclusives.  (This particular fan is eyeing both the G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set as well as the Marvel Legends Collector’s Vault set.  Man, I NEED more Howard the Duck in my life! Plus, MICRONAUTS!)

It’s a pretty full-slate this year with Hasbro showcasing more of their lines (and upcoming properties) than this fan can recall the Pawtucket toymaker doing in previous years.

Here’s the full list of SDCC 2016 Hasbro exclusives: Continue reading

Toys R Us SDCC G.I. Joe exclusives from the Loyal Subjects

Toys R Us has revealed their SDCC exclusives including two new G.I. Joe Loyal Subjects vinyl figures!

Yesterday, ToyNewsI.com broke the news of the highly-anticipated Toys R Us SDCC exclusive list.  Many of the usual suspects were represented– Transformers, My Little Pony, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, etc.  However, in spite of the fact that this is a “quiet year” for G.I. Joe, one item on the list caught my attention:

G.I. JOE TIGER FORCE WRECKAGE AND BEACH HEAD 2-Pack from The Loyal Subjects

That’s right– Toys R Us will be offering a SDCC exclusive G.I. Joe Loyal Subjects vinyl two-pack featuring Tiger Force Wreckage and Beach Head.

SDCC Toys R Us Loyal Subjects G.I. Joe exclusives

Featuring the likeness of WRECKAGE and BEACH HEAD from G.I. JOE’S TIGER FORCE™ unit, these 3.2-inch tall vinyl figures feature 14 points of articulation, several accessories to help bring the action of this special subteam to life and come complete in a window box for display. Available only at the Comic Convention and online at Toysrus.com/ComicConvention.

Interesting… I’ll give props to both Toys R Us and the Loyal Subjects for their selection of some out-of-the-normal decos for these characters.  I’m especially excited to see a new spin on the Joe Con 2004 Tiger Force Beach Head who, in spite of his garish color scheme, manages to look AWESOME!  This figures will be available online at ToysRUs.com from July 21 – July 24 in limited quantities.

Continue reading

SDCC 2016: Micronauts return in exclusive set!

As we get closer to the full launch of the Hasbro Cinematic Universe, we’re hearing more and more mentions of the properties involved.  Case in point: the Micronauts are returning to SDCC 2016!

SDCC 2016 MICRONAUTS CLASSIC COLLECTION Set

As first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, this year’s Hasbro San Diego Comic Con exclusives will include a special reissue set consisting of three classic figures from the original 1976 – 1980 toyline that was released in the US by Mego.  The original Micronauts line itself was based on the Takara Microman line that was sold in Japan beginning in 1974.

The Micronauts set will be available at the Hasbro booth at SDCC 2016 from July 21 – 24 and with limited stock available after the show at HasbroToyShop.com.  They’ll also be making an appearance at Fan Expo Canada from Sept. 1-4 at the Metro Toronto Convention Center.

The SDCC 2016 Micronauts set includes modern reissues of three original line characters including:

While I would never considered myself a life-long Micronauts fan I’m just old enough to have had a few figures from the line as a kid– including Pharoid.  Granted, I was probably too young to truly appreciate him (which explains why he’s missing ALL of his accessories now) but seeing him included in the set tugs on the nostaligic heartstrings in such a way that I’m going to do my darndest to try and acquire one of these SDCC 2016 Micronauts sets when they drop on HTS post-show.  I still have enough vague memories of the old Micronauts commercials from TV to get excited about their inclusion in the Hasbro Cinematic Universe!

Joe Con 2016: Closer look at the SDCC G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set

JBL’s Armchair Coverage of Joe Con 2016 continues!

Friday typically isn’t a “big reveal” day at the annual Joe Con and this year was no exception.  Hasbro’s big panel doesn’t occur until 11:00am MST on Saturday and the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Roundtable event isn’t until 4:00pm MST as well.  However that doesn’t mean that there wasn’t anything major to see today.

The good folks from Hasbro put a few pieces in the display case today from this year’s forthcoming SDCC exclusive G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set!  It’s the first time that fans got an in person look at the upcoming releases of Powerglide as a Cobra Rattler and Soundwave as a Cobra HISS tank.  It was also the first opportunity for Joe fans to see convention exclusive Scarlett and Zartan figures.

I’ll admit– the items do look a bit better in these images than from the first batch of leaked images from ACToys.net.  Still, for $99 the set seems like it’s missing something especially after the 2013 set included a Skystriker, a VAMP, and three figures plus the exclusive Ravage figure.

There are some additional pictures posted over at HISSTank.com as well.  At this point I think it’s safe to say that part of Hasbro’s reveals for the Toys R Us exclusive line tomorrow will include a Cobra Rattler, a plane that hasn’t been released since the Target exclusive 25th Anniversary release.

Stay tuned to JBL for more coverage of Joe Con 2016 in Loveland, CO!

Joe con 2016 armchair coverage featured