G.I. Joe Collector’s Club releases Final Twelve figure images

All good things must come to an end.  Or, as is the case with the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club, all licenses must come to a conclusion.  Either way, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has released the last image of their “Final 12” roster of figures which will be going up for pre-order shortly. 

Since JBL has apparently been slacking off lately with individual reveals, here’s a look at each of the “two-packs” as well as some thoughts on the roster as a whole. 

The Final 12 – composite courtesy of the Surveillance Port

Just a quick note: it was announced at the last Joe Con that these figures would be sold in pairs.  If you want one– you have to get its pack-mate as well.  Without further adieu, let’s start the breakdowns…

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GIJoeCon 2018: Boxed set and souvenir first look videos

GIJoeCon 2018 has come and gone and I’m still playing catch-up posting the convention coverage.  The JBL staff (IE Fred) drove to the con this year and apparently making the solo 8.5 hour drive back in 9.5 hours wasn’t the best idea in the world.  Maybe it’s true what Indiana Jones said:

It’s not the years… it’s the mileage…

Regardless, I managed to post a few LIVE videos over on JBL’s Facebook page with a quick look at the various souvenir items.  I’ve archived them below for easy viewing.  In reverse order, these videos cover the following:

Python Peril: Marauders to the Rescue 2018 boxed set

including:

Slaughter’s Marauders:

  • Footloose
  • Mutt & Junkyard
  • Spirit & Freedom
  • Hardball
  • Sgt. Smasher

Python Patrol 2.0:

  • Major Bludd
  • Laser Viper
  • HEAT Viper
  • Lampreys

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GIJoeCon 2018: Convention sets are still available!

GIJoeCon 2018 is now 91 days away and this year’s exclusive sets are still available!

GIJoeCon 2018 bannerOkay, that headline is slightly misleading.  The 1:18 Python Peril: Marauders to the Rescue 15 figure convention sets had previously sold out during the preview period. That’s right– before fans even had the reveals for all nine figure builds, the sets (both attending and non-attending) were gone! Apparently, announcing that this was the final year for a Fun Publications run event was good for sales!

The folks at the GIJCC, however, were able to secure an additional run from the factory and more Python Patrol vs. Slaughter’s Marauders sets were produced– both for Homefront Heroes and convention attendees.

As of this morning, those sets are STILL available!

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GIJoeCon 2018: Slaughter’s Marauders Spirit stands proud!

The preview for the GIJoeCon 2018 Slaughter’s Marauders Spirit dropped yesterday!

GIJoeCon 2018 Slaughter's Marauders Spirit and Freedom

SLAUGHTER’S MARAUDERS
TRACKER with EAGLE:
SPIRIT IRON-KNIFE & FREEDOM

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– Modern Era Update of Character in original SM design.
– Features exclusive NEW Head Sculpt with ponytail hairstyle.
– Includes removable harness, scoped dart rifle with cartridge,
knife, backpack with dart cartridges, and G.I. Joe Logo Stand.

It’s funny… I didn’t expect to be blow away by Spirit… and yet here I am.

The 2011 Slaughter’s Marauders Spirit was a fun update of the 1989 original version.  It borrowed the classic color scheme but leaned heavily into the “Predator Billy” Pursuit of Cobra Spirit that took the fandom by storm.  As such, I questioned the Club’s decision to update Spirit once again in the GIJoeCon 2018 set.  I was wrong to do so. Continue reading

GIJoeCon 2018: Hardball swings for the fences!

The GIJoeCon 2018 previews continue with a look at the Slaughter’s Marauders take on Hardball!

GIJoeCon 2018 Slaughter's Maruaders Hardball front

SLAUGHTER’S MARAUDERS
MULTI-SHOT GRENADIER: HARDBALL

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– First Modern Era Release of Character in SM design.
– Includes removable hat, harness, pistol with suppressor,
knife, re-tooled multi-shot grenade launcher, backpack,
and G.I. Joe Logo Stand.

“Multi-Shot Grenadier”… that makes me laugh. It should be “guy with a grenade launcher so big he’s going to blow up the world!!!”

Man, I love the character of Hardball!  Ever since I first encountered his vintage 1988 version I had an affinity for the character. He was never the most popular Joe nor did he get any screen time in animation.  Still, a guy who carries a launcher that large is a force to be reckoned with and the Club did just fine with this build! Continue reading

GIJoeCon 2018: Slaughter’s Marauders Mutt revealed!

Another day and another reveal from the GIJoeCon 2018 set.  Today: Slaughter’s Marauder’s Mutt & Junkyard!

GIJoeCon 2018 Slaughter's Marauders Mutt

SLAUGHTER’S MARAUDERS
MILITARY POLICE & K-9: MUTT & JUNKYARD

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– Modern Era Release of Character based on 1989 SM design.
– Includes removable helmet, muzzle, vest, submachine gun,
baton, knife, dog leash, and G.I. Joe Logo Stand.

Say what you want about the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club but they certainly stick close to the vintage designs. In this case, the recipe for the convention exclusive figure is simple: take the 25th Anniversary Mutt build and apply the 1989 Slaughter’s Marauders version color scheme.  Some might criticize this as not being different enough from the 25th release in terms of parts but it is in keeping with the spirit of this set so far.  After all, Footloose was a repaint of his previous Club release in the team deco. Continue reading

GIJoeCon 2018: Meet Slaughter’s Marauders Footloose

GIJoeCon 2018 is a few months away and the reveals have begun!  First out of the gate is Slaughter’s Marauders Footloose!

GIJoe Con 2018 Slaughter's Marauders Footloose

SLAUGHTER’S MARAUDERS
INFANTRY TROOPER: FOOTLOOSE

– 25th Anniversary Style/Fully Poseable Action Figure.
– Modern Era Release of Character based on 1989 SM design.
– Includes removable helmet, harness, assault rifle, rocket launcher,
knife, pistol, flashlight, backpack, and G.I. Joe Logo Stand.

(Note: Photo depicts action figure mock-up and final product may slightly differ.)

Hmm… this is interesting. Very interesting indeed…

It’s no secret that, when faced with between the decision to either adhere to vintage aesthetics or modernize a character design, the Club always chooses vintage.  Such is the case with Slaughter’s Marauders Footloose who is sporting a near-identical color scheme to the 1989 vintage figure.  The parts build should come as a surprise to no one as it is the same as was used for the 2012 Club membership incentive Footloose but the color scheme was a bit of a wild card.   Continue reading

GIJoeCon 2018 brochure is now online!

The suspense is over… the GIJoeCon 2018 brochure is now ONLINE!

GIJoeCon 2018 logo

No more speculation… thanks to the release of the GIJoeCon 2018 brochure we know the theme of the final G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention set: Python Peril – Marauders to the Rescue!

Here’s the official synopsis:

Python Peril: Marauders to the Rescue!

The COBRA PYTHON PATROL is an elite unit of troopers that have been handpicked for their various tactical specialties. They are expertly trained and equipped for stealth and infiltration missions. They wear unique camouflage grid uniforms to mask their presence, which confuses radar detection systems and allows them to accomplish sinister operations around the globe.

Using the latest radar absorbing materials and stealth technology, PYTHON PATROL 2.0 rears its ugly head with a surgical strike against their sworn enemy. Led by the nefarious MAJOR BLUDD, they have successfully captured a “Real American Hero” and key member of the G.I. JOE team.

The SLAUGHTER’S MARAUDERS unit is called into action to mount a dire rescue mission of their original commander. A fellow Marine Drill Instructor, SGT. SMASHER takes the squad leader position and selects highly specialized soldiers for a fast attack, ground assault into enemy territory to combat these devious COBRA forces.

PYTHON PATROL 2.0 is a dangerous unit, but it will take more than their special uniforms and slithering nastiness to get the best of the entire SLAUGHTER’S MARAUDERS team! Our 2018 exclusive 3 3/4-inch convention set contains a highly requested G.I. JOE team and updated COBRA army that are available for the first time in the modern era 25A action figure style. This special edition 15action-figure set includes:

Five G.I. JOE team members: Sgt. Smasher, Footloose, Hardball, Mutt & Junkyard (K-9), Spirit & Freedom (eagle).

Ten COBRA team members: Major Bludd, Python H.E.A.T. Viper (troop builder x 3), Python Lamprey (troop builder x 3), Python Laser Viper (troop builder x 3).

Each of these great teams comes with their classic weapons,
accessories, figure stands and file cards!

Hmmm… very interesting indeed.  It would seem that the Club is going to complete the Slaughter’s Marauders roster that was started several years ago in the 2011 Slaughter’s Marauders exclusive boxed set. That set included Falcon, Low-light, and Barbeque as well as Spirit.  (Apparently someone wasn’t a fan of that Spirit release?)  The addition of Footloose and Mutt round out most of the original team– minus Sgt. Slaughter, of course.  In his stead is another drill instructor known as “Sgt. Smasher.”  (After all, that was the name of his international repaint.) Now, could this be a repaint of the 2010 SDCC Sarge under a different name for copyright purposes?  Continue reading

SDCC Kre-O Slaughter’s Marauders Review

SDCC Kre-O Slaughter's Marauders

The 2015 SDCC Kre-O Slaughter’s Marauders set has been reviewed!

When it comes to both Sgt. Slaughter and Kre-O, I know of no bigger fan than Todd Weinzierl of JBL’s sister site Magnum6Delta.com.  So, when it came time to review this set I had to seek out the expert– and luckily he was willing to share his thoughts on the SDCC Kre-O Slaughter’s Marauders set that has taken the fandom by storm this summer.  After all, many fans thought that they’d never see Hasbro have the opportunity to produce another Sgt. Slaughter figure again!

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New images of the SDCC Kre-O Slaughter’s Marauders set!

SDCC 2015 Kre-O Slaughter's Marauders inserts

The Kre-O Slaughter’s Marauders set has taken the fandom by storm since images first dropped online earlier this week.  Now, thanks to the good folks at Hasbro and Hunter PR, we have even more images of this amazing set.

Here’s the offical press release from Hasbro with all of the details:

KRE-O GI JOE SLAUGHTER’S MARAUDERS VS DESTRO’S IRON GRENADIERS Set

(Ages 6 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $49.99/Available through HasbroToyShop.com or Booth #3213 at Comic-Con International in San Diego)

ATTEN-TION! Sgt. Slaughter makes his KREON debut to lead the MARAUDERS into battle against DESTRO and the IRON GRENADIERS in this special edition set! Comes with 12 KREON figures — including BARBECUE, FOOTLOOSE, DARKLON, VOLTAR, and, in another KREON debut, DESTRO in his infamous leopard-print coat. Also includes pieces to build a SGT. SLAUGHTER TRIPLE T tank! This special edition set comes packed in special throwback “boxed set” packaging resembling your favorite ’80s & ’90s VHS cassettes, complete with Sgt. Slaughter and DESTRO file cards and art that re-creates classic G.I. JOE packaging! You’ll have a blast with this set, AND THAT’S AN ORDER!

Following the convention, a limited number will be available on HasbroToyShop.com.

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