JBL Reviews Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins

That’s right, true believers!  JBL is actually posting a review of Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, the film that dares to retell the cinematic origin of the the Joe’s most enigmatic team member from when it was first presented in 2009.  Our resident hack admin was able to go and catch a Thursday night screening of the film a week and a half ago as our local theater has finally reopened. 

Did this film take the character to new heights?  Was our trusty reviewed wow’ed to such an extent that it replaced Big Trouble in Little China as one of his favorite films? 

Check out the review for yourself and find out one Joe fan’s opinion…

JBL Reviews Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins (2021)

Support G.I. Joe Flashback on Kickstarter

G.I. Joe Flashback, an independent film about a key era in the lives of several future Joes, is now funding with under 30 days to go!

We all know the stories– the tale first recounted in Marvel Comics G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #26— of a Vietnam LLRP team consisting of the men who would go on to become Stalker, Storm Shadow, and Snake Eyes.  However, do we know the stories that came before those events in which Tommy dropped everything to rescue his friend, cementing the bond between them?

Thanks to G.I. Joe Flashback we just might have the chance to learn more about the entire team– including Wade Collins, Ramon Escobedo, and Dickie Saperstein.

This is going to be more than just a “fan film”.  The folks behind G.I. Joe Flashback are bringing in some real talent to not just tell this story but to tell it right. The film is produced by cosplayer extrordinaire “Skinny“, and features a talented and passionate group of fans helping to bring it to light.  Names like Bill Nedrow and Paul Panfalone are no strangers to the fan community.  Every detail from the story to the score is being supervised with a true reverence to the source material. 

If you need any more encouragement, just check out Skinny’s recent interview on Just Another GI Joe Show below:

The deadline to show your support is Friday, November 16, 2018 at 5:18am CST.  Consider backing G.I. Joe: Flashback on Kickstarter today!

G.I. Joe 2016 Official Press Images

This past weekend, Hasbro unveiled the G.I. Joe 2016 roster that was initially teased in the crossword puzzle.  Attendees of Joe Con 2016 were able to get an up close look at the figures at the Hasbro booth.

Today, Hasbro released hi-res press images for the rest of us!

G.I. Joe 2016 lineup

 

As a reminder, here’s the roster of characters that we’ll be seeing this year across the forthcoming G.I. Joe 2016 “Versus two-packs” and squad three-packs.

G.I. Joe 2016 Versus two-packs

G.I. Joe 2016 Squad three-packs

These figures will be available November 2016 at Toys R Us and EntertainmentEarth.com.

WOO HOO!!!  New Joes are coming!!!!  Even though this a “quiet year” for the brand, the G.I. Joe 2016 lineup offers, to borrow a phrase, “something old, something new.”  The hard-to-find Zombie Vipers are a nice boon to collectors– especially since they will be packed two to a case.  In addition, new characters like Stiletto and Tombstone counter-balance the inclusion of Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes.  Plus, as it was pointed out by Chris John on the JBL Facebook page, the female Cobra Officer looks a bit familiar.

"Careful Destro, she'll cost you your ancestral home!"

“Careful Destro, she’ll cost you your ancestral home!”

What do you think of the G.I. Joe 2016 line-up?  Will be be adding any of these to your collection?  Let us know in the comments below, over on the JBL forums, or on the JBL Facebook page!

Joe Con 2016: Hasbro’s G.I. Joe 2016 lineup announced!

Hasbro unveiled their G.I. Joe 2016 plans and YoJoe.com was LIVE from Joe Con 2016 with a Facebook LIVE session directly from the  panel!  We’ve got the embedded video below after the notes.

Hasbro G.I. Joe 2016

We’ve got some hastily transcribed notes below.  Expect a cleaner article with some commentary later tonight as part of the Saturday Armchair Coverage round-up!

Hasbro Writer’s Room:

  • Combination of television/movie/comic book writers. Hasbro is very proud of the talent they have amassed.
  • Creation of a shared universe combining their intellectual properties. Officially dubbed “Hasbro Cinematic Universe”—separate from IDW.  Intended as multi-film story arc.  Goal is to start to develop shared and combined stories.  Derryl was able to spend two weeks with the writers and get to work with them on shaping this shared universe.

Joe vs Transformers SDCC set:

  • Deco is decal-based. Includes Joe, Cobra, Autobot decals. This way the toys can be whatever you want them to be in your own collection.
  • Soundwave is the 5th most-popular Decepticon but hard to justify now as a cassette tape. (Same with Megatron.)

Hasbro Pulse Crossword Puzzle includes all characters listed below:

  • Stiletto
  • Scarlett
  • Zartan

Derryl – Joe is in quieter year.  Harder to get resources to produce more figures during those years. In those years, previously tooled harder-to-find figures are ideal for re-release.  100% of tooling budget is used for NEW figures.

Toys R Us G.I. Joe 2016 line-up: (November 2016)

  • Focus on figures vs vehicle sets which were slow sellers
  • Two packs will be in a 10 pack case—ALL EVENLY PACKED!

Continue reading

SDCC 2014: Gentle Giant G.I. Joe Debuts in December

Gentle Giant Jumbo Rock N Roll

Gentle Giant Ltd, a company known for their realistic scanning technology and upscaling of classic vintage figures, surprised G.I. Joe fans everywhere with a new line of up-scaled 1:18 Joes based on the original 1982 Joes.  That’s right– Gentle Giant G.I. Joe figures are coming!

According to the intrepid reporters over at ToyNewsI.com, the line debuts this Holiday season with the release of the 12″ Grunt in a special footlocker package.  Subsequent releases will continue in 2015 and will be available on “authentic” G.I. Joe cardbacks.

Figures shown at SDCC thus far include:

  • Grunt
  • Zap
  • Stalker
  • Snake Eyes
  • Rock n Roll

Honestly, I don’t know how I feel about Gentle Giant G.I. Joe figures– especially up-sized version of the o-ring figures.  After all, it’s the 50th Anniversary of the original 1964 Joes– not the 1982 figures.  While I’m sure that there is a market for these and that the initial offerings will no doubt sell decently, I have the feeling that this will only appeal to a very small segment of an already fragmented fandom and will most likely end before more of the later fan-favorite characters can be produced.  I’d love to be wrong about this but my gut, uh, o-ring tells me otherwise.

You can view the original article, as well as a ton of great SDCC coverage, over at ToyNewsI.com!

G.I. Joe #21 Silent Interlude Gets Animated

gi-joe-21-silent-issue-001

Yes, this isn’t exactly “breaking news”.  However, in light of IDW’s forthcoming 30th Anniversary Silent Interlude hardcover release I found this to be pretty relevant.

A number of years ago, Youtube user xgivanx sat down and “animated” the most famous issue of Larry Hama’s Marvel G.I. Joe run.  It’s not as flashy as some of the more recent motion comics that Marvel has produced but this nine minute video is a fun way to revisit one of the most copied comic stories of all time.  With the state of Joe being what it is anymore it’s doubtful that we’d ever get a real motion comic version so in the meantime this will have to suffice.

So sit back and enjoy a little lunchtime theater.  It might help take the sting out of another Monday…

Larry Hama signed G.I. Joe auctions – Round 2!

Larry Hama arashikage

Fan-favorite author, toy expert, and comic archivist Mark Bellomo is back with another round of auction on Ebay featuring a metric ton of pieces all signed by the “godfather of G.I. Joe” — Larry Hama!  Hitting just in time for the holidays it’s a great opportunity to shop for the Joe fan in your life and snag some fantastic pieces by the franchise’s single greatest creative contributor!  These are pieces from Mr. Hama’s personal collection that he is parting with which makes this a very unique opportunity.

Know that your purchase will not only be appreciated but will also go to toward a good cause.

Reminder. The SECOND ROUND of eBay auctions featuring items signed by LH from the Larry Hama Collection are up and running. They end in a day-and-a-half. There’s some 25th anniversary comic packs, vintage stuff, G.I. Joe Convention exclusives, etc.:

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Signed Collection 25th Comic Pack Ace & Wild Weasel MOSC!!!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Signed-Collection-25th-Comic-Pack-Ace-Wild-Weasel-MOSC-/350917783093?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b4546e35

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Signed 25th Comic Pack Crimson Guard Scar Face Officer MOSC!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Signed-25th-Comic-Pack-Crimson-Guard-Scar-Face-Officer-MOSC-/350917789203?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b4548613

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Signed 25th Comic Pack Tomax & Xamot C.G. Commanders MOSC!!!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Signed-25th-Comic-Pack-Tomax-Xamot-C-G-Commanders-MOSC-/350917791303?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b4548e47 G.I. Joe Larry Hama Signed 25th Comic Pack Dreadnok Torch & Dreadnok Ripper MOSC http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Signed-25th-Comic-Pack-Dreadnok-Torch-Dreadnok-Ripper-MOSC-/350917795395?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b4549e43

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Collection Signed 25th Comic Pack Destro & Breaker MOSC!!!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Collection-Signed-25th-Comic-Pack-Destro-Breaker-MOSC-/350917799626?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b454aeca

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Collection Signed 25th Snake Eyes & Storm Shadow MOSC!!!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Collection-Signed-25th-Snake-Eyes-Storm-Shadow-MOSC-/350917813955?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b454e6c3

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Signed Comic Book 3-pack Steeler Flagg Cobra Officer MOSC!!!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Signed-Comic-Book-3-pack-Steeler-Flagg-Cobra-Officer-MOSC-/350917925435?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b4569a3b

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Signed Comic Book 3-pack Zap Grunt Snake Eyes rare MOSC!!!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Signed-Comic-Book-3-pack-Zap-Grunt-Snake-Eyes-rare-MOSC-/350917927202?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b456a122

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Signed Comic Book 3-pack Scarlett Snake Eyes Kwinn MOSC!!!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Signed-Comic-Book-3-pack-Scarlett-Snake-Eyes-Kwinn-MOSC-/350917932105?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b456b449

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Signed 3-pack Baroness Cobra Commander Cobra Trooper MOSC!!!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Signed-3-pack-Baroness-Cobra-Commander-Cobra-Trooper-MOSC-/350917933830?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b456bb06

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Collection Signed 25th Comic Pack Scarlett & Hawk MOSC!!!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Collection-Signed-25th-Comic-Pack-Scarlett-Hawk-MOSC-/350917936121?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b456c3f9

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Signed VvV two-pack Cobra B.A.T. II v 3.2 & BAT v 4 MOSC!!!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Signed-VvV-two-pack-Cobra-B-A-T-II-v-3-2-BAT-v-4-MOSC-/350917940558?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b456d54e

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Collection Signed VvV two-pack Snake Eyes Storm Shadow MOSC!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Collection-Signed-VvV-two-pack-Snake-Eyes-Storm-Shadow-MOSC-/350917943471?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b456e0af

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Collection Signed VvV two-pack Duke & Venomous Maximus MOSC!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Collection-Signed-VvV-two-pack-Duke-Venomous-Maximus-MOSC-/350917945081?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b456e6f9

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Collection Signed VvV two-pack Gung-Ho & Wild Weasel MOSC!!!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Collection-Signed-VvV-two-pack-Gung-Ho-Wild-Weasel-MOSC-/350917946701?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b456ed4d

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Collection Signed VvV two-pack Kamakura & Storm Shadow MOSC!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Collection-Signed-VvV-two-pack-Kamakura-Storm-Shadow-MOSC-/350917948510?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b456f45e

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Signed VvV two-pack Dr. Link Talbot & Night Creeper MOSC!!!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Signed-VvV-two-pack-Dr-Link-Talbot-Night-Creeper-MOSC-/350917949321?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b456f789

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Signed VvV two-pack Sand Scorpion & Razor Trooper MOSC!!!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Signed-VvV-two-pack-Sand-Scorpion-Razor-Trooper-MOSC-/350917952558?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b457042e

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Signed Spy Troops two-pack Kamakura & Night Creeper MOSC!!!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Signed-Spy-Troops-two-pack-Kamakura-Night-Creeper-MOSC-/350917956554?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b45713ca

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Signed Valor vs. Venom Barrel Roll w/ Air Assault MOSC!!!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Signed-Valor-vs-Venom-Barrel-Roll-w-Air-Assault-MOSC-/350917967774?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b4573f9e

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Collection Signed Valor vs. Venom Dart & Gun Station MOSC!!!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Collection-Signed-Valor-vs-Venom-Dart-Gun-Station-MOSC-/350917970071?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b4574897

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Signed Valor vs. Venom Snake Eyes & Ninja Lightning MOSC!!!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Signed-Valor-vs-Venom-Snake-Eyes-Ninja-Lightning-MOSC-/350917972086?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b4575076

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Signed Valor vs. Venom Storm Shadow & Ninja Lightning MOSC!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Signed-Valor-vs-Venom-Storm-Shadow-Ninja-Lightning-MOSC-/350917973480?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b45755e8

G.I. Joe vs. Cobra Larry Hama Signed Sgt. Stalker vs. Neo-Viper Commander MOSC!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-vs-Cobra-Larry-Hama-Signed-Sgt-Stalker-vs-Neo-Viper-Commander-MOSC-/350917977346?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b4576502

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Signed Collection 1993 Battle Corps Cobra Commander MOSC !!!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Signed-Collection-1993-Battle-Corps-Cobra-Commander-MOSC-/350917984696?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b45781b8

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Signed Collection vintage 1989 Snake Eyes v3 MOC MOSC !!!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Signed-Collection-vintage-1989-Snake-Eyes-v3-MOC-MOSC-/350917986507?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b45788cb

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Signed Collection vintage 1992 Ninja Force Storm Shadow MOC!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Signed-Collection-vintage-1992-Ninja-Force-Storm-Shadow-MOC-/350917987818?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b4578dea

G.I. Joe Larry Hama Signed Collection vintage 1993 Ninja Force Snake Eyes MOC!!!http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-I-Joe-Larry-Hama-Signed-Collection-vintage-1993-Ninja-Force-Snake-Eyes-MOC-/350917989016?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item51b4579298

G.I. Joe Convention Exclusive Larry Hama Signed 2008 Hotwire B.A.T. Mechanic !!!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350919695594?ssPageName=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

G.I. Joe Convention Exclu. Larry Hama Signed 2008 Low-Light Long Arm Shockblast!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350919708348?ssPageName=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Holiday shopping alert – Larry Hama signed items and cover sketch!

G.I. Joe A Real American Hero 195 cover sketch by Larry HamaAs the holiday season approaches, consumers everywhere are left with the dilemma of what to get for those friends and family members on their respective lists.  Even more perplexing can be the question: “What do you get for the G.I. Joe fan on your holiday list?”  Well, thanks to Joe fan and published author Mark Bellomo, this might have become a lot easier.

As of last night, Mark opened the floodgates and has listed a plethora of Joe-themed goodness up on internet auction site Ebay.  However, what makes a lot of these items truly unique is that they are signed by the “godfather of G.I. Joe Larry Hama”– and many of them come from his private collection!  In corresponding with Mark he’s revealed at even more items are coming– just keep an eye out on  his eBay page for future updates.

Check out the Joe goodness that is listed!

Normally this type of news wouldn’t make the front page here at JBL but for a chance to own something truly unique– a piece signed by Larry Hama himself– well, we’ll make an exception.

Yet, as as they say in the infomercials: “But wait, there’s more!” There is something even cooler on Ebay as well– Larry Hama himself has listed the original cover sketch for IDW Publishing’s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #195!  With just over a day remaining, here’s a great chance to own a real piece of G.I. Joe history with a piece that features Shockwave, Lady Jaye, and the ever-popular Roadblock!

 

2013 SDCC G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set now in stock at HasbroToyShop.com

G.I. Joe vs. Transformers SDCC 2013 exclusive set

There’s no need for a lot of verbiage here!  This year’s SDCC G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set is finally available!

UPDATE: 10/16/2013 AS OF NOW THE SET APPEARS TO BE SOLD OUT!

Now that the lawsuit between Hasbro & Harmony Gold has been settled it would seem that the flood gates have been opened for the 2013 SDCC G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set featuring Jetfire, Hound, Blaster, Bludgeon, Baroness, Ravage, and more!  (Okay, there’s that Snake Eyes repaint but who REALLY needs Snake Eyes v 10,203 anymore? It’s a solid set and the “epic conclusion” to the series that began three years ago with Cobra Commander & Starscream and then evolved to Destro & Shockwave in 2012.

Got get it at HasbroToyShop.com:

http://www.hasbrotoyshop.com/gi-joe-transformers-jetfire-vehicle?BR=496&ID=32166

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

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

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!