Joe Con 2015: The convention wrap-up is posted!

Joe Con 2015

Sure, it’s been over a week since Joe Con 2015 ended and most of the news from the event has already washed over the fandom like a tsunami.  However, it’s become a bit of a tradition here at JBL HQ to post a summary of the event.  I’ve updated the Joe Con 2015 coverage page with links to previous posts and added in some new commentary as well.

Also, a big thanks to the crew at ToyWorldOrder.com for recording Dave Tree’s awesome UK Action Force panel which I’ve embedded in the coverage.

Also, keep your eyes and ears tuned to JBL as the 2015 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention set review is coming!  Pics are mostly done and now it’s on to the text!

Joe Con 2015: Club announces FSS 4 and renewal figure

G.I. Joe Collector's Club Figure Subscription Service logo

At Joe Con 2015 the final “big announcement” panel was the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club annual round table.  Brian Savage, David Lane, Pete Sinclair, and Lanny Lathem took to the stage to discuss this year’s convention set as well as to unveil both the line-up for FSS 4.0 as well as next year’s renewal figure.

The crew from the Club was upfront about one thing– last year they took a lot of flack over the images used in the panel which were intended to illustrate the choice of character but that were not necessarily representative of the figure’s final deco.  As such, this year images were minimal as many of these figures are VERY early in the production process.

Also, figures released in the FSS are often chosen because they will NOT be released in that deco in a future convention set.  The FSS is a way to allow these characters to get to collectors and fill in gaps in individual collections.

We’ll start with FSS 4.0: Continue reading

Joe Con 2015: Hasbro retail two-packs unveiled!

Wow– there’s a lot to report for Joe Con 2015!

The Hasbro panel was yesterday and Derryl DePriest and Mark Weber revealed a whole new slate of products that will be exclusive to both Toys R Us and BigBadToyStore.com.  The line is essentially a continuation of the 50th anniversary series and will be available on August 1, 2015. Eagle-eyed fans will recognize some of these figures from previous concept case displays.

Swamp Steam

  • Croc Master & Blowtorch
  • the two announced-but-not-released figures at last

Swamp Steam 2pk
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Joe Con 2015: Hasbro three packs revealed!

The Hasbro panel was yesterday at Joe Con 2015 and Derryl DePriest and Mark Weber revealed a whole new slate of products that will be exclusive to both Toys R Us and BigBadToyStore.com.  The line is essentially a continuation of the 50th anniversary series and will be available on August 1, 2015.  As with previous offerings, it’s a mix of existing parts and pieces that have only been glimpsed in concept cases of previous shows.

Chase for the MASS Device

  • Cobra Commander, Cobra CLAWS Trooper, Duke
  • revisits figures from the elusive final 25th Anniversary DVD pack

Chase for the MASS Device 3pk

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Joe Con 2015: Images of Hasbro Vehicle Packs

We have new product images from Hasbro fresh from Joe Con 2015!

First off, I’d like to apologize for the tardiness of this posting.  I’ve been commuting back and forth to Joe Con each day which means my internet access has been restricted to the times that I’m actually back at JBL HQ.  However, let’s get on to the good stuff.

The Hasbro panel was today and Derryl DePriest and Mark Weber revealed a whole new slate of products that will be exclusive to both Toys R Us and BigBadToyStore.com.  The line is essentially a continuation of the 50th anniversary series and will be available on August 1, 2015.   Here are the vehicle set breakdowns and the images, both official and in case shots, for the vehicle packs:

Desert Duel Vehicle Pack

  • Cobra Basilisk w/ Elite Horseman
  • FOE (Forward Observation Encampment) Striker w/ Chuckles
  • NEW Chuckles head based on Mike Costa comic appearances

Desert Duel
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Joe Con 2015: Custom Contest Entries

joe con 2015 custom preview

One of the highlights of Joe Con 2015 (and pretty much any Joe Con) for this fan is the annual custom contest.  Just seeing the creativity and the sheer talent that the fan community displays each and every year is honestly one of the most inspiring aspects of this hobby.

I’m not a customizer myself but I have incredible respect for those who take brush and knife to one figure to produce something entirely new!

Here are JBL’s initial pics of this year’s custom contest entries from Joe Con 2015:

Joe Con 2015: Day 1 – shots from the floor

Tiger Force Pickup

Joe Con 2015 Day 1 is officially history!

Just a quick update from a tired admin who is uploading photos now.  So far, Joe Con 2015 has proven to be a great time spent catching up with old friends and getting my annual immersion in Joe culture.  It was even a time to make some new friends and finally meet folks face-to-face that I’ve only been able to interact with online.

However, enough about me.  Below are pictures from the convention floor, day 1!  Shots of the real-life Thunder Machine, the Tiger Force pick-up truck, and costumes and dealers galore!

Don’t worry– there’s more images from Joe Con 2015 coming including shots of the dioramas and the custom contest entry!

Joe Con 2015: Price increases hurt this year for souvenirs

Joe Con 2015

Ah Joe Con 2015… you’ll go down as “the year the Club broke the fandom’s wallets.”

The Club Store is now open at Joe Con 2015 for the Golden Ticket holders and the prices for the exclusives have been revealed.    Hold on to your hats, kids!  This is going to hurt!

Joe Con 2015 Tiger Hawk

  • Iron Grenadier Air Assault 2 pack – $72
  • Tiger Shark w/ Felino – $83
  • Tiger Sting w/ “Sgt Kazenbogen” – $83
  • Tiger Force Helicopter Crew (Alpine, Skystriker, Frostbite) – $86
  • Tiger Hawk Helicopter – $168
  • Iron Anvil Officer Paratrooper – $34
  • KreO Tiger Force 6 pack – $39

Seriously… I appreciate the fact that Club’s expenses are higher this year because of having to air freight the souvenirs over to the US but seriously?!!  Due to poor planning and lack of appropriate timetables, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has essentially doubled the prices for the overall souvenirs.

Especially since many of these vehicles are near duplicates of the vintage versions readily available on the secondary market.

The sad part is that one prices go up they rarely seem to go down.  I hope this isn’t the case with the Club but I have the feeling that I’m going to be disappointed.

Here are few quick images from Steve Unger, Jr and Jeff Patton of the G.I. Joe Discussion Facebook Group:

Joe Con 2015: The migration continues!

Bandit goes to Joe Con 2015

Over the past 48 hours, Joe fans from all across the globe have been making their way to a Central Illinois town called Springfield for Joe Con 2015.

As the JBL staff prepares to head down later today it just seemed appropriate to have some travelling music and what better music than Jerry Reed‘s tune from the classic comedy Smokey & the Bandit?  (So it’s from 1977– I’m old!)

Save travels Joe fans!  Keep and eye out for Illinois Smokies and we’ll see you at Joe Con 2015 later tonight as JBL coverage continues!

Joe Con 2015: Souvenir Item Details… sort of…

Joe Con 2015 Tiger Force vs Iron Grenadiers

Another piece of Joe Con 2015 news– this time related to the souvenir items.

Thanks to folks already in Springfield, IL we have this list of what’s coming:

  • Iron grenadiers air assault 2-pack LE 900  (Possibly TARGAT)
  • TF helicopter crew 3-pack LE 800 (Possibly Tiger Force Frostbite, Sky Striker, Tiger Force Alpine)
  • TF helicopter LE 600
  • Tiger shark w/felino LE 800
  • Tiger sting w/sgt katzenjammer-Bogen LE 800
  • Iron anvil officer w/parachute LE 600

So, it looks like the Tiger Force Tomahawk is going to indeed be “a thing” this year and the forthcoming Club exclusive Sharc submarine may be getting a Tiger Force repaint. (I’d rather have that over a straight up redo of the vintage Tiger Shark!)

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