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

G.I. Joe Classic Clash two-pack review

G.I. Joe Classic Clash two-pack

The G.I. Joe Classic Clash two-pack review has been posted!

He’s a native American tracker with a degree in psychology who can find anyone anywhere.  He’s a former assasin who comes from an ancient and mysterious ninja clan who once served as the bodyguard for the “most dangerous man alive.”  Together– they comprise the G.I. Joe Classic Clash two-pack!

Who’s the better figure – Spirit or Storm Shadow?  Does either one of them know where Freedom is?  Will Deadpool make a cameo?  Does any of these even matter?

Check out the two reviews from the G.I. Joe Classic Clash pack over in the G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Review Index!

Also, for Joe fans who are having trouble finding these– EntertainmentEarth.com still has FULL CASES of two-packs available shipped for only $119.99!

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Wave 3 Two Packs are IN STOCK!

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary 2 packs wave 3

Stop the presses!  The G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Wave 3 Two Packs are now IN STOCK at EntertainmentEarth.com!

With the pre-orders selling out at ToysRUs.com in just a few hours this is a great way to get at least one of everything by ordering a case, with FREE SHIPPING, for $119.99.

This G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Action Figures 2-Packs Wave 3 Case contains 8 individually packaged 2-packs:

  • 2x Classic Clash – Spirit vs. Storm Shadow
  • 1x Marine Devastation – Gung Ho vs. Cobra Shadow Guard
  • 2x Hunt for Cobra Commander – Shipwreck vs. Cobra Commander
  • 1x Swamp Steam – Blowtorch vs. Python Patrol Croc Master
  • 2x Troop Build Up – Steel Brigade vs. Iron Grenadier

Seriously– unless you’re someone who loves the retail hunt, here’s a great way to snag the G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary 2-packs from wave 3 and get a few extra troops to boot!  Just click on the link below and you’re all set.  (Plus, your purchase helps JBL in the process.)

Order G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Action Figures 2-Packs Wave 3 Case from Entertainment Earth!

YO JOE!  Here comes GUNG-HO!

Thanks to my good buddy Mike Breaux of TheBreauxShow.com for the tip!

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

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!

G.I. Joe Retaliation Wave 3.5 reviews are coming…

“The best laid plans of mice and men”… it seems to be a mantra around JBL lately.

I had been planning on getting reviews posted of G.I. Joe Retaliation wave 3.5 shortly after Coil Con IV as I was able to procure a good supply from Kokomo Toys.  However, WordPress issues and work wackiness seemed to be facets of a multi-pronged attack by Cobra to prevent any new content from going live on the site.

Thankfully– the site seems to be functioning normally now and things at the office have died down a bit.  (What?  This ISN’T my day job?!)  So, it’s back to shooting images and getting the reviews ready.   So far wave 3.5 seems to be limited to online stores with limited sighting at retail.  In my area (Central Illinois) the line has been dropped by both Target and Kmart (yes, we still have a few) while Walmart has scaled it back to just a pair of pegs reserved for the figures.  Toys R Us has yet to restock and hopefully won’t just jump to wave 4.

It’s an interesting time to be a Joe collector as the movie’s delay until March seems to have thrown off Hasbro’s entire time frame for product.   The three new figures in wave 4 are going to prove particularly elusive as they’re packed in a case with figures that have been out for months now.  The sole troop builder the Cobra Night Viper is starting to command premium prices on Ebay and many online stores are already sold out.

However, all is not bleak on the western toy front– the GIJCC’s FSS 2 should be shipping before too long giving fans SOMETHING new to add to their collection and Hasbro’s Derryl DePriest promised that Toy Fair 2014 will hold a few surprises for fans.    It gives us all a chance to catch our breath after the onslaught that was G.I. Joe Retaliation– a line that was produced in far more conservative numbers than it’s cinematic predecessor.

So, reviews will continue here in the coming weeks.  I’ve got some back-end work to do on the review page templates to make them “less archaic” but there’s a ton of product sitting in my “to do” pile that is just begging for some attention.  (Plus now that I have Kwinn in hand I really want to review the Club’s Dr. Venom figure!  “The bear is angry with the weasel!”)

So, stay tuned to JBL.  More new content IS indeed coming!

g.i. joe retaliation wave 3.5

2013 JoeCon: Hasbro’s concept case v2

This year at JoeCon many fans seemed disappointed that Hasbro didn’t have more to showcase in terms of new product.  During the Hasbro panel, it was announced that there was nothing new to see due to the six month delay of the release of G.I. Joe Retaliation.  So, attendees steeled themselves and found other news to be excited about.

I was sitting in the “What’s On Joe Mind” panel when my cell phone rang.  It was Madmac41 telling me to get my keester down to the dealer’s room and bring my camera.  So, I sauntered down, spotted him, and then dropped to my knees in awe.  (Literally.)  There, in the midst of the Hasbro case were new “concept case” figures and right smack dab in the middle of them was the greatest Marine to ever grace the team’s roster: GUNG-HO!  (Suck it, Leatherneck.)  Seriously– completely unannounced and unexpected.

There’s no guarantee that these figures will get made but are merely presented as means of gauging interest.  So, this is one of the few times that I’ll ask anything of the fandom– if you have the opportunity, drop the name GUNG-HO at every opportunity.  After all, he was one of the core characters in the Sunbow series as well as Larry Hama’s Marvel run.

With no further comments, here are the 2013 Concept Case figures: