G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Night Force Lt. Falcon Reviewed!

Night Force Lt. Falcon

Ladies and gentlemen, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Night Force Lt. Falcon has arrived!

January’s Figure Subscription Service shipment brought two of my more anticipated figures right to my door in one convenient package.  Even better– this delivery helped to complete the Nocturnal Fire convention set roster!  JoeSightings.com admin Chris Chung stops by to offer this thoughts as two Joe fans examine the newest addition to both of our G.I. Joe collections!  Was he worth the wait?  Does he fit in with the Nocturnal Fire set?  Is he scared of the dark?

Check out the review in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index and find out!

G.I. Joe Convention 2014: Eco-Force Flint Revealed!

2014 G.I. Joe Convention

What’s this– another preview image from the 2014 G.I. Joe Convention Set? The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has unveiled the next figure in the 2014 Zombie Initiative set as the Eco-Force Flint!

G.I. Joe Convention 2014 Eco Force Flint

Well, no one can say that the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club isn’t trying to stay true to the original Eco-Warriors Flint from 1991!  With this bright green and yellow color palate, it’s pretty clear that nostalgia fever will be running high at the con this year.  While I see the giant cannon that was originally released with the wave 1 Retaliation Duke, I also see what appears to be some Resolute accessories (on the left arm) and a brand new helmet!  Plus, that’s a brand new head sculpt!  It is interesting that the figure’s web gear is molded in black– almost in an attempt to add a bit more realism to the character design.

This is one of those times when the GIJCC has to walk a fine line between faithfulness to the original design and keeping the figure marketable.  The 90’s were a neon age that was heavily influenced by toy lines like the TMNT.  The original Eco-Warriors Flint was so bright that he required Joe fans to wear shades just to look at him.  With this update, the original color scheme has been preserved but it’s also been muted some– a change that works very much in this figure’s favor!

The Eco-Force Flint Commander comes complete with everything shown.

That leaves the following as the next preview options:

  • Zombie HuntersOutbackT’J BangSteel Brigade Commander
  • E.C.O. ForceFlintOzoneClean-Sweep
  • Cobra Lab Rat x2, Toxo-Vipers x 3, Toxo-Zombies x 3, and Repulsor with Dawg (NEW K-9).

For more information on the 2014 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention, visit GIJoeCon.com

G.I. Joe Convention 2014 Reveal: Steel Brigade Commander

G.I. Joe Convention 2014

It’s time for another preview image from the 2014 G.I. Joe Convention Set! Today, “Commander Lane” has unveiled the next figure in the 2014 Zombie Initiative set as the Steel Brigade Commander!

Joe Con 2014 Steel Brigade Commander

 

Interesting.  The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club is definitely dipping into the “vintage well” with this design which seems to be a straight-up recreation of the 1992 Steel Brigade v2 figure.  From the bright blue body to the green vest to the gold helmet this figure is pretty much the ARAH era design brought forth into the generation 3 era.  I’ll be honest– it’s not really knocking the socks off of this particular Joe fan as I’ve never been a huge fan of the original Steel Brigade.  In many ways I wish the Club would have gone back to the color scheme that was used for the Steel Brigade Commander in the MARS Invades set.  I’m picturing this guy in the gray rain camouflage and it’s much more practical image than the Colorforms version I’m seeing here.  He’s just a bit too– “Crayola” for me to take seriously, especially facing off against a zombie invasion. Two previews in and I’m still looking for the “WOW Factor” in this particular set. Of course, that’s just one Joe fan’s opinion.  Vintage purists are probably going to love this!

The Steel Brigade Commander comes complete with

That leaves the following as the next preview options:

  • Zombie HuntersOutbackT’J BangSteel Brigade Commander
  • E.C.O. ForceFlintOzoneClean-Sweep
  • Cobra Lab Rat x2, Toxo-Vipers x 3, Toxo-Zombies x 3, and Repulsor with Dawg (NEW K-9).

For more information on the 2014 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention, visit GIJoeCon.com

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS Shipment 4 is Now Arriving!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club Figure Subscription Service 2.0

It’s a brand new year and the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club is ensuring that some fans will be starting 2014 with some brand-new Joes! That’s right, shipment #4 of the Figure Subscription Service is now shipping!

Now it’s become a big deal that some folks are discussing which figures are in the shipment as soon as they arrive.  I can understand that some people want to be surprised while others want to know which of the figures they paid nearly $30.00 each for are arriving.  I won’t sink to dragging this discussion down into the sewers by outright revealing who has arrived even though the internet is a conduit for information.   However, if you find yourself staying up all night with your curiosity piqued and want to seek out the answer like some sort of nocturnal bird-of-prey, then scroll down a bit further for some images courtesy of the G.I. Joe Reference Guide Facebook page.

 

S

P

O

I

L

E

R

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Okay, you’ve been warned.  It’s Cesspool and Night Force Falcon!

Finally we’re getting to what I consider to be the real meat of FSS 2.0!  When the list was first announced at Joe Con 2014, these were two of the figures that convinced me to sign up, along with Dragonsky, Admiral Keel Haul, and Tollbooth.  Early images of Falcon spotted on the web show that he is a straight-up repaint of the Slaughter’s Marauder’s version but now features the web gear of the 30th Anniversary Cobra Trooper.  Cesspool utilizes the awesome 30th Anniversary Techno-Viper body and features an AMAZING new head sculpt from Boss Fight Studios.   Personally, I can’t wait for these two beauties to arrive in my mailbox– most likely on Tuesday!

So, there you have it– the identities of the next two figures. Just like the cartoon said: “And now you know…”

Check back later this coming week for two brand-new reviews of the latest FSS figures added to the Collector’s Club Review Index here at JBL!

G.I. Joe Convention 2014 Unveils Cobra Lab Rat

G.I. Joe Convention 2014

It’s time again for the annual unveiling of the G.I. Joe Convention figures!  Each year, prior to registration the good folks at the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club launch their marketing blitz and tantalizingly unveil the figures from the year’s convention set.  It’s a slow “dance of the seven veils” with reveals occurring over the course of days if not weeks until the entire 15 figure 1:18 scale set is unveiled in all its plastic glory.

Of course, as a long time Joe fan, you probably already knew that.

So, who’s this year’s first reveal?  It’s none other than the first of several troop builder: the Cobra Lab Rat

Cobra Lab Rat

Hmm… it’s an interesting concept although not quite as strong of a figure as I’d hoped for a debut.  The concept seems pretty simple– take a standard Cobra blue shirt and put him into a lab environment.  A such the figure uses the Retaliation Ultimate Cobra Commander body with the same lab coat that we’ve seen tossed around since the days of “Dr. Rex Lewis” from Rise of Cobra.  He’s topped off with a repaint of the Pursuit of Cobra Dusty extra head.  It’s not a bad look as could have thought of worse ways to make a toxic lab technician.  The use of the Cobra Commander body works for the thicker heavier gloves although personally I might have used a standard Cobra Trooper body underneath just to give it a more rank and file appearance.  However, aside from some personal preferences, it’s not a bad look.

The Cobra Lab Rat comes complete with a Compound Z injector, tablet, briefcase with Compound Z cannisters, and a figure stand.

That leaves the following as the next preview options:

  • Zombie HuntersOutbackT’J BangSteel Brigade Commander
  • E.C.O. ForceFlintOzoneClean-Sweep
  • Cobra Lab Rat x2, Toxo-Vipers x 3, Toxo-Zombies x 3, and Repulsor with Dawg (NEW K-9).

For more information on the 2014 G.I. Joe Collector’s Convention, visit GIJoeCon.com

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Cross Country Production Sample!

In late 2013, the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club unveiled early mock-ups of the 2014 membership renewal figures including a mock-up of HAVOC driver Cross Country.  Fans were excited but were curious how the original would fare when compared to the digital rendering.

Today, “Commander” David Lane unveiled the following image:

G.I. Joe Collector's Club Cross Country production sample

 

According to the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club, the figure will be shipped bagged late Spring to all active members with a file card and all accessories included in the image.

So, what’s this Joe fan think so far?  Actually, thanks to the efforts of the crew at Boss Fight Studios, Cross Country is looking pretty snazzy!  I like the new head sculpt and vest and the use of the 30th Anniversary Viper arms guarantees a great range of motion.  The M4 and the wrench make for logical accessories and even the color scheme is pretty sharp.  It looks like the Club’s track record of producing great membership incentive figures for the past few years remains unbroken as Dial-tone, Footloose, and Iceberg were all solid additions to my generation 3 G.I. Joe collection!

To renew or register in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club, visit www.GIJoeClub.com.  You must be an active member by March 16, 2014 to receive this figure as a membership incentive piece.  An annual membership runs $44.00 per year for the basic shipping.

G.I. Joe Retaliation Ultimate Flint Review!

ultimateflintteaser

The backlog of G.I. Joe Retaliation figures gets a bit smaller with the Ultimate Flint review!

In the film, Flint was portrayed as a brash, cocky, and headstrong member of the team who found himself tested when Cobra Commander’s brutal plan was put into action.  Some fans felt this didn’t jive with his portrayals in various media over the past 30 years while others found it to be spot-on with his early appearances in Larry Hama’s Marvel Comics run.  Regardless, wave 3.5 of the Retaliation line brought fans “Ultimate Flint”– a figure sporting a more movie-accurate deco and enough accessories to outfit a platoon.  Is this figure worth a purchase considering there was a Flint figure released just one wave earlier?

Check out the Ultimate Flint Review in the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Tollbooth Reviewed!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club Tollbooth

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Tollbooth is in the house!  (Or is he building the house?)

Fresh off the Christmas holiday JBL is back with another review from the latest shipment from the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Figure Subscription Service!  Once again I’m joined by “Esteemed Professor of G.I. Joe-ology” Chris Chung of JoeSightings.com to take a look at this latest release from the club.  Tollbooth was one of the most hotly anticipated figures in FSS 2.0 since his reveal at this year’s Joe Con. Does he live up to the hype or is he about as exciting as a Christmas fruit cake?

Check out the review in the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Review Index and find out two Joe fans’ opinions as we reach the halfway mark of FSS 2.0!

G.I. Joe Figure Subscription Service Shipment 3 is Now Arriving!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club Figure Subscription Service 2.0

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has decided to send Figure Subscription Service subscribers an early Christmas present.  That’s right, Joe fans, FSS shipment 3 is hitting mailboxes now!

Okay, here’s the skinny– I’m going to spoil who is in the shipment.  I’m not doing this out of malice but rather excitement because these are two of my more anticipated figures in the entire second round.  So, if you don’t want to be spoiled, stop reading now and go pick up a Larry Hama G.I. Joe trade instead.

Okay, you’ve  been warned.

Really, you have.

It’s TOLLBOOTH and the DESERT SCORPION!!!  WOO HOO!!!!

Expect a review to drop in the next few days but I just wanted to throw this out there now.  Merry Christmas from the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club!!!

Figure subscription service 2

 

G.I. Joe Convention 2014 Joe Colton Will Be Available Carded!

G.I. Joe Convention 2014

Yesterday’s G.I. Joe Convention 2014 news rocked the online Joe fandom with its announcement of ECO-Warriors vs. Zombies for this year’s 1:18 con set.  However, it was the news that a 1:18 scale Joseph Colton was going to be included in the 1:6 scale set that received most of the discussion I’d read.  Fans were wondering if this figure would be available to those who didn’t purchase the 1:6 set.  Well, according to the official Joe Con Facebook page, it will be:

We are getting questions about the 3 3/4″ Joseph Colton figure:

“I see that there is a 3 3/4” Joseph Colton that comes with the General’s Package (with the club display stand system). I’m a 3 3/4” collector and don’t want to purchase the 12” set just to get this loose figure. Are there any plans to make this figure available to other attendees?”

Yes! We will be carding a number of these same figures (no display stand or backdrop) for our 3 3/4” attendees to have access to this figure.

This was left out of the brochure accidentally. We hope that answers everyone’s questions.

I think that single announcement just made the fandom a lot happier!