Tag Archives: Toys

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation Cyber Ninja!

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Retaliation Cyber Ninjas

Reviews are back!  This time JBL takes a look at the G.I. Joe Retaliation Cyber Ninja action figure from wave 2.5.  A fusion of modern technology and traditional techniques, this figure is a stealth warrior in a stealth suit that makes me wish we were still getting actual file cards with the figures!  He’s a mix of existing tooling that creates a brand new character for Cobra!

However, is this figure worth picking up?  Hit the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and check him out!

After last week’s unexpected set back reviews should continue now all the way up to the film’s release on March 28!

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation wave 1 Red Ninja

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Retaliation Red Ninja figure review

The G.I. Joe Retaliation reviews continue here at JBL with a figure that has had a long history in G.I. Joe comics.  Making their debut in the celebrated G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero vol 1 #21 by Marvel Comics, the red ninjas were originally believed to be a trio of apprentices to the Cobra ninja Storm Shadow.  However, after their quick and violent defeat at the hands of Snake Eyes, the Red Ninjas returned time and time again in an ever-expanding role in the comics.  At one point they were even in the service of the Cobra Saboteur Firefly!

For G.I. Joe Retaliation, the Red Ninjas appear to have gone back to their roots as warriors hidden away in a remote mountain castle.  Recent trailers have shown them accompanying Cobra Commander through ranks of Cobra Special Forces soldiers as part of an entourage.  Regardless of how they’re used, these familiar warriors will be hitting the big screen on March 28, 2013.  However, the real question to be asked is: “are these figures worth adding to my G.I. Joe collection?” After all, there was a release of the Red Ninjas back in the 25th anniversary collection, right?  Well, check out the review to find out this Joe fan’s opinion!

The Red Ninja review and many others can be found in the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index!

So- what’s the deal with G.I. Joe Retaliation Duke’s orange gun?

Posted on by

If you’ve already purchased and opened your G.I. Joe Retaliation Duke action figure, you’ve probably found that his accessory compliment is “less than stellar”.  The figure is equipped with a gun that I can only call the “Blast-o-Matic 6000” as well as an orange rifle that resembles Agent Coulson’s final weapon in the Marvel movie The Avengers.

However, there was something oddly familiar about it.  Over at MarvelousNews.com, Jay had posted PR pics of the variants from Hasbro’s Marvel Legends 2013 series 3 figures including the brand-spanking new Blade figure.  As I was looking at the image a certain weapon leaped off the screen and caught my attention.

G.I. Joe Retaliation Duke and Marvel Legends Blade Once you see it, you can’t “unsee” it.  It looks like Hasbro continues the tradition of sharing tooling and molds across brand lines.  After all, the G.I. Joe Renegades Storm Shadow mold is getting a reuse in a forthcoming Wolverine line. Plus, it makes poor Retaliation Duke just a bit cooler by association.

And now you know…

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation wave 1 Duke

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Retaliation Duke action figure review

The G.I. Joe Retaliation reviews continue here at JBL!  To start off this week, we’re going back to the debut wave of figures and examining one that many fans might overlook merely because of the actor chosen to portray the character.  That’s right– we’re taking a look at Duke as portrayed by Channing Tatum!  Featuring an ENORMOUS action-feature weapon, this figure originally hit shelves for a few weeks back in 2012 before the film’s release date was moved to March 28, 2013.

So, is an action figure of the “Magic Mike guy” worth adding to your G.I. Joe collection?  Well, check out the review to find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

He’s posted at the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index!

Plus, check back this week for more reviews as JBL continues to play “catch up” on the deluge of recent G.I. Joe Retaliation product!

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation Tread Ripper tank!

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Retaliation Tread Ripper tank

 

G.I. Joe Retaliation is hitting theatres in just over a month and, for the first time in a long time, new product is hitting store shelves!  With a recent restock at a local Kmart, I was able to snag not only the wave 2.5 figures but also a tiny armored vehicle that has a very real world inspiration.  That’s right– I’m talking about the Tread Ripper tank!  Based on the Howe & Howe Tech Ripsaw tank, the tiny Tasmanian Devil of an armored vehicle is one of the newest vehicles that fans can add to their G.I. Joe motor pool!  However, just because something is new doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth purchasing right?  Does that question apply to the Tread Ripper?

Check out the review at the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

JBL Review: Some of what is in the G.I. Joe Retaliation queue

Posted on by

With G.I. Joe Retaliation dropping in just over a month it is an exciting time to be a Joe fan!  Product is back in stores, the media blitz has begun and the anticipation in the air is almost tangible!

Here’s a teaser image of some of what is sitting in JBL’s review queue in terms of Retaliation items.  Some of these pieces have been out for a while and others are brand new.  There are even a few things that wouldn’t fit in the picture!

retaliation review queue

The point is that I’m really making a concerted effort to make JBL a viable and useful G.I. Joe site for fans once more.

Keep watching JBL for more reviews all week!  In the meantime, feel free to stop by the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index!

YO JOE!

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation Flint!

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Retaliation Flint action figure

Another day and another G.I. Joe Retaliation figure review!  This time I’ll be taking a look at a figure based on the cinematic debut of the G.I. Joe team’s premiere warrant officer– Flint!   Brought to life by actor D. J. Cotrona, Dashiell R. Fairborne will be hitting the big screen on March 29, 2012 and his action figure is hitting stores now.  It’s not 100% screen accurate to the trailers and yet the figure has its merits.  However, is it worth spending your hard-earned cash to add this figure to your collection?  Read the review to find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

Check out Flint in the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index!

(Yes, it is the end of the world– 3 reviews in the span of 7 days.  This can’t be JBL, right? Right?!)

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation wave 1 Storm Shadow

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Retaliation Storm Shadow

I’m playing catch-up on my reviews of G.I. Joe Retaliation! (And Rise of Cobra, and 25th Anniversary, and every other line that dropped during my nearly 4 year hiatus…)  I was planning on jumping ahead and hitting the newer waves first but some figures are just so interesting that you can’t put them off for too long.  Such is the case with the wave 1 Storm Shadow figure.  I’ve had him sitting around since the figures dropped in 2012 but only recently sat down and spent some time really looking at the new design for Thomas Arashikage.

Do fans really NEED another Storm Shadow figure in their collections after having been inundated with them over the past few years?  Hit the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and check out this Joe fan’s opinion.

More reviews are coming– soon!

G.I. Joe Collector’s Club unveils Iceberg renewal figure mock-up

Posted on by

The last few years the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club has been on a ROLL when it comes to renewal figures.  From Dial-Tone to Footloose, it would seem that the Club can do no wrong when it comes to offering members an incentive to sign up for another year.  That trend appears unbroken with the reveal this afternoon of a mock-up of this year’s incentive figure: Iceberg!

G.I. Joe Iceberg Collector's Club

 

 

Here’s the official text from the GIJCC:

ICEBERG is the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club FREE Membership Incentive Figure for 2013! This FREE figure will be sent to any 3 3/4-inch Officer level G.I. Joe Club member whose membership is active by March 16, 2013. Iceberg features a figure stand, classic file card and accessories, including: assault rifle, rocket launcher with shell, knife, sub-machine gun, snow board and backpack with attachment frame. Members can expect to receive this bagged figure with all his accessories in late spring/early summer of 2013!

If you join after the March 16th deadline, you will be eligible for the 2014 figure. Also, if you have missed any of the previous figures, check the official Club Store for availability. Please note that the 2010, 2011, and 2012 membership 3 3/4″ action figures are SOLD OUT!

Don’t miss out on these great exclusive figures! Renew your membership or sign up for the first time TODAY!

Call 1-817-448-9863 or CLICK HERE to join the Club!

Wow– I see all sorts of goodness there including 25th Snow Serpent parts as well as the snow board from the cancelled Pursuit of Cobra Arctic Duke action figure!  Now, my only question is– does this figure turn into a whale or not?

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation wave 3 Lady Jaye

Posted on by

G.I. Joe Retaliation Lady Jaye

G.I. Joe Retaliation reviews continue here at JBL with Lady Jaye!  Actress Adrianne Palicki brings Lady Jaye to life in the big budget film debuting March 29, 2012!  Based on the incredibly poseable G.I. Joe Resolute Scarlet body, Hasbro gives fans the first figure female figure from the new movie line.  Currently packed “one per case” she’s proving surprisingly elusive right now.  So, is she worth the effort to find at retail?  Read on and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

Check her out in the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index!

Is it March 29th yet?