SDCC 2012: In hand pics of red Jinx

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Fred Meyer

SDCC exclusives can be a tricky thing. Figures like the 25th “Pimp Daddy Destro” were easy to get if you wanted the silver version but the variant gold head proved far more elusive. Sgt. Slaughter was HIGHLY sought after and yet the Convention Cobra Commander is still relatively easy to find. (Let’s not mention Zarana– she’s a sore spot for some collectors… especially after the BigBadToyStore.com Dreadnok 7 pack made her an essential piece to complete any Dreadnok collection.)

At Toy Fair 2012, Hasbro unveiled their SDCC exclusives which included two versions of Kim Arashikage– better known to fans as “Jinx”. Over at JoeDeclassified.com, Gyre-Viper has gotten his hands on an early sample and has posted a gallery of images of the red version. I’ve mirrored a few below but I’d suggest checking out the thread over at JoeDeclassified for more.

Overall she looks pretty solid! It’s an interesting mix of new and existing Storm Shadow parts. While I don’t know about the white version yet, I’ll most likely be tracking down this red version come late summer.

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Alexx Shorts: Renegades 4-Pack

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Alexx

I know you have an ache in your bones for more Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow, and Duke! Still, even if that’s a complete lie, why not come in and check them out anyway?

JoeCon 2012: At last, Horrorshow

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Fred Meyer

Ladies & gentlemen, allow me to present Stepan Drukersky aka HORRORSHOW!

Comic Pack #7 marks the only time that Horrorshow has ever been released in figure form! I’m a HUGE o-ring fan but even I have to admit that the Club really did save the best for last with this figure. Now, I’m not 100% certain but I’m seeing what appear to be parts from everyone from Shadow Tracker to the Resolute Cobra Commander when I look at this image and it works! Without a massive amount of new parts, there really is no other way to bring Horrorshow to life in Gen 3 form that I could see. Great new headsculpt and a fairly on-model update to one of my favorite classic Joe characters.

He is most definitely NOT “UGLY!!” (Gung-Ho might still feel he’s a dumb Russian bear, but that’s another story.)

Let’s be honest– even with the (in my opinion) lackluster Iron Grenadiers this set is still made of pure WIN!

For more information on registration and convention details, visit the 2012 Joe Con page!

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Alexx Shenanigans: Techno-Vipers?

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Alexx

It’s been a month (and a little more) since I last reviewed something, so I thought it only fair that I…um…not review anything.

Joecon 2012: Voltar revealed!

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Fred Meyer

Heeeeeere’s Voltar:

Wow– didn’t see this one coming at all. Destro’s General was only ever given ONE figure in the classic ARAH era and that was back in 1988! This version works– in a way that the IG’s weren’t for me. Featuring a good mix of existing and new tooling this is pretty darned fantastic update to a fairly obscure ARAH-era character. (Who’d have thought the Accelerator Suits would see some new use?) Seriously– from the colors to the parts chosen, this is about the best possible parts combo for the character outside of a 100% newly tooled figure.

It just makes you wonder if someone is going to start producing 1:18 vultures to go with him.

Well played, Collector’s Club. Well played. Just two more figures to be revealed!

For more information about the 2012 Collector’s Convention, visit GIJoeCon.com!

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JoeCon: Iron Grenadier Elite Guard revealed

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Fred Meyer

Another convention figure has been revealed– an Iron Grenadier Elite Guard:

As stated the other day, the MARS troopers are based on a cancelled Iron Grendier pack showcased a year ago and borrow heavily from the Resolute pool of available molds. Visually, it’s an interesting take on the Laird Destro’s personal army with the long coats and apparent cold weather gear. Here’s a pic of that cancelled pack when it was shown at JoeCon courtesy of GeneralsJoes.com.

This is where I’m conflicted. One one hand, it’s great to see the cancelled set finding new life with the Club. It helps keep their development costs down and it allows fans an opportunity to snag these figures, albeit at a higher cost. On the other hand, the IG’s in long coats are going to find their movement severely restricted from the waist down. Also, this is rapidly turning into “the Rainbow Coaltion” of MARS as we’re merely getting a collection of long-coated IG’s in different colors. (Yes, I realize the tooling is different but at first glance the color is what stands out the most.) I’m still finding myself FAR more excited about the already-revealed Oktober Guard than I am for the Iron Grenadiers in this set. Let’s hope that Horrorshow and Dragonsky get a reveal. Soon.

(Let’s also hope that the Club can get the online ordering up soon. The con is approximately just a month and a half away now.)

For more information about the 2012 Collector’s Convention, visit GIJoeCon.com!

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JoeCon: Iron Grenadier Heavy Trooper and Elite Trooper revealed

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Fred Meyer

Two reveals in two days from the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club from their 2012 1:18 convention set.

First up, we now have details regarding the “official storyline” of the set- now dubbed Operation Bear Trap:

“By popular demand, the 2012 convention set stories and enemy factions are revealed…

OKTOBER GUARD Box Set: The 1990s brought us many captivating Cold War stories but this one was kept Top Secret for over two decades! Recently declassified documents revealed the original Oktober Guard (G.I. Joe’s Russian and Warsaw Pact equivalent) team’s “Special Mission” in Siberia to rescue their captured General from the ruthless Iron Grenadiers in OPERATION: BEAR TRAP!”

Secondly, we have our first look at the two “troop builders” in the set- the Iron Grenadier Elite and Iron Grenadier Heavy troopers:

The MARS troopers are based on a cancelled Iron Grendier pack showcased a year ago and borrow heavily from the Resolute pool of available molds. Visually, it’s an interesting take on the Laird Destro’s personal army with the long coats and apparent cold weather gear. However, from a play standpoint, the IG Heavy Trooper is going to be a virtual statue from the waist down as was the case with the Resolute Destro. The IG’s are a nice addition to any collection but I find myself FAR more excited about the Oktober Guard than I am for these guys.

Lastly, GeneralsJoes.com is reporting that Destro will NOT be making an appearance in this year’s set.

For more information about the 2012 Collector’s Convention, visit GIJoeCon.com!

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JoeCon2012: Stormavik revealed

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Fred Meyer

Even with Botcon in full swing, the Collector’s Club manages to drop a surprise on Joe fans today.

The latest reveal is Stormavik, stalwart of the Oktober Guard and soldier of the former Soviet Union!

Not seen since Comic Pack #7, Stormavik is looking pretty solid in his G3 update! Compared to Brekhov, who was rather off model IMHO, this Russian paratrooper looks as if he’s stepped right off of the comic page! It’s just another reason this convention set is shaping up to made of pure AWESOME!

Keep your eyes on the 3 3/4″ Set Previews Page for more details!

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Introducing YoJoe v 2.0 – the original Joe archive site just got better!

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Fred Meyer

If you’re like most Joe fans, YoJoe.com is domain that you visit fairly often. It’s the original and most comprehensive database of G.I. Joe-related materials on the internet with every figure, vehicle, and accessory cataloged and photographed for reference. Sometimes it was a bit cumbersome to navigate but that was just part of the YoJoe experience. After all, the site’s basic format has been unchanged since the late 90’s.

However, the staff over at YJ wasn’t content to just sit on their collective status quo. Enter: YoJoe 2.0!

Introducing YoJoe! 2.0

Concise, Streamlined Pics and Information

Archive updates have been pretty quiet around here over the last few months, but it’s been busy behind the scenes. Today we’re excited to announce the beta rollout of a brand new version of YoJoe.
The first part of the rollout is the 3 3/4″ Action Figure Archives. It’s a totally new index layout that lets you navigate by text-link or thumbnail, with fewer page loads to get to the figures you want to see and a lot more information all together in one place.

Figure version lists are easier to navigate and all relevant pictures are on the same page. Filecard images? Card backs? All Geared Up pics? You no longer have to navigate away from the archive entry to view them.

And this is only the start. Over the coming weeks and months, we’ll continue to overhaul the other sections of the site, until every corner of YoJoe is up to date. Faster loading pages, clean and sleek layouts, and better images.

We’ve already added in new figure entries for you to look at. Take a look at the new archives and let us know what you think. Remember, this is a beta. If you like it, let us know. If you see a problem or a mistake or ways to improve it, let us know. If you have better pics, send ‘em in. You’ll get full photo credit if we use them.

Welcome to YoJoe! 2.0

Congrats guys! The cleaner navigation and instant access to figure thumbnails is a HUGE improvement! I can only imagine how many hours of blood sweat and tears went into this but the hard work has paid off. The site looks great and will continue to be my default online reference until the last o-ring in my collection snaps!

Amazon.com Renegades & Retaliation 4-packs are “in stock”

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Fred Meyer

UPDATE: The Renegades pack is once again BACK in STOCK but this seems to change daily. (5/11/2012)

Mondays… the nemesis of most individuals seldom brings good news. However, this Monday might be a bit different for Joe fans.

Amazon.com has listed BOTH of their exclusive 4 packs as “in stock” as of this morning with a list price of $39.99. Sadly, that’s essentially high retail price for each of the figures but there are some advantages. In the case of Retaliation the pack provides a means for Joe fans to get their hands on the figures well before the official end-of-May release day. For Retaliation fans, it’s a chance to get different deco’s of 3 primary characters and an all new 4th character in the form of the Red Ninja!

Non-affiliate links are below:

G.I. Joe Retaliation Sneak Peek 4-pack