Category Archives: G.I.Joe

G.I.Joe Con Club Exclusive Iceberg pic and thoughts.

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08_CobraCommanderIceberg is the club “free” incentive figure for joining the collector’s club. Each member of the club, who joined by a certain date this year, (march 15th i believe)  will receive a free bagged version in the mail.  At the con there was (and i saw was cause they sold out) a carded version available. Many MOC collectors grabbed this version, as well as folks who desired to have one to sell. There were also loose versions available but I did not get one, and will wait for my free loose version later.

Joecon2013ICEBERGexclusiveI think i should start off by saying, I’m not a club hater, or an apologist. I said great things about Jaye, and i have more great things to say about other figures, but not so much with this guy.

To quickly point out a couple of pros, he is an early figure in the line, he completes a whole in many collections for those who want all of the original ARAH figs in modern form, Hasbro won’t make the character (or we wouldn’t be getting him) and he comes with some cancelled weapons and gear from the unreleased ROC arctic Duke.

The bad? one fo the most obvious things is the headsculpt is just a real mold of the very dated 80’s figure. At one point we were told this head was just a mock-up and would be changed for the final version, it clearly wasn’t. I want to be understanding, and think that maybe they just didn’t have time, but regardless of whose to blame, i’m reviewing the figure not the people involved in the process of making him, and i feel this was simply unacceptable. It’s lack of detail makes him look reminiscent of Odo from DS9 with unnaturally smooth and crease-less ears  etc.  This figure is also very top heavy. The legs are from 25th spirit and do not match those from the snow serpent torso. The legs weren’t good to begin with but when paired with a bulky torso make this guy look like he is going to flop over, and those pants don’t look thick enough to provide him with warmth in the arctic.

Score: 1/10

Yes, I bought one, for a friend, but i can only see this appeal of this figure for an MOC completest.

It has occurred to me even while carded i need to take a shot of the back of this package for the filecard. I’ll update this, and the Lady Jaye as i can.

I blame not getting this up, or anything else, last night on the con movie showing being a full HOUR late.  I’m off to hear Dave Tree’s panel on action force, hopefully another review up later tonight and as aways hit up our forums to discuss this and more.

So chuckles are freestyle next? both are darn near ready.

-revsears.

G.I.Joe con Carded Lady Jaye pic and thoughts

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My carded Lady Jaye is SIGNED by HAMA and Bozigian, and soon by Lady J herself! okay, now after that fan boy moment, I know most Joe fans have already seen the figures  but I wanted to put a shot of each (these aren’t getting taken out of the package) and give a small breakdown of the figures. (please keep in mind the pics are from prior to having LJ signed.)

Joecon2013LJexclusive

When the voice actor Mary McDonald Lewis was announced for  con many correctly guessed we would get a figure of LJ for her to sign, I’m glad they were right. Unfortunately as of this writing they have sold out and I was limited one, and no bagged versions were available !

Even without taking her out of the card I can tell you that it’s not exactly the concept case figure from last year. The torso here is from the 25th version which differs from the concept case. The legs are baggy in look, and originate from the POC shock trooper, arms appear to be from the 25th 2nd two pack Lady Jaye.

It’s worth noting her that the head is new, doesn’t have a removable hat but still looks great.  Her gold eagle is unpainted, and the card art differs in look by removing the knee pads, showing the emblem painted, and showing tighter pants.  Her gray is a very green gray which would almost make her work as a standard LJ but the NF logo on the hat makes it clear she is representing her sub unit here.

I’d rate it 7 out of 10 and if it was at retail I’d buy two.

Was hoping to get up more but I’m out of time, Iceberg at least and hopefully chuckles later tonight! Remember to click on our Forums to discuss the news as it rolls in.

-Sears

 

 

 

2013 Con Exlusive NF Steeler and Flak Cannon Review

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I’m starting off my con reviews with the most pleasant surprise from con. Remember to check back often, and specifically the joecon2013 tag. Steeler was one of the con attendee exclusives this year, meaning even if you got a home front heroes package (ordering the con set by mail) you couldn’t buy this guy unless you came to the show (or hit up ebay!)

NFsteeler2

Cyclops wishes he was this Bad A

Steeler comes with an impressive night force flak cannon. Action Force Expert and WOJM UK correspondent Dave Tree said it was similar to a Z-force edition of the flak cannon.

Steeler was one of the original thirteen (013) ARAH G.I.Joes but  his inclusion was surprising as he wasn’t previously a member of night force.

NFsteeler1He is a fairly plain looking figure, yet that only makes him more aesthetically pleasing. The drab green, black and earth town brown makes him fit in with night force, but the lack of teal helps him fit in with the regular Joes as well. While simply, he isn’t overly simply, his buttons are painted as is holster which makes him pop more.

The parts including Retaliation Firefly’s torso, POC shock trooper arms and POC wave 3 Snake-Eyes Legs with 25th Steeler head. The Holster is a tight fit for him and I’ll probably place that and the cool but somewhat dated helmet aside.

NFsteelerfilecardThere is not really a lot of additional information or pictures necessary, he is what is, and thankfully that is a good update of one of the original and often neglected ARAH Joes.

NFflakcannon1The flak cannon he comes with is surprisingly nice. It’s mostly black with shades of green, both G.I.Joe and the Night Force team logos, a single star, as well as  4 Cobra’s that have be slashed out to display his kills/vehicles destroyed.

NFflakcannon2My only real complaint about the cannon is the green pant here, that appears to be a a scope or camera, is not painted well at the seem of the plastic and it is very noticeable.

Scoring these two together I’d give them an 9 out of 10.

I also can’t help but think his inclusion as given away who the mystery 13 figure is, if NF falcon is in FFS 2, and NF crazy legs is the one not left with a figure, i think he is a good candidate.

Remember to check back often, I hope to have at least one other review up tonight.

-Sears

a review of: RAHC Guide by noted Author James Kavanaugh Jr.

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The RAHC Guide is written by noted Author James Kavanaugh Jr. which you may know from the excellent What’s On Joe Mind podcast.

It’s obvious this work is a labor of love. it covers an era of  figures often looked down upon in a thorough manner. This is a guide for every figure and vehicle released from 1997 to 2007 and details their parts, what the came with, variants, and some trivia information. It isn’t a price guide, but it doesn’t need to be. Despite books like this including price guides, toy prices fluctuate enough that they can only be close to accurate briefly, and with this particular set of toys, sadly most of them are not as desired as the classic 12″ or ARAH figures, or even the more recent 25th to current style figures.

RAHCcover

Jump into the article for the full review. Continue reading →

So I saw Retaliation tonight…

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The theatre was almost empty, that does not bode well for the opening weekend. I saw it in max 3D, the small audience laughed a few times, my wife enjoyed it, compared it to expendables which she loves. Me? It was okay.  The Mt. Scene was amazing, but the exposition was so bad just before that it could have came from a motion comic written by 10 year old.

A few quick not spoiler thoughts for now, and i’ll post a full review later.

Stormshadow was the star of the film, and talked only a little more than snake-eyes! His character had the most obvious Arc, and his fight scenes were excellent.

There were several Easter eggs in the film i won’t spoil here, but they made me leap with excitement as i found them! (He did call him brother btw, a lot of people didn’t catch that!)

The action was ratcheted up. The fight choreography was good in places, a little too fast to follow in others, but the fights felt more quick here, and occasionally more brutal, but could have showed more strain from those involved at other times.

For being on the screen so briefly, i really thought Mouse was a good addition.

I was very disappointed in the need to add sex appeal, one of the best things about the last film was that it was more kid friendly than the TFs, while this one still is, it will be longer before my son can see this than I had hoped.

RZA is awful! Just awful.

as I said, full review coming soon, but prior to Joe Con I have several important non site obligations that will keep things slow. During Con, and then again shortly after, explosion of good things!

 

G.I.Joe Rise of Cobra Review (Yes the first one!)

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5by5nAs I gear up to see G.I.Joe Retaliation tomorrow (in IMAX 3D) i thought it appropriate to dig up a review I did of Rise of Cobra shortly after it came out. I have to say up front, that review was more of a long rant, and I’ve recently re watched the film so I tempered it quickly to arrive at this rough around the edges article.I wanted it out quickly in case someone had the chance to read it before the movie tonight. Warning, it’s long, and it could probably fit into that nerd rage category in a couple of points.

The first thing i want to do is list some positives, then I’ll look at the movie as just a film, then as a Joe film.

thiswasawful

1. A Few of the Positives:Christoper Ecceltson played a convincing Scottish Destro. Nods to it’s roots like “Yo Joe” and “Kung Fu Grip” are humorous and nice. It doesn’t take itself to seriously. It brought the name G.I.Joe to theaters. It felt more kid friendly and family appropriate than the Transformers movies, which i think is a big plus. My kid could see this well before i would let him see Bay’s sex obsessed explosion films. Continue reading →

Exclusive interveiw over at Leaky Suit Brigade with a former Hasbro artist

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08_CobraCommanderG.I.Joe blog Leaky Suit Brigade recently uploaded an exclusive interview with G.I.Joe designer Andrei Koribanics. If you haven’t read it yet give it a shot! I love learning about the background of my favorite properties, and since classic Joe is my favorite, this was great.

Click HERE to check it out!  -revsears

Expolsion of News about Jurassic Park Joes

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08_CobraCommanderwhile I’ve been “slacking” (Trust me i’d rather be updating the website, than having to deal with a sick 3-month old.) The Joe Blog the Leaky Suit Brigade, has been reporting about the discovery of confirmed for release Jurassic Park G.I.Joes, them being found at retail, and even new ones revealed.  I encourage you to check out what’s released already, and what’s upcoming.

You may recall i have been posting a lot about them, their potential hope for release, their closing prices on ebay, and pics. It’s a good time to point that I while I don’t have a category on the menu at the left for JP, you can always track or read all articles on the site by the tags as well. For example the Jurassic Park tag has all the articles in an easy to read set.

Beyond the Leaky Suit Brigade, JP Toys has also posted several images one i’ve which i’ve mirrored below.

Look at that helmet! it really reminds me of Sigma Six Firefly, that's a new head too (Crimson Chin/Jay Leno is that you?)

Look at that helmet! it really reminds me of Sigma Six Firefly, that’s a new head too (Crimson Chin/Jay Leno is that you?)

Check out both sites, although I have to warn you I saw the above picture via twitter,  and not JP Toys itself, it appears this particular image is in the message board and you have to sign up to see it, but other images are on the front page.

It appears the Joes are coming in  the $30.00 battle packs with one good sized dinosaur. 2 are coming out now with some folks already finding them, and 2 are upcoming.  One of the current ones is named Ash Skullstriker, I’d love to know the name of the other if anyone finds one and wants to let us know.  These are TRU exclusives, so happy hunting!

UPDATE:  The Leaky Suit Brigade let me know that Ash Skullstriker is packed with the Allosauras and Pachyrhynocaus  comes with Gunner Gordorn.  For further clarity Ash Skullstriker uses the Red Dog head, and Gunner Gordon uses the burnout head.

CLICK HERE to join the discussion in progress on our forums.

-revsears.