I understand that there are budgetary limits for a lower run exclusive item, that the new art and card add to the cost, so maybe I can understand the lack of a new headsculpt, but the retro Lady Jaye we are getting, is simply too close to the declassified version to me.
It’s fair to suggest that that the retro carded version should match the toy, not the toon, but that’s where I think the Classified team should have preplanned this as an option and had this release as the original.
The Zombies are Coming.
For more info on Joecon 2014 keep your eyes peeled at gijoecon.com and here of course right here. -revsears
The cobra lab rat is said to be based on cobra cartoon scientists ( but that head really hurts that idea)
He comes with a suitcase with the compound z introduced in the pursuit of cobra line an injector to zombify their victims and a repurposed bomb ( now called a tablet ) that first came with a 25th CC in a MASS device pack.
The ultimate CC arms work well with the the Rise of Cobra Rex lab coat but the blue colored. Ultimate cc body underneath is obviously CC in a way that robs the figure of standing on his own. The head would work as an alternative a removable gas mask but the hat underneath the hood betrays a lack of formality and uniform.
The Arbco label is a nice detail referring to the RAH legitimate front business for Cobra. sadly the large Cobra symbol on the chest ruins the disguise similar to the way blatant deception logos would draw attention in traffic.
The set will will come with 2 of these for the rest of the sets reveals stay tuned both here and at Gijoecon.com
Join the discussion on our forums HERE.
This article written via mobile- revsears
Friend, Nerd Nation forum user, and Toy Nation International Forum admin, Joe Rhyno improved upon my original Crimson Asp meme image, check it out below.
Feel free to share your own meme images on the forums
-revsears
USA Today has revealed numerous Hasbro SDCC exclusives, but the ones of most interest to me are those in TF vs. Joe set
So Here is a quick rundown of the set (so far we know of no separate singles) with parts lists and commentary.
Parts list: The Classic Vamp now re deco’d as a G 1 Hound
Commentary: I’d much prefer this guy:
The classic Vamp is sad to say, Dated. While this probably a move to please vintage collectors, they already have plenty of Vamps to choose from. While the fan made image shows a vehicle that we have only seen in blue (at least with additional back panels)
Yo Joe! Freestyle is an excellent codename. I have to start by saying that right off the bat, so many figures have been hindered by terrible names over the years, and in recent years we have seen very few new characters introduced, so i’m very pleased we get a new character, that’s female, an immigrant,minority, a new pilot, and she even has a name so cool and Joe esque it feels like a Joe should have already taken it.
Today at the history of G.I.Joe panel Larry Hama said, “without moral and ethical cores you don’t have characters and without characters you don’t have a story.” (Larry Hama) I thought the first interesting thing I could do would be to stack this new Joe up against that qoute. Freestyle comes from a diverse lower income background that by itself points to a resolute spirit that allowed to attain her spot with the Joes. There seems to be potential hinted at here, that she is serious and don’t unwind often and is more gaurded individual. Her ethical code might be one of hardwork, and no nonsense. Hama’s qoute plays out best when looking at a story arc, not a file card, and I think i’d like to see Freestyle get incorporated into future stories to further flesh her out. Her filecad isn’t spectacular like SE, or Hit n Run, but there is a spark of potential there.
On to the review. She makes use of the ROC covergirl/ 25th v 2 lady Jaye body parts except for 25th wild bills lower legs (which is unfortante in my opinion) and a Quarrel/Glenda Scarlet head. Her helmets original came with 30th ace(as pictured above) or 25th lift ticket. I’ve been told her vest is new, but it looks very similar to the canceled comic pack arctic scarlet to me. Continue reading
Chuckles and the con attendee exclusive free vehicle are next up for my continuing series of reviews for Joe con 2013 review items (all will be on the page joecon2013 for easy and grouped viewing.)
First up is Chuckles, who is no longer sports a silly bright shirt, and goofy pop eye arms (as he did in the 25th era release.)
Chuckles now comes with a 25 th viper torso, renegade duke arms, upper poc wave 3 legs and lower legs used in various places like DG shipwreck but I am unsure of their first usage. Some of these parts have become nearly uniform with their re-use, and that’s okay because it’s only near uniform, things are still changed up and colored differently, and we still get unique looking characters, and the fact it helps Hasbro or in this case the club keep costs down only helps us get more of the new and unusual tooling.
I apologize for the washed out look of this pic, please keep in mind I took it in a hotel room the night I received the figure.
His shirt his still flowered helping him be easily identified as chuckles but with a much more believable look. The best is a nice tactical touch, and it’s good to have the optional hoslter but they two do not work well together. Without the vest his lack of belt is obvious, but it’s not that troublesome. some are not a fans of this head, but i feel it’s a good head, and it’s not necessary to match the old version exactly and I appreciate the consistency. I actually think this will replace the current normal chuckles on my shelf.
I’d score this figure a 9/10
as a transition photo it’s worth noting that chuckles comes with a helmet which lead me to connect him with… Continue reading
Iceberg 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.
I 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.
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.)
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
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!)
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.
He 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.
There 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.
The 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.
My 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
Rathio 