The Club revealed the Tiger Force Dial Tone today to what seems like almost unanimous hate from the community. I have to admit, I am disappointed with the execution on this figure. The use of old 25th era parts, and the choice to use brown instead of blue really hurts the overall look of the figure. But with that said, it has grown on me in the hours since the initial reveal – though I imagine it will remain one of my least favorite offerings from the Club this year.
As many of you know, I have been really focused on collecting Chinese release items and Tiger Force items. So, you can imagine how excited I got when I found a Chinese vehicle that I previously did not know existed and another that I was able to confirm it was released in China!
First up, is the Chinese Mudbuster. It is essentially a US box with just the Chinese name printed on it. Interestingly, the blue prints are also in English and not Chinese. This was a vehicle that I was told may have been produced in China and I was able to confirm it was by acquiring it!
Second, we have, what I believe to be, a previously unknown Chinese release vehicle – the Ice Sabre. I looked long and hard for any other reference or pictures to a Chinese Ice Sabre and even asked around to fellow international collectors. This sealed contents example appears to be the first and only one, at least publicly. Still waiting to get it in hand, as shipping from China can be slow. So for now, I’ll show just the pics from the listing.
This year will likely go down as the biggest collecting year ever for me! Not only have I been lucky enough to make multiple deals with Aire, win two lots from Shane Watson’s Vectis auctions (more later on that), but I just completed a deal for one of the most rare and desirable figures in the hobby – Canary Ann!!!! This deal fell into my lap and I pulled out all the stops to make it happen. I have to thank the seller for making this one of the easiest and best transactions I’ve ever had. It definitely made me nervous went I sent the payment – but the seller was AWESOME.
I am sure that more Canary Anns will be found (I know there is at least a 3rd, maybe a 4th), this is definitely the first, but hopefully not the last to be shared publicly. Now that it is hands on I can get some great pictures of it to share with everyone. It is complete and in absolutely great shape, tight joints and just some minor paint wear on the gloves and one boot. The first order of business when I get home will be to switch out the screws (they aren’t rusted, but I’d like new ones in anyway) and then to place her right next to my other Commando Force figures!
Before I get to the pictures, here is the background info on the Funskool Commando Force figures:
They were the free figures, that were given away on the purchase of ‘Complan Chocolate Health Drink’.
Their names:
Emerald Gung Ho/Zap – “Striker”.
Red/Purple Scrap Iron/Zap – “Cross Country”
Blue/Yellow Firefly/Short Fuse – ??
Red Baroness – “Rednok”
Yellow Lady Jaye – “Canary Ann”
Enjoy the pictures!
Well some very exciting news came out over the weekend that definitely clamed the Joe fans out there who were worried that Hasbro would not offer anything for the 50th anniversary of the brand. Hasbro blew my expectations out of the water! I thought there would definitely be some Kreo figures and possibly a couple figures but I did not expect the huge amount of figures, vehicles and Kreo playsets that were announced!
I’ll start by summarizing the GI Joe Kreo 2014 offerings. Hasbro will again continue to release Kreo exclusively at Toys R Us and starting this March we will see Wave 3! The blind bag wave 3 figures include:
Wave 3 Blind Bags
Wave 4 Blind Bags
Wave 3 & 4 Boxed Sets
I am really excited for all of the Kreo stuff! Hasbro has hit a home run with GI Joe and Kreo. The terror drome will be awesome and I can’t wait to set that one up! I read that the Firebat fits in the silo and that the silo raises and lowers! While most of this is not new, it was leaked on a customer service website several months ago, it is great to see that it ended up being true.
Now on to the 3 3/4″ line of figures. First, this is a lot more than I expected and I hope collectors are happy that there will be GI Joe on Toys R Us shelves the entire year. The highlights of the figures and vehicles below for me are: Destro, Flint and Leatherneck. All three of those figures are straight from last year’s Joe Con Concept Vault.
USA Today has a great interview with Paul Allor who, with today’s release of IDW GI Joe #12 is taking over for Fred Van Lente. The interview gets into some details his first issue, which deals with the back story of Cobra and the history of Cobra Commander and some of the different leaders of the organization throughout its history! One story includes the “tale focuses on a female Cobra Commander who wields tremendous political strength but is very much on her own.She is atypical within the organization’s history and in the story we put her into a situation where she’s additionally in a place where she’s seen as an outsider,” Allor teases. “It’s interesting to see how she goes about getting the job done and using her power in a place where she has many things stacked up against her already.”
The G.I.Joe Collectors Club has posted the official brochure for the 2014 G.I.Joe Convention in Dallas, Texas! Many have asked What will this year’s box set be? Well, we finally have an answer…ZOMBIE HUNTERS!
COBRA forces have acquired the “Compound Z” formula and have started testing it on their own soldiers. They believe by creating zombie warriors they can rule the World and turn its population into mindless creatures. G.I. JOE headquarters is split on how to handle the zombie affliction: save or eradicate?
GENERAL HAWK has formed two groups to solve this deadly problem. Who will be successful? Will it be the Zombie Hunters whose mission is to eradicate those infected or will it be the E.C.O. (Emergency Chemical Operations) Force trying to rescue and find an antidote for those afflicted? And, what about the team members who become zombies, are they a casualty of war? If too many are turned, who will be left to complete their mission? Only time will tell and it’s running out!
The 2014 G.I. JOE vs. COBRA convention set contains highly requested teams and some new additions available for the first time in the modern era 25A action figure style. This special edition set includes:
Each of these great teams comes with classic weapons, accessories, figure stands and file cards in this exciting fifteen figure boxed set.
You can view the Brochure in it’s entirety over on the Official 2014 G.I.Joe Convention Page. Are you excited about the figures coming out way?
12″ Convention Offering –
Codename: G.I. Joe
He is a legend. His adventures have spanned decades and he has touched the lives of millions. Serving his nation in time of conflict in uniform and out, he
became the basis of a force for good standing in the breach in the fight against evil. His birth name is Joseph Colton, but his Codename: G.I. Joe.
We have followed G.I. Joe through a series of exploits that took him from the brown boot army, to the founding member of the covert operations team. He has directed this team (which bears his codename) in their quest to face down Cobra’s bid for world domination. He IS the original real American Hero. Included in this 12” two figure set: Timeless Edition Vintage G.I.Joe figure: Tiger Stripe Camouflage Green Beret Jacket and Pants; Tall Black Boots; Green Beret; M-16; Ascot; .45 with Belt and Holster; Canteen with Canteen Cover; and Gold Tone Dog Tag. Timeless AT G.I. Joe figure: Black T-Shirt with AT sticker; Cargo Pants; Short Black Boots; Black Shoulder Holster with Label Revolver; Black Hunting Rifle; Tan belt with Canteen and cover; Duffel Bag featuring AT logo; Map with Map Case; Rope; and a Gold Tone AT Dog Tag.* In addition, to celebrate all ages of G.I. Joe, this set comes with a unique 3 3/4” Joseph Colton, G.I. Joe with Pistol and Club Action Figure Display System with 50th Anniversary backdrop. All of these items will be packaged together in a 50th Anniversary display box.
This year’s offerings are sure to generate a ton of conversation and hate. People are in a love/hate relationship with zombies (I love them) and the Club threw in an extra wrinkle with an exclusive 3 3/4 figure in with the 12 inch set. I will buy both. Especially since this will be the first JoeCon I attend in person!
G.I. JOE H.A.V.O.C. MK-II (Add-On Vehicle purchased separately)
[Heavy Assault Vehicle Ordnance Carrier]
Based on the colors of the original H.A.V.O.C. driven by CROSS-COUNTRY, this vehicle features an opening canopy, free-rolling wheels, a moveable windshield wiper and hi-velocity X-1 torpedoes. Plus, you can elevate the vehicle’s launcher to rotate 360 degrees and fire four missile accessories!
The H.A.V.O.C. MK-II combines the stamina of a tank with the handling of an off-road vehicle. The result is a machine that makes its own road over tough terrain to battle the evil forces of COBRA.
CROSS-COUNTRY is the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club FREE Membership Incentive Figure for 2014! This FREE figure will be sent to any G.I. Joe Club member that chooses the 3 3/4-inch figure option and whose membership is active by March 16th, 2014.
This club exclusive CROSS-COUNTRY action figure features a NEW head sculpt, NEW vest with holster, figure stand, classic file card and accessories, including: assault rifle, pistol, and NEW vehicle wrench. Members can expect to receive this bagged figure with all his accessories in late spring/early summer of 2014!
Well, I decided to change things up once again, and post 3 recent buys (two of which are still in the mail). These prototypes are all modern, Rise of Cobra cancelled/prototype figures and they all happen to be arctic themed! First, we have the ROC cancelled Snowjob; it is the same as the POC release except for the ROC insignia on his jacket and skiis. Second, is the ROC cancelled/prototype Elite Ice Viper in the unreleased alternate paint scheme. This figure also comes with the “HM” mark on it. Third, we have the unreleased/cancelled/prototype Arctic Assult Duke! Sadly, I wasn’t able to find one with the vest, but the POC Snowjob vest makes a suitable replacement. I actually bought the Arctic Duke and Ice Viper today (lunchtime and eBay are a dangerous proposition), because the Snow Job came in and I liked it so much I thought I should get a few more from that same era. These were all pretty affordable – not like the Arctic Alpine, or Arctic Snake Eyes (the blue unreleased version) which are $250-500+.
Rise of Cobra Unreleased Snowjob
Rise of Cobra Unreleased Arctic Assault Duke
Unreleased Rise of Cobra Elite Ice Viper
Well I will not be posting spoilers (at least until next week) so I will keep this short for now. I received my 2 figure shipment today in the mail! If you have subscribed, look for FSS 2.0 in your mailboxes soon!
Leaky Suit Brigade 