Leaky Suit Brigade

A Blog About All Things GI Joe

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GI Joe Retaliation – Jon Chu Interview

MTV Geek has the entire interview: http://m.mtv.com/geek/article.rbml?id=2012/10/26/jon-m-chu-lxd-gi-joe-2-masters-of-the-universe/&weburl=http%3A%2F%2Fgeek-news.mtv.com%2F2012%2F10%2F26%2Fjon-m-chu-lxd-gi-joe-2-masters-of-the-universe%2F&alt=http%3A%2F%2Fm.mtv.com%2Fgeek%2Fblog.rbml&cid=300

But here is the relevant part related to GI Joe:

Getting back to G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Chu noted that the sequel hit a significant hitch earlier this year, when the studio delayed the impending Summer release in order to post-convert the movie to 3-D. “I really want to push how we use the 3-D,” said Chu. “Especially since we pushed the movie date, I want to fulfill the promise to the fans that the 3-D will be great, and enhances the experience of the movie. So every step of the way, I’m in that room, watching… It’s hurting my eyes, but we’re getting it better, and pushing it further.”
Continuing, Chu added that most post-conversions simply sink the background, and allow that to stand in for the 3-D experience. Not so for the director of Step Up 3D. “I shot two 3-D movies,” said Chu. “So being around that, I know what we are actually capable of doing. If we had shot it in 3-D, there’s a lot of things that we would shot in a 3D way.
“Fortunately, a lot of our shots, I guess it was in my brain anyway,” continued Chu, laughing. “We had a lot of depth in our shots, or let our shots play longer. For me, if we’re going to do this, we have to make sure it enhances the experience. That’s where we are right now, and it’s a slow painful process, to be honest!”
Even though the movie is technically done, and with no natively shot 3-D footage, all the shots need to be post-converted, that doesn’t mean Chu has given up on making some tweaks. “I’m trying to convince them to give me a couple days to do a couple of enhancements,” said Chu. “But as of right now, we’ll see what they let me do. I really want to shoot some of the sections in 3-D to give it that edge… But we’ll see if time permits, and they’re down to do that.”


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Future of Vintage GI Joe

On Hisstank, I recently stated that I think there will come a time when 82-94 ARAH and interntional Joes lose a lot of their value. I was asked to elaborate and here is what I think regarding the future of ARAH:

Well to be honest, Joe collectors are starting to get older. I think I am definitely on the young side at 26 and I got a great mix of 80s and 90s stuff being born in 86. But there I just think that without lots of new blood, there will be a decline in vintage prices 82-94 and international stuff. As people age and get into 60+ money will not be spent on Joes, it will go to other more important real life issues. 

Bottom line is the market will dry up. Kids of today will want to collect the toys now. Some will want to get into the vintage stuff, but at that time, the 82-94 stuff will be 50-60 years old. Beyond, an older fan base, this stuff will age, some will break etc., so there will also be less out there. 

One thing to look at is the 12inch vintage figure market. That stuff from the 60s-70s is not that expensive…. And I would say that it does not sell well based on what I have seen on ebay. Certainly nothing like ARAH. And I’d also say that the 12inch collectors are vanishing from the Con. 

Additionally, I’ve gotten to the point where I have EVERYTHING from 82-94 vehicles/figures, except for 3 night force figures. I don’t madly collect modern stuff like I do vintage. So I am basically out of the game with regard to 82-94, but I have some weird fascination with the 88 Toxo-Viper and army build only that guy. There is quite a bit of international stuff that I am still hunting down and I will continue to collect 82-94 prototype/preproduction items. So, people will drop out as they finish their collections. (I do realize though that these pieces will come back on to the market at some point). 

Lots of rambling but I think there are some good points about the future of vintage ARAH.


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Hasbro Kre-o Press Release

(Feel free to skip this wall of text… The Kreons are cool, playsets are alright. $2.99-$39.00. Considering buying them and stashing them for my future children.)

Construction Toys Based on the Classic G.I. JOE VS. COBRA Saga to be Available Exclusively at Toys“R”Us in 2013

PAWTUCKET, R.I. – October 11, 2012 – Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) officially announced that it will create KRE-O building sets based on the world famous characters and vehicles from its G.I. JOE brand. The new line of KRE-O G.I. JOE building sets will be available exclusively at Toys“R”Us retail locations and www.Toysrus.com beginning in February 2013. Hasbro unveiled the new KRE-O G.I. JOE line last night in New York City at its annual New York Comic Con preview event celebrating the Company’s extensive portfolio of pop culture brands.

With G.I. JOE toys recently topping The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis’ list of “100 Toys That Define Our Childhood” at #1, the upcoming G.I. JOE: Retaliation movie from Paramount Pictures scheduled to hit theaters on March 29th, 2013 in 3D and an ongoing comic book series from IDW Publishing, the G.I. JOE brand from Hasbro continues to captivate generations of fans around the world. The addition of KRE-O G.I. JOE sets to the brand’s portfolio will offer the opportunity to build environments and vehicles to play out the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA fantasy and will feature KREON figures based on popular characters from both the heroic G.I. JOE team like DUKE and SNAKE EYES as well as the villainous COBRA organization like FIREFLY and STORM SHADOW.

“We’re thrilled to bring the G.I. JOE property to life in this new format and to expand the KRE-O line with the team at Toys“R”Us,” said Kimberly Boyd, Senior Marketing Director for the KRE-O brand at Hasbro, Inc. “With the introduction of KRE-O G.I. JOE building sets, Hasbro continues to offer tremendous value to construction consumers with high-quality building experiences featuring popular characters from properties unavailable anywhere else in the category.”

“The G.I. JOE brand and its deep roster of iconic characters are legendary in the toy industry and the KRE-O G.I. JOE line will be an exciting addition to the construction aisle at all of our retail locations,” said Lisa Harnisch, Senior Vice President, General Merchandising Manager, Toys“R”Us, U.S. “Hasbro has done a tremendous job of translating the epic saga of G.I. JOE vs. COBRA and favorite characters like SNAKE EYES and COBRA COMMANDER into a compelling line of construction toys, and we’re eager to bring KRE-O G.I. JOE building sets exclusively to Toys“R”Us customers early next year.”

At launch in February of 2013, the KRE-O G.I. JOE line available exclusively at Toys ‘R’ Us and www.Toysrus.com will feature the following building sets, ranging from $2.99 to $39.99:

KRE-O G.I. JOE KREON FIGURE PACKS
(Ages: 6 – 12; Available: Spring 2013)

Start your KRE-O G.I. JOE collection with these iconic G.I. JOE and COBRA characters! Each G.I. JOE KREON figure comes with a unique weapon and cool accessories, and is sold blind-bagged. The first wave of characters includes CRAIG “ROCK N’ ROLL” MCCONNEL, KIM ARASHIKAGE, COBRA TROOPER, CRIMSON GUARD, SCARLETT, COBRA AXE NINJA, COBRA NINJA VIPER, QUICK KICK, ALLEY VIPER, EDWARD “TORPEDO” LEILOHA, and ADVENTURE TEAM COMMANDER. Each sold separately.

KRE-O G.I. JOE CHECKPOINT ALPHA set
(Ages: 6 & up; Available: Spring 2013)
Help defend the G.I. JOE base at Checkpoint Alpha from the villainous forces of COBRA! Build the checkpoint tower with push-fire missile as well as FIREFLY’S motorcycle in this 82-brick set, which comes with a FIREFLY KREON character, LAW & ORDER KREON character and a KREON dog.

KRE-O G.I. JOE NINJA TEMPLE BATTLE set
(Ages: 6-12; Available: Spring 2013)
Can SNAKE EYES save the G.I. JOE Dojo from COBRA’s ninja attackers? Build the Dojo, a weapons rack and a spinning blade training unit in this 100-piece building set, which also includes four KREON figures — SNAKE EYES, STORM SHADOW and two COBRA RED NINJAS!

KRE-O G.I. JOE SERPENT ARMOR STRIKE set
(Ages:7-14 ; Available: Spring 2013)
When COBRA attacks with its new SERPENT ARMOR MECH SUIT, it’s up to the G.I. JOE team to ride into battle in the VAMP 4X4! Build both mighty vehicles with this 175-piece building set, including an opening cockpit and opening and closing claw on the SERPENT ARMOR, and rotating wheels and opening doors on the VAMP. Also comes with two KREON figures — DOUBLE CLUTCH and COBRA MECH SUIT TROOPER.

KRE-O G.I. JOE DRAGONFLY XH-1 set
(Ages: 7-14; Available: Spring 2013)
COBRA has stolen the plans to the G.I. JOE team’s base and they’re flying away with them in the COBRA CLAW GLIDER. The only thing that can save the G.I. JOE team is the iconic G.I. JOE DRAGONFLY helicopter! The 152- piece building set builds a helicopter with opening hatch, push-fire projectiles and a propeller that spins with the push of a button! Also comes with two KREON figures — a COBRA TROOPER and WILD BILL.

KRE-O G.I. JOE COBRA ARMORED ASSAULT set 
(Ages: 7-14; Available: Spring 2013)
Build the ultimate COBRA assault vehicle to battle the G.I. JOE team in their BATTLE QUAD with push-fire projectile. The COBRA ASSAULT VEHICLE features a rotating turret with two spring-loaded projectiles, six rotating wheels, an opening front hatch and an opening back to store weapons. The 246- piece building set also comes with three KREON figures — FLINT and two COBRA TROOPERS.

KRE-O G.I. JOE THUNDERWAVE JET BOAT set
(Ages: 7-14; Available: Spring 2013)
The battle between G.I. JOE and COBRA takes to the open water as the G.I. JOE THUNDERWAVE JET BOAT goes up against the new COBRA STING RAIDER. The THUNDERWAVE JET boat features a command center for interior play, spring-loaded firing weapon and a small land vehicle that can roll off the ship and down the opening ramp in the back. The 218- piece building set also includes three KREON figures— two G.I. JOE characters (LT. CUTTER and SGT. STALKER) and one COBRA character. Set is not intended for use in water.

KRE-O G.I. JOE BATTLE PLATFORM ATTACK set
(Ages: 7-14; Available: Spring 2013)
Yo, JOE! Build the G.I. JOE team’s battle platform base as it comes under attack from COBRA TROOPERS looking to spring COBRA COMMANDER out of jail! The 372- piece building set allows you to build the base and two COBRA vehicles, the TROUBLE BUBBLE and FANG, as well as a G.I. JOE RAM CYCLE. The base includes a command center for interior play, rotating flick-fire missiles and an opening jail cell. Also includes five KREON figures — CONRAD “DUKE” HAUSER, ROADBLOCK, COBRA COMMANDER and two COBRA TROOPERS, each with unique weapons and accessories!

 

 


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WOW

So I decide to look at the blog at work and I see I’ve gotten over 100 views today! wow, What is bringing you guys here and where are you coming from? I’d like to know how the word is spreading.

 

Also, if anyone out there has experience creating banners, I’d like to talk to you.


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DIC Animation Cels

So as I have said before, I have been getting into preproduction and prototype items. That includes animation cels from the cartoons. First, while I haven’t watched Resolute (yet) there are some GREAT deals on eBay for original hand drawn art from the cartoon. Second, I have been able to score some really cool DIC animation cels. Just in today are a Cobra Commander and Road Pig cel and a Red Star, Cloudburst and Cutter cel.

Now I know DIC has gotten a lot of crap, but I was born in 1986 so I came around right in the middle of GI Joe. I had a great mix of 80s and 90s toys. That also meant that DIC was MY GI Joe universe. I wasn’t huge into the comics, I had a few, but DIC every morning before school, watching GI Joe was the best for me. Anyway enough of me talking, here are the pics!ImageImageA