So with the news that the JP figures were hitting retail in SoCal, I hit my local TRU on my lunch break and came away with a great haul! I picked up both JP figures, 5 Wave 2 figures, and a Skystriker! I really hope that the JP line includes the awe strikers as well as the other prototype figures that we have seen. I’m glad I waited on the prototypes.
So earlier today I mentioned a secret interesting auction I found on eBay. I kept it close to the vest because this is the first time in about 3 years that I have seen this item for sale! I scored the rare Funskool Lifelife yellow shirt/grey boots variant MOC! I have been checking eBay almost every day for this item. This figure has been high up on my target list for a long time because it is in the Tiger Force theme, one of my favorite sub-teams. I also picked up a MOC Funskool Eel from the same seller. I like the powder blue that this figure comes in. Can’t wait to see this in person! I also still have one more secret auction that I am waiting to pounce on, although it is more of a gamble.
There have been several pretty cool auction on eBay recently (and a couple that are currently active that I will keep secret until they are over). There were several really rare international items: Manleh file card, Topson file card, Funskool Spearhead with gold boots and variant paint scheme, and two cool prototype auctions, resin ARAH Tracker and A Sludge(?) Viper resin (not pictured).
I like to post these kinds of things from time to time because unless you are looking for them, these types of things are rarely seen by the average Joe fan. The Argen 7 file cards are incredibly rare and super expensive. More expensive than the figures themselves. A little piece of cardboard can easily set you back $1,000 or more. I did not end up winning or bidding on these. It was bad timing for these to come up. I’ll have to wait till next time.
“This will be the event of a lifetime for fans of GI Joe and the artwork behind and inspired by it. We will have local artists showcasing and selling their work, as well as a poetry reading and an exhibit of original Hasbro production art pieces! The BIG Guest is GI Joe Retaliation!!! That’s right, the movie opens March 29th and the promotional staff will be at the event with tickets and other swag so come celebrate the film with us! This event is free to attend. Artist space available please send us a message or contact grey@gijoevstransformers.com for information.”
I would love to be able to see all the original Hasbro production art! Having the Retaliation promotional staff there should also make it a great time! I don’t know where most of you guys are located, but if it is anywhere near Phoenix, take the time to check it out!
So all those prototype/cancelled Jurassic Park figures that used GI Joe body parts are finally hitting retail. They are not out yet, but there are boxed pictures out now. And Jurassic Park toy site JPtoys.com says they should be hitting Toys R Us shelves (yes they are TRU exclusives) within the month.
It was really good timing for me because my will power was starting to fail and I almost bought both the archer and the dreadnok burnout figure. I may still pick up the tattoo joe because the price is $7.99 shipped, which is probably less than it will cost at retail.
Enjoy the pics!
So I have been on a comic buying streak lately. I picked up the Dead Pool comic, with the homage to GI Joe #21. But more related to Joe are these mini comics that I got as part of a giant collection I bought awhile back. I did not know much about them, but after some digging discovered they were included packed with Battle Corps 1992 figures.
There are 4 comics: Desert Dustup, Jungle Fury, Mountain Trouble, and Hijacked Heroes. I got all but, Mountain Trouble from this collection. So I went searching for the comic, and when I found them, they were priced really high, at least to me, at $30-50. That is when I stumbled upon an eBay auction for one with a MOC figure. Before that, I did not know how they were distributed. After a couple quick eBay searches I narrowed down the year (1992) and the specific line that they were packaged with (Battle Corps). I also discovered that the prices for the MOC figure including the comic were just $10-20. So, I picked up 5 MOC figures, one of each comic and then a second Mountain Trouble, so I can read it.
So for anyone looking to have “all” the comics and desperately needs these mini comics, go on eBay and search for ’92 Battle Corps MOC figures and they will all pop-up. Maybe not a Mountain Trouble at the moment, since I bought 2.
Went to TRU while they were having the buy 1 get 1 50% sale, and I picked up the last 4 sets. Haven;t built them yet, but I’ll be doing that with my next door neighbor’s kid, who loves lego. He came over and thought the Kreons were cool. Maybe we have a new fan.
AcidFreeGallery.com just revealed two more prints that will go on sale next week! Cobra Commander and Storm Shadow! I have to say, I really like the CC and may just have to pick it up. Although, I don’t know where I’d put it. Wall space is at a premium!
C
So with the relaunch/renumbering I thought it was a perfect time to start reviewing each issue. I will be starting with the main title season/volume 3 #1. The next paragraph will start to get into spoilers, so if you plan on reading the comic and do not want anything spoiled, stop reading now.
I have to say, I liked Van Lente’s story. For me, GI Joe was never the top secret organization that it has been portrayed as recently. I didn’t think the Joes had fake birth certificates and gave up their former lives to join. This comes mainly from the Sunbow cartoon series, as characters such as Roadblock and Flint had episodes involving their families. So, with that background, I like that GI Joe was exposed in a “Wiki-leaks” reveal. I haven’t quite decided how I feel with the publicity stunt that the US government seems to be making with the Joes. Making them wear certain uniforms, selecting “the right mix of ethnicity, gender, and service branch” to market the Joes is a different take, and one I do not think the government would take. Like Duke, I also have a hard time with the “celebrity soldier” concept. However, it does make Shipwreck complaining about his uniform and code-name more understandable. I read quite a few negative comments about that, but I would complain too if I was made to wear something I didn’t want to or be called something I didn’t want to be called. I like that they are aware of the awkwardness of the ‘celebrity soldier’ and the marketing the the government seems to be implementing. Although, I don’t know about acknowledging making GI Joe toys. But, its a small issue and doesn’t detract from the comic/story overall.
Joe Colton replacing General Hawk as the figurehead is a good tie in. Unless they were to decide to make a new general character, Colton was a good choice to ‘command’ the Joes as a senior leader. The nod to the Adventure Team and Coltons strong, aka kung fu grip, was also fun. I am hoping there is a nice future tie in with the Adventure Team.
I like the update to Polly, who instead of a talking parrot, is now a UAV. The new Doc as the old Doc’s daughter is also nice and brings in Joe from other continuities.
Another controversial topic is Aruna Singh, or Hash Tag. A young, twenty-something battlefied journalist/blogger. People seem to hate her online. The Joes also seem to dislike her and the entire idea of her. But, I don’t hate it. First, the fact that there is dislike coming form the Joes themselves, means that Van Lente has some big things planned for Hash Tag, that we should like. Second, the Joes previously had Scoop, who was very similar. The fact that Hash Tag blogs, tweets, and uses social media updates the journalist aspect. Something that we should not expect to have stayed with the static, traditional role. Especially with the world we live in today of 24 hour news.
I was so excited to see Windmill piloting the Skystorm X-Wing, but was filled with dread of his impending doom. And I hated that he died (or appears to be dead) within 4 pages. He only lasted 4 pages?!?!? I would really like to see other Joes be brought in with the main cast and live longer than 4 pages.
I also questioned how Duke was captured, as that is not in the comic, but they don’t have room for everything.
Now on to the art, another controversial topic. I would love it if people waited a few issues before condemning the art. I do not mind the outfits. I even think Roadblock looks great in his. I loved seeing the WORMS and the MAGGOT. The backgrounds by Kurth are amazing and really drew me into the story. One grip I do have with Kurth, is inconsistency in drawing the faces of characters. Joe Colton went from looking like an old, but strong-jawed leader to a crazy old grandpa on the next. But, I am willing to give it time to develop in future issues. I also thought the Baroness looked way hotter in Cobra; maybe I was spoiled there. One last thing to cover, is the cover itself. Or at least Cover A. It is ugly. Joes on steroids. However, B, Sub, RIA, and RIB are all good covers. In fact, I really like the RI cover with the origin story of GI Joe.
I have to say I am very excited about this, both the new direction of the comics and me starting to discuss them a lot more. I bought all 5 covers. While I do not plan on buying every variant cover from here on out, I will get the ones that catch my eye. This is a great jumping on point for anyone who was not previously reading the IDW Joe comics. I definitely recommend it as a good read.
Leaky Suit Brigade 