So maybe I’m being too pessimistic. I would be thrilled to be wrong, but I’m still having a hard time figuring where this latest wave of Alpha’s fit in the release cycle. As we’ve already discussed, scores of Joe themed vehicles are hitting close out stores (which is not a good thing) and big box retailers don’t appear to be in any major rush to replenish fading Christmas stock.
I know many folks point towards a March, 2011 release date as proof that these are still coming, but if you remember the Pursuit of Cobra figure coverage, Wave 4 was also slated to hit in March, 2011, but instead hit nearly two months early. The fact that vehicles did not joint this latest of wave of figures in early release is another sign to me that we will never see this series at typical retailers.
Given what’s happened over the past month, I would not be at all surprised to see them hit Ross or other similar close out stores, but I’m not holding my breath for mainstream release. Which is why the Ashiko with Cycle Armor makes me weep. I thought we’d dodged a bullet when it got cancelled, but then resubmitted for release in 2011, but now it seems as if it’s destined for retail obscurity.
I’ve read all of Gyre-Viper’s comments on it, and I know a lot of folks aren’t crazy about it, but I just think it looks awesome. So weird and so crazy, but I love it in the G.I. Joe universe. Plus, now that we have a clear look at the filecard and we know that not only is Ashiko a bad ass in armor who drives a robot motorcycle, but he’s A DAMN NINJA.
How can anything beat that? Thanks to Gyre Viper for continually rubbing the salt in my wounds…check out the thread at HissTank.com, or the mirrored images just below.
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Winter and spring carded figure assortments from Hasbro have been running early for years. I don’t think wave 4 has actually made it to Big Box retail yet, anyway. Bravo Class vehicles are the only PoC toys that we’ve seen at discount retailers, and Target not carrying that size could easily explain that. If Ice Cutters, Awe Strikers, Ghost Hawks, and Doom Cycles were available at Ross or T.J. Maxx, I might share your concern. Other than two Bravo assortments (which made sense, as it would ill-behoove Hasbro to sit on those at the end of the year), we’ve seen 25th Anniversary/Modern Era figures and vehicles, later waves of RoC figures, and canceled RoC exclusives at the discount stores, all of which are self-explanatory.
If Hasbro was planning a major rebranding of JOE for Renegades this fall, retailers might have a reason to skip the only remaining wave of vehicles that’s planned between now and fall resets (July) as they did with the last waves of 25th Anniversary/ME. Judging by the recent Q&A responses, however, it doesn’t seem like that’s the case. Until we actually hear something, I really don’t see any reason to believe these won’t be available some time in the next few months.
I am not usually one for a saucer of Transformers with my cup of Joe, but that does look pretty cool. I think my big question though still falls more toward the carded figures. In my neck of the woods (the distant and backward land of Southern Arizona) I haven’t seen POC wave three hit stores yet, much less wave four. Indeed, my local K-Mart hasn’t even carried the brand since it cleared out the “Rise of Cobra” figures. Has anyone else seen the big retailers with wave three or four? Right now I am watching Recondo and Arctic Destro warm pegs at Target, really hoping not to have to order Low-Light online!
i don’t dislike it… but it’s just not something you can really play with in armor form. that’s my biggest gripe. my other problem is that they could have really gone all out with the paint job and didn’t. if you’re going to do a big crazy new-ish concept for joe… go all out. don’t skip steps. heheheh.
First off, agree with CC 100%. I don’t think there’s need for concern yet. In the last Q&A they said two things, PoC will continue and Renegades will have a limited showing in that line, (opposed to the original announcement a year ago that this years fall line will be a Renegades line). I would be more concerned about why they are not supporting the cartoon 100% than whether the line is in trouble or not.
As for the toy in this article. After seeing Gyre-Vipers video of trying to assemeble this thing and actually play with it….:(. Not in a million years. I loved Robotech, but I don’t want it in my Joe-verse either. So no big loss if it where not to be released, though I also think we will see these come March.
Now the Mechs….I’m not sure about. The Alpha wave ones are everywhere, and do not seem to sell all that well. I can’t speak for anyone else but for me it’s simply the price point. The figures look cool, both Cyber-Viper and Kickstart so far have been great, but it’s all the extra money for something I’ll look at and mess around with for a day maybe and then pack away for all eternity (or sell). So if they looked at that, maybe they won’t release them. Even though the Desert Scorpion would be nice to have.
I got most of my waves 3 and 4 figures from BBTS, Weerd1, but I saw enough wave 3 in two Target stores to pick up another seven Shock Troopers on Christmas Eve. I’ve seen it in three more Targets since then.
I don’t know that anything from the announcements means Hasbro isn’t 100% supporting the cartoon, Hawkwinter. I think it’s just as likely they’re taking a consevative approach they can use to keep adult collectors buying *and* appeal to kids. I expect to see some Renegades logos on the packaging somewhere, even if it’s not part of the main logo. Then again, toys inspired by the cartoon could have something similar to the Resolute cards from the end of the ME line. While not a separate line, Renegades figures could be very clearly branded. We’ll have a better idea after NYC and Orlando, but I’ll be shocked if Hasbro doesn’t make a big push to capitalize on its animation investment.
As for this toy, I’ll buy one for the figure. I’ll probably sell the bike and armor to another collector, though.
I for one am very jealous of that City Strike Scarlett posing with the bike. When Pursuit of Cobra got delayed and revamped I was very sad that that figure had hit the casualty list. I’m still hoping we might see a tweaked version down the line now that Scarlett’s a major player in Renegades.
Thanks for the pics, Gyre! I hope I have a chance to nab one of these.
Toyfare is only a month away. And then we gear up for MORE TOYS!
G.I. Joe has plenty of life in it, but the show needs more public eye on it, and a really good PS3/XBox 360 game this time.
I just don’t want to rely on Ross and Tjmax for any of the toys. That’s worse than going to Kmart 😛
worse than Kmart? i dont know
i look at my collection right now and see a fair amount that i own thanks to ROSS, TJMaxx, and Marshalls.
not only for the matter of availability…RAM, Whirlwind, HoH, Cobra Islands, Arctic HISS
but also for pricing….PoC VAMP, RoC alphas,……..Arctic HISS.
regardless though…count blacktron, you are correct….the more “big retail” options we have the better…….something about eggs in baskets….or chickens? something.
Compulsive Collector said : :Then again, toys inspired by the cartoon could have something similar to the Resolute cards from the end of the ME line”
This is what it seems like they are doing and it’s definately the best way to go. I never understood why they felt they had to alienate so many fans with the movie stuff. A little more info could have saved a lot of people a lot of aggravation and kept Hasbro in better graces, mainly letting us know out front that several 25th style figures would actually be available for the RoC line, just not right off the bat. I know so many people who just walked away from it in disgust and they are still not back. Their loss, but in the end it translates to fewer sales and that eventually trickles down to hurting the hobby and the fans.
It was this answer that concerned me a bit about Hasbro’s support regarding the Renegades line :
“TNI: Will we be seeing new GIJoe Renegades toys debut at Toy Fair in February?
Hasbro: We are very excited about all of the toys that you’ll see in February and some of the items will be Renegades based.”
Maybe it’s just the way it’s phrased but it does sound like only a few of the the items will be Renegades based, just some. That seems odd to me as the cartoon has already been going strong for a while now and even if they were just releasing a few each month why not cash in on that new brand recognition by getting us all excited for future figures? I know if they only show Duke, Snake Eyes and Scarlett, Renegades fans will be crying foul.
It’s a tough situation for Hasbro I’m sure. Good business dictates you don’t mess with your established market (older fanboys like us) but also that you grow uour business and revenue (the target kid audience of the Renegades cartoon). They are however in contrast as the PoC line moves ever closer to super realistic with a plethora of accessories while the Renegades cartoon designs are super simplistic.
It’s gonna be an interesting Toy Fair this year, that’s for sure.
Thanks CC for the feedback… apparently my Target just blows. Going to have to make the drive to Tucson.
This reminds me of those Centurion: Power Xtreme figures from back in the day.
I really like the armor cycle, regardless of it’s lack of play value. I haven’t truly “played” with any of my Joes since the 25th line anyways. And Ross & TJ Maxx may not have been where I grew up shopping for Joes, but I’ve picked up way too many HTF Joe items at great prices to complain. Those are the first places I hit now when I go on a “toy run”
The motorcycle looks nice as just a motorcycle, I think. Matt Trakker needs more to do in the motor pool, so I’d still get this. Good play-ability or not, only a price over $9.98 would make me think twice.
(I’ll bet I’d probably be thinking twice if and when it does come, huh?…)
Still, all looks pretty cool.
“Maybe it’s just the way it’s phrased but it does sound like only a few of the the items will be Renegades based, just some.”
Notice they said, “toys that you’ll see in February.” With the JOE convention coming at the beginning of April, I doubt toy press will be shown everything retailers will see next month. They have to save some reveals for Orlando, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they hold back on what’s announced to all us geeks at Toy Fair. Even if they don’t show many figures inspired by Renegades in NYC, that won’t necessarily mean they’re not in the plans for 2011 or 2012.
“Even if they don’t show many figures inspired by Renegades in NYC, that won’t necessarily mean they’re not in the plans for 2011 or 2012.”
Well I can hope, can’t I? 😉
Wow, what an odd character Ashiko is turning out to be. He’s a Mech-cycle pilot, an Arashikage ninja, and he’s named after an African drum. That’s quite a mixture.
Ah well, as long as I get him and his “Cyclone Ride Armor”, I’ll be happy enough not to over-think things.