by generalsjoes | Feb 18, 2011 | Comics and Cartoons, G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe Comics, IDW
Well, here we go! Yesterday I posted a review of G.I. Joe: Cobra #13, somewhat lamenting the end of that run, as we prepare to launch into another. Well, IDW has released the solicitations for May, 2011, and the next run is now in sight. Judging by the solicitations, it looks like it could be quite the run!
I am absolutely loving these Zack Howard covers, I’ll tell you that right now. Totally cool. A character totally out of left field, and another one who I’m not entirely sure about at all.
Click the “Read the Rest of the Story” link below to read the full rundown of G.I. Joe comic releases for May.
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by generalsjoes | Feb 18, 2011 | 12" Scale, G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe Toys, Sideshow
Oh my.
It’s only a small image, with only a small portion of the figure revealed, but I’m already trying to figure out how I’m going to afford one of these things, much less the 15 or 20 of them that I want. He looks amazing. Of course, I don’t see any goggles on the helmet, but chances are, if past history is any indication, Sideshow will include them somewhere along the line.
More details will be revealed in the Sideshow Production Blog on the 22nd, with pre-orders (wahhh!) starting February 24th. I smell quick sell out. Check out the image below, and check out the page itself right here.
by generalsjoes | Feb 17, 2011 | Comics and Cartoons, G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe: Renegades
First we got a great clip of the upcoming Brothers of Light episode. Then G.I. Joe Renegades appeared on iTunes. Then . Now, the G.I. Joe: Renegades section on Hubworld.com has been revamped and we have the latest episode posted, “Firefight”!
Introducing Cobra saboteur and arsonist Firefly, as well as former Cobra agent turned rebellious firefighter Barbecue, Episode 10 leads right up into the now infamous “Homecoming” 2-Parter. It’s all onward and upward from here.
Check out the G.I. Joe: Renegades section at Hubworld.com, and check out the episode itself right here.
by generalsjoes | Feb 17, 2011 | Comics and Cartoons, G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe Comic Reviews, G.I. Joe Comics, G.I. Joe Reviews, IDW
From the first minute I laid eyes on the original G.I. Joe: Cobra title way back I knew we were on to something good. Over the years, G.I. Joe has been many things…in the cartoon, it was campy satire. In the comic, it was a hybrid military realism with supernatural science fiction.
But never has it really been gritty film noir. I mean, how could it be? We’re talking about a property with genetic engineering, technologically impossible weapons and vehicles, and no laws of physics or scientific sense. How can someone possible build a gritty, dark, and “real world” universe out of that?
Well, somebody could, and somebody did. A couple of somebodies named Mike Costa and Christos Gage. They showed the world that the bright, super-powered, laser firing world of G.I. Joe could hide a dark underbelly. Initially written as a short four-issue limited series, G.I. Joe: Cobra redefined Cobra’s image in the IDW world and introduced many readers to the property to rave reviews.
As I think everyone expected, after the first series ended, a second series was sure to come, which was then extended to a continuing series, and it has continued until now. Thirteen issues later we’ve seen backwoods Crocodile experts, a secret cult worshipping snake gods, and a mysterious gypsy who can read minds. But through it all, that dark and dreary noir style brought a sense of realism and despair to the universe (but only in the best way possible, of course).
So now, as we stand on the precipice of another “re-invention” (so to speak) of the IDW universe, we can reflect back on G.I. Joe: Cobra and see how well it did what it did, and finally, how it ended. Which of course, begs the question, where do we go from here?
To avoid spoilers, click the “Read the Rest of this Story” link below for the full review.
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by generalsjoes | Feb 17, 2011 | G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary
Anyone who has been around the online fandom has heard of the name Bill Merklein by now. Back in the 80’s he was a big part of the design process for the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line, and his own two hands sculpted many of our favorite figures.
Gyre-Viper and Roshan had the privilege of being able to sit down and talk with him one-on-one quite a bit over the past year or more, and one of the things that came from this conversation was the fact that many fans really don’t know what goes into sculpting, designing, and producing a toy. Well, Mr. Merklein agreed to film a very detailed sculpting tutorial focusing mainly on the head sculpting techniques he has used over the years.
Keep in mind, while he’s working at a 1:1 scale in the videos, all of these skills and techniques can be utilized at a 1:18 scale as well. And remember while watching these that this is the guy who sculpted Zartan, Recondo, Mutt & Junkyard, and plenty of other 80’s figures from your youth…I would estimate most of your favorites. Check out the videos below, and give a huge thanks to Gyre-Viper, Roshan, and video editor jaimanstone for getting this all together. This really is a rare opportunity and a very insightful series.
Click on the “Read the Rest of this Story” link below to check out all of the videos in their entirety.
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