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G.I. Joe Collectors Club reveals FSS 5 Raptor!

The roster for 1987 Joes and COBRAs is quickly getting filled and today we get our first look at the latest member of that esteemed line up… Raptor!

As I just posted this morning, Raptor does use some Pursuit of COBRA Zartan parts and Resolute Pilot Destro legs (which makes some sense with the pseudo bird-claw feet).

The use of a removable retro falcon cowl is interesting, and while I would have preferred a completely newly tooled head and/or cowl, this may be functional enough.  Unfortunately the Photoshop work doesn’t do the look and fit any favors.  I like the Jungle Viper wings.  All in all, the build is good.  He’ll fit right in with Battle Armor COBRA Commander, Big Boa and Croc Master.

Now where’s my Crystal Ball dammit?

06-GIJCC-FSS-5-Raptor

Vitruvian HACKS reveals from August NJCC show!

This past weekend was the latest August show for the New Jersey Collectors Convention and as usual, Boss Fight Studio was in the house!  They brought with them some exciting test shots of recently announced figures as well as some great surprises!

The primary surprises are what appears to be two new unannounced armor colors, a gunmetal gray and polished gold!  These are amazing looking effects.

Along with that, physical test shots of Waves 5 and 6 were also in full view, although some finishing touches (like Phoenix style tampos on the EOS guard) are not quite in place.  Also, a great promotional poster for their upcoming Graphic Novel Kickstarter adds some twists and turns to the Vitruvian HACKS story as well.

Some really awesome upcoming stuff on the way.  Thanks to James from the Boss Fighters Facebook Group for snagging these images!

G.I. Joe Collectors Club Figure Subscription Service 5.0 Orders are open!

They started the reveals last week and now FSS 5 is up for pre-order!  Along with the pre-order they have posted descriptions of the majority of the figures as well (with the exception of Xamot, who supposedly has some tooling questions).

I love seeing these descriptions and trying to get an idea of how each figure is going to be handled based on them.  For example, check out Raptor:

(Based on the classic 1987 action figure!)
Includes: removable falcon headpiece, harness, whistle, winged backpack, revolver pistol, bird staff, falcon with removable hood, and figure stand

My guess based on this?  I think the removable falcon headpiece will be new tooling, but I also think we’ll be seeing some Pursuit of COBRA Zartan elements, too.  The bird staff and falcon with removable hood are from that particular figure.  I love how they’re including Sgt. Slaughter’s whistle, too.  My guess for the winged backpack is the Pursuit of COBRA Skydive (which Black Vulture and Flying Scorpion came from) because that somewhat approximates the look of wings.  If they want to match the cloth of the original wings, though, it’ll probably be the “flying squirrel” backpack from Resolute Snake Eyes and a the Convention Air Commandos from this year.

Then there’s Salvo:

(Based on the classic 1990 action figure!)
Includes: removable helmet, rocket launcher with projectile, weapons case, pistol, and figure stand.

I love the removable helmet from the 1990 version, but one would think that helmet’s tooling is probably lost.  However, the 2006 Direct to Consumer Salvo did come with a similar helmet, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that one is still around.

The guessing game is fun, but I suspect shortly we’ll see everything we want to see, and the FSS order period is open until September 2nd!  Don’t lose your chance to be a part of one of the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club’s most exciting line ups to date.

Order FSS 5 now!

G.I. Joe Collectors Club 5.0 Battle Corps Cobra Viper revealed

To close off your work week, the G.I. Joe Collectors Club reveals the FSS 5.0 version of their Battle Corps COBRA Viper!  Interestingly, the Club didn’t go for a straight redeco of their Iron Anvil Convention Figure, but instead leveraged a chunk of the Jungle Viper.  Honestly, I think I prefer the Iron Anvil build, but as a 90s lover, I’ll certainly take this, too!

Check it out at GIJoeClub.com and the mirrored image below.

05-GIJCC-FSS-5-COBRA-Viper

Check out the first five reveals in the gallery below as well!

New images of Marauder Valkyrie test shots and production update

Marauder “Gun Runners” just got back from their factory trip and while they have some unfortunate news about the timing of distribution of their Valkyrie Kickstarter figures, they did bring back some fantastic new images of some of the test shots, which make us even more excited to see the finished product!

Check out the great images below, as well as the update on the timeline for production and distribution.  Keep watching the Marauder “Gun Runners” Facebook Page for updates.

MTF Valkyries project update 8/12….after Factory Visit
Posted by Marauder GR (Creator)
For backers only
Hey “814 Valtaskers!”

Hope your summer is going well! Your “Gun-Runners” spent several weeks at the factory in China reviewing the MTF Valkyries project. 15 hour plane flights and 98 degree temperatures with 90% humidity…JOY was had by all! When not dealing with weather, unique food and cultural & language differences; we spent all of our time working on the project. We reviewed EVERY part, EVERY feature and EVERY version. Our driving goal was and is for the figures & accessories to not only meet your expectations, but possibly surpass them!

Here are images of some of the production samples. We hope you agree that the head sculpts, new accessories and paint decos are looking pretty good! Again, SEVERAL changes were made on the items in the images and final versions might vary slightly from those shown (lip color missing, incorrect colors, several color versions NOT shown, etc). There are several color changes, corrections and adjustments being made to the items shown, so please don’t get concerned if something isn’t an exact match to a previously mentioned and/or shown item…THESE ARE NOT FINAL.

We had to make a huge number of paint/deco adjustments, change the hardness/softness on many of the items and correct the fit/function on several body parts & accessories. The good news is the vast majority of the parts & working features were correct. The bad news is some of the seemingly relatively minor issues with “fit/function” require NEW production tools. These new tools take some time to complete & test. Couple the new tool need with the factory requirement that the massive order be split into 2 (TWO) separate production runs and our revised end of August ship is now not possible. We are so sorry about the delay and AGGRESSIVELY pursued every option to avoid disappointing our supporters, but there is no other choice. A temporary inconvenience for a long term gain is the only answer in this situation. We don’t have a definite avail date, but we’re working to get everything complete & shipped out as soon as possible. As we get updated production info, we will let you know the revised shipping timeline. Rest assured, we will add some NEW “bonus” items (NEW items NOT available in the Kickstarter event) to every MTF Valkyries Kickstarter order to help make amends for unforeseen delay.

Thanks again for your support and we are quietly optimistic that you will really like the new Val items.

MJ & the entire MGR Team