by generalsjoes | Sep 19, 2017 | Uncategorized
I was eleven years old when I first set foot in Toys “R” Us. Back then, in the 80’s going to Toys “R” Us wasn’t a shopping trip, it was a pilgrimage. These days, with millions of toys at your fingertips it’s easy to forget the feeling of walking into that mammoth store, stacked floor to ceiling with nothing but toys.
Imagine being an eleven year old kid, an absolute action figure and toy freak, and going to your first Toys “R” Us. Action figures were in aisle 7c back then, somehow I knew that, I have no idea how, and I swiftly navigated my way through stacks of diagonal bicycles, frantically looking at the aisle signs, looking for those two precious characters.
It was a life changing moment for young me.
For the whole trip down to the store, I had dreamed of what I would find, and recently becoming enamored with the Silverhawks animated series, I desperately hoped beyond hope that this mythical toy mecca would have them.
They did.
I walked out with a handful of chrome, plasticy goodness (long since sold, I’m afraid to say) and my post-Toys “R” Us life would never be the same.
The retail toy giant announced that they officially filed Chapter 11 yesterday, in hopes for another restructuring and delaying of debts so that they might find a way to continue to survive. But with this being their second attempt at restructuring in the face of retail giants like Wal-Mart, Target, and Amazon, one must wonder just how much longer they have left, and then the kid in me dies just a little bit inside.
I can, more or less, go to Toys “R” Us any time I want to now. It’s an hour drive, but I’m an adult with a car. It doesn’t quite mean the same thing to me now as it did back then, but I still remember the look on each of my daughters’ faces the first time they set foot in those hallowed halls. The feeling that generations of children might never experience that same feeling makes me sad.
Let’s all hope that this announcement prolongs the toy giant’s life and doesn’t lead to yet another downturn in the recently failing brick and mortar retail market.
by generalsjoes | Sep 18, 2017 | G.I. Joe Collectors Club
Over on the G.I. Joe Collectors Club message board, the folks from Fun Pub have posted about the shipping date for FSS 6.0 as well as expectations for FSS 7.0.
It’s a quick little blurb but should give some idea on the timing of these releases. If you’re a member of the Club check out the post, or you can view the mirrored image below.
by generalsjoes | Sep 14, 2017 | Marauder "Gun Runners"
There is a ton of exciting news in the latest update to the Marauder Task Force Exo-Suit/K9 Kickstarter, it’s tough for me to decide just where to start.
I guess I’ll start with the biggest news first:
MARAUDER TASK FORCE SUIT FIGURES!
Amazing update to the ongoing Kickstarter is that Marauder is moving forward on producing 1:18 scale figures in suits, something that’s been missing the marketplace for a very long time. But in true MTF style, they are making them variable with the ability to wear tactical vests and various lower arms.
But that’s not all. Anyone who is interested in the Exo-Suit figures is getting a bunch more bang for their buck. Where previously you had to consider getting the Exo-Suit and the additional accessories in two separate purchases, now every single Exo-Suit will come complete with ALL of the accessories! So if you bought a 6-Pack, you no longer have to use two slots for a complete Exo-Suit. Along with this, they’ve also shuffled around stretch goals and generally ramped things up for a strong finish.
Check out the full text of the Kickstarter update below and get yer wallets ready to finish this thing off BIG. If you haven’t considered supporting the Kickstarter, don’t wait – DO IT NOW.
Marauder Task Force 1:18th K9 Dog, Exo Suit & Contract-Ops! by Marauder GR — Kickstarter
Hey Taskers!
We passed $100K in pledges…thank you! Thanks to hitting that milestone, the distance between each stretch goal has been reduced to only $8,000! Also, we “adjusted” the order of several of the unlocked stretch goals to meet your requests! Can unlock more K9 Dogs & Contract Ops figures sooner! In addition, the “Exo -Suit” gear sets have been REMOVED from the event… because EACH Exo-Suit will receive ALL those additional weapons & accessories added for FREE! So each Exo-Suit will come FULLY equipped with ALL gear! And lastly, the highly requested “Agency-Ops” stretch goal is now OFFICIALLY in the stretch goals! NOT added as the final stretch goal, but inserted into the middle of the unmet stretch goals! When unlocked, each Agency-Ops figure will come with a full business suit, a 2nd Dress shirt torso, an extra set of rolled up sleeve forearms and Utility vest with pistol & holster.
by generalsjoes | Sep 14, 2017 | Eagle Force
The story of Eagle Force Returns continues with the reveal of the latest comic, written by yours truly and with art by the awesome Ryan Lord.
It can be seen on the Eagle Force Returns Facebook Page and I’ve mirrored the latest strip below.
by generalsjoes | Sep 14, 2017 | G.I. Joe, Show and Convention Coverage
As a great compliment to the ongoing G.I. Joe Convention, several regional shows have cropped up, and one of the best has been Assembly Required in Des Moines, Iowa.
Dates for this year’s show have been announced, and expect it to be November 4th, 2017. With great vendors, informative panels and a gathering of awesome fellow G.I. Joe fans, this is a show I’ve hoped to attend several times, but have not been able to make it work.
Don’t make the same mistake I have, circle the date on your calendar, and keep watching the Codename: Iowa Facebook Page for updates!
