I’ll be the first to admit when I’m wrong, and I definitely swung and missed on my hypothesis with the mystery figure out of Asia being some updated version of Dial-Tone. In my own defense, though, Helix wasn’t even on the minds of Joe fans those months ago, so cut me some slack. 😉
Ever since IDW mentioned Helix in a future solicitations article, Joe fans everywhere have come to the conclusion that this mysterious female figure was indeed this new character that was apparently designed for the video game and is thus being indoctrinated into the comic universe by IDW. Not much was known about the character, even in the August solicitations.
However, friend of GeneralsJoes (and loyal YoJoe contributor) Phillip passed along the following link from Deviantart, which is apparently a cover for the Helix special drawn by Joe Suitor. One glance at the cover confirms that the mystery character is indeed Helix! Check out the fantastic image below:
While Gamestop revealed a teeny-tiny picture of the cover for the upcoming video game early, Electronic Arts has done a full blown reveal today, supplying us with high res images for cover shots of every system the game is being released for. The DS cover differs from the console covers, but we’ve included a full blown gallery below with each cover for each system.
I’m loving this cover a lot…very dramatic. Time will tell if the game itself lives up to it…
You happy now, Mysterious Stranger? I got the terminology right… :shifty:
The following is a list of items scheduled for distribution from IDW in August, 2009…a lighter month, to be sure.
G.I. JOE: ORIGINS #6
Chuck Dixon (w) • Augustin Padilla (a) • Padilla, Tom Feister (c)
The five-part series has become an ongoing, with rotating creative teams! On a mission to prevent a terrorist attack in a far-flung corner of the world, Scarlett’s former, civilian life and her new hard-ass life collide. Now, in the middle of a white-hot operation with the fate of millions in the balance, Scarlett decides which friend lives and which one dies. 2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
G.I. JOE #8
Chuck Dixon (w) • SL Gallant (a) • Howard Chaykin, Robert Atkins (c)
No one holds the Baroness against her will… not even Destro. Scarlett remains on trial and the evidence is mounting. Mainframe and Snake Eyes on a roadtrip? The Joes invade the relocated Castle Destro only to find someone—or something—deadly at home. Jam-packed and action-wracked as this hard-charging series roars to new heights. 2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
G.I. JOE SPECIAL: HELIX
Brian Reed (w) • Joe Suitor (a) • Suitor, David Williams (c)
INTRODUCING A BRAND-NEW JOE! G.I. Joe is the best of the best. But that’s not good enough for Hawk. Enter Special Agent HELIX: a deadly young woman who may well define the future of G.I. Joe’s combat operations—if Duke can keep her alive long enough. This special tale ties in with the new G.I. JOE videogame! 2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Once again, I haven’t had time to do a comic review, though I have purchased and read issue #5…and yet again, find myself a bit frustrated with the long, drawn out story…the main series just hasn’t progressed in 5 months. While Origins, COBRA, and even the movie prequels tell compelling stories at a brisk pace, the main title continues to sort of plot along. It’s a shame, because the art is outstanding, and the writing is great. Dialog feels natural, the military jargon jives with what I’d expect…but there’s just….nothing….happening. But what do other sites around the web have to say? Here are two reviews to kick it off:
Cmderinchief has posted a nice mini-review with an assortment of pictures over on JoeBattleLines.com. Deep Six is a Torpedo repaint with some pretty nifty urban camouflage. Not sure if it’s worth a purchase, but it is a pretty neat looking figure, especially for just a straight up repaint.
Once again an overseas eBayer has debuted some new images of potential upcoming product for the Rise of COBRA toyline. All of this is unconfirmed and can only be considered rumor at this point, but among the images shown were:
Battle Damage Storm Shadow
Duke (Accelerator Suit)
Resolute Snake Eyes w/ a movie Snake Eyes head
Storm Shadow red and white repaint
The Doctor
Reactive Armor Ripcord
I’d say this is a clear indication that we will see Resolute Snake Eyes in at least some form during the movie line…but I have to admit, the head sculpt is one of my favorite parts about the figure…I really hope we don’t lose that in the process. The rest of this stuff has been seen in some form or function before, but with the paint apps, I am absolutely loving that battle damaged Storm Shadow. Loving it. I have no idea what’s up with those big ass metallic gauntlets, but the figure is cool, just the same. Hasbro continues to really raise the bar, and take some potentially limited designs and ramp them up into very nice looking toys. I’m really looking forward to building the “core team” of movie-accurate Joes and COBRA’s, and even random stuff like the battle damaged Stormy is very appealing. Images are mirrored below, courtesy of the guys at The Terror Drome.
I think I’ve gotten the last of the scattered Q & A sessions together, and updated the Q & A Page accordingly. The last entry was for Raving Toy Maniac. As always, if you see anything out and about there that I’ve somehow missed, please let me know!
There’s still a ways to go before the movie hits full steam, but more and more merchandise is showing up in odd locations. This time around, it’s an official calendar and button set from Pyramid International. Some pretty interesting items, and a sure sign of the onslaught of stuff we’re likely to see in the next 6 months! Check out the images below.
Werecat from JoeSightings.com, who I’ve posted a Scarlett review from has posted another review, this time from the Rise of COBRA Cover Girl. Some nice images and a nice write up, to boot. Check out the review here, and the images mirrored below.
Some HissTank forum members, General Hawk59 and Steel Brigade have posted some new reviews of upcoming product (or potentially items that will not end up seeing release). There are a ton of images and some nice detailed writing about each of these items.
The Night Raven review can be found here, and I’ve mirrored a couple of pictures below…a lot more are posted at the previous link. Red Star and Scrap Iron are posted here, also with a small sample of images below. Red Star and Scrap Iron were slated for future single pack release, but got canned before they hit…will these updated versions appear somewhere down the line? No one knows for sure… one thing I do know is that they both feature a very nice set of changes that make them unique from their previous counterparts, and very reminiscent of the vintage versions as well.
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General Hawk59 also a video review of the Night Raven as well:
I’ll be the first to admit when I’m wrong, and I definitely swung and missed on my hypothesis with the mystery figure out of Asia being some updated version of Dial-Tone. In my own defense, though, Helix wasn’t even on the minds of Joe fans those months ago, so cut me some slack. 😉
