The word came out a few days ago that Don Levine had passed away at the age of 86 from cancer. Along with a few other peers, Mr. Levine helped develop the very first G.I. Joe figure model in the 1960s and was not only one of the father’s of G.I. Joe, but one of the fathers of action figures as a whole. With G.I. Joe being the first “action figure” in toy history, Mr. Levine obviously has played a monumental role in the childhood of every single person reading this page.
Mr. Levine’s contributions to the pop culture landscape will forever be remembered, and my deepest condolences go out to his friends and family.
I know I’m a day late and a dollar short on this one, but I thought it deserved a mention. Over on GIJoeCon.com and the G.I. Joe Con Facebook page, the G.I. Joe Collectors Club has revealed the G.I. Joe Challenge Coin that will be available at the 2014 JoeCon in Dallas.
Also, another accessory for the 12″ set was shown, too, in the form of a great looking map and map case. According to the GIJoe Con Facebook page it may be a map of Spy Island, but folks have also drawn some parallels to Cobra Island. Another possible link between the 12″ and Real American Hero universes? Hmmm…
For any fans who have been complaining about Hasbro leaving the 12″ fan in the dust when designing the 50th Anniversary product, you cannot accuse the Collectors’ Club of the same thing. They’ve designed a really nice 50th Anniversary homage to the original Green Beret, and included a great Adventure Team figure in the set to boot. Some really nice gear, and of course, that pesky 4″ Joe Colton in there stirring up trouble.
Check out all the details of the 12″ Convention Set right here, and I’ve mirrored an image below. Now, fingers crossed we get a peek at Repulsor and DAWG today to help round off the Real American Hero set!
Straight from the floor at Toy Fair, 2014, Bloomberg Television sat down with Vice President and G.I. Joe historian Derryl DePriest to talk about G.I. Joe’s history and it’s present incarnation.
I’ll be honest, it’s not a softball interview. The host asks some hard questions about G.I. Joe’s military ties, about the role model it sets for boys, and about what the brand is doing to innovate, and to his credit, DePriest answers those questions, but quite artfully.
I find a lot of these interviews to be somewhat “more of the same” but this one stood out…it’s a good five minute watch, check it out.
Anyone who pre-ordered the Hot Toys 12″ G.I. Joe: Retaliation Roadblock figure has likely already gotten their shipping notice, but if you haven’t for some reason, expect it soon! Mine is slated to arrive on Thursday, and I’m pretty fired up for it.
Meanwhile, HotToys.com has posted a plethora of new images of the upcoming figure, and even a YouTube video showing how to change his uniform! Anyone who has messed with these intricate 12″ figures before knows the challenge involved in doing that, so check it out, it might be helpful.
You can still order your very own G.I. Joe: Retaliation Roadblock from Sideshow Collectibles! Click the banner below to order, and then check out the mirrored images and embedded video below.
Quite awhile ago, we had the unique opportunity to interview a couple of the guys from the Hot Toys Podcast, and while it took us a little while to get this posted (apologies Jim and Eamon) with G.I. Joe: Retaliation Roadblock on the precipice of release, it seems apt to get this out there now.
Along with talking with those fine folks, we cover all of the G.I. Joe news and information, and even touch on the big “NO JOES in 2014” topic that seems to be rearing it’s ugly head over the past week.
As always, hit up Podbean or check out the embedded player below, and show notes are after the jump.
