I figure there are lots of folks probably doing the whole “Best of” lists for 2011 (myself included eventually!) so I figured I’d take a somewhat different approach. Rather than considering only the “best” or “worst” I figured I’d take a look at significance. And because I’m wishy washy, I couldn’t narrow it down to just 10, I had to sneak an 11th in there just for discussion purposes.
Click the “Read the Rest of this Story” link below for the full article.
Being on the road for most of the day, I didn’t really get a chance to talk about the two big news stories that the Collectors’ Club dropped today in regards to the upcoming G.I. Joe convention at the end of the month.
Big story #1 – Voice actress Morgan Lofting, better known as The Baroness will be appearing in Orlando as a guest of the Collectors’ Club! Very cool. By far one of the most distinctive voices in the original Sunbow cartoon, this is a great coup by the GIJCC and she should make for some very interesting discussion.
Big story #2 – Rare toy alert! Apparently the Collectors’ Club incentive figure for 2011 will give fans an even bigger incentive to attend the Convention. A very limited run of 600 Dial Tone figures will be available at JoeCon MINT ON CARD. Normally sold in a sealed baggie as part of the Club’s promotion, some select figures will be carded and for sale at JoeCon. Attendees will also have the chance to get these signed by Dial Tone’s voice actor Hank Garrett.
Two very cool bits of news. If you want to read the full press releases, click the “Read the Rest of this Entry” link below. (more…)
Well it must be that time of year again… sick and tired of the publicity the Joes are getting from the annual JoeCon, Cobra Commander has led an all out assault on JoeCon 2011 in Orlando! In fact, it looks like he’s taking it over for Cobra!
Check out CobraCon.com, and take a peek at the YouTube video below.
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. (more…)
It seems like it’s been a long time coming, but G.I. Joe fan James M. Kavanagh, Jr. has continued his very hard work on the upcoming R.A.H.C. guide featuring profiles of those infamous years post 1994 where G.I. Joe leaped back into toy aisles and back into many collector’s hearts.
He has painstakingly crafted an excellent guidebook with images, text, and some really nice details that any G.I. Joe fan would love. Some images that James sent along a little while ago are mirrored below.
no images were found
James also sent along another press release, just to provide an update, and you can read it below.
“Hello and welcome to another update on the R.A.H.C. Guide.
To anyone who’s dealt with the nasty weather, I hope they are starting to thaw out. To the rest of you, be glad you were sitting pretty. The Weather Dominator tried to knock out Dayton, OH’s power to no avail. The R.A.H.C. Guide is even closer to bringing you a reference guide to one of the most intricate eras of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. Much like the “A Real American Hero” genre, the R.A.H.C. Guide has combined a team of experts in their fields. Every action figure, accessory and vehicle/play-set was photographed by Nick O’Donnell of 808 Studios, a premier wedding photographer and much, much more. Nick’s images are simply phenomenal, I wish I could make the guide about twice as big as it is, the detail and quality are indescribable!
While working on the guts of the guide, the guy at my then job Scott DM Simmons came strolling in only to casually inform me he had worked for Kenner and Hasbro as a photographer. He was all too familiar with my project; he shote them the first time! His vast knowledge of action figure photography stemmed from [his] step-father’s work on all the vintage Star Wars product shots! This father/son duo made for the perfect team to produce the spectacular front and back (yes, I did say back cover) you’ve been teased with.
And how could such a dynamic package be wrapped up, or should I say introduced? Why none other than a foreword from super fan Justin Bell! While these action figures evolved throughout the late 90’s to early 21st century, Justin was there reviewing, promoting, customizing, and creating such dynamic dio-stories. Justin’s hard work and dedication never ceases to amaze me and I was truly ecstatic when he agreed to [write the] foreword.
So that only leaves two questions remaining: when and how much? Well in the tradition of G.I. Joe updates I am going to say that I now understand why the major questions can’t always be answered and to rest assured that I am in the process of finding a printer that will tackle the level of quality and detail this project deserves at a price that’s fair for this specialized material. I will say that you should be receiving a third update very soon. That’s all, now let’s go back to discussing Toy Fair!!
Sincerely,
James M. Kavanagh Jr.
“KuuKuuSon”
Over on the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club Facebook page, a quick image of the upcoming JoeCon exclusive Claymore figure was revealed! And it rocks. I love the character as it is, and they have provided a really, really cool update. I especially love the Special Forces emblem on his chest featuring “De Oppresso Liber” (to free the oppressed).
And he’s totally Magnum.
Excuse the quick and dirty Photoshop. The real image is mirrored below, and can also be found at the aforementioned G.I. Joe Collectors Club Facebook page.
