by generalsjoes | Nov 16, 2017 | G.I. Joe Collectors Club
Treadmark? Trademark? Skidmark? What’s in a name…
Honestly, when it comes to characters that require $35 modern updates, I wouldn’t put any of the above three on that list, but the Collectors Club revealed their version of the 1988 Desert Fox driver for FSS 7 regardless.
It’s a fine figure, pretty standard parts (though the sweater sleeves combined with the smooth torso is throwing me just a bit). Check it out at GIJoeClub.com or the mirrored image below.
by generalsjoes | Nov 12, 2017 | Other Toys
I don’t talk about The Corps! on this site a whole lot, but trust me when I say, they’ve often found a place among my G.I. Joe figures (especially in my Dio-Stories). Apparently I’m not alone!
Dustin over on The Dragon Fortress brought together a bunch of like-minded Joefans who all spoke their praises about The Corps, and he posted an awesome article on his site. Lots of familiar contributors with lots of fun stuff to say.
Boogie on over to The Dragon Fortress and check it out, it’ll take you back to a simpler and better time when Steve Wyoming was the hero America needed.
by generalsjoes | Nov 10, 2017 | Boss Fight Studio, Other Toys
Rhode Island ComicCon kicks off today in Providence, Rhode Island, and Boss Fight Studio is there already breaking some news.
Over on the Boss Fighters Facebook Group, Troy Osgood shared some images from the Boss Fight booth featuring artwork for an upcoming Kickstarter for a Vitruvian HACKS Horse! We first saw some rough test shots for this horse at New Jersey Collectors Con, but things seem to have come a very long way since then. According to the display at the booth, there is a Kickstarter planned for March.
The horse will apparently have Pegasus wings, a unicorn and dark unicorn head, various saddles, and will even be HACKS blank compatible to make freaking centaurs.
Lord have mercy.
Check out the info at the Boss Fighters Facebook Group and see the mirrored images below.
by generalsjoes | Nov 10, 2017 | Other Toys
The day is finally here!
A ton of great work behind the scenes has been going on for a while, and I’m thrilled to announce that the Kickstarter for the Marauder Task Force RPG is officially LIVE.
Tapping into resources from very talented industry professionals, a really unique gaming system has been built around the Marauder Task Force formula and it promises to be a LOT of fun for folks who love military action figures and military stories.
If enough support is put towards the project, there are even some exclusive Marauder Task Force figures that can be unlocked!
If you’re a fan of Marauder Task Force, or even other 1:18 military action figure lines, this RPG is right up your alley. Check it out at Kickstarter and help support us. I’m beyond thrilled to be involved in writing for this project and greatly look forward to bringing it to fans everywhere upon Kickstarter funding.
Check it out now!
by generalsjoes | Nov 9, 2017 | G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe Collectors Club
Once again I’ve been a little delinquent on posting reveals for the G.I. Joe Collectors Club FSS 7, but they have just released an image for their fourth figure – Dreadnok KAOS.
While on the one hand, I’m really glad they’re dipping into the Concept Case unreleased Pursuit of COBRA items, on the other hand, this was probably my least favorite of those items. Show me some N.O.M.A.D., Clutch, or Raven’s Wing… or heck, some of those heavy Alley Viper or HISS Drivers, too!
Figure three was revealed a couple of days back, and I gotta be honest, this is one of the coolest figures I’ve seen in a long time. Yeah, I’m mark for most things General Hawk, but as a kid I LOVED the jet pack version of him (I wish it had been used more in the comic) and I think this is a pretty cool representation. The colors aren’t quite right, but the build is fantastic and I just love how the figure looks.
Figure #2… I’m kind of blah. For a nearly swan song Figure Subscription Service, the last thing we need is yet another COBRA Commander. And honestly, the Arctic Version was horribly overrated just because it was a canceled figure. If it had been released, I can almost guarantee nobody would have cared less.
That being said, I’m glad at least that the Club overhauled the parts with more modern choices so the articulation wasn’t quite so bad. It’s an okay figure, I guess, I just don’t get the hype.
If you like what you see, you can sign up for FSS 7 and go crazy!
by generalsjoes | Nov 1, 2017 | Boss Fight Studio
Life has been a bit crazy lately, but I’m trying to get back on the horse. Today I’m reviewing the latest release from Boss Fight Studio’s terrific Vitruvian HACKS line, Cerisier, the Sakura Elven Assassin!
A great figure with an awesome backstory, and a pleasant surprise to boot, appearing exclusively on BossFightShop.com.
Check out the review on my Vitruvian HACKS Review page or with the direct link below.
by generalsjoes | Oct 31, 2017 | G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe Collectors Club
While no figure previews have started yet, the G.I. Joe Collectors Club has announced the line up for Figure Subscription Service 7.0!
Some decent selections this time around, and as stated previews will BEGIN October 31st.
Hey, that’s today!
Personally I’m almost the most excited about Dreadnok KAOS, one of those unreleased Pursuit of COBRA figures from the concept case five years back. He wouldn’t have been my first choice of those figures, but perhaps this is an indication that more of those could be on the docket. I guess we’ll see…
Previews and subscription period will start October 31st, 2017.
G.I. JOE DESERT TROOPER & COYOTE
Code Name: DUSTY & SANDSTORM
(Inspired by the 1991 action figure.)
Includes: removable beret, harness with large knife,
assault rifle, sub machine gun, coyote, knife,
pistol with suppressor, and figure stand.
COBRA SUPREME LEADER
Code Name: COBRA COMMANDER
(Inspired by the unreleased “arctic” action figure.)
Includes: removable helmet, holster with pistol,
advanced combat rifle, cobra staff, and figure stand.
G.I. JOE COMMANDER
Code Name: GENERAL HAWK
(Inspired by the 1991 action figure.)
Includes: removable helmet, harness with holster,
pistol, rifle, glider backpack with pop-out wings,
detachable rockets x 2, and figure stand.
DREADNOK SALVAGE CREW
Code Name: DREADNOK KAOS
(Inspired by the unreleased “concept case” action figure.)
Includes: removable harness, pistol, bolo,
wrist crossbow, machete, and figure stand.
G.I. JOE ASSAULT VEHICLE DRIVER
Code Name: TREADMARK
(Inspired by the 1988 action figure.)
Includes: removable vest, assault rifle, pistol,
combat knife, and figure stand.
EXTENSIVE ENTERPRISES CEO
Code Name: TOMAX
(Inspired by the Sunbow cartoon design.)
Features NEW head sculpt!
Includes: aerial platform with sky hook, auto pistol,
briefcase with warheads x 4, and figure stand.
G.I. JOE TIGER FORCE NINJA
Code Name: KIM “JINX” ARASHIKAGE
(Inspired by the 2003 action figure.)
Features NEW head sculpt!
Includes: masked/unmasked heads, swords x 2,
dual sword sheath backpack, Naginata, and figure stand.
COBRA ARCTIC TRANSPORT OFFICER
Code Name: ICE VIPER OFFICER
(Inspired by the 2007 action figure.)
Includes: removable helmet, goggles, harness,
radio, rifle, sais x 2, boot cleats, and figure stand.
G.I. JOE SAMURAI WARRIOR
Code Name: BUDO
(Inspired by the 1988 action figure.)
Features NEW head sculpt!
Includes: Samurai helmet, removable chest armor,
belt, sais x 2, swords x 2, and figure stand.
COBRA SAVAGE FIGHTER
Code Name: KANGOR
(Inspired by the Brazilian exclusive action figure.)
Includes: removable harness, boxing gloves/hands,
dumbbell weights x 2, kangaroo, and figure stand.
G.I. JOE TUNDRA RANGER
Code Name: SGT. STALKER
(Inspired by the 1989 action figure.)
Includes: removable tactical vest, NEW hat, rifle,
knife, kayak with stabilizer, machine gun mount,
double-ended paddle, and figure stand.
COBRA HYPNOTIST
Code Name: CRYSTAL BALL
(Inspired by the 1987 action figure.)
Features NEW head sculpt!
Includes: removable vest, pistol, knife,
shield, and figure stand.
NOTE: These modern era club exclusive action figures will not be exact replicas of their vintage counterparts. All images are Photoshop mock-up representations, final product, accessories and/or colors will vary!
by generalsjoes | Oct 31, 2017 | Boss Fight Studio
She’s en elf of many names… initially revealed at the New Jersey Collectors Convention, Cerisier was a very pleasant surprise. She had not appeared on any input drawings or concepts before her reveal, and many folks were a bit confused by where she fit in.
Technically not a part of wave 3 she also had been identified by several separate names (Sakura Elvish Assassin and Cherry Blossom Elf among others) and folks were a bit unsure of her place.
Well, Boss Fight Studio gave us all a pleasant surprise, revealing that she was a BossFightShop.com exclusive and she is available for sale RIGHT NOW.
As many folks have gotten used to, Cerisier is another excellent release from Boss Fight. Using the familiar female body style with an updated head (it almost looks like Lacuna’s head with a different hairpiece) this Elf has long, pointed ears and a sleek appearance giving more credence to her role as a deadly assassin. With gray skin (colored by dark ink to blend in to the shadows) and a fantastic combination of pale colors on the secondaries, she manages to look dark and stealthy and colorful and vibrant both at the same time. The folks at Boss Fight have a true sense of artistry with these figures, knowing just how to combine the right colors, enhancing the figure. So many toys these days have colors for the sake of having colors, without those color schemes really making sense. The Vitruvian HACKS series has a clear template and purpose for each color they choose, and the end result is a far more aesthetically pleasing end product.
Cerisier uses the same secondaries as Aiyana the Autumn Elf, but with these different colors, comes across as a much different looking character, and one that I really enjoy. It goes without saying that the articulation on the H.A.C.K. part system only further accentuate the greatness of this figure, as she feels exceptionally well constructed, yet has been remarkably easy to swamp around. The female body style that Boss Fight uses is the best in the business and every time I get a new figure of theirs it’s a true highlight.
Accessories
One nice thing about Cerisier is that she actually comes with some new gear. By the looks of it, it’s gear that will be repurposed for Narissa in Wave 2, but hitting first with Cerisier gives us a nice glimpse at some items still to come. The crossbow, hip quiver, and three crossbow bolts are all really great accessories and allow this Elvish assassin some mobility as she moves about the darkness, hunting down her targets. She also comes complete with a pair of the same knives that Aiyana initially came with as well.
Cerisier was a surprise addition to the Vitruvian HACKS universe, but has been a very welcome one. The spectacular construction, functional accessories (she can actually hold her crossbow realistically!) and excellent new paint scheme all come together to give us another really great, really fun Vitruvian HACKS product.
by generalsjoes | Oct 31, 2017 | Podcasts
Holy cow.
Honestly, though, I’m not especially surprised. Yes, Visionaries was a flash in the plan line at retail, but it was a line full of rich mythology, scores of awesome unreleased product, and what we saw on store shelves was just the tip of a vast, underwater iceberg of awesome potential. I, for one, am thrilled that the guys at Full Force devoted eight solid hours to an episode on discussing the Visionaries brand. It deserves this and more!
The podcast guys talk to a ton of talent related to Visionaries including Buzz Dixon himself, Steve and David Mapes from TheVisionaries.net including a deep dive into the vault of unseen Visionaries content. Some really awesome stuff crammed into this episode.
Check out The Full Force Podbean page for the episode, and definitely hit up The Full Force on Facebook for all the awesome show notes. And jeez, this image Brian Hickey whipped up freaking ROCKS.
by generalsjoes | Oct 31, 2017 | Show and Convention Coverage
The word is out and HasCon will continue! I know I speak for lots of folks when I say that the first inaugural HasCon was a roaring success. I had a blast in September when I went and greatly look forward to more to come.
Hasbro has announced the next HasCon, but there will be a little ways to wait, as the next date has been set for September 6th through the 9th… 2019.
The timing makes sense in a way, after all, there are several trade show/fan conventions that run every two years rather than annually and considering the coordination it took to get all of those exciting brands together in one place, I can see why this is an event that might happen only every two years.
The best thing is that it’s happening, and I’m already planning on how to get me and my family in Providence for September, 2019… it’s sure to be a great time!
