Already in the short history of the G.I. Joe: Renegades animated series, we’ve seen Scrap Iron, Zartan, Destro, Storm Shadow, and a wealth of the Cobra hierarchy we’re used to. Well, on February 11th, the 12th episode of Renegades airs, titled “Firefight”. And while the title might suggest a more flame-based story, one thing we now know for certain. Cobra saboteur Firefly is breaking into the Renegades universe. Check out the full episode description pulled from TVGuide.com:
“The Joes try to destroy a bio-viper facility, but are hindered by Firefly, a saboteur for Cobra.”
With the family out for a Girl Scout field trip, I had a chance to get jumping right on Episode Nine of G.I. Joe: Renegades tonight, and with Zartan being the focus of the show, I was happy to be able to do that.
While a considerable departure from what we know, we get a pretty fresh, interesting, and new take on the Master of Disguise. You can check out my review either in the Episode Guide or directly right here!
The name popped up on the screen for a mere second or two, and a smile immediately came to my face.
For anyone who has been a part of the G.I. Joe online fandom for a long time, the name Eugene Son is immediately recognizable. Eugene was one of the more prolific early members of the online G.I. Joe community and in fact was one of the founders of G.I. Joe super archive YoJoe.com. Anything that YoJoe currently is, is due to the major influence that Eugene had over the site while a part of the online community.
A few years ago, Eugene faded away from the community some, and decided to pursue a career in the animation industry as a writer. He has written for some fantastic properties over the years, including Ben10 and Marvel Superhero Squad (among many others). Imagine my surprise, however, to see his name pop up in the credits for Episode Nine of G.I. Joe: Renegades. Zartan and the Dreadnoks’ origin within the G.I. Joe: Renegades universe was penned by one of us. How cool is that?
Things do have a way of coming full circle, so let me just take a moment to give Eugene a little applause, some congratulations, and here’s hoping he gets to put pen to paper for many more Renegades episodes in the future! Yo Joe indeed.
Didn’t take Gyre-Viper long… just mere hours after posting images for the HISS Scout, he’s also gotten some images online at HissTank.com for the Wave 2 Mech, the Cobra Minotaur. The highlight of the Minotaur for most folks is probably the Desert Scorpion, and there are certainly plenty of images of the figure as well. A surprisingly effective figure based on the limited parts choices available.
Check out the mirrored images below. The current release status of the Wave 2 Mechs is unknown. The reason I say that for the Mechs and the Alphas is twofold… first of all, I believe Gyre-Viper was told by his Asian contact that these samples were for “canceled product”. Not only that, but I don’t see much sense in rushing out the release of the figures, then staggering the vehicle releases back another 2 months, with no figures to compliment them.
It’s highly possible that these will see the light of day at some point, but personally, I don’t have a real good feeling about it. Alpha’s have been sort of clogging shelves, and judging by the fact that PoC Vehicles are already abundant in ROSS stores doesn’t speak well for the future of PoC vehicle releases at mainstream retail.
Time will tell. Hopefully we’ll get some intel in New York in February.
A familiar face has received another care package from his Asian comrades, and Gyre-Viper has unloaded a plethora of images in this thread on HissTank.com featuring the G.I. Joe: Pursuit of Cobra HISS Scout.
An Alpha sized vehicle, which is currently in release limbo, it’s a neat little HISS shaped vehicle. Rumors abounded that it would somehow attach to its larger HISS brother, and Gyre-Viper confirms those rumors in the image gallery.
Currently, the status on both this vehicle and the Cycle Armor with Ashiko is completely unknown. The HISS Scout looks neat and all, but I will be absolutely crushed if the Cycle Armor doesn’t somehow find its way to retail. I MUST own that at some point. Yeah, I’ve heard that it’s a bit chinsy and has a tendency to fall apart with the wind, but I still want one, dammit. Until then I’ll live vicariously through Gyre’s images of the HISS Scout below.
Earlier today I passed along word that the February issue of the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club Newsletter would feature an interesting freebie and encouraged folks to join. Well, while we still don’t exactly know what the freebie is, the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club Facebook Page provided some more cool info about the February issue!
“A NEW regular feature of the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club magazine will be a running Adventure Team comic in serial format! Each issue will feature two pages of story and art by Tod Pleasant and Rod Whigham! The first two pager will debut in the February issue of the Club magazine….”
That’s right! A NEW Adventure Team comic story…but the best part? Art by Rod Whigham! That makes my freaking day. I love seeing his covers for the IDW G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero books, seeing actual internal art in a G.I. Joe comic again will be fantastic.
Can’t wait. If you want to join up in time for the February issue, check out GIJoeClub.com now!
While I was able to capture a quick promo for Episode 9 of G.I. Joe: Renegades last week, it took a little while for me to get my digital mitts on this slightly longer one. But I think the wait was worth it! Featuring a few spoken lines by Zartan, and quite a bit more action, this second promo has me all fired up for tomorrow night!
Check it out below.
For folks who missed it, or for folks like me who are just in love with the awesome high quality videos on Hubworld.com, the latest episode has been uploaded! Featuring the introductions of both Scrap Iron and James McCullen (AKA “Destro”), episode 8 takes a surprisingly dark topic and gives us 20 minutes of compelling animated action.
Of course, don’t forget that Episode 9, “Dreadnoks Rising” debuts on The Hub tomorrow as well, featuring the debut of Zartan and the Dreadnoks!
For all of the latest Renegades info, check out my Renegades SuperSite, and specifically the Episode Guide.
IDW Editor Chris Ryall has his own little corner of the internet, appropriately titled RyallTime, and has posted a nice little preview of the upcoming G.I. Joe: Infestation comic. Check out the blog right here, or just take a peek at the mirrored images below.
The January issue of the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club newsletter recently hit mailboxes, and the Collectors’ Club is now encouraging fans to sign up for the Club in time for their February issue, promising a freebie that’s a “little different, AND a little special”. This message was posted to their Facebook page:
“If you are not a member of the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club now, sign up TOMORROW (Friday) so you will be sure to get the February issue. It’s a little different AND a little special! And there’s an extra freebie included. It’s a great issue to start off with! Don’t say I didn’t tell all our Facebook friends! :-)”
I have no idea what this freebie ism but if you’re thinking about joining the Collectors’ Club, it sounds like now is the time. I know you want the Dial Tone, so click here to join up!
