by generalsjoes | Aug 17, 2016 | G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe Collectors Club
By far my favorite Action Force subteam is Z-Force, so I’m loving the fact that the G.I. Joe Collectors Club has been focusing on that particular branch to bring us characters that were once European exclusives.
The latest member of that team comes to us in the form of Gaucho! Originally released with the Action Force Headquarters, Gaucho was a Gung Ho repaint back in the day, so it makes sense for him to be a Gung Ho repaint now as well, using the incredible 50th Anniversary Gung Ho as a base.
This figure looks like a great version of the Z-Force mechanic, and I’m excited to see how he looks with the other Z-Force operatives the Club has released previously. Check out the preview on GIJoeClub.com or the image mirrored below.
My only question at this point… what tattoo is he going to have?

EDIT – Looks like the emblem from the Mexican flag is what’s likely on his chest:

by generalsjoes | Aug 17, 2016 | G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe Collectors Club
The roster for 1987 Joes and COBRAs is quickly getting filled and today we get our first look at the latest member of that esteemed line up… Raptor!
As I just posted this morning, Raptor does use some Pursuit of COBRA Zartan parts and Resolute Pilot Destro legs (which makes some sense with the pseudo bird-claw feet).
The use of a removable retro falcon cowl is interesting, and while I would have preferred a completely newly tooled head and/or cowl, this may be functional enough. Unfortunately the Photoshop work doesn’t do the look and fit any favors. I like the Jungle Viper wings. All in all, the build is good. He’ll fit right in with Battle Armor COBRA Commander, Big Boa and Croc Master.
Now where’s my Crystal Ball dammit?

by generalsjoes | Aug 16, 2016 | G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe Collectors Club
They started the reveals last week and now FSS 5 is up for pre-order! Along with the pre-order they have posted descriptions of the majority of the figures as well (with the exception of Xamot, who supposedly has some tooling questions).
I love seeing these descriptions and trying to get an idea of how each figure is going to be handled based on them. For example, check out Raptor:
(Based on the classic 1987 action figure!)
Includes: removable falcon headpiece, harness, whistle, winged backpack, revolver pistol, bird staff, falcon with removable hood, and figure stand
My guess based on this? I think the removable falcon headpiece will be new tooling, but I also think we’ll be seeing some Pursuit of COBRA Zartan elements, too. The bird staff and falcon with removable hood are from that particular figure. I love how they’re including Sgt. Slaughter’s whistle, too. My guess for the winged backpack is the Pursuit of COBRA Skydive (which Black Vulture and Flying Scorpion came from) because that somewhat approximates the look of wings. If they want to match the cloth of the original wings, though, it’ll probably be the “flying squirrel” backpack from Resolute Snake Eyes and a the Convention Air Commandos from this year.
Then there’s Salvo:
(Based on the classic 1990 action figure!)
Includes: removable helmet, rocket launcher with projectile, weapons case, pistol, and figure stand.
I love the removable helmet from the 1990 version, but one would think that helmet’s tooling is probably lost. However, the 2006 Direct to Consumer Salvo did come with a similar helmet, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that one is still around.
The guessing game is fun, but I suspect shortly we’ll see everything we want to see, and the FSS order period is open until September 2nd! Don’t lose your chance to be a part of one of the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club’s most exciting line ups to date.
Order FSS 5 now!
by generalsjoes | Aug 12, 2016 | G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe Collectors Club
To close off your work week, the G.I. Joe Collectors Club reveals the FSS 5.0 version of their Battle Corps COBRA Viper! Interestingly, the Club didn’t go for a straight redeco of their Iron Anvil Convention Figure, but instead leveraged a chunk of the Jungle Viper. Honestly, I think I prefer the Iron Anvil build, but as a 90s lover, I’ll certainly take this, too!
Check it out at GIJoeClub.com and the mirrored image below.

Check out the first five reveals in the gallery below as well!
by generalsjoes | Aug 11, 2016 | G.I. Joe Collectors Club
As the son of the original General Flagg made famous in the early days of the Marvel Comics, I always enjoyed the dynamic of what Flagg might do with the team in conjunction with General Hawk. In fact, in my dio-stories, I sort of retired Hawk and moved him towards my “Renegades” offshoot team and had Flagg take over leadership of the team proper.
Once again I really love how my own vision of G.I. Joe and the Collectors Club vision dovetails, as Flagg was a pretty important player in my stories, even if his motives weren’t always on the up and up. And I gotta say, I’m really loving this version of the figure. I might even say it’s one of my favorite FSS 5.0 reveals to date, which is amazing, considering the relative simplicity of the design. It’s good stuff. Check out the review on GIJoeClub.com and I’ve also mirrored the image below.
