by generalsjoes | Jan 2, 2014 | Comics and Cartoons, Film, G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation, G.I. Joe 3, G.I. Joe Battleground, G.I. Joe Collectors Club, G.I. Joe Comics, G.I. Joe Kre-O, G.I. Joe Retaliation Toys, G.I. Joe Toys, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, G.I. Joe: The Movie, IDW
The dichotomy between 2013 and this upcoming new year couldn’t have been more stark than it was when I was researching the Top 10 biggest news stories for the past year. We went from anticipating a new film, lots of new Hasbro release toys, the emergence of Kre-O, and many other potential new G.I. Joe events from the upcoming year to a year of total uncertainty.
Today marks the beginning of the 50th Anniversary of the G.I. Joe brand, a brand steeped in history and cultural relevance, and it seems to be a real shame that such an event would go mostly ignored by Hasbro, who wouldn’t exist as an entity today without G.I. Joe’s presence throughout the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. A damn shame that nearly four full decades of success relegates a once remarkable brand to the potential dustbins of history and pop culture insignificance. G.I. Joe as a brand helped build you, Hasbro. It would be nice if you would at least spend some efforts trying to return the favor.
Rant over. 🙂
Click the “Continue Reading” link below to see my list of the Top 10 biggest G.I. Joe news stories of 2013, let’s all cross our fingers that there are enough reasons to be writing up a similar list this time next year!
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by generalsjoes | Mar 12, 2013 | G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
Doomsun sends word to me that he has posted an interview of former Hasbro artist Andrei Koribanics on his site Leaky Suit Brigade. Mr. Koribanics was apparently an artist who worked alongside Ron Rudat and Bill Merklein back in the heyday of G.I. Joe production, from 1983 – 1985.
He’s got some very cool stories to tell and it’s always awesome to hear from some of the architects of your childhood.
Check out the interview over on the Leaky Suit Brigade and thanks to Doomsun for the information.
by generalsjoes | Mar 6, 2013 | G.I. Joe, Other Toys
“JOE”rassic Park… ya like that? Yeah, I gotta give Chuck from What’s on Joe Mind credit for that one. He claims that was his invention. If someone saw it somewhere else, it’s not my fault!
According to gijoefrank from the Terror Drome forums, he found these at retail in a Southern California Toys “R” Us and supplied a nice assortment of images as proof as well. It’s amazing to me that we just heard confirmation of these two days ago and already retail sightings have begun. Pretty cool.
no images were found
by generalsjoes | Nov 5, 2012 | Comics and Cartoons, G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe Toys
When the news about Disney and Lucasfilm exploded all over my Internets last week, I contemplated writing something up about it, just because any major corporate changeover with Lucasfilm could have a potential impact for Hasbro, being one of Lucas’ largest licensees. Ultimately I didn’t write anything up, but with the sudden unfounded rumors today about a potential purchase of Hasbro by Disney (yes JUST A RUMOR. Do not freak out yet!) I figured perhaps I should talk about it a little bit.
I’ve seen a lot of commentary about this subject, obviously, with two corporate giants that are pretty near and dear to many of our geek hearts, but most of the focus of these comments is how Disney’s influence will directly impact Lucasfilm itself.
The larger question would seem, as far as toy fans are concerned, is how will this change impact Hasbro as one of Lucasfilm’s primary licensees and the major manufacturer of all Star Wars related action figures? I’ve seen many folks concerned that this could spell doom and gloom for Hasbro, or that Disney’s previous contracts with Mattel would more or less guarantee a shift from Hasbro to their competitor, which could (hypothetically) spell doom and gloom for the Rhode Island toy maker.
I believe in the short term, this Disney move actually helps Hasbro. And helps them quite a bit.
How so? Click the Read the Rest of the Story link below for my thoughts.
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by generalsjoes | Oct 2, 2012 | G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe Toys, NYCC, Show and Convention Coverage
Hasbro has made it pretty clear throughout the year that they have no intention of setting up a booth at the New York Comic Con. They seem pretty adamant that SDCC is where they want to make their convention presence known, but I think some folks were holding out hope that perhaps something would turn around and Hasbro just might show up in New York City next week.
Well, Jay from Marvelous News has reached out to Hasbro, and they confirmed that while they are doing seminars for Transformers and My Little Pony, there will not be a Hasbro booth at the show, there will be no special exclusives, and no product shown during the Convention itself.
But don’t despair yet, Joe fans.
Jay also reports (and I can confirm, as I also received notification of this) that even though Hasbro will not have a booth at NYCC, there will be an event prior to the show revealing some previously unseen product for Transformers, Kre-O, Star Wars, Marvel, and… yes… G.I. Joe. This event will be the evening of October 10th, which is next Wednesday.
Should we expect to see a lot of new stuff? No, probably not, but just the fact that we might see some previously unrevealed G.I. Joe items is reason enough to celebrate and look forward to next week.
Unfortunately I will be in Las Vegas for business, so I cannot make the show myself, but I will live vicariously through Jay, and through the other sites that will likely be covering the event. Can’t wait to see what shows up! Check out the post on Marvelous News for a little more detail.
