[The Wire]

G.I.Joe Combat Heroes Series 2

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[Tom-1]

You know, I usually try to keep this type of opinion to myself, buuut... these things are ##$%$#ed.

I can understand if maybe someone is ALL ABOUT Beachhead, or Snake Eyes or Zartan and wants a little goofy item of the character to place in their shrine of misc. nicknacks that also share their favorite character's likeness... but a series of these things seems ridiculously stupid to me.

I would have never ever guessed there was a market in our community for these. But then again, I said the same thing about Mighty Muggs and evidently people are into those, too.

Tom

[Destro]

I can definitely see where you're coming from Tom, but for some reason I think these lil guys are awesome, and..well, I'm more excited about these than I am about the regular 25 anniversary line.

Yeah, I don't get it either.

[DarthHavok]

They're geared toward younger fans. Lord knows I'd like my kids to be inbto the same things I was (am). Makes playing with them more fun additionally it's easier to relate to them on their level. I personally will not collect these, but I would ba happy to purchase them for my kids or neices and nephews as a stepping stone that may one day lead to older themed figures. Or, I can let them slip into the Pokeman type card game animal ball whatever genre and lose them to a world that I am not interested in at all.

Granted not everyine here has kids so this is kind of moot, but there are future collectors out there and I see Hasbro's way of thinking. Draw in more fans.

Besides, they're fun in themselves for those of us here who may like to collect them.

Pointless to my collection? Yes, but as I stated above, they serve their purpose on many levels and I'm all for attracting younger fans who will someday keep our favorite line of figures in production.

[Magic 8 Ball]

So... explain to me again why the actual, functional GI Joe line doesn't get new molds for every figure, is made to suffer with loads of repaints, and has to put up with a host of inaccuracies on nearly every figure... yet, artistic style of the figures aside, this line has none of that.

Please, explain to me why the preschool line that is based on the property is receiving more effort than the line that is the bread and butter of the property. Explain it to me in a way that won't make my head explode.

DarthHavok, on Sep 21 2008, 01:57 AM, said:

Granted not everyine here has kids so this is kind of moot, but there are future collectors out there and I see Hasbro's way of thinking. Draw in more fans.

Draw them into WHAT?! The line that is labeled GI Joe, but is more accurately called "Duke, Snake Eyes, Cobra Commander, and Friends"? Being more articulated only goes so far when better character selection and individual sculpts of those characters is to be found in the "Hey Kids, War Is Cute!" line.

[DarthHavok]

Magic 8 Ball, on Sep 20 2008, 11:58 PM, said:

So... explain to me again why the actual, functional GI Joe line doesn't get new molds for every figure, is made to suffer with loads of repaints, and has to put up with a host of inaccuracies on nearly every figure... yet, artistic style of the figures aside, this line has none of that.

Please, explain to me why the preschool line that is based on the property is receiving more effort than the line that is the bread and butter of the property. Explain it to me in a way that won't make my head explode.

One peice PVC peices are much easier to make as opposed to molding all the peices necessary to create a regular 25th figure. I see your point, but monetarily speaking, it's easier for Hasbro.

[Magic 8 Ball]

DarthHavok, on Sep 21 2008, 02:00 AM, said:

One peice PVC peices are much easier to make as opposed to molding all the peices necessary to create a regular 25th figure. I see your point, but monetarily speaking, it's easier for Hasbro.

Not that it actually changes your statement at all, but the 'Heroes' lines from Hasbro are often 3-4 parts each. That's still something like a tenth of the parts that go into a regular figure; I'm just being picky about details.

And I'll agree that it's easier, but counter that it's stupider. You don't go launching a new line to help bolster the popularity of a property when you haven't been able to adequately satisfy the existing buyers of the existing line. It makes those who are trying to support that line feel like they're getting the 'big finger', and/or that the company doesn't care and would rather replace them than please them.

I understand all the reasons that Hasbro is doing it... I just hate that they're doing it when so many things still need work in the regular line.

[Tom-1]

You guys raise some really great points - their serving as a connection between father and son is the best, in my opinion. Granted, I'm sure that wasn't the intent behind them, but a happy result all the same.

Though, I wonder if the expenditure for such a line is worth it, considering this line seems focused on collectors? I could be wrong, but it seems like alot of the frivilous kid-catching measures taken during the VvV days (storybooks, backpacks, talking 12" figures, ect) that ultimately didn't work out?

Tom

[DarthHavok]

Magic 8 Ball, on Sep 20 2008, 11:58 PM, said:

So... explain to me again why the actual, functional GI Joe line doesn't get new molds for every figure, is made to suffer with loads of repaints, and has to put up with a host of inaccuracies on nearly every figure... yet, artistic style of the figures aside, this line has none of that.

Please, explain to me why the preschool line that is based on the property is receiving more effort than the line that is the bread and butter of the property. Explain it to me in a way that won't make my head explode.

DarthHavok, on Sep 21 2008, 01:57 AM, said:

Granted not everyine here has kids so this is kind of moot, but there are future collectors out there and I see Hasbro's way of thinking. Draw in more fans.

Draw them into WHAT?! The line that is labeled GI Joe, but is more accurately called "Duke, Snake Eyes, Cobra Commander, and Friends"? Being more articulated only goes so far when better character selection and individual sculpts of those characters is to be found in the "Hey Kids, War Is Cute!" line.

Anyone having watched the Sunbow series knows that "war" depicted there is anyhting but the horror it actually is. Besides that, the tone of todays entertainment geared towards kids is a lesson in contradiction. Animals being friends - some of which eat one another, the lion king for example - Dinosaurs being cute when in fact they weren't. I still have nightmares about the Tele-tubbies. Point is that kind of "nitpicking" goes too far when trying to make a case that these aren't good for kids because they glorify war. We played with them when we were kids...Hell ost of the people visiting this site have but I like to think I'm no worse a person because of it. Like the line or not, it isn't terrible nor is it hurting the 25th line. Granted I would like to see less repaints as much as the next guy, but even the original RAH line had plenty of those to go around. And I odubt there is much effort going into the Heroes line. To proove that do this. Take some paly-doh and make a GI Joe Hero. Not too difficult. Now take the sme play-doh and make a 25th figure. Quite a different bit of effort.

I'm just happy to get figures of my childhood favorites. Maybe someday as the line contnues better versions will be made (Star Wars for example) and if not then I'll cope.

[Tom-1]

DarthHavok, on Sep 20 2008, 10:40 PM, said:

Anyone having watched the Sunbow series knows that "war" depicted there is anyhting but the horror it actually is.

I can verify that G.I. Joe depicts combat like Star Wars depicts the space program.

Tom

[DarthHavok]

And not to come off as though I'm defending the Heroes line. I'm not. I'm indifferent toward it and don't think it's worth the aggravation.

[Destro]

Tom-1, on Sep 21 2008, 02:18 AM, said:

Though, I wonder if the expenditure for such a line is worth it, considering this line seems focused on collectors? I could be wrong, but it seems like alot of the frivilous kid-catching measures taken during the VvV days (storybooks, backpacks, talking 12" figures, ect) that ultimately didn't work out?

Tom

These type of figures seem to sell fairly well w/ transformers and star wars fans; it seems logical that hasbro would make a similar line for gijoe.

[Magic 8 Ball]

Tom-1, on Sep 21 2008, 02:18 AM, said:

Though, I wonder if the expenditure for such a line is worth it, considering this line seems focused on collectors? I could be wrong, but it seems like alot of the frivilous kid-catching measures taken during the VvV days (storybooks, backpacks, talking 12" figures, ect) that ultimately didn't work out?

Tom

Despite what Hasbro says, a good portion of the 'Heroes' lines are going to the adults/collectors. I won't deny popularity with kids, but they likely only account for half the actual buyers/receivers of the lines.

That's what makes it so aggravating to me- Hasbro is putting out another line for collectors when a good portion of collectors have doubts that they are doing a good job with the line they have now. I might add that we're talking about a line format that has repeatedly proven it's success and versatility, rather than a line that has the single gimmick of 'cuteness' and when that gets old... nothing.

DarthHavok, on Sep 21 2008, 02:40 AM, said:

Anyone having watched the Sunbow series knows that "war" depicted there is anyhting but the horror it actually is. Besides that, the tone of todays entertainment geared towards kids is a lesson in contradiction. Animals being friends - some of which eat one another, the lion king for example - Dinosaurs being cute when in fact they weren't. I still have nightmares about the Tele-tubbies. Point is that kind of "nitpicking" goes too far when trying to make a case that these aren't good for kids because they glorify war. We played with them when we were kids...Hell ost of the people visiting this site have but I like to think I'm no worse a person because of it.

There is an entire world of difference between a 6 or 7 year old arming his fantasy soldier figures and having them do battle, and a 3 year old pointing gun-wielding Campbell's Soup kids at each other. I will again concede the number of adult buyers, but the mere fact that a good portion of the demographic they're trying to sell this to is the preschool crowd just isn't sitting well with me.

[DPrime]

I don't know, I kind of like them. Since the 25th Mass Device is so small, I might have them use it instead of the regular figures.

[BrotherShane]

Destro looks really good! I'll probably pick up most of these.

[wolverine2281]

I may just get all of those

[Artistrix]

I think the little Adventure Hero type lines are cool.

Not enough to actually buy them, but they are very cute.

[joenubb]

Magic 8 Ball, on Sep 21 2008, 12:58 AM, said:

So... explain to me again why the actual, functional GI Joe line doesn't get new molds for every figure, is made to suffer with loads of repaints, and has to put up with a host of inaccuracies on nearly every figure... yet, artistic style of the figures aside, this line has none of that.

Please, explain to me why the preschool line that is based on the property is receiving more effort than the line that is the bread and butter of the property. Explain it to me in a way that won't make my head explode.

That is the exact thing that I'm thinking. Yeah they're adorable, but why doesn't the main line get this kind of attention?!

[Shogunfox]

I would love to get these but I gotta stay focus on the main line. The main line is pretty expensive as a collective lot and it doesn't seem like Hasbro will be taking a break anytime soon. And it doesn't help with all that gas expenditures to get to the stores to see if they got it or not. LOL. Hasbro and Oil Cartel must be in it together. hmmm?