G.I.Joe 25th Anniversary: 5 More Of The 25

[supreme-d]

So if they owe you for buying the toys you owe them for producing them since you have a need for them.

 

...

 

your simple position that all producers owe you for being a consumer does not accurately reflect all the dynamics of business.

Yeah, I clearly posted that I agree with that statement. If they produce quality figures that I WANT to buy, I owe it to them to buy them (after all, its what I always wanted). Although originally I was refering to all of us, not just me.

 

And thanks for calling me a simpelton in as many words. It's nice to know I can come here to voice my opinion AND get a free vieled insult. It's like a 2 for 1 deal!

 

And my simple position was over simplified. They owe me for all the crap I've bought just because I wanted them to succeed long enough to get my favorite characters. Do you think I wanted to buy all those Spy Troops 2 packs? Hell no, I was just waiting for a new Night Viper to come out. Now that I have to pay $61 to get one, I dont really feel my needs have been satiated. They owe me. So I reserve the right to complain about these figures, because ill probobly end up buying them even if I dont like them, because I dont want ARAH to stop being made.

[CynicForever]

Hmmm.

Lets play a game. Try to guess how many new molded figures are left to show, and how many are just repaints with new heads? I'm guessing 3 new bodies, and 7 more repaints.

[Anushsadana]

Regarding the repaints...

 

Cobra Commander, Snake Eyes, & Storm Shadow are the most popular characters, and they shouldn't ONLY be available in a 5 pack, so that casual consumers have a chance to get their hands on them. From that standpoint, I can see why they're getting second versions so quickly. Now as for the re-use of parts, figure by figure...

 

1. Cobra Commander: doesn't bother me at all as his construction borrows the same parts the original version did.

 

2. Storm Shadow: the only differences I see between this version and the original are this versions short sleeves and wrist bands, and since Hasbro was cool enough to include his tattoo, I have zero complaints (Wouldn't mind the eventual inclusion of a compound bow though).

 

3. Snake Eyes: This is the ninja version and the combat boots look too "loud" to my eyes. However it's nothing a quick switch with Storm Shadow Boots and a little Sculpey can't fix, so it's not killing me. Wouldn't have minded seeing the wrist mounted crossbow or his original sword updated. A new articulated Timber would have been nice too, but the headsculpt rocks and I can customize this guy into the version 2 Snake Eyes of my dreams so I'm not annoyed.

 

4. Cobra Officer: This is a no brainer, no one has any reason to be annoyed with the reuse of parts on this guy.

 

5. Flint: I LOVE IT! We'll pretend he rolled his sleeves down a little cuz it got windy, who cares, this is Flint in all his glory. I'd rather Hasbro put the new mold budget into more unique clothed characters. A dress shirt is a dress shirt. I dig it.

 

Sincerely,

 

The guy who think it's funny that no one would complain if they'd simply switched out the upper arm parts for flint and storm shadow version 2.

 

P.S. GIVE ME A ZARTAN WHO TURNS BLUE AND I WILL BE HASBRO'S #$#@# FOR LIFE!

[Gentleman]

3. Snake Eyes: This is the ninja version and the combat boots look too "loud" to my eyes. However it's nothing a quick switch with Storm Shadow Boots and a little Sculpey can't fix, so it's not killing me. Wouldn't have minded seeing the wrist mounted crossbow or his original sword updated. A new articulated Timber would have been nice too, but the headsculpt rocks and I can customize this guy into the version 2 Snake Eyes of my dreams so I'm not annoyed.

 

While the new pants and boots don't bother me at all (in fact, I think they are more appropiate), I foresee that if the line does well, eventually Hasbro will re-issue the fig with "cartoon/comic accurate" legs. Just you wait, just you wait.

 

We've seen Hasbro "correct" or "upgrade" Star Wars figs countless times, for instance. The latest example I can think of is Commander Gree - the one they released for the ROTS line was nice and all, but the paint application wasn't accurate at all and he was missing some "add ons" the character had on screen. Well, Hasbro only just "suggested" that they will eventually reissue this figure, but with a new sculpt of his own.

 

Still, for some of us, these Snake Eyes with realistic commando boots will be enough.

 

5. Flint: I LOVE IT! We'll pretend he rolled his sleeves down a little cuz it got windy, who cares, this is Flint in all his glory. I'd rather Hasbro put the new mold budget into more unique clothed characters. A dress shirt is a dress shirt. I dig it.

 

Well said man, well said!!!

 

Sincerely,

 

The guy who think it's funny that no one would complain if they'd simply switched out the upper arm parts for flint and storm shadow version 2.

 

While many have suggested this course of action - it wouldn't have worked, as SS's sleeves are short "from the get go", whereas Flint's are rolled up. Sculpt-wise it doesn't match, right?

 

P.S. GIVE ME A ZARTAN WHO TURNS BLUE AND I WILL BE HASBRO'S #$#@# FOR LIFE!

 

HA.

 

Only problem is that "color changing" features end up being a pain in the ass after some years - Colors start to get fucked up and so on!

[Anushsadana]

I would love it if they updated Version 2 Snake Eyes at some point, as the original is my favorite figure of all time. As it is...Hey, I don't wear the same shoes with the same outfit everyday, why should Snake Eyes? I can still dig the figure as is.

 

Color changing Zartan would make me giggle like a schoolgirl even if they feature got messed up a few years down the road. Color changing Zartan with mask and I will be Hasbro's love slave forever.

 

Now I'm wondering why the board #&!3'ed out my "B" word and left in your "F" word...

[punishment-101]

I'm still hoping for a Beachhead done right and as far as the figures stand so far, I am really looking forward to this line, now that it seems Flint has been fixed up and hopefully RB won't look like his toy fair version, and hopefully the line will be continued into 2008 and we'll get a Hit&Run figure and all those other lesser know but still popular characters.

[Vending Machine]

Hmmm.

Lets play a game. Try to guess how many new molded figures are left to show, and how many are just repaints with new heads? I'm guessing 3 new bodies, and 7 more repaints.

 

In the spirit of Viper Hunter's awesome visual list, I've compiled my own visual list of who I think Hasbro will make to round up the last ten slots.

 

 

Runners-up include:

 

Heavy Duty

Gristle

Fast Blast Viper

Nitro Viper

Blanka

Colonel Courage

M. Bison

Dee-Jay

Admiral Keel-Haul

Heavy Duty v2

Monstro-Viper

Cesspool

Iron Grenadier Destro

Crystal Ball

Big Brawler

Steel Brigade Soldier

Name Your Own "Create-A-Cobra"

Sure Fire

Captain Gridiron

Ninja Viper

Star Brigade Deep-Six

Robo-Joe

Wet Down

Desert Camo Snow Serpent

Nemesis Enforcer, hooded version

Golobulus w/ Air Chariot

Gung-Ho w/ Serpentor's Helmet (henceforth known as Gung-Serpentor)

 

Seriously...it seems like Admiral Snackbar is running this line, amirite?

[Stevy Maximus]

And my simple position was over simplified. They owe me for all the crap I've bought just because I wanted them to succeed long enough to get my favorite characters. Do you think I wanted to buy all those Spy Troops 2 packs? Hell no, I was just waiting for a new Night Viper to come out. Now that I have to pay $61 to get one, I dont really feel my needs have been satiated. They owe me. So I reserve the right to complain about these figures, because ill probobly end up buying them even if I dont like them, because I dont want ARAH to stop being made.

That is not a good position to take in toy collecting. The ONLY time collector dollars truely meant anything was during the DTC run when the line didn't have the backing of retailers (IMO, TRU came in only because Hasbro had too much product left after 2005). Beyond that, collectors really weren't that big a factor. Why do you think Hasbro so willingly dumped 3.75 in favor of Sigma Six?

 

Nobody, not Hasbro not fans, forced you to buy stuff you don't like, you CHOSE to do so. It's like the Star Wars collector complaining about buying all the different versions of Darth Vader in order to get Wedge Antilles (which to date, has NEVER been available at a mass retail single card), Hasbro NEVER gave any real guarantee, and in retail, there IS no guarantee something will be made at all.

 

Hasbro owes us nothing, they are a business out to make money marketing little plastic men to kids, not satisfy aging collectors (who in Joe's case, really haven't proved to be as mighty a market as we believe). If you don't like something, DON'T BUY IT! At mass retail (which is where this line is going), we are not going to be the primary market, despite the direction of the toyline.

[Guest McBragg]

Don't forget the good part, Hasbro makes all those and there'll STILL be some fans who will stick up for the company. @hmmm@

 

And they'd say "they'll get to new versions of fan favorites"

 

Just like they probably did with the last "new sculpts"...and 5 years of that (2002-2006) and some fan favorites still went unmade. Barbecue, where are thou?

 

As consumers and AMERICANS #US1# we have the right to complain perpetually. Anyone saying otherwise is a KGB sleeper agent. @smilepunch@

[Stevy Maximus]

Don't forget the good part, Hasbro makes all those and there'll STILL be some fans who will stick up for the company. @hmmm@

 

And they'd say "they'll get to new versions of fan favorites"

 

Just like they probably did with the last "new sculpts"...and 5 years of that (2002-2006) and some fan favorites still went unmade. Barbecue, where are thou?

 

As consumers and AMERICANS #US1# we have the right to complain perpetually. Anyone saying otherwise is a KGB sleeper agent. @smilepunch@

I've complained on other boards, and I for one will be POed if I don't get an Iron Grenadier Destro (he was "MY" Destro) or Tiger Force Duke (my first Joe, bugged me as a kid that he had brown hair)

 

But I also feel that at this board in particular, there is a sense of entitlement that is unwarranted. That because we are fans ,we "deserve" to have Hasbro bend over backwards, ignore YEARS of retail experience, and spend far more than the line has proven to be worth in order to get a few thousand fans characters which may not have much, if any, mass retail marketability.

Fan favorite doesn't mean that the figure fits with the toyline's theme, or is terribly marketable (or that Hasbro is able to secure a trademark for the name).

 

But I'll say it again, 3.75 GI Joe is NOT a powerhouse brand, it is effectivly relaunching from scratch at mass retail this summer. The line hasn't proved it will be profitable enough to warrant the amount of money fans WANT Hasbro to spend. If we want GI Joe is be profitable in the current retail environment (which is NOT the same as it was in the 80s), reuse of parts is necessary. Consider how much reuse Hasbro has done with Star Wars in the past 7 odd years. As late as 2005, they were still reusing tools made in 1999. Expecting Hasbro to put as much (if not MORE) money into a GI Joe figure as they do Star Wars figure is ludacris, not even considering the licensing cost, these new Joe molds have as much tooling as any given new Star Wars figures

[BrotherShane]

P.S. GIVE ME A ZARTAN WHO TURNS BLUE AND I WILL BE HASBRO'S #$#@# FOR LIFE!

 

That'd be cool, although I'm sure they'll make a regular Zartan and a blue-skinned Zartan. They both may round out the first 25 figures.

[supreme-d]

That is not a good position to take in toy collecting. The ONLY time collector dollars truely meant anything was during the DTC run when the line didn't have the backing of retailers (IMO, TRU came in only because Hasbro had too much product left after 2005). Beyond that, collectors really weren't that big a factor. Why do you think Hasbro so willingly dumped 3.75 in favor of Sigma Six?

 

Nobody, not Hasbro not fans, forced you to buy stuff you don't like, you CHOSE to do so. It's like the Star Wars collector complaining about buying all the different versions of Darth Vader in order to get Wedge Antilles (which to date, has NEVER been available at a mass retail single card), Hasbro NEVER gave any real guarantee, and in retail, there IS no guarantee something will be made at all.

 

Hasbro owes us nothing, they are a business out to make money marketing little plastic men to kids, not satisfy aging collectors (who in Joe's case, really haven't proved to be as mighty a market as we believe). If you don't like something, DON'T BUY IT! At mass retail (which is where this line is going), we are not going to be the primary market, despite the direction of the toyline.

I would venture to say that Hasbro dumped the 3.75 figures because, as stated countless times before, they are money grubbing whores. I never said they made me buy anything you cumquat. I specifically stated why I bought/ buy their crap.

 

Dont tell me what to do. I had my opinion, I voiced it, and now people wont stop riding my ass. Just shut-up, im still gonna complain about the parts I dont like in the line. If you feel the company doesnt owe you anything, fine, I dont care, buy all there crap and dont say anything about it's faults. I buy all thier crap because I want the brand to succeed, and I am gonna complain because I havent yet got what I want, despite my support. They owe me, get over it.

[Stevy Maximus]

I would venture to say that Hasbro dumped the 3.75 figures because, as stated countless times before, they are money grubbing whores. I never said they made me buy anything you cumquat. I specifically stated why I bought/ buy their crap.

 

Dont tell me what to do. I had my opinion, I voiced it, and now people wont stop riding my ass. Just shut-up, im still gonna complain about the parts I dont like in the line. If you feel the company doesnt owe you anything, fine, I dont care, buy all there crap and dont say anything about it's faults. I buy all thier crap because I want the brand to succeed, and I am gonna complain because I havent yet got what I want, despite my support. They owe me, get over it.

"Money grubbing whores" like Nintendo, NECA, Mattel, Walmart, Target, TRU, KB, Sony, Microsoft, Kraft foods or anyone else that makes stuff for people to buy?

 

I will not, I've skipped half of waves at retail because I didn't feel the product was worth spending my money on. The brand will succeed based on how retailers and general consumers (casual collectors, parents and kids) purchase this line, not collectors. You can still support the line by purchasing the products you feel are worthwhile, but not buying anything and everything Hasbro puts out in the HOPE they'll do some obscure trooper or character. We ALL have favorites we're not likely to ever get, and I suspect the only reason the Night Viper was on tap at all was because of the collector nature of DTC.

 

You can complain about the line all you want, but to say Hasbro "owes" you anything is frankly petty and unfounded.

[supreme-d]

"Money grubbing whores" like Nintendo, NECA, Mattel, Walmart, Target, TRU, KB, Sony, Microsoft, Kraft foods or anyone else that makes stuff for people to buy?

 

You know damn well that Hasbro continually cuts corners, sometimes when an obviously better approach would have been just as fiscally responsible. Look at the new Marvel Legends. And yeah, Mattel is just like that with the constant uninspired Batman repaints. And yes, Walmart especially with their horrid reported treatment of their employees. Those other companies are on your #$@# list I guess. I have no problem with them.

 

You can complain about the line all you want, but to say Hasbro "owes" you anything is frankly petty and unfounded.

 

Petty and unfounded? Sort of like telling me what I can and cannot think/say in order to write of my complaints about something im buying? Or continually bringing it up when we really havent said anything of value about the toys in question? Well youre right, I guess I am, but i'd suggest you get off your high horse as well.

 

Now could we please stop argueing, because Id like to hear you opinion, and id like to express mine, but I frankly dont give enough of an f to listen to your opinion about how ignorant my opinion is.

[Anushsadana]

Am I the only one who wouldn't mind a gazillion repaints of the generic Cobra Trooper??? I want the Stinger Driver. That was MY Cobra Officer as a kid because he was in a different colored uniform and looked more important.

[JoeRhyno]

as long as we get a stinger with it, lol

[Stevy Maximus]

Now could we please stop argueing, because Id like to hear you opinion, and id like to express mine, but I frankly dont give enough of an f to listen to your opinion about how ignorant my opinion is.

I, for one, find Hasbro to be TOO conservative with the launch of the 25th. Part reuses like the ones we've seen, I can live with, would I have liked to seen all new molds on Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow? Of course, but I also see Hasbro's position: Nothing is guaranteed in retail, we've ALL seen solid or spectacular lines flop for one reason or another. Even though, these are still among the finest GI Joe figures we've gotten in a LONG time, and well worth the purchases, IMO

 

That said, unless Hasbro has some vehicles and extra figures set for release at Christmas, I think they are going to miss a LOT of sales from PowerTeam, BBI and most notably, the Corps. At my Walmart, The Corps have a number of vehicles available, and without true Joe offerings, parents are likely to pick up them for the valuable Christmas season. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if Walmart chose not to carry any Joe vehicles in favor of the Corps, which Walmart gets a better cut of.

 

I'll also question Hasbro's decisions to throw so much support at 8", which I really haven't seen the support to warrant. The line can do with the Soldiers and Commandos, but I question the release of ANOTHER vehicle in the Metal Mayhem, considering EVERY past vehicle assortment for Sigma Six has flopped: the Ninja Cycles, the Quad (which did so bad the Snake Eyes version got canned), the paratrooper (which did so poorly the Snake Eyes version is going to be an exclusive).

The Combat Squad line I also question. At $15, it is competing against both the existing Commando and Solider assortments, and I don't see the 12" collector base (which is where these are targetted at) jumping over these, and I don't see anything in the assortment to warrant its own line, not when it could have been put into the Commando line.

[Vending Machine]

"Money grubbing whores" like Nintendo, NECA, Mattel, Walmart, Target, TRU, KB, Sony, Microsoft, Kraft foods or anyone else that makes stuff for people to buy?

First of all, four of those are retail STORES who rarely peddle their own products, so your point is lost on those. As for the rest, with the exception of Mattel (who blew He-Man and is currently blowing DC Superheroes), those companies have one thing that Hasbro does not: product consistency. Hasbro has been anything but consistent in bringing us the GI Joe line since the original ended in 1995. As has been said, they've cut corners, lost rights to the names of important characters, and repeatedly refuse to actually listen to their fanbase. THAT, my friend, is why NOTHING is assured at retail...and variations such as these so early in production do not instill me with great confidence.

 

As for everyone else who says that these are "fine" or that they want "more repaints," I say this: So do I, but not before important characters (such as those in the Cobra High Command) are made.

[Crimson Twins]

Regarding the repaints...

 

Cobra Commander, Snake Eyes, & Storm Shadow are the most popular characters, and they shouldn't ONLY be available in a 5 pack, so that casual consumers have a chance to get their hands on them. From that standpoint, I can see why they're getting second versions so quickly.

 

 

My only argument with this idea is why wouldn't Hasbro just release those in the 5 pack as singles, too? They're supposedly doing it with the Cobra Troopers, so why would it be so hard for them to do it with the rest? The casual consumers don't justify an entire 'new' version of a figure. Give that casual consumer a chance to buy what he/she likes from the larger 5 packs aimed more at collectors, or actual Joe fans.

[Crimson Twins]

Hey, ViperHunter, how does it feel to have an ongoing argument about the 25th figures that doesn't involve you or myself?

[gscbr]

My only argument with this idea is why wouldn't Hasbro just release those in the 5 pack as singles, too? They're supposedly doing it with the Cobra Troopers, so why would it be so hard for them to do it with the rest? The casual consumers don't justify an entire 'new' version of a figure. Give that casual consumer a chance to buy what he/she likes from the larger 5 packs aimed more at collectors, or actual Joe fans.

we don't know that they won't release them, just that they aren't part of the first 15 single figures. considering this first wave of singles is supposed to hit around the same time as the 5 packs it woudl be foolish to have the same figures for sale but just in two different sets, all they would do is cannibalize sales of the 5 packs and lose money.

[obiwanjacoby]

OH! Who suggested PYTHON PATROL? Hasbro could get some sweet repaint money out of me!

 

-PJ

[General_Hawk]

"Money grubbing whores" like Nintendo, NECA, Mattel, Walmart, Target, TRU, KB, Sony, Microsoft, Kraft foods or anyone else that makes stuff for people to buy?

 

You know damn well that Hasbro continually cuts corners, sometimes when an obviously better approach would have been just as fiscally responsible. Look at the new Marvel Legends. And yeah, Mattel is just like that with the constant uninspired Batman repaints. And yes, Walmart especially with their horrid reported treatment of their employees. Those other companies are on your #$@# list I guess. I have no problem with them.

 

You can complain about the line all you want, but to say Hasbro "owes" you anything is frankly petty and unfounded.

 

Petty and unfounded? Sort of like telling me what I can and cannot think/say in order to write of my complaints about something im buying? Or continually bringing it up when we really havent said anything of value about the toys in question? Well youre right, I guess I am, but i'd suggest you get off your high horse as well.

 

Now could we please stop argueing, because Id like to hear you opinion, and id like to express mine, but I frankly dont give enough of an f to listen to your opinion about how ignorant my opinion is.

 

And yet, in spite of all these glaring, obvious faults, Hasbro is still the #1 action figure manufacturer and producer on the planet...well, their market strategy must be working, I guess...

 

Look...I don't want anyone to take this the wrong way...but do so many people really think that Flint would be that much better with his dress shirt having sculpted wrinkles in different spots, his pants being folded a bit differently in the tooling, and his sleeves rolled up a few millimeters above his elbow instead of a few millimeters below it? Does it really make that much of a difference?

 

I guess I just don't get it. I think Flint looks fantastic, regardless of which tooling got re-used. In spite of being 90% Duke parts, you look at him once and you immediately say "that's Flint!" which is a 110% improvement over pretty much every one of his previous versions since his original '85 release. If Hasbro had invested thousands of dollars in new tooling to change a few wrinkles and folds in Flint's uniform, that would mean one whole set of tooling (which could equate to 4-5 figures) that we wouldn't get because of it.

 

Personally, I prefer it this way. I can deal with Flint ironing and wearing his uniform slightly differently in this version to potentially get 4-5 new figures with the money saved here, but maybe that's just me.

 

Justin

[gojira77]

So, I GREW UP with G.I.JOE, loving the toys, 'toons, and comics, but today I'm far from a diehard Joe collector. My cosmopolitan toy display case contains figures from various toy lines (none mint in box), including He-man, the Skywalkers, masked vigilantes, as well as the Joe's robotic cousins from Cybertron. Nonetheless, I am totally jazzed about this Anniversary line, and the opportunity to FINALLY get decent representatives of some of my favorite characters. See, there have been many great Snake-eyes, far fewer good Destros, and poor offerings for Duke and Scarlett. I mean-- the original Scarlett looked like a DUDE, for cryin' out loud! And the banana-colored Ninja Force one-- could her ass get any bigger?! So, I have two questions... #1. Will any of the figures in the box sets come individually (other than via ebay...)? The last Vv.V Gung Ho was pretty cool, far less Village Persony, and would do for my needs, but I gotta have that Duke! #2 For years, Hasbro has shied away from making any new figures based on characters killed by Hama in the original comic book, hence no new versions of Doc or Quick-kick. Will they suspend that moratorium for the commemorative line? This series certainly doesn't take place in any current continuity... I recall that the Transformers dept. set a rule for their recent Classics line that only characters who originally had toys would get new figures, barring the likes of Arcee and Alpha Trion.

[gojira77]

Oh, and I'm a little surprised that they have multiple versions coming out all ready, though not very, since that's what toy companies do in ALL their modern lines-- after all how long did it take Mattel and the Horsemen to give us a Jungle He-man after they tried to relaunch MOTU?

 

And sort of off the topic, but... Cobra Commander: Mask or Hood?