The 2009 con set has a reputation among some collectors as a weak remake of a previous set. I can understand that concern, but then again, it did serve to accomplish couple of things. First, it gave folks a second chance at a very popular theme that was quite difficult to obtain at the time. It also served as an
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By KansasBrawler Sometimes, Hasbro makes controversial decisions when it comes to deciding what characters get figures and what characters don’t. Those that don’t like the figure believe that the “bad” character in question took the mythical slot of someone “more deserving.” There were a couple of figures like that in the 25th Anniversary line and Wraith is probably the biggest
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From the ridiculous to the sublime. Yesterday’s convention exclusive was an odd concept with a crazed color palette. Tonight, it’s a prime example of the effective repainting of an originally disappointing figure. To me, the first version of Gristle holds a certain distinction for being an example of the end of the first generation Real American Hero years. 1993 and
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I find that I like the 2004 convention set’s character choice, color scheme and mold selection much more than its 2003 predecessor. With a set of new and old Dreadnoks, a group of identical “army builder” miscreants, and a few Joe Tiger Force members, it appealed to my love of unusual and colorful toys. Dreadhead Cletus was one of six
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My name is Rob, and I am a HISS IV owner. I can’t quite say how I came to that point in my collecting journey, but being a completist between the years of 2002 to 2006 may have something to do with it. That’s right, I was snapping up every new figure pack and vehicle at the time. If I
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As the 1987 figures were showing up, I was on the cusp of losing interest in toys. However, one figure in particular seized my attention. A new, battle-ready Cobra Commander was just too cool to pass up. Here was the Commander as super villain. Being a comic book fan, I loved it. As such, he also survived my GI Joe
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You know how DC Comics’ Flash has Reverse-Flash, a villainous version of a hero character wearing the opposite colors of his antagonist? Well, this isn’t exactly like that, but it’s close. As I was digging through bags of figures to find the latest batch to photograph and write up for the site, I happened upon the Night Watch Officer and
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I was stoked when I first found out about the DTC Cobra Viper Pit set. Here was an army builder pack of Vipers that not only gave us something close to the old color scheme, but also looked to have solved the problem of the funky leg molds that plagued the previous re-release versions. Well, sort of. While the thighs
Read moreBy KansasBrawler The year 2005 was a pretty big year for KansasBrawler as a Joe collector. I was making decent money from a college job and that meant I’d started getting a little more into the online Joe collecting world as I was running down product that wasn’t showing up at my local Wal-Mart. That year was also the first
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Here at JAD, we love toy presentation as much as we love the products themselves. GI Joe in the 80s and 90s had some of the most eye-popping packaging for its product line. It’s no wonder that legions of kids were drawn to these things. I mean, what’s not to love here? I also have to admire Hasbro for being
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