gijoe – European Joe's

It’s got G.I. Joe written all over it.

Occasionally, I come across something Joe related that is weird or special. This time around, I was browsing Amazon to see if I could find something to add to my curiosity collection of G.I. Joe related items. The first one was an easy buy, a simple ruled notebook to keep track of my posts on the blog seemed like a good idea.

I’ve been using many Moleskine notebooks over the years and I still prefer their notebooks above any other ones, but when I saw this one for cheap on Amazon, I ordered it. It’s a softcover notebook with ruled pages. The G.I. Joe print on the front is destressed, but also not of very high quality. Needless to say, this isn’t Hasbro licensed. The softcover is smooth, not shiny. It has a nice feel to it, which is important for a notebook. The notebook contains 60 ruled pages (front and back), so plenty of space to keep track of my posts and scribble down the ideas I may have for future posts. In the back of the book, it is stated that it was printed in Italy (so are Moleskines) by Amazon Italia Logistica. For those of you that are interested, the ISBN number given is 9798798260430.

The next item is something even more obscure and definitely not licensed by Hasbro. It’s the G.I. Joe Filecards Unofficial Fan Edition 1982-1994 by Jackson Robinson.

This truly is a gem for every G.I. Joe collector. The book lists all filecards from 1982 through to 1994. I have no idea who this Jackson Robinson is. I’ve searched through the dozens of Facebooks groups, Hisstank forum and many more places and the only useable reference I could find is on a personal resume page of a man named Jackson Robinson. The site mentions that he has worked on the Hasbro team as Principle Illustrator & 3D Artist and that he “Concepted, Pitched and created the new character line look for the GIJOE Action Battlers Toy Line.” I actually have one of those figures (see Instagram). Not the best figures out there if you ask me. And truth be told, neither is this book.

Yes, it does contain all the filecards (as far as I can tell), but the scan quality is not that high for all the cards and the layout is – well, quite frankly – not existing.

As you can see above, the scans are not perfect (even worse examples follow below). This is the first page of the book. No intro, no title page, just straight into the file cards. I can forgive that though. It does show what the title implies, but still. Some little intro text might be nice.

As you can see in the picture above, the scans sometime come with tape on them and the resolution of each scan does seem to be different a lot too.

I bought this book from Amazon (printed in Italy again by Amazon Italia Logistica – ISBN 979878665415). I’m a bit disappointed in the quality, not of the book, but of the contents. It’s a great concept and easy to look something up in a book rather than to go check online (I do recommend 3Djoes over this book though). Great idea, not so great result unfortunately. Like I said, the book could do with some intro (Why this book? Who is the author? – I use this term very loosely, because everything is just scanned/stolen from other sites I think.) and a table of contents would also be nice. A decent layout would also help.

Even though this is not up to the G.I. Joe standards of other guides and books, I’m not sorry I bought it as it’s a great subject for a post and some conversation. As I mentioned before, I like to just browse online to see what strange stuff I can find that is Joe related. Lately, I’ve been seeing a lot of unofficial coloring books appear online. There are also a number of G.I. Joe cooking books. Did anyone ever buy one of those? Let me know if you did. I’m holding off on those purchases for now. Stay tuned, because maybe some future post will continue this bizarre book collection.

That’s it for now. Until next time. Happy Collecting and YoJoe!

It’s a small world after all…

Now that this happy little Disney tune will be in your brain for the rest of the day, you might think my work here is done. Keep on reading though, because something small has been added to my collection.

Not so long ago, I wrote a post on some small scale (one might even say tiny) Joe themed toys from Jada Toys. This week, I received a new addition for that subcollection.

As with the previous post, the main complaint I have is that this is the exact same figure that was released in the 6-pack and in the Series 1 boxset that contains 18 figures.

Other than that, it looks awesome. I’ve stopped complaining about them using the A.W.E. Striker as boxart for everything. I still don’t get it, but I just let it go (really going for all the Disney vibes here).

The vehicle itself looks really good in this 1:32 scale. Lots of details and a true little version of the original toy. The bodywork is the same as that ot the V.A.M.P. they released with Duke, so a bit of an easy release if you ask me. Still, definitely worth it.

On the back, they are now showing not only the set with Duke and the V.A.M.P., this one but also still the H.I.S.S. tank with Destro. Where is this set? Has anyone seen this in real life? I need it! Okay, that Destro figure will be the same as the previous 2 releases, but that H.I.S.S. just looks stunning. Come on Jada Toys, what’s keeping you?

That’s it for now, see you soon! Happy Collecting and YoJoe!

4 ninja’s and a First Sergeant

If they were walking into a bar, that would probably make one hell of a joke. Or a painful experience. Whatever the case may be, they didn’t wonder into some shady establishment, but arrived here in my collection.

First of, I received the 2003 figure set consisting of Duke, Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes. This set comes with the Spy Troops movie on DVD.

Let’s start with Duke. This appears to be the v13 of the figure, but on YoJoe.com, it only shows him being released as a single carded figure or in a set with Cobra Commander. I know that YoJoe.com is currently not the most reliable source, but these figures are almost 20 years old (just let that sink in…), so I do think it should be on the site. Maybe this was an international released pack and that’s why it’s not picked up on the site? I don’t really know. Information on this pack is very limited to people selling it online and even then, the intel is limited. If you know more about this, let me know. As you can see below, the backside of the card is aimed for the international market, not showing any file cards, but lot’s of information in many different languages.

The same goes for Storm Shadow (clearly v11) and Snake Eyes (v17). They are listed as being part of a 2-pack, but not in this weird threesome pack.

The other weird thing about this pack is the Duke figure. He’s given the ninja treatment by not having an O-ring, but being fitted with an nunchuck swinging action feature. So looking at the accessories, Duke should come with a gun and communicator device, but also with the nunchucks. Storm Shadow then gets a sword and dagger and Snake Eyes is equipped with an uzi, sword and communicator device. In short, Duke doesn’t fit in here. Put in Scarlett or Zartan and you’d get a pack that actually makes sense. It’s like trying to make Roadblock into a ninja, nobody in their right mind would try that, right?

It really is a little mystery if you ask me. What won’t be a mystery for long is the math you’re doing in your head right now. The title talks about 4 ninja’s and we only have seen two. Who could the other 2 be… Well, let’s find out. They came in a mystery box…

If you know, you’ll know the code on the box. For everyone still trying to guess, look at this next picture.

Yes, this package was ordered through In Demand Toys yet again. As with all my previous orders there, everything went smoothly and the package was delivered fast and undamaged on my doorstep. If you haven’t shopped with them, what are you waiting for? Seriously, they have everything from Star Wars to Power Rangers and from the TMNT to G.I.Joe. Check them out, buy something and tell them I sent you 😁

Now back to the actual delivery. The box contains the 2021 O-ring figures of Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes!

Similar art on the back and a lot of languages.

Now, inside the box, for now we have Schrodinger’s ninjas. I haven’t opened the box yet. All my Joes are still in storage and I’m holding off on opening this set until I can display them properly. I won’t leave you hanging though, here’s a picture I found online.

From what I’ve read online, the card backs are quite flimsy. Not the quality we remember from the original O-ring figures. The art is still the same. The plastic bubbles are also much deeper than the original ones, giving them a better display look. The file cards are on the back, but they are more of a multi-language name card rather than the classic file cards we all know and love. The figures are about the same size as the original ones, maybe just a teeny-tiny bit shorter, but I don’t have the exact measurements so I’m going by pictures I’ve seen online.

It’s great to see these vintage figures back. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the 3 3/4 inch Joes and it really is a nice tribute to the line by releasing these 2 figures (and the Cobra pack coming later this year). Did we need another set of Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes figures in the smaller scale? Probably not. I never had the original Snake Eyes figure, so this is most likely as close as I can get to the original figure without spending to much money. Also, the Classified versions of the figures do look great and closely resemble these figures. I have to say that I’m really surprised by the quality of the Classified line figures, the details on the figures and the box art. For both display value and playability, 6 inch is looking to be the new 3 3/4 inch. Bigger is better they say. I like them both and will continue to get both sizes of figures for my collection.

That’s all for now. I’ll be back soon with more updates to the collection, until then… Happy Collecting and YoJoe!

I think Sarge lost his keys

I wrote a while back (really long ago) about how I used to go play with a friend that also had some Joes and how we didn’t have any Cobra vehicles (I picked up some in the meantime) so we always played that the Vipers were stealing our Joe vehicles. This time though, I finally got one of my favorite vehicles in a Cobra vibe. A custom Warthog.

I found this custom on an online marketplace in France and snatched it up. The vehicle is a bit banged up, but that’s part of the charm. It has most original parts, but also has some new additions.

The Warthog has always had a special place in my heart and collection. Not only is it a great vehicle. It really does look like a menacing tank. But it’s also a troop carrier with place for some figures in the back and 3 upfront.

It’s also the last toy I remember getting from my grandmother. We were on a day trip to a little town just across the border in The Netherlands and there was a small toy store about halfway through the shopping street. They had a big window display with lots of toys, but the real magic was just to the right of the door when you entered. They had a whole wall of G.I. Joe. Now, before you get too excited, the wall was about 2m high and 2m long, so still relatively small, but to me it was the most G.I.Joe I could ever see together. We often went to that town, like 6 times a year and each time I was able to bring back at least one figure. This time though, my grandmother was feeling very generous and I got to go home with the Warthog. I still remember sitting next to her in the car ride home with the box in my lap. It truly is one 9f my happiest Joe memories. My grandmother died shortly after that and this probably caused an even bigger love for the Warthog.

This custom version has a light at the front seat and more – though less impressive – rockets mounted on the back. This truly represents the feeling we had as kids when we were playing that Cobra stole this vehicle from the Joes. It reminds me of the simpler times. Ain’t that what collecting is about? Catching those old feelings of joy and happiness from your youth and cherishing it? For me, that plays a big part.

That’s it for now. Happy Collecting and YoJoe!

I just brought in 7 figures, here’s how.

Okay, that does sound a bit like a clickbait title, but it’s not a lie. I actually brought in 7, yes, SEVEN new Classified scale figures last week.

The first figure is one that has been released quite a while ago, but back then, it wasn’t all that clear how easy or difficult it was going to be for us here in Europe to get a hold of the Classified figures. So, I made a few inquiries with a colleague of mine in the US and she ordered the figure from Hasbro Pulse. Unfortunately, with the travel restrictions because of COVID-19, it took quite some time before someone from the US branch was allowed to travel back to our HQ here in Belgium. This week, a corporate training session made it possible for some US colleagues to come over and so I finally got Snake-Eyes (the 02 figure).

By now, everybody and their uncle have seen this figure and probably have it in their collection, so I won’t be dwelling to long on it (there are 6 more figures coming below too). It’s a great rendition of the figure, lots of black, some shiny details and a splash of silver. And as always, nice artwork.

Now, on to the next figure. Again an “oldie” in Classified terms, but also a figure I didn’t think I could easily get and that I ordered through my colleague in the US. It’s the Regal Cobra Commander.

Compared to the other 06 Cobra Commander, this Regal version has more golden details and the blue is a few shades brighter. The sword and handgun are golden now as well. All in all, the figure looks more … eum… Regal.

The commander really does look the part here with his faceplate helmet and golden touches. I still would like a hooded version of Cobra Commander. I know Hasbro is reluctant to release that look, but I honestly don’t think that people would react wrong to it. We’ve known the hooded Commander look for nearly 40 years and there is a huge difference between CC’s hood and an all-white pointy hat some nutters like to wear. That being said, the chrome dome look is definitely very cool looking as well and I really like the brighter blue.

And now, it’s time for something completely different and still quite familiar.

A while back – not so long as the Snake Eyes and Cobra Commander figure from above – I was able to order the next set of figures from In Demand Toys and – as always – these super people delivered them – not like some well known other geek-oriented webshop that cancels orders without reason. Although the movie isn’t bad, it’s far from the G.I. Joe we know and love. Still, I enjoyed it and the figures we got because of it do look very nice.

These five figures, Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow, Akiko, The Baroness and Scarlett, are true to the actors portraying them and their revamped design does resemble the figures we all know and love. Aside from Akiko who should clearly have been Jinx.

We start this series of with Snake Eyes, the main protagonist of the movie. His figure is 50 shades of black, which harks back to the original 1982 figure. He comes with 2 knives, a scabbard and his katana Morning Light.

The head sculpts really do resemble the actors. I remember looking at the promo video Hasbro made with Henry Golding and how excited he was about seeing his face on the figure. Now, keep in mind, the man is an actor, but still, I really do believe his excitement was genuine and looking at the sculpt, it really is great. Stubble and all.

Next up is Storm Shadow. His outfit really does look very nice. At first, I thought the off-white would put me off, but the color doesn’t bother me as much I expected. He has 2 swords and a holder for them.

And now, let’s turn our attention to the ladies. The movie figure set contains 5 figures of which 3 are women. G.I. Joe has always been a very inclusive line. Race and gender have all been represented during the 40 years of comic books and action figures. I do believe this is something that doesn’t get highlighted enough.

First off, we have Akiko, the Arashikage’s head of security. It’s a new figure and so there’s nothing to reference to, but again the look of the figure is really good. The black and white outfit may look simple, but it’s nice.

Next up, we get The Baroness. Again, they did stay rather true to the look of the original figure, just updated to match the actress’s look and a more modern outfit. She comes with 2 Cobra knives, a pair of glasses – these will probably get lost quite easily – and a suppressed rifle.

I’ve watched all episode of La casa de papel (Money Heist) and wondered how she would portray The Baroness being from Southern Europe and The Baroness is traditionally Eastern European. I have to say she did good. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m jus not a fan of the choker around her neck. It looks a bit weird.

And then finally, we get the movie version of Scarlett. She too, gets an updated look and it really does fit the character. A little extra armor, a spot of color. It really is a good look. The only negative thing I can say about the figure is the lack of accessories. She only comes with her crossbow. Yes, it’s the most iconic weapon she wields, but still, I’d like to get some more.

That’s all for now. Don’t be disappointed, you just got to share in my joy to receive 7 figures in one week! I’ll be back soon. Until then, Happy Collecting and YoJoe!