A lot of exciting news from the annual GI Joe convention, in Loveland, CO. A panel discussion held by Derryl Depriest and Mark Webber of Hasbro covered a variety of topics. A common theme the duo mentioned was the vastness of the GI Joe universe. Stating the fan involvement and their excitement to share new characters, custom figures, stories and so on is rivaled only by Star Wars. I have to agree with that statement as a lifelong fan and frequent creator myself. Depriest and Webber traced the fan involvement back to 1987 when Hasbro Direct offered the personalized Steel Brigade figure. Fans could mail away a form to create their own soldier, including a code name and specialties of their choosing. Of course, I was thrilled by the first-of-it's-kind-offer, mailed away the requirements and effectively joined the GI Joe team.
Depriest and Webber discussed the movies from Paramount Studios, the comics from IDW, along with other licensed products, but it seemed the audience was most excited by the abundance of new action figures from Hasbro, as was I. They showed a slide with the blank crossword puzzle that I brained out loud about in my Festival of Nerds post and proceeded to fill in the names. The majority of figures for 2016 will be all new sculpts of previously released characters such as; Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow, and Duke. However, the line up will include four, brand-new action figures. Depriest and Webber said there was always room for new additions and it was the excitement for the new figures that allowed the brand to grow. However, it is Hasbro that determines that each line-up of action figures is to include a certain ratio of new versions of previously released characters to brand new characters.
It seemed the crowd got more and more excited as each new figure was announced. The action figure for fan-voted Stiletto from Bill Nedrow's amazing Kindle Worlds adventure looks great. A menacing new member of the Cobra hierarchy, Tombstone blew away the audience and broke new ground. Not only is Tombstone one of the few African Americans in Cobra, he is also one of the few that does not hide his identity behind a mask, hood or helmet. A female Cobra Officer continued the diversity of the new line-up. Depriest and Webber seemed to save the best for last. A fan favorite character that was in the first issue of the GI Joe comic from Marvel, although partially obscured from view, yet never had a figure was revealed to thunderous applause. After 34 years the Joe's female marksman, Shooter, is finally in plastic form and she does not disappoint. Shooter's action figure looks great and it comes with awesome accessories; including a large sniper rifle you can actually take apart and assemble. A few months ago, fans of GI Joe fans didn't expect anything for 2016.
The two man Hasbro panel also looked forward to the San Diego Comic-Con in July. They spoke of the 2016 SDCC exclusive GI Joe and Transformers Soundwave HISS Tank. Telling a humorous story that implied the higher ups at Hasbro were unaware that 2013 was the last time they produced the crossovers. Pointing out that the SDCC 2013 exclusive with Jetfire decorated Skystriker has "The epic conclusion!" printed on the box. Another licensed piece, available at the show is the amazingly detailed 12-inch tall Cyborg Snake Eyes(left) from Bait.
As I was watching the panel, streamed live on Facebook, I caught something particularly familiar when Depriest and Webber were talking about the Kindle Worlds licensing program from Amazon. They mentioned that there are now over one hundred fan-written stories, which I am proud to be included in that number. If you haven't read my contribution "Into the clutches of Cobra-La" I really wish you would. It is a thrilling, action-packed adventure that reimagines the 1987 animated GI Joe movie. Available for only $1.99! Please rate and review. Fan favorite author and creator of Stiletto, Bill Nedrow, was in attendance. He stood up to wave to the crowd when introduced. But what really caught my eye as I was watching the presentation was the slide they paused on. The video is washed out and blurry and I can't be certain, but it looks like they used an image of the cover of "Into the clutches of Cobra-La" to promote the Kindle Worlds partnership. If this is the case, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I haven't been able to confirm it but is does look very similar and even though there are over one hundred covers they could have chosen from not many look like mine.
Not only am I excited by the new action figures, and the continued success of GI Joe. I am also excited about my next GI Joe and Cobra adventure, which I am in the process of writing for the Kindle Worlds licensing program from Amazon. Not to give too much away, but the all-new, original story will be an action-packed thrill ride with intense battles raging across Los Angeles with our free will on the line. The work is progressing and I hope to have it ready before the end of summer. Until then read Into the clutches of Cobra-La, and follow this blog for updates on my next book.
 |
| Colorado state flag after Cobra takes over. |
Depriest and Webber discussed the movies from Paramount Studios, the comics from IDW, along with other licensed products, but it seemed the audience was most excited by the abundance of new action figures from Hasbro, as was I. They showed a slide with the blank crossword puzzle that I brained out loud about in my Festival of Nerds post and proceeded to fill in the names. The majority of figures for 2016 will be all new sculpts of previously released characters such as; Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow, and Duke. However, the line up will include four, brand-new action figures. Depriest and Webber said there was always room for new additions and it was the excitement for the new figures that allowed the brand to grow. However, it is Hasbro that determines that each line-up of action figures is to include a certain ratio of new versions of previously released characters to brand new characters.
It seemed the crowd got more and more excited as each new figure was announced. The action figure for fan-voted Stiletto from Bill Nedrow's amazing Kindle Worlds adventure looks great. A menacing new member of the Cobra hierarchy, Tombstone blew away the audience and broke new ground. Not only is Tombstone one of the few African Americans in Cobra, he is also one of the few that does not hide his identity behind a mask, hood or helmet. A female Cobra Officer continued the diversity of the new line-up. Depriest and Webber seemed to save the best for last. A fan favorite character that was in the first issue of the GI Joe comic from Marvel, although partially obscured from view, yet never had a figure was revealed to thunderous applause. After 34 years the Joe's female marksman, Shooter, is finally in plastic form and she does not disappoint. Shooter's action figure looks great and it comes with awesome accessories; including a large sniper rifle you can actually take apart and assemble. A few months ago, fans of GI Joe fans didn't expect anything for 2016.
 |
| Stiletto, Cobra Officer, Tombstone, and Shooter |
The two man Hasbro panel also looked forward to the San Diego Comic-Con in July. They spoke of the 2016 SDCC exclusive GI Joe and Transformers Soundwave HISS Tank. Telling a humorous story that implied the higher ups at Hasbro were unaware that 2013 was the last time they produced the crossovers. Pointing out that the SDCC 2013 exclusive with Jetfire decorated Skystriker has "The epic conclusion!" printed on the box. Another licensed piece, available at the show is the amazingly detailed 12-inch tall Cyborg Snake Eyes(left) from Bait.As I was watching the panel, streamed live on Facebook, I caught something particularly familiar when Depriest and Webber were talking about the Kindle Worlds licensing program from Amazon. They mentioned that there are now over one hundred fan-written stories, which I am proud to be included in that number. If you haven't read my contribution "Into the clutches of Cobra-La" I really wish you would. It is a thrilling, action-packed adventure that reimagines the 1987 animated GI Joe movie. Available for only $1.99! Please rate and review. Fan favorite author and creator of Stiletto, Bill Nedrow, was in attendance. He stood up to wave to the crowd when introduced. But what really caught my eye as I was watching the presentation was the slide they paused on. The video is washed out and blurry and I can't be certain, but it looks like they used an image of the cover of "Into the clutches of Cobra-La" to promote the Kindle Worlds partnership. If this is the case, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I haven't been able to confirm it but is does look very similar and even though there are over one hundred covers they could have chosen from not many look like mine.
Not only am I excited by the new action figures, and the continued success of GI Joe. I am also excited about my next GI Joe and Cobra adventure, which I am in the process of writing for the Kindle Worlds licensing program from Amazon. Not to give too much away, but the all-new, original story will be an action-packed thrill ride with intense battles raging across Los Angeles with our free will on the line. The work is progressing and I hope to have it ready before the end of summer. Until then read Into the clutches of Cobra-La, and follow this blog for updates on my next book.
Comments
Post a Comment