2017 SDCC GI Joe product preview

The 2017 SDCC ended several days ago, and it is well known that the annual event focuses primarily on sci-fi and superhero films. This has been the status quo for the last decade or so. Before Cinematic Universes were the biggest thing Hollywood has ever seen, the San Diego Comic Con was mainly about...you guessed it, comic books. The earlier days of the convention was also a mecca for geeks, nerds, and cosplayers to see brand new toys, action figures, and collectibles. With no plans for another film, no television show or even animated program, GI Joe's presence at the SDCC was extremely limited, mainly to toys and collectibles.

IDW, current publishers of GI Joe did have a booth at the event. The independent publisher was on hand to showcase their library of Hasbro licensed properties, highlighting the epic Revolution crossover event. Revolution brings GI Joe, Transformers, M.A.S.K and more together to handle a galactic crisis, while at the same time establishing a connected universe. A precursor to Hasbro's cinematic universe. There's that phrase again.

Hasbro and IDW ceased the opportunity to emulate past SDCC GI Joe/Transformers crossover exclusives and whipped up a box set of all the factions involved in the Revolution event. The impressive set  includes:
Transformers – Jetfire
GI Joe – Roadblock
MASK – Matt Tracker
Action Man
Rom The Space Knight
Rom – Dire Wraith
Visionaries – Leoric
Micronauts – Assorted Minis

Bait, 1000 Toys and Alpha Industries displayed a meticulously detailed Duke, with cybernetic augmentations. 

Prime 1 Studios displayed an assortment of amazingly crafted statues, including Snake Eyes and pet wolf Timber.

The crowd pleaser had to be the Cobra Missile Command box set. Completely reworked for the modern GI Joe era, with new figures and artwork, this set was a Sears exclusive way back in 1982. The backdrop is cardboard with a working mechanism that raises and lowers the missile. Just like in 1982 the set includes a Cobra Trooper, Cobra Officer and the dastardly Cobra Commander with file cards and file card holder.

Geek note! The Cobra Commander figure that came with the original Sears exclusive donned a misprinted Cobra insignia, leading to the rare figure to be named the "Mickey Mouse Cobra Commander". Much to fan's delight, Hasbro has intentionally printed the odd-looking Mickey Mouse Cobra logo on the chest of Cobra Commander. Going even further to mirror the original, the box has been given a weathered look, as if has been sitting in your attic for years.

Even with the toy line stagnant, Hasbro still comes up fun, new, and exciting exclusives to keep die hard fans interested. YO JOE!