2015 GI Joe Convention Reveals.

I just wanted to jot down a few thoughts and organize a list of what was shown this year at the annual GI Joe Convention this year.  I wasn't there, unfortunately so I don't have images to show off of my own. Rather, let me lay out what I understand was revealed.

San Diego ComicCon exclusives:

• GI Joe "Crimson Strike" vehicle set - stunning silver and crimson Crimson Guard-themed repaint of the 30th Sky Striker, this time as a Cobra Vehicle along with a repaint of the 25th HISS tank with a new, futuristic turret gun in army green as a weapon of GI Joe.  The Sky Striker has been renamed the Cobra Scythe and the Hiss the GI Joe Chimera. Figures include new versions of: A.V.A.C, Alley Viper Officer, Steeler, and Grunt.  - will be available at SDCC at the Hasbro Toy Shop booth at a retail estimate of ($99.99)

• GI Joe "Desert Duel" vehicle set - Repaint of the GI Joe Snow Cat , er, Wolfhound in purple, red, and silver decor called the Cobra Basilisk and a new, militarized and upgraded version of the AWE Striker called the GI Joe FOE Striker that includes the minigun from the Retaliation VAMP II and a tent.  Figures include a desert camo Chuckles resembling his IDW appearance and a repaint of the Crimson Horseman figure in purple, silver, and black dubbed the Elite Horseman Driver, also a new Night Fox version and a new release of the Cobra Air Trooper.  It will be available at SDCC at the Entertainment Earth/Toys R Us both.  Retail estimate ($59.99)

• SDCC GI Joe KREO set: no info yet

I'm not sure what the expected availability the dealers is going to be post convention.  Last year they were pretty scarce to non-existent, IIRC.

Retail Toys R Us vehicle set exclusives (and I would guess, BigBadToyStore would share in these as well just as they did last year):

•  GI Joe "Desert Duel": vehicle set - Repaint of the GI Joe Snow Cat , er, Wolfhound in purple, red, and silver decor called the Cobra Basilisk and a new, militarized and upgraded version of the AWE Striker called the GI Joe FOE Striker that includes the minigun from the Retaliation VAMP II and a tent.  I don't know how the colors will differ from the SDCC exclusive listed above but it includes only Chuckles and the Elite Horseman Driver. Retail estimate ($49.99)

•  GI Joe "Silent Strike": vehicle set - Black repaint of the 30th Anniversary Sky Striker with a repaint of ACE and an Orange painted 25th Anniversary HISS Driver and HISS Gunner with a futuristic updated turret and a similar colored HISS Tank Driver.  Also included are a new sniper character named Sightline that was created in honor of the late GI Joe guru and superfan, Gary "Goggles" "Gyre-Viper" Head.  Retail Estimate ($59.99)

 Retail Toys R Us Combo Packs:

• "Swamp Steam" Two-pk: Red Crockmaster repaint and Green POC Blowtorch
•  "Troop Build-Up": Iron Grenadiers and Steel Brigade troop builder 2-pk
• "Classic Clash" Two-pk: Storm Shadow in GI Joe regalia and repaint of POC Spirit
• "Hunt for Cobra Commander" Two-pk: Red/Black Cobra Commander and Shipwreck repaint w Polly
• "Marine Devastation" Two-pk: Concept Case Gung-Ho and Shadow Gaurd
• "Chase for the MASS Device" Three-pk: Includes Duke w Jetpack, Cobra Commander with 25th CLAW glider and CLAWS Trooper
• "Sneak Attack" Three-pk: Includes Bazooka, Firefly, and Dusty
• "Vanishing Act" Three-pk: Includes Torpedo, Hit-and-Run, Zartan
• "Rock Rampage" Three-pk: Includes 25th Alpine, Rock Viper, Cobra Shock Trooper

Two packs should retail at $14.99, Three packs at $19.99

This is comparable to what we had last year with some notable standouts:

1) It was very classy of Hasbro to throw together a figure and name it after Gary Head.  Those of you who suffer from Hasbro rage, please enter this in your personal calculus as an example of a classy move that illustrates that they are aware of us in the fandom and that we are important to them.  I am unaware of any other property that has given such a nod to their fans.

2) I have heard of a couple of collectors that have been on a personal mission to acquire a Green Blowtorch or the Red Crockmaster.  Rumors and speculations involve having these products being intended for the Pursuit of Cobra line and somehow misplaced into an unknown warehouse somewhere.  Looks like they've found em!.  Putting them both in a two-pack is a huge nod to those who have been looking forward to these figures for years.

3) That 25th Alpine has been going for over $50 on ebay for some time and the Shock Trooper and Rock Viper for $25 or more.  You can get them all soon for $19.99.  If you like to rage about scalpers, the 50th line should give you some peace of mind as Hasbro continues to combat high prices on the secondary market by filling a dearth of supply for some much wanted figures.

4) The Brand has chosen to tank the market for much desired figures like Low Light, who's carded POC value has dropped from over sixty dollars to about twenty-five now with it's 50th Release.  Prices have also fallen for Cobra Troopers and Shock Troopers.  Rock Vipers will soon be plentiful now too

Another thought that was shared was that GI Joe 3 is now in production.  The next big toy release will be in support of that film.  So this seems to officially put a cap on the 50th Anniversary Line which was almost wholly a giveaway to collectors.  As I let it soak in, I am really happy with what we received yet hope there is more ambitious creativity going into the next movie line.  The 50th Anniversary was a bunch of repaints with a few tweaks here and there.  I have been wanting GI Joe to move forward for some time by releasing new molds and new characters surrounding some new mass marketable theme.  Please, I don't mean this in jest and I hope it's not too soon but I'd like to point out that someone literally had to DIE to get a new character placed in the mythos during the 50th Line.  I hope GI Joe III brings new things and new themes to gather new fans.  Us existing fans will likely come along for the ride anyway.