Thursday, February 23, 2012

Toy Fair 2012 : G.I. Joe Retaliation

Our favorite sons & daughters of liberty are on the Linkmarch again and headed straight for movie theaters! Hasbro celebrates this second outing (which we sure as hell hope is better than the first attempt) with a giant sized line of action figures, vehicles, role play and gear to get you screaming YO JOE! randomly on the street, thus eliminating any chance for a mate in the near future, lest they be yelling YO JOE as well. It could happen! Girls like GIJoe too. For those of us at the Idle Hands offices, this new film also celebrates the release of Bruce Willis and RZA action figures!!! Does Cobra stand a chance? Come on now. John McClane and WUTANG ain't nuthin ta fuck wit. I'll admit the White House does look pretty damn awesome with COBRA flags draped down the front. Let's get down to the merch, which is set to hit stores May 30th...

note: Hasbro & Paramount actually developed a sort of martial arts called Battle Kata which you'll see me reference below in places. In the film story, Road Block has been trained by Snake Eyes, so adding to his combat training you get an infusion of a military martial arts style. Not only is this a fluid set of moments designed for combat in constant motion, but incorporates special gear. Every character that utilizes Battle Kata has a vest that contains everything they need for lethal combat for ease of access. For instance, combat begun with two 45's can shift to close combat with knives by jettisoning the barrel and bringing the handles to the back where they lock into sword blades. Some of the role play items incorporate this.

G.I. JOE SNAKE EYES NINJA GEAR : (Approximate retail price: $24.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Summer 2012) - Gear up and get ready to take on the role of iconic Ninja-Commando SNAKE EYES from the G.I. JOE team. With the G.I. JOE SNAKE EYES NINJA GEAR set, kids can wield an electronic sword with authentic ARASHIKAGE design, which features special lights and ninja battle sounds, a SNAKE EYES role-play mask, and two NINJA THROWING STARS allowing them to play the part of their favorite Ninja hero.

G.I. JOE BATTLE-KATA BLASTER : (Approximate retail price: $14.99; Ages: 6 & up; Available: Summer 2012) - Kids will love to role-play the ROADBLOCK character’s unique fighting style with the G.I. JOE BATTLE-KATA BLASTER toy. Featuring a 2-in-1 battle combo with interchangeable BATTLE-KATA blaster and ‘blade’ modes—kids can defend their heroic team against the vile enemy insurgents of COBRA. Includes three dart projectiles.

G.I. JOE NINJA COMMANDO BLASTER : (Approximate retail price: $24.99; Ages: 6 & up; Available: Summer 2012) - Enjoy the latest in G.I. JOE role-play technology with the G.I. JOE NINJA COMMANDO blaster! Defeat the COBRA enemies with this multi-dart, pump-action blaster which features a targeting lens to spy the enemy and helps you aim the projectiles like the very best snipers the G.I. JOE team has ever seen! Includes ten dart projectiles and targeting screen.

G.I. JOE BLADE OF JUSTICE : (Approximate retail price: $14.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Summer 2012) - Replicate your favorite Ninja moves with the highly detailed, ARASHIKAGE-authentic G.I. JOE MOVIE BLADE OF JUSTICE sword used by two of the most iconic ninjas ever, SNAKE EYES and STORM SHADOW, in G.I. JOE RETALIATION.

G.I. JOE MOVIE NINJA COMMANDOS : (Approximate retail price: $19.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Summer 2012) - Get ready for the next phase in G.I. JOE action figure evolution with the G.I. JOE NINJA COMMANDO figures! The NINJA COMMANDO figures are 10-inch large-scale figures that feature quick-draw BATTLE-KATA and Ninja action. With the press of a button, figures magically “grab” weapons to arm themselves for battle. (This description does the feature no justice. Snake Eyes reached over his shoulders and BAM, two swords loaded into his hands and he is ready for battle. Such a fluid action, it is actually shocking they got a toy to do that.) Figures also feature electronic sound effects and phrases available for in pack “Try Me.” Choose from the iconic Ninja SNAKE EYES and BATTLE-KATA skilled ROADBLOCK. (Figures sold separately.)

G.I. JOE MOVIE 3.75-INCH ACTION FIGURES Assortment : (Approximate retail price: $7.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012) - The live-action G.I. JOE movie, G.I. JOE: Retaliation, won’t hit theaters until June 2012, but you don’t need to wait to see the stars from the movie cast as G.I. JOE characters. The G.I. JOE brand invented the action figure category more than 45 years ago, and the G.I. JOE MOVIE 3.75-INCH action figures continue this great legacy. Figures are sculpted to match their on-screen counterparts, including Dwayne Johnson as ROADBLOCK, Channing Tatum as DUKE, and Bruce Willis as Joe Colton. Each figure comes with off-the-floor play such as ninja zip lines and projectile launchers. Multiple waves are set to be released throughout the summer and fall 2012. (Figures each sold separately.) Over 50 figures are set to be released, including basic figures and multi packs. Characters for Wave 1 include Road Block, Snake Eyes with high wire accessory for "side of a mountain ninja butt kicking action", a new version of Cobra Commander, Duke, Storm Shadow with high wire accessory, Zartan with multiple masks and a light-pipe feature to make his eyes glow, G.I. Joe Trooper army builder with multiple accessories like helmets and an armor shielding that resembles a cape to make your batch look as distinctive as possible, Cobra Trooper army builder with a fabric parachute and a Red Ninja. Wave two (July) includes Battle Kata Road Block, Firefly (Ray Stevenson) with a weaponized sled and translucent hands that light up when attached to the sled like he is powering up (?!), Flint with a zip line accessory, Ninja Duel Snake Eyes and Camo Storm Shadow with a zip line accessory. In August, we get Joe Colton (Bruce Willis), Lady Jaye (Adrianne Palicki), Alley Viper, Cyber Ninja, Dragon Ninja, Kim Arashikage (Hasbro can not use the name Jinx on the figure, but she is called that in the movie), Blind Master (RZA) with a 9 rings Dynasty Sword, the big gold hat with blades that swing out and more classic Kung Fu weaponry you'll spot, a Crimson Guard with a label sheet allowing you to customize his insignias for faction/ rank identification and such and a Night Viper.
































G.I. JOE ALPHA VEHICLES Assortment : (Approximate retail price: $12.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012) - The G.I. JOE ALPHA VEHICLES assortment are the smallest and most covert of the G.I. JOE vehicles made for the 3.75-inch movie figures. These stealth vehicles are outfitted with universal projectiles, launchers, a surprise attack feature, and also come with a realistic articulated ride-on action figure that will help guide you through your action-packed adventures. (Vehicles each sold separately.) The Wheel Blaster bike will be able to launch its front wheel off and two more motorcycles for Snake Eyes and Flint.

G.I. JOE BRAVO VEHICLES Assortment : (Approximate retail price: $14.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012) - The G.I. JOE MOVIE BRAVO VEHICLES collection are mid-size vehicles inspired by the upcoming live-action G.I. JOE movie, G.I. JOE: Retaliation. Each represents the most technologically advanced vehicles in the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA arsenal, including the NINJA COMMANDO 4X4 WITH SNAKE EYES and COBRA FANG BOAT WITH SWAMP VIPER and the Tread Ripper with Clutch. Each vehicle comes with an action figure to help steer your squadron to victory. (Vehicles each sold separately.)

note: the figures included with the Bravo and most likely the Delta Vehicles have far less articulation to keep the price point low.

G.I. JOE MOVIE DELTA VEHICLES Assortment : (Approximate retail price: $19.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012) - The G.I. JOE MOVIE DELTA VEHICLES collection includes the largest hero and villain vehicles inspired by the live-action G.I. JOE movie, G. I. JOE: Retaliation. Each represents the most technologically advanced vehicles in the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA arsenal, including the G.I. JOE GHOST HAWK II, COBRA H.I.S.S. TANK and a Ninja Combat Cruiser. Each vehicle comes with an action figure to help steer your squadron to victory. (Vehicles each sold separately.)

note: 9 vehicles are set to see release.

G.I. JOE NINJA SHOWDOWN SET Assortment : (Approximate retail price: $19.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012) - Kids can recreate the action-packed Ninja sequences of the upcoming live-action G.I. JOE movie, G.I. JOE: Retaliation or create their own adventures with these G.I. JOE sets. Each three-pack includes a three 3.75-inch action figures with off-the-floor action features. (each sold separately) Characters include Road Block, Snake Eyes, Beach Head, Red Ninja in a different deco than the single packed version, Agent Mouse, Night Ops Snake Eyes, Sgt. Airborne and a Cobra Invasion Team with Firefly, Storm Shadow, and a Shock Trooper parachute pack in red.

San Diego Comic Con Exclusives!! : We'll see Kim Arashikage with card backs based off of the 80's action figure art in her Red Ninja (Jinx) gear and in white and unmasked with the likeness of the actress (Elodie Yung) in the new film. THEN...get ready for mind explodey. We will be getting a G.I. Joe/ Transformers Shockwave HISS Tank!! It seems Destro and Shockwave have struck a deal exchanging cash for energon cubes. We get a special Destro figure in a purple Decepticon inspired outfit, a cart with energon cubes, a suitcase full of cash with a Decepticon logo on the side, a HISS Tank/ Shockwave fusion vehicle (!!) annnnd a B.A.T. (Battle Android Trooper) to do all the heavy lifting, deco'd to look like a constructicon! We also shot pics of a tiny little Soundwave boom box with tapes, but they didn't mention it at the presentation.













CLICK HERE to dive into a giant pile of Hasbro G.I. Joe Retaliation toy pics!

It's Toy Fair Time!
Watch our Flickr for image updates!
Follow me on Twitter for updates on what is going up and have a say in what we post next!

No comments :

Post a Comment