While we eagerly await the Eagle Force action figures’ arrival, Fresh Monkey Fiction has kicked off a Kickstarter for the Eagle Force Handbook, a fantastic look at Eagle Force and its characters from World War II, through to the present. The handbook will feature bio’s and excellent artwork, much in the same vein as the Handbook of the Marvel Universe from the good old days.
There’s less than 60 hours left on the Kickstarter, and while funding has been hit, there are still some pretty awesome stretch goals left to unlock.
Check out the Kickstarter here, and if you dig it, support it, so we can all get a good look at the past, present, and future of Eagle Force!
I’ve been going to JoeCon for a long time. My first visit was in San Francisco in 2003, and I’ve been going, more or less, ever since (besides three or so shows that I missed along the way).
The panels and panelists all deserve a huge amount of credit for taking time out of their busy schedules to talk to fans and provide information that isn’t always available elsewhere. Every once in a while, too, a panel appears at JoeCon that completely changes my perspective and entertains me in a way that I haven’t been entertained recently.
The Behind the Scenes of G.I. Joe’s first Micro Movie was one of those panels. Carson from 3DJoes spent the entire panel with G.I. Joe marketing guru Kirk Bozigian, showcasing never before seen behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the 1990’s live action commercials, all interspersed with other information about the commercials, while making sure to show the actual commercials along the way as well. The result was a panel chock-full of laughs, cheers, and a real appreciation for the work that went into making G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero the landmark, retail-altering brand it was back in the 80’s (and 90’s).
There was fantastic insight from Kirk Bozigian himself, unbelievable behind the scenes footage, and so much great stuff along the way. I can’t give Carson enough props for what he worked hard to put together. This was one hell of a way to celebrate JoeCon’s last harrah, and I truly hope there’s more to come. Carson has put a terrific video up on YouTube. You need to stop what you’re doing and go watch it right now. It’s just incredible.
So another whirlwind weekend at JoeCon has come and gone, and as many folks have likely noticed, I didn’t spend a whole lot of time reporting news from this last JoeCon (mostly for my own sanity).
However, there were some exciting announcements at the “Last Panel” today that I wanted to touch on because I’ve seen some folks who are a little confused about how it all works.
1) The previously announced Night Stalker 3-Pack is still being released in the 4th quarter this year, with three different ethnically diverse head sculpts, using the same builds as the GIJCC female COBRA Troopers
2) There is a new Ninja Force Zartan w/ motorcycle exclusive coming out, which Dave Lane specifically mentioned should make the choice for the 13th figure in FSS 8 more evident. From the looks of it, Zartan will be using the same head sculpt as the Con set’s Sgt. Smasher.
3) Along with these, Hasbro and the Club have worked out a way to release a special “Final Twelve” assortment. While these will be 12 figures like the FSS, this is NOT an FSS. The figures will be packaged in two-packs in similar themes, and available for standard pre-order, then shipped in FSS-style boxes. The Final Twelve 2-Packs are as follows:
Slaughter Marauder’s Barbecue and Low Light
Modern style figures with the classic Marauder’s paint apps to blend with the Con set
“Black Spider” Rendezvous Adventure Team vs. Coils O’Doom
Another Adventure Team figure (since the past ones sold so well) along with a brand new Coil character (with ties to Crimson Asp) who is inspired by a character spoken about on the “Regular Joes” podcast
Sonic Fighter Dodger vs Sonic Fighter Viper
Dodger and COBRA Viper in Sonic Fighter deco
Sonic Fighter Falcon vs Sonic Fighter Road Pig
Falcon and Road Pig in Sonic Fighter deco
Euro Tiger Force Hit & Run (AWESOME!) and Euro Tiger Force Psyche Out (Fetal position Christopher McLeod not included)
Modern style figures in the vintage UK exclusive Tiger Force deco’s
Euro Tiger Force Tunnel Rat and Euro Tiger Force Blizzard
Modern style figures in the vintage UK exclusive Tiger Force deco’s
I know I’ve been pretty clear in the past that I’m not especially enamored with constant vintage revisitations, but I have to admit, one final burst to fill in a few slots in the vintage line is a pretty cool idea, and I am THRILLED to get one last Hit & Run figure, especially in this awesome paint scheme. This was a really nice surprise for that last panel, and I’m glad they did it, and especially happy for Chris McLeod from The Full Force, because I know how much he loves those UK Tiger Force figures.
Speaking of The Full Force, be sure you’re checking their Facebook page as they have been live streaming and posting videos straight from JoeCon. FUUUULLL FOOOORCE!!
Never before has JoeCon weekend snuck up on me like it has this year. It seemed like one minute it was months away, then suddenly I’m packing for a whirlwind 2,000 mile round trip car ride to Chattanooga. Wow.
And yes, it’s true! JoeCon officially kicks off tomorrow when the Golden Ticket holders can first pick up their boxed sets and get their comics, which invariably have some neat-o clues inside about potential convention exclusives.
I’ll be driving the long haul tomorrow so I can’t promise I’ll have 100% up to the minute news, but if I’m stopped and I get the intel quick I will certainly relay it. Those dudes over at The Full Force will be ALL OVER IT I’m sure, too, so make sure you’re following their feed super close.
Meanwhile, if you’re attending JoeCon, snag me, stop me, say hi, I’ll be wandering around with a refreshed feeling of low stress enjoyment as I try to soak in every minute of this final convention without the typical rushing around of news reporting and exclusive hawking. Also be sure to swing by the Kindle Worlds panel at 2:00pm on Saturday to hear myself, Bill Nedrow, Jim Beard, and Don Maue talk about the crazy rock star lives of G.I. Joe authorhood. Good stuff.
This is always a fantastic, fun weekend, hopefully I’ll see some of you all there!
Spero Studios is cranking again! Shortly after delivering some awesome figures from their first Kickstarter, the folks at Spero are back at it, seeking funding for a new line of Deluxe Animal Warriors of the Kingdom figures. Many of the figures within this second Kickstarter are 5″ tall (though still scaled for 1:18, they’re just big boys!) and we’ve got some pretty amazing looking stuff going on here.
Personally, I’m really digging Belarus, the crazy cyborg bear, but there’s a ton of potential for other incredible stuff as well. As with the first Kickstarter, there’s a ton of great basic sized figures, too with some excellent new gear, new heads, and new creatures.
Lots to love here, especially if you dig human/animal hybrids like I do. I can see half the cast of my Operation: Harvest novels right here. Awesome stuff.
He’s sitting at around $32,000 right now, with a goal at 50K, but I think all of us would like to see some serious stretch goals made. Don’t sit on the fence, hit up the Kickstarter and put your money where your mouth is. He’s proven he can get this stuff produced, I’m itching to see more.
