Hasbro's G.I. JOE Q&A Round Two 2008

[Space Commander]

Does anyone know why Hasbro produced the other international 25th figures? Maybe fan pressure got those produced and we should mention these as an example.

Kraken's talking sense, gang.

[The Baron]

Says here: http://www.hasbro.com/gijoe/

For 25 years, the heroic GI JOE team has battled the evil forces of Cobra with guns, guts, and glory - and loyal GI Joe fans like you have stood beside them every missile-firing step of the way. In honor of the 25th anniversary of this heroic struggle, Hasbro introduces the best ever line of G.I. Joe vs. Cobra 3.75-inch action figures. Each 25h anniversary G.I. Joe vs. Cobra 3.75-inch action figure is meticulously detailed. The packaging is as true to the original as we could make it - one glimpse of it on shelf and G.I. Joe fans are instantly transported back to their childhood. Look forward to lots more on the way as we re-live the excitement of G.I. Joe vs. Cobra!

[The Baron]

I'm thinking if I ask the questions under the guise of

http://www.bloodforthebaron.com - home of the original Red Shadows and Action Force (GI Joe UK)

or the like, that'll save on backtracking.

[The Baron]

So unless anyone objects in the next 15 minutes, I'll go with this:

Questions from http://www.bloodforthebaron.com - Home of Action Force (GI Joe UK) and the original Red Shadows.

1) Action Force and Red Shadow customs are proving to be ever popular, even though the toyline was cancelled 23 years ago. Red Laser has been voted into the final 3 for Hasbro's 25th anniversary custom figure contest. Given the extraordinary longevity of the concept, and the diehard devotion of the fanbase, why have there been no new Red Shadow designs created?

2) DDP's Rise of the Red Shadows had a very mixed reaction. While it was generally disliked by the GI Joe fanbase, it did increase people's interest in the range - BFTB's hit counter went from averaging 200-300 hits per month to over a thousand. In Europe the new Red Shadows were generally regarded as pale imitations. Is it fair to say the comic would have been more successful had the original character designs been used?

3) Last year BFTB ran a "Save the Red Shadows" petition. DDP very graciously listened to our pleas for Wilder Vaughn to be retconned as an older Black Major, as evidenced by his uniform in America's Elite #34. Was the decision to reinvent the Red Shadows a direct result of reading the online comics at BFTB?

4) Are there any plans to release the Devil's Due version Red Shadows as toys? They too have been widely embraced by GI Joe customisers.

5) The BFTB community has been hard at work recolouring the B&W Battle Action Force comic strips for over a year now. The project has proven to be extremely popular, resulting in a non-profit Collected Edition book. Is there any likelihood of these classic stories being officially reprinted, possibly as a comic and figure 3-pack?

[Space Commander]

Go get 'em, Baron!

[thedupleman]

i think it could well be a strategic selling point for the company to introduce a new enemy because people must be getting fed up of cobra-however,they lost the opportunity for the strongest character to re-emerge-baron ironblood-by making him cobra commander,it would have been better for everyone if he'd have just vanished.i think he was the central character holding the red shadows together.
many u.s kids must be getting sick of the same old cobra wins,but i certainly for one thought the old red shadows far more interesting than the new ones!!! perhaps its the perfect time for a new "old enemy"

[jamarmiller]

So unless anyone objects in the next 15 minutes, I'll go with this:

Questions from http://www.bloodforthebaron.com - Home of Action Force (GI Joe UK) and the original Red Shadows.

1) Action Force and Red Shadow customs are proving to be ever popular, even though the toyline was cancelled 23 years ago. Red Laser has been voted into the final 3 for Hasbro's 25th anniversary custom figure contest. Given the extraordinary longevity of the concept, and the diehard devotion of the fanbase, why have there been no new Red Shadow designs created?

2) , it did increase people's interest in the range - BFTB's hit counter went from averaging 200-300 hits per month to over a thousand. In Europe the new Red Shadows were generally regarded as pale imitations. Is it fair to say the comic would have been more successful had the original character designs been used?

3) Last year BFTB ran a "Save the Red Shadows" petition. DDP very graciously listened to our pleas for Wilder Vaughn to be retconned as an older Black Major, as evidenced by his uniform in America's Elite #34. Was the decision to reinvent the Red Shadows a direct result of reading the online comics at BFTB?

4) Are there any plans to release the Devil's Due version Red Shadows as toys? They too have been widely embraced by GI Joe customisers.

5) The BFTB community has been hard at work recolouring the B&W Battle Action Force comic strips for over a year now. The project has proven to be extremely popular, resulting in a non-profit Collected Edition book. Is there any likelihood of these classic stories being officially reprinted, possibly as a comic and figure 3-pack?

ah crap IM too late!!!!

you did get ONE of my questions that I pm"ed you the other day ( Well basically) hahaha about the RED LASER !!

well conrgats anyways, this is a great chance for us ! really really is

I think I would have reworded question number two by removing " While it was generally disliked by the GI Joe fanbase". This is just tooo negative especially for our first time and we want to show a more unified front for the RED SHADOWS

I would have totally taken out the reference to the Book and ONLINE comics too, I think were flirting with danger there by even mentioning it .

I would have liked to see some of my other questions that I pm you the other day

and some of those questions wont be able to be answered by hasbro as they are definately Devils Due type questions that only Devils Due would be able to answer sadly

questions that referred to thier international logo and more repaints of AF guys

all in all though congrats Its something I wanted to see us be a part of for a long long time

[joss789]

All these questions sounds great to me.
Hasbro listen their fans. Most popular figures has be made or will be made soon.
With the 25th sculpt we have now, it's easy to make members of Action force and Red Shadows.
That would be great to have an new army at retail.

**Wow, army build the red shadows**

BBTB

[The Black Major]

Sorry Baron, just got my pm about this, so too late for me. That said, i don't think there was anything I could've added, I think you've pretty much hit the nail on the head with those questions anyway. Here's hoping Hasbro hear us!

[The Baron]

sh*t! Sorry Jamar - I hunted through my e-mail but forgot to check my PMs. Turns out there's another session in a couple of months! But the guy did pull out all the stops for us to get in on this one so I am grateful for the opportunity. Answers back early next week.

I don't know if it reads as being negative, it's meant like "could have been better" but I do wish I'd had more time to prepare, even one day for us tokick it about a it. I think it's good to come across as tough and a bit challenging, we're soon approaching the 25th anniversary of when they let us all down! That's why I put "why are they no new toys?" instead of "please may we have some new toys?"

Copyright wise we should be OK, the toys were Palitoy, not Hasbro, the comic was Fleetway, not Marvel, and both companies are now defunct. Rebellion have given me thier akcnowledgement, if not an official blessing. The book is non-profit and the images in it are all altered. I have had a full disclaimer in place since day one. We can't really make ourselves heard while keeping quiet.

I always said I would remove any galleries and downloads if and when they get a proper re-release, and I still hold to that. I did it with Sleeze Brothers and I did it with Death's Head, but otherwise I'll fight tooth and nail. I'm not taking anybody's profit margin here, I'm providing free advertising.