Picture of the New Packaging for Retaliation Toys

[lowlight27]

Saw this on the G.I. Joe Club, don't know if this is old new or not, looks pretty cool.
http://www.gijoeclub.com/images/movie2/CC12pkg.jpg

[drunknmunky]

That thing is terrible. Both the figure and packaging look like crap. Oh how I miss RoC...

[Zarana]

Well we havent had a missile lauching staff before.

[gyrapados]

Well it's a definite improvement over the dreary ROC packaging but I'm not all that impressed with it. Looks kinda plain/generic. Maybe it will grow on me.

[lowlight27]

You would think that after that whole thing about using less plastic in the packaging, they wouldn't leave so much unused space.

[gunslingercbr]

Well it's a definite improvement over the dreary ROC packaging but I'm not all that impressed with it. Looks kinda plain/generic. Maybe it will grow on me.

the ROC packaging was fantastic. it mixed all the elements of the classic cardback, from character art, explosion/nano-mite background, additional characters on the back with filecard, but in a modern form.

this is just generic toyline packaging. I get why they did it, but it still looks terrible compared to what they have been doing. it is very Joe vs Cobra-esque, but not as fun. having two figures in those packages kind of livened it up.

[Jinx723]

I HATE IT!!!
They should just put them in ziplock bags. Nothing on these packages screams G.I. Joe to me. Having Dwayne 'Roadblock' Johnson and Snake Eyes on every single Joe package is bull$#!+. I know these are aimed at kids, but Hasbro is gonna have to realize that today's kids will never get into G.I. Joe like we did. The fact that G.I. Joe needs to have a movie for brick & mortars to stock the Joe brand makes me real sad for G.I. Joe

[netowolf]

a new level of fuglyness

[drunknmunky]

You would think that after that whole thing about using less plastic in the packaging, they wouldn't leave so much unused space.

Hasbro loves wasting plastic and space with their packaging. Imagine how many extra figures could be made with what they wasted here-
YOJOE.COM | K-Mart Exclusive: General Tomahawk vs Headman with Bonus Figure (Cobra Commander) (http://www.yojoe.com/action/02/cardedimages/km-tomahawkheadman_cc.shtml)

[Nirvana]

The packaging was revealed at NYTF last month.

[luigi]

That thing is terrible. Both the figure and packaging look like crap. Oh how I miss RoC...

wow

[the odinson]

bah!

[rfarrell22]

i'm done

[Syn3sthesia]

Dead on arrival.

[steve_smmr]

that's just horrid packaging. it has so much empty, dead space. that, in turn, makes the bubbles look like the figure is coming with basically nothing. the average person/housewife/kid will see it as a lot of nothing that they're getting for around ten bucks a pop.

[BigErn]

This packaging is so boring I can't stand it, and for the first time since the 25th I have no desire to display any of this stuff moc. I still like and look forward to most of the figures but that's a different topic. ROC's packing might have sucked but the card art was fantastic and lead directly into POC and 30th which imo had the best card art in the history of the brand. Oh well, this line's not aimed at me, it's aimed at new fans and I truly hope it works.

[starbuck]

I love it! In that pic they used, it looks like Roadblock just saw 2 girls 1 cup for the first time!

[CobraSnakeEyes]

When do they release the figures?

[Crimson Gord]

i tear all my figures open like a rabid dog, no shitty card is gonna get me down, lol.

[B and H Comics]

My gosh Dollar Tree is getting exclusives rights to the Retaliation line !!!

[jestermon]

Usually not big on package design but it looks like the card art on a bootleg or watergun card art.

[hifipinkie29]

It's G.I. Joe. I like it. Diehard fan, here. I'll stick with them through thick and thin.

[thairestauranteur]

Hey at least we have a good portrait of "O Face" Rock!

[Sgt Humpty]

I always love seeing how worked up some people get over the part we're supposed to tear open and throw away. Awesome!

[In Like Flint]

The packaging looks like shite. Bright yellow SHITE. Glad I'm not a MOC collector.

[Zarana]

Clear plastic bubbles again? Get creative hasblo.

[poddie]

This is just horrid packaging. RoC, PoC, and 30th were awesome. This looks like those $1.99 figures at Walmart. I just don't understand.

And Sgt Humpty, if you think the look and quality of the packaging doesn't affect sales, you are sadly mistaken. Great packaging is good for everyone... not just the MoC collectors.

[bandonov]

I always love seeing how worked up some people get over the part we're supposed to tear open and throw away. Awesome!

What? You open Toys? What?

I thought you just buy them and keep in a plastic bin and never look at them....

[Adamantite]

Oh please let there be a figure stand in there.

[sbartek1974]

Looks like Gunslinger is going to be busy replacing some card arts. :)

[sbartek1974]

The packaging looks like shite. Bright yellow SHITE. Glad I'm not a MOC collector.

That's the same color as baby shit.

[Dangerjoe]

clearly, this is for kid, as an adult i am not a fan of it

[Nightrain]

What? You open Toys? What?

I thought you just buy them and keep in a plastic bin and never look at them....

Indeed. I keep Lucy Lawless mint in package.

[NAJA EMPIRE]

gotta be honest.... I LIKE IT!!!

[JoeMama]

that really looks like a student mock-up for graphic design class ...
... at a community college.
bad, bad looking packaging.
oh well.
figs look ok.

[IIIzoeIII]

now who wouldn't want to buy that pos? lmao jk
RoC had way better card art what a shame :)

[NAJA EMPIRE]

OK, if they had the cobra staff exposing its head side by side with CC it would look more appealing. Think I am going to troop build his staff

[ilzuccone]

not so good. PoC was so good!

[Dusty Ayers]

This packaging is cheap, generic, and ugly. I don't like it but it will probably save money for Hasbro if they sell. The reason I have some MOC ARAH figs is that they are works of art. I love the layout and the packaging. I see none of that creativity in this picture.

[Gundamben831]

meh

[MeLikeJinx]

Hideous. At least ROC figs had really cool card art (not too mention full articulation).

[Sgt Humpty]

And Sgt Humpty, if you think the look and quality of the packaging doesn't affect sales, you are sadly mistaken. Great packaging is good for everyone... not just the MoC collectors.

Perhaps for some people. I don't know any of them, though. ;)

In all seriousness, I'm sure you're probably right. But I'm also sure that this "issue" will end up like most issues here - overblown for what it really is.

[Veedubguy83]

Green lantern had better packaging than this...

[Dusty Ayers]

I always love seeing how worked up some people get over the part we're supposed to tear open and throw away. Awesome!

Totally awesome.

[sneekpick]

The figure may be fine but the packaging is soooooooo BAD!.... you have the chance of making things better than the first movie and the toy line and someone came up with this? why?... Gi Joe is about their characters and you made it as generic as a fricking mac donals burger why????

[Crazy Legs]

Oh please let there be a figure stand in there.

And this is the cobra with no ankle articulation. So i guess that huge launcher thing is going to be used as a cane.

Anyway, this will be the first time i completely throw away the packaging in my GI JOE collecting history. At least now people are not going to ask me why i keep it.

[Veedubguy83]

Originally Posted by Adamantite
Oh please let there be a figure stand in there.

Figure stands??? Hah, who needs em! We got Rocket firing Canes baby!

[samantha]

I am not sure what I think.

[Zefram]

the ROC packaging was fantastic. it mixed all the elements of the classic cardback, from character art, explosion/nano-mite background, additional characters on the back with filecard, but in a modern form.

this is just generic toyline packaging. I get why they did it, but it still looks terrible compared to what they have been doing. it is very Joe vs Cobra-esque, but not as fun. having two figures in those packages kind of livened it up.

Seconded.

That packaging fails on every conceivable level, and then makes up a few new ones to fail on just for good measure.

[IIIzoeIII]

these toys just ARE NOT aimed at collectors...I hope collectors resist from collecting them and just get these for their kids.

kids will just grab the entire figure with its arms bound tightly to its sides and smash it full body into another figure lol and thats about all their worth nothing respectable about collecting these inferior toys.

[rocker82]

Like the toy packaging more than the Rise of Cobra packaging.

[katdan847]

that's just horrid packaging. it has so much empty, dead space. that, in turn, makes the bubbles look like the figure is coming with basically nothing. the average person/housewife/kid will see it as a lot of nothing that they're getting for around ten bucks a pop.


I don't like this packaging at all, especially compared to the POC and 30th stuff but you also have to think...the commander never really comes with nor needs that much accessories but when we see the blind master or the troopers, they will probably look more full. They still suck balls though.

[Firefly9145]

It sucks big monkey balls on a hot day.

[katdan847]

Anyway, this will be the first time i completely throw away the packaging in my GI JOE collecting history. At least now people are not going to ask me why i keep it.


So true, my entire joe room has every 25th, ROC, POC and 30th figure in package around the walls....not going to be the case on these ones.

[commentor]

Still holding out hope for the Amazon exclusive....

[ziarenek]

I could be wrong but won't this be the first GI Joe figure line without personalized character card art? Even the ROC line had nice card art for every figure...
Guess some brilliant executive thought that it's another opportunity for cost cutting...

Oh, and btw... Why no chrome faceplate Hasbro?!!! Will I ever live to see a single carded Cobra Commander with a nice chrome faceplate? You know, like in ALL cartoons and comics? Dammit, now I'm pissed...

[SteelersMobat]

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give the new packaging a 3.
Scored as follows:
1 point for being a basic piece of packaging
1 point for being color
1 point for spelling the products name correctly
NO further points awarded.

[RPD]

I don't know about his staff of power striking with fury, but that card is pretty striking...

[USAgent]

I like it. Very simple. I don't keep any of the trash after I open the toy so card art is a non issue for me. Its got the main heroes on it and a clear view of the toy. Done and done. Only thing I do want that you can't tell in the pic is if there is a photo on the side- the new SW packaging makes it tough to find a figure on the pegs without pulling them all down since all it has on the side is a number- a pic to see the character just makes it a little easier to dig.

[Crimson Rage]

That looks... AWFUL! As I'm not a MOC collector I don't really care, but the fact that the figure also cries "Battlecorps" to me doesn't exactly have me clamouring for this range as I was for the superior (yes, I actually said it!) ROC line.

[codenameflint]

Does anyone else notice this looks like the Star Wars packaging?

The angled cardboard on the bottom inside the bubble looks indentical.

[composhop]

Shame on you Hasbro, RoC wasn't good but now i think RoC is beautiful.
Cardart is *hit, so much empty space looks like s*it,rocket launchers are sh*t,no stands?100% shi*.

Hasbro's luck that I really want Rockblock,,Jinx,new SS/SE and Joe Colton(+3-Packs),otherwise i can save some money on this line and start collecting 4" Toynami Naruto figures.

[Shock Viper]

these are hideous! I do packaging art for a living but I would rather pick up garbage than do something like this. This makes the G.I. Joe brand looks like Chap Mei. I wonder what the file cards looks like, full of none sense in words with no figure art like the Dreadnoks / Marauders box set I guess. Probably its just a sign of the times, if it is G.I. Joe died a horrid death.

[composhop]

This makes the G.I. Joe brand looks like Chap Mei. I wonder what the file cards looks like, full of none sense in words with no figure art like the Dreadnoks / Marauders box set I guess. Probably its just a sign of the times, if it is G.I. Joe died a horrid death.

This,this and a little bit more of this.
The polish bootlegs (5-point articulation hehe)of ARAH back in the 90's were 1.000.000.000 better,nice cardart,full of (poor made) accesoires but still better then this.

[Deftones1982]

Packaging is still ugly.

[Sgt Humpty]

I wonder what the file cards looks like, full of none sense in words with no figure art like the Dreadnoks /

If I recall correctly, there are no filecards.

They did away with them.

:(

[Rainbow Viper]

it's gonna be a pain in the ass looking for which figure you want on the shelves.

[Sgt Humpty]

it's gonna be a pain in the ass looking for which figure you want on the shelves.

LOL - I was just thinking that!

[Zefram]

I wouldn't dare say "end of the line", but this is seriously a dark f***ing chapter in Joe history. This is going to pegwarm like mad.

[firefox91]

Clearly they went for cheap and presented cheap. The cardbacks are made such that it is the same for every figure. If there is no filecard, they don't have to worry about changing that. The only difference is what they put inside the gigantic bubble. Terrible packaging. It's funny how this line could come this far and yet never manage to top the vintage line on so many things. Here is a perfect example.

[hotmitts]

Looks like pretty standard toy packaging to me. You can see the toy.

[dpstro]

Cobra staff really fires!!!!

[ZombieViper1]

No Wow factor Hasbro needs to step it up...

[Raw Dog]

That's a really good view of the figure, thanks for posting. I'm even more excited for the movie and toys now. Everything looks really good to me.

[Crimson Rage]

That packaging is so bland (in a gaudy, ugly way) that it'll disappear amongst the other generic IRON MAN and CAPTAIN AMERICA packaging.. That stuff did so well, didn't it?

[jogunwarrior]

I could be wrong but won't this be the first GI Joe figure line without personalized character card art? Even the ROC line had nice card art for every figure...
Guess some brilliant executive thought that it's another opportunity for cost cutting...

Oh, and btw... Why no chrome faceplate Hasbro?!!! Will I ever live to see a single carded Cobra Commander with a nice chrome faceplate? You know, like in ALL cartoons and comics? Dammit, now I'm pissed...

I think the early 2000 ARAH line, right before Joe vs Cobra had generic packaging that wasn't character specific.

My question is this: what does everyone think Hasbro could have done to improve the packaging from what we had seen before?

Clearly they wanted to take this in a new direction, I just don't think it was the right direction!

[Laser Viper]

Is it the packaging giving the figure a bad rap, or it is everything all together?

and i like how everyone is trashing it, when no one has this figure yet. So, lets get one in hand first and then let the trashing begin. Maybe Hasbro is saving money on generic packaging to bring us something extra special in months to come? Until then, this CC looks promising and thats all im gonna say.

[r3v3n63]

"His staff of power strikes with fury" Excellent! I was worried that it would strike with apathy or aloofness but that description has sold me!

[WeEatOurDead]

Oh now that packaging is HotNastyAssTrash. Dummies.

[samantha]

I have a thought. Clearly Hasbro has cut some corners with the new line. I have been thinking about that. It seems to me that they may have done so to keep the suggested retail price down. The carded figure price has gone up every year and are poised to cross the $10.00 mark in the next few years. I think they have had to cut out certain things and while it sucks, it is essential to the keep the line alive. I personally feel that the corners that are being cut will shoot the line in the foot. Then again maybe it will preserve it for a few more years. No doom and gloom here just a theory. I do like that CC though and will buy him. The packaging doesn't matter much to me, I will be ripping him out of it as soon as I have him.

[Jacklefttown]

Well, the Rock's look doesn't come off as mean. He's sporting the "just bent over to pick up the soap at Shawshank" look.

To be honest, I'm an opener of toys, so the package doesn't matter to me. But this package doesn't "pop" as it should and I doubt children are gonna be wowed like we were in the 80's.

I have always LOVED the GI Joe art. Is there a book that compiles all the cardback art?

[oldJoe72]

wow. that is really crappy packaging. it's a bit of an insult to both the many fantastic artists and designers like myself who would gladly have taken the project on just to be a part of such a magical brand, but to the brand itself. I wonder if current political and socio-economic forces, combined with a general 'over-warring' of our culture hasn't put us back to where we were in the early 70's, and again in the mid 90's when the brand had to undergo periods of near dormancy and then dramatic change to survive. To be fair, the Adventure team sub-brand is what initially captured my young mind and still colors my old one, but at least that line had some of the most incredible package art I have ever seen. The illustrative style carried through to the ARAH line and kids appreciated it. Who didn't love the cards? Anyway, I could ramble on and on about it and still come to the conclusion that Hasbro, or anyone there that champions the GI Joe brand's integrity doesn't know what to do with this property and now that it's married to Hollywood, it's clearly out of their immediate control. All we can do is hope that the movie doesn't suck as bad as this packaging.

[Zefram]

and i like how everyone is trashing it, when no one has this figure yet.

We're trashing the packaging, dude, which I seriously doubt is going to look any better in our hands.

[fireflyguy]

I'm not going to bash it until I've seen it up close. There are definitely some figures I'm looking forward to getting.

[MightyMegs]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v42/MightyMegs/Page_1-14.jpg

[RolandofGilead]

Is it just me, or does he look like a classic O-ring figure in there?

Not that I think that's a good thing.

[HardMaster]

I disliked rise of cobra packaging very much. This one is a bit generic, but it beats the ROC stuff. Maybe they will do some last minute changes? Keep the top with just the logo or something. Nothing will ever hold a candle to the 80s packaging in my eyes. It was simple. It had the explosive back and customized character in the explosion...with the awesome file card (I still have a ton from childhood when it gave that feel of putting together my own army).

I will buy some of the figures, but like ROC, I will be selective in which ones will be doubles. Pursuit of cobra packaging did the line justice after the 25th anniversary line.

[Crimson Rage]

and i like how everyone is trashing it, when no one has this figure yet. So, lets get one in hand first and then let the trashing begin. Maybe Hasbro is saving money on generic packaging to bring us something extra special in months to come? Until then, this CC looks promising and thats all im gonna say.

As the primary purpose of packaging is to be 'seen', I don't think it's required that we have it in our hands before passing judgement.

[drunknmunky]

Remember how awesome it was walking down the toy isle and seeing those amazing 25th cards hanging on the pegs? How many of us got back into collecting because of the 25th line? Then came the RoC line which still featured figure stands, individual card art and some really good figures. PoC came along and combines done of the coolest packaging we've ever seen along with done of Hasbro's greatest figures. The 30th line took the packaging to a new level and continued to build upon the high standards of figure quality. Now comes Retaliation and the packaging, figure quality, articulation, filecards and even figure stands are all going to crap. This is the biggest step backwards that the Joe line has seen since the Spy Troops/ VvV era. Well it was a good run Hasbro, but you probably just killed the line for a lot of people.

[ssgjasonw]

OK, if they had the cobra staff exposing its head side by side with CC it would look more appealing. Think I am going to troop build his staff

Let me see how bad it is and if it is horrible I will send you mine.

[ssgjasonw]

it's gonna be a pain in the ass looking for which figure you want on the shelves.

Yes it is. I feel your pain.

[Black Rose]

I don't really care for the card art or fig, I understand these are aimed at kid's. That said, Cobra Commanders head looks amazing. If file cards aren't going to be done justice like when we where kid's then why bother. The half ass file cards we where getting where kind of a waste anyway.

[brock Samson]

One word, hideous...

[SNAKE_EYES1975]

Remember how awesome it was walking down the toy isle and seeing those amazing 25th cards hanging on the pegs? How many of us got back into collecting because of the 25th line? Then came the RoC line which still featured figure stands, individual card art and some really good figures. PoC came along and combines done of the coolest packaging we've ever seen along with done of Hasbro's greatest figures. The 30th line took the packaging to a new level and continued to build upon the high standards of figure quality. Now comes Retaliation and the packaging, figure quality, articulation, filecards and even figure stands are all going to crap. This is the biggest step backwards that the Joe line has seen since the Spy Troops/ VvV era. Well it was a good run Hasbro, but you probably just killed the line for a lot of people.

That WAS great. When the 25th hit, I was a regional manager and went to damn near every store in SW MI buying them. I was addicted to the hunt of 25th Joes. SO awesome. I agree with what you said...I dont think anyone can now argue about the fact GIJOE went from a "highend" action figure, to a generic movie figure. My first thought with seeing the new cards, is seeing these new cards for 2 years sitting next to the iron man, and Thor figs.

I will say the fig itself hase a decent headscuplt from what I see, but its pretty blah looking. I will not collect a single one of these to keep MOC, and I still have some ROC ones that I like that I kept MOC. That Cobra Commander sure does look like the version that came with the little launching glider though, Sans the red mask of course.

I guess the best I can hope for is that the kids go APESHIT over this crap, and buy it up, so that Hasbro might want to expend capitol on classics figs...But with all the skystrikers warming shelves..I doubt it will ever happen again.

[saw135]

Actually, I kinda like how bright the package is. My only complaint is the lack of character art, which helps to reinforce the fantasy world that these characters, by making the little bits of plastic just a little more real.

[ljacone]

Seems like a lot of toy lines are moving towards a lighter color scheme for their packaging, including GI Joe. Definitely a lot brighter than ROC, POC, and 30th. Looks okay I guess. I prefer the 30th style personally.

[GeneralxRon]

That is Awesome. Can't wait for the Buy 1 get 2 Free like they did with the ROC figs at TRU..

[Stalker]

"Cobra Staff Fires Missile!" Hasbro staff fires designers.

["SR"]

Does this CC have chest articulation? I thought he did, but he doesn't look like he does in this picture....

[blackman2005]

This is going to be an underwhelming summer for toys:

1. Avengers Movie toyline looks like re-hashed crap with less articulation at a much higher price than a couple of months ago.

2. Dark Night Rises figures look like happy meal toys.

3. New Marvel Universe figures might not get stocked everywhere because of Avengers being the dominate Marvel license for this season.

4. Amazing Spider-man figures have T-crotch articulation and have the same five characters made over again and again as the last Spidey toy brand.

5. Transformers Prime is more goofy ass looking incarnations of the same core characters as the animated series that was out four years ago. Its a filler line between this and another horrible movie toyline. If its not Classics/War for Cybertron/Reveal the Shield, it won't get my support.

6. G.I. Joe: Retaliation figures and vehicles are looking more hit or miss at an inflated price which isn't good. I'm fine with the argument that "this line isn't aimed towards collectors!", but who the hell has the responsibility to keep the brand in stores if it doesn't sell as expected?

[hahoo3]

"Cobra Staff Fires Missile!" Hasbro staff fires designers.


LOL! It's the worst packaging in the last 5 years IMO!! If the designers came up to me w/ that card concept, I would of slapped them!!!

Your job is to sit around and come up with the package/card design/art and that's what you come up with!!? funny!

[GrapeSoda]

wow. that is really crappy packaging. it's a bit of an insult to both the many fantastic artists and designers like myself who would gladly have taken the project on just to be a part of such a magical brand

i agree. i would have been honored to draw some character portraits for the card art for next to nothing. there are many fantastic artists here on the 'tank that would agree, i'm sure.

[troublemagnet]

"Cobra Staff Fires Missile!" Hasbro staff fires designers. That's pretty funny. I don't laugh very often at the jokes here, but that's a good one. As far as the packaging-It does suck.Based on what I saw @GeneralsJoes, the new figures other than Beachhead really suck. If a toy has great packaging,that could influence me to get the figure even if it's subpar (example: ROC Covergirl).I'm largely going to ignore this line unless they put out specific updates to Joes unseen and updated (ROC Thunder, Grandslam, Kamukura,Charbroil etc).
After buying over 90% of the 25th, ROC/POC, 30th/Renegades, and then buying a large collection of ARAH figures, I'm convinced that vintage rules, and that's where I'm going to be spending my money. Hasbro never did give us a good Steeler,Short Fuze,Tele-Viper, Major Bludd, etc. They've been doing it on the cheap since the 25th began and it wasn't until I got that vintage collection and sat down and compared the two lines. Tele-Viper should not have had a viper body, Tripwire and HISS driver should not have shared Flash's body etc.

[Wylde Weezle]

It's like Hasbro decided to take notes on what they could do to still sell toys with cost reduction measures by modeling 80's...Masters of the Universe. 30 years ago Mattel sold a $#*+ ton of figures to kids with no figure stands, 3 points of controllable articulation (head and arms) no character art, just a brightly colored "Buy Me!" explosion on the background with the logo. Oh, and a part re-use among figures on a level that would be shameful with any other toyline.

I was out yesterday seeing the packaging on the Walmart shelves for the Avengers and Star Wars movie lines and hoping for something better for Hasbro's own...but this Cobra Commander sample is a real letdown.

[MightyMegs]

Does this CC have chest articulation? I thought he did, but he doesn't look like he does in this picture....

The one at Toy Fair did...

[Gyre-Viper]

Does this CC have chest articulation? I thought he did, but he doesn't look like he does in this picture....

The one at Toy Fair did...



He does. It's kinda hiding. When we covered Toy Fair on the podcast
we all stopped for like 5 minutes to look at it from all the different angles
that people had photographed... from all the different sites and forums and blogs.

[Black Llama]

I am not trolling here.


I think at this point The Cops has better card art/packaging.

[atomatron]

who can look at that and think "yeah cobra commander"

its like a movie viper! Army builder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CrimsonGuard101]

Meh its a usless package that will get tossed into the trash when i open the few figures I pick up. I havent been doing MOC figs since they stopped the 25th/ME packages....maybe one day well get a designer and an hasbro exec who can see eye to eye on what the vintage card art look so amazing compared to this, or at least the POC card art (30th was alright till they got to the renegades figures then they go lazy and just took screen shots strait from the cartoon)...one can hope right? lol

[Hawkwinter]

I gotta say. This is the first thread I've read on HISStank where almost all posters agree. Amazing!

Hasbro was unable to unite the Joe fan in their love of Joe so they turned to their designers to unite them in disgust. Awesome!


.....still looking forward to the actual figures though.....



......and even more so to the line that follows this one....you know, the one that always follows the failed mass market attempt and is like 1000 times as cool and has way better figures and accessories and packaging that doesn't look like my 5 year old nephew designed it!

EPIC fail!

[Troops of Doom]

Kind of boring but I've never bought anything for the packaging. It has no effect on me either way. All I need is good figures.

[NCR_Ranger92]

Meh! the figure and the package look ok but I hate these stupid missile luanchers.

[Sciencefriction]

Yay, more ugly packaging that isn't collector friendly at all, no big surprise there. Bring on post Retaliation toys already.

[SunDown]

That packaging is terrible. If that is really the packaging for the Retaliation toys, then now is a wonderful time for me to quit buying G.I. Joe figures!

[gunslingercbr]

wow. that is really crappy packaging. it's a bit of an insult to both the many fantastic artists and designers like myself who would gladly have taken the project on just to be a part of such a magical brand, but to the brand itself.

anyone who feels insulted because Hasbro believes that individual character art will have less impact on the target consumer than having every figure associated with imagery of who they believe is going to be the two main draws for children to the brand -- the Rock and Snake Eyes, deserves to be insulted.

[Crazy Legs]

Hey, i just noticed that the blister now takes up like 75% of the space when before the blister was just around 35% package and the bottom right side.

They are sure wasting a whole lot of plastic on nothing.

[carion]

I dont care what the packaging looks like, I plan to open everything anyway.

[KushViper]

Wow! That blows. Where do they get these designers? Not really anything going on at all on this.

[GI C]

Yeah,very dissapointed in the presentation as well.Really reminds me of the Action Man packaging from the mid 90's.

[spiderpumpkin]

The new cardback should say CORPS.

[Raw Dog]

I gotta admit, Cobra Commander's new missile firing staff looks totally radical. I can't wait to make him blast Joe with it. Joe won't know what hit him, lol! I'm sure Joe will be up to the challenge! When you're up against the most dangerous man in the world, and now he has a super sick rocket blasting Cobra staff, you have to get tough!

[Sgt Adrian]

wow really generic packaging...oh well glad I'm done after POC line

[minstrelboy]

That's pretty terrible. I like to reserve my opinion until it's had time to sink in. But this looks more and more like something I've seen at like the knock-off dollar stores.

[Raw Dog]

I don't think it is as bad as all that. I think most people throw the package into the trash after they've released their toy from its prison anyway, lol! I do feel bad for MoC collectors that really don't like the new packaging though. It could be worse though, there could be no new GI Joe toys at all on the horizon.

[rcjunkie]

No character card art is an epic fail for Hasbro. Joe packaging card art is part of the brand's identity.

On a side note, if the figure quality, detail, accessories is on par with Pursuit of Cobra, I'd pick up some figures and toss the packaging.

[Raw Dog]

No character card art is an epic fail for Hasbro. Joe packaging card art is part of the brand's identity.

On a side note, if the figure quality, detail, accessories is on par with Pursuit of Cobra, I'd pick up some figures and toss the packaging.

I'd love a coffee table art book of all of the card art for the figures and the vehicles from the 80's to the present.

[Ash Talon]

I throw packaging away, so I don't give a shit what it looks like. Lack of character art? I don't care. Yeah, it was a big part of the brand, but it's not really needed and is just another cost that can be applied elsewhere.

This packaging is bright and easily identifiable on a peg, so I'm sure kids will know exactly what to reach for at stores.

And no I don't feel bad for MOC collectors, since they're crazy.

[Troops of Doom]

I'd love a coffee table art book of all of the card art for the figures and the vehicles from the 80's to the present.

I always liked the classic artwork but it's pretty much ruined when bubble is glued onto it anyway. A GI Joe book showcasing all the art free of plastic and text would be awesome.

[Crazy Legs]

I throw packaging away, so I don't give a shit what it looks like. Lack of character art? I don't care. Yeah, it was a big part of the brand, but it's not really needed and is just another cost that can be applied elsewhere.


There have been way to many cost cutting measures for these toys that havent been applied anywhere.

That's the main problem with this line. Is going back instead of going forward.

[rdodger]

Yeah, I open my toys, but I do save the filecards. I bet Hasbro will change back after the movie line ends. This reminds me of Star Wars packaging.

[Raw Dog]

Yeah, I open my toys, but I do save the filecards. I bet Hasbro will change back after the movie line ends. This reminds me of Star Wars packaging.

Me too. It reminds me of the SW packaging that came out around the time of that Clone Wars cartoon by the guy that did Samurai Jack, lol!

[emags]

I try to be pretty easy going and not criticize too often, but this packaging sucks!! Its shit. I really does look like something you would buy at the $1 store. Its really cheap looking.

[azrael13]

I have a strange feeling that, based on what we are starting to see from both this packaging and tooling of these figures being launched for the new movie, that Hasbro is going to start putting out more crap, and lose more collectors. Many stores dropped carrying the Joe line after the figures bombed during ROC (Walmart, Kmart, etc) and I don't expect much to change again, even if there's a slight sales explosion for a bit with the enthusiasm for the movie. After that though, I feel like it's gonna slip back into a pit. Sorry, just not liking Hasbro's new direction with this crap. Period. Just garbage. New movie that seems like it's gonna rock, I would think they'd have a better concept and planning for better quality. Too bad Hasbro doesn't give a rat's a@$ about quality, just vacuum-sucking the dollars out of mom and dad's wallet for all the kids. Just a side note, when I was a kid collecting and still actually playing with the figures back in the 90's, I hated all the "rocket-firing" garbage. I never got hooked on that marketing gimmick, even as a child. That was just me though.

[Ford]

The cards will be going right in the garbage for me. Just like they have with every single other figure that I've ever bought. They could staple a ziploc bag to a notecard for all I care. As long as the figure is good, I'll buy it.

[FireflyDoc]

Both Figure and Blister are horrible.

And the worst is ''The Rock's'' face on each blister !!! Why the actor ??? ( does it is really an actor ? )

[ATCVenom]

Since my opinion on this matter is completely irrelevant, all I can say is - I hope that Hasbro sells the sh!t outta these toys.

[Dem_Yoe'z!]

This is all kinds of fail, but I really don't care much after being so dissapointed on other issues such as articulation cutbacks, no stands or filecards, the horrible vehicle drivers, etc.

Wake me up after the movie line fails and Hasbro goes back to the POC/30th standard that was selling well...

[red4]

The cards will be going right in the garbage for me. Just like they have with every single other figure that I've ever bought. They could staple a ziploc bag to a notecard for all I care. As long as the figure is good, I'll buy it.

hear hear

[80sKid]

Well I can say that my wallet is happy with this cause there will be no need to buy any to keep MOC. I love some of these figures like the Red Ninja, Black Ninja, Beachhead, SS, Crimson Guard and Night Viper but definitely gonna be saving some money this summer. And I for one thought the ROC packaging was just as bad as this but I did keep one CS SE MOC just cause the figure is so choice and he didn't come with a rocket launcher. Dollar store branding is not a good look for Joe.

[Colonel Bludd]

Can't believe all this bitching over packaging. I got up to page six and said i saw enough.

[TheRealDubya]

If this sells toys to kids, then who gives a shit.

We've had our fill of shit targeted at us, fanboys.

[Crazy Legs]

I wonder how much this will sell for on ebay.

[1982]

This is clearly a cost cutting measure it has nothing to do with marketing. Hasbro has cut back on everything for this line, including there own staff, I wouldn't be shocked if this was going to be the new standerd for the brand going forward. The days of highly articulated figures with thier own cards is over. Hasbro just can't afford it. I picked up a couple of the new Prime toys, the plastic just feels a little cheaper, same thing with the new movie Cap. So it's happening across the board not just with Joe.

[The Batman]

With this goofy packaging scheme, I will only buy the figures I am taking out of package. I am glad they are targeting kids.. but hell, Hasbro just put the words TRANSFORMERS on the package and it sold. I guess he Rock and Snake Eyes are gonna be the true selling point for kids! YEE HAW!

[Uninvited Ghost]

I always thought the one thing that would make G.I. Joe packaging better would be a picture of Roadblock ready to take a load in the mouth.

[icecreamsoldier]

Try harder hasbro

[tuan_tran73]

Very very impressive, I hope they can sell as good as ROC figures.

[atatcommander]

I don't know, seems pretty generic, but not that bad. Ill be buying what I see, which hasn't been really anything the past two years.

[flywheels]

Packaging I could care less for, but the figure looks pretty good.

[alkrawiec]

Terrible !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[red4]

What bothers me most is that the flare isn't centered behind the figure. It looks pointless dangling over the figure's head.

[ilzuccone]

If this sells toys to kids, then who gives a shit.

We've had our fill of shit targeted at us, fanboys.

yeah, well said. although i do want everything to be about me!

[jimsloth]

I'm going to hate these as much as the new avengers toys. I'd probably buy a bunch of both for parts, but don't want to support their BS. I'll wait for all of it to get to Marshells or clearance.

[docdrako]

I guess they want to make sure that everyone knows that The Rock is in this movie. Maybe it's in his contract. Whatever. I open everything anyways. I scoffed at the ROC & POC figures and ended up liking most of them so I'm hoping that I find some in the Retaliation line that I like as well.

I started collecting modern Joes when the 25th line was winding down, & I like GI Joe enough to give every line a chance. They haven't really let me down yet. Rock on, GI Joe. I'm a fan for life.

[Griffin73]

Hasbro makes plenty of money. This is BS. Go back and rework the packaging to get it right. Otherwise they will lose a ton on this crap.

This is a good excuse to start producing 3rd party GI Joe guys.
Hasbro is just asking for us to revolt.

[geo]

Figure's awesome...packaging sucks!

[Nightrain]

"Cobra Staff Fires Missile!" Hasbro staff fires designers.

I love this.

[spiderpumpkin]

Saw this on the G.I. Joe Club, don't know if this is old new or not, looks pretty cool.
http://www.gijoeclub.com/images/movie2/CC12pkg.jpg

http://www.figurerealm.com/Galleries/corps/JustinCase-LazerForce-Front.jpg

[red4]

http://www.figurerealm.com/Galleries/corps/JustinCase-LazerForce-Front.jpg

Oh, I get it. We post a random image as a reply.

http://farm1.staticflickr.com/96/210868966_bbcf960f1a.jpg

[spiderpumpkin]

Oh, I get it. We post a random image as a reply.

http://farm1.staticflickr.com/96/210868966_bbcf960f1a.jpg

Well, I thought it looks somewhat similar to the new GI Joe package. Didn't mean to inspire your randomness.

[5h4rK]

I would take that Justin Case over that CC anytime..

[DR.Sin]

Well..........I guess that means MOC would just be ridiculous for these new figures. Though it does look like they managed to make something positive out of ROC. The packaging was hell of a lot better for that movie. The cost of these figures will likely stink. I don't know maybe the figures will be okay? Maybe the reception will be better once I exit my padded room?

[GI abe444]

The figure is the only goodlooking thing there. cant wait to get my hands on that CC!

[cobracobra]

Soooo done with GI JOE. Thanks Retaliation! I have a feeling we will be seeing these figures for years after the release. I am worried that this will be one of the breaking points for GI JOE again.

[Crimson Rage]

If this sells toys to kids, then who gives a shit.


"If" it sells toys to kids... Those two letters have a pretty profound impact on your comment. That sort of packaging didn't do the Iron Man or Captain America line many favours.

[Fred Broca XIII]

Missile Firing Staff...seems more like the staff needs to fire the mediocrity...sure...we haven't seen a missile launching staff (other than sigma 6 Cobra commander)...but really...the oversized missile launcher is a waste of money they could have used to make a quality product and the shitty thing is I'm going to be adding one to my useless GIJoe accessory bin for each figure in this line that I get...I do like the figure sculpt of CC, though I will be repainting mine when I get it...

[SonOfMindbender]

If I was a mint on card collector, I would be pissed. Not being one, the packaging is dreadful. I will say these make ROC mint on cards look damn sexy.

[Fred Broca XIII]

"If" it sells toys to kids... Those two letters have a pretty profound impact on your comment. That sort of packaging didn't do the Iron Man or Captain America line many favours.

I'm sure most of you are thinking it, difference is, I am actually saying it...Fuck the kids...the people with the money are the collectors, most of whom happen to be of the age that they have their own kids by now since the damn Franchise is old enough to have it's own kids...kids get what their parents buy them...that how it is...the product evolved into an adult collectible as it's fanbase grew into adults themselves..Hasbro should quit pandering to children, most of them are dumb...GI Joe remains a toy, but when I see people thumbing through them at the store, it isn't kids that I see looking for joes 99.9% of the time...In fact I see more adults in Toys R Us than kids every time I go in there, especially down the action figure isles...You keep treating GI Joe like a kids toy and that is how it will remain...this is why you drool so heavily over the overpriced sideshow stuff every time it comes out, because it is a product marketed to adults...

...what drew me to the cartoon when I was a kid was that it seemed the most "real" of the 30min toy advertisement cartoons at the time, though it was still pretty, childish looking back...one major difference that made the show for me was the lack of those annoying side characters like Snarf, Zeek the Beak, and Orko and Cringer...I remember Exo Squad being good like that too...

[Snow_Serpent]

When are these due at retail?

[gunslingercbr]

I'm sure most of you are thinking it, difference is, I am actually saying it...Fuck the kids...the people with the money are the collectors, most of whom happen to be of the age that they have their own kids by now since the damn Franchise is old enough to have it's own kids...kids get what their parents buy them...that how it is...the product evolved into an adult collectible as it's fanbase grew into adults themselves..Hasbro should quit pandering to children, most of them are dumb...GI Joe remains a toy, but when I see people thumbing through them at the store, it isn't kids that I see looking for joes 99.9% of the time...In fact I see more adults in Toys R Us than kids every time I go in there, especially down the action figure isles...You keep treating GI Joe like a kids toy and that is how it will remain...this is why you drool so heavily over the overpriced sideshow stuff every time it comes out, because it is a product marketed to adults...

...what drew me to the cartoon when I was a kid was that it seemed the most "real" of the 30min toy advertisement cartoons at the time, though it was still pretty, childish looking back...one major difference that made the show for me was the lack of those annoying side characters like Snarf, Zeek the Beak, and Orko and Cringer...I remember Exo Squad being good like that too...
nothing about this post has any merit.

one, Joe has evolved into an adult collectible because kids do not buy it. that becomes moot if Hasbro can get kids to buy it. so the idea that Hasbro should be content with a $30 million brand, which was what G.I. Joe was in 2008 when it was at its highest collector performance in years, when successful toylines like Transformers and Star Wars that attract kids make $300 million is beyond asinine.

no, Hasbro is right in saying Fuck the Collectors and trying something different.

and two, kids don't just get the toys their parents buy them. parents buy the toys that their kids ask or. no parent wants to waste their money on toys their kids might not like.

my parents didn't buy me Joe arbitrarily because they felt like it. they did so because I asked for them. same with every toyline I played with as a kid. I don't buy my daughter Strawberry Shortcake because she doesn't like them. I buy her Disney Princesses because they are like crack to her 3 year old brain.

[mynameis]

Shame on you hasbro. Look at all the posts about the excessively large packaging going in the garbage. Whatever happend to going "green". I sure hope everybody remembers to do their part by recycling those gawd awful bubbles and cardbacks. Maybe they will be reincarnated into something much more appealing and memorable in the future.

[Vegas]

Who cares.

[Crimson Rage]

Who cares.

If sales suffer because nothing about this package stands out amidst the rest of the generic stuff available, Hasbro will.

[youdoitimbusy]

who am i kidding ill probably buy it.

[skinny]

What they could have done is taken a still from the movie and used a photo (like vintage Star Wars) OR taken a still from the movie and made it look like a drawing.

[CobraCrimson]

RoC packaging looks better to me

[gunslingercbr]

If sales suffer because nothing about this package stands out amidst the rest of the generic stuff available, Hasbro will.

ROC figures didn't sell and had great packaging. if these figures don't sell it will be hard to claim it is due to the packaging. clearly the problem would be interest in the brand in general.

not a single person on the board would be able to make on valid argument that pin points the blame on the packaging I am willing to bet.

this is the same type of generic packaging Star Wars has utilized for years. granted, it is executed far worse than any Star Wars packaging, but the concept, which is mostly what people are whining about, has proven not to be a problem as long as the brand has interest.

and at the end of the day, kids aren't going to decide to buy the figures because of the packaging. their mind will be made up before they even see it in stores.

[Crimson Rage]

ROC figures didn't sell and had great packaging. if these figures don't sell it will be hard to claim it is due to the packaging. clearly the problem would be interest in the brand in general.

not a single person on the board would be able to make on valid argument that pin points the blame on the packaging I am willing to bet.

this is the same type of generic packaging Star Wars has utilized for years. granted, it is executed far worse than any Star Wars packaging, but the concept, which is mostly what people are whining about, has proven not to be a problem as long as the brand has interest.

and at the end of the day, kids aren't going to decide to buy the figures because of the packaging. their mind will be made up before they even see it in stores.

Ah well, I can only speak from personal experience, but back in ye oldé days when I was traipsing around the local Toy & Hobby, I wasn't even aware of "GI Joe" (or, as a Brit, "Action Force" making a comeback anyway) until that lovely art and well composed card design caught my eye (no, I didn't think "coo, that's well composed" back then, but you get my meaning).
I was sold on the figures themselves of course, but it was that packaging that caught my eye and drew me away from 'rival product'.

Of course, there was no internet or saturation tv advertising back then (and no movie coming out either) to make me aware of the line, so your probably right. Packaging has become less important since those days (still damn ugly though)

[gunslingercbr]

Ah well, I can only speak from personal experience, but back in ye oldé days when I was traipsing around the local Toy & Hobby, I wasn't even aware of "GI Joe" (or, as a Brit, "Action Force" making a comeback anyway) until that lovely art and well composed card design caught my eye (no, I didn't think "coo, that's well composed" back then, but you get my meaning).
I was sold on the figures themselves of course, but it was that packaging that caught my eye and drew me away from 'rival product'.

Of course, there was no internet or saturation tv advertising back then (and no movie coming out either) to make me aware of the line, so your probably right. Packaging has become less important since those days (still damn ugly though)
I am not disputing anything you said. packaging can certainly create interest for somebody not aware of the brand. but once interest already exists, the packaging isn't going to deter customers. and the interest for this line is going to exist based on the movie.

once we became interested in Joes as kids, perhaps based on packaging, we then sought out more figures every year and were excited about them before ever seeing the packaging. thus the packaging was irrelevant when interest exists.

my point is that generic packaging doesn't deter existing interest. and if this line is going to succeed it is going to be because it has created interest in it before the kids even get to the store. this toyline will not be discovered because kids have no idea what it is and just happen to discover it wandering the aisles. if the interest doesn't exist before they get to the store it has already failed regardless of the packaging.

packaging will not change a mind that has no interest in it, simply create an interest when there is no preference either way.

[Akunin]

Hell, I just want the CoCo helmet. Aside from Jinx, Crimson Guard and the Night Viper... I don't see much from the new stuff I'm interested in. As far as the packaging goes... damn thats ugly

[Torgos-Pizza]

Oh boy another firing missile gimmick!! I have a whole box of "missiles" and launchers left over from RoC. I just haven't gotten around to throwing them in the trash yet.

And the package looks like a 12 year old designed it with MS Paint.

[hotmitts]

Just looks like figure packaging. No big deal. Don't buy toys for the packaging.
What is it with everyone these days? Something new comes out, everybody goes online saying 'that blows, that sucks'. Superbrats. Horrible.

[Raw Dog]

I think the new Cobra Commander figure looks wicked pissah dude. I love his missile firing Cobra staff too. It looks hella good to me. The new packaging looks cool as well. Roadblock looks sick on it, like he's ready to take the fight to Cobra, head on! I also like the explosion in the background. It reminds me of the explosions behind the Joes on the classic Joe card backs.

[Dragasses]

clearly, this is for kid, as an adult i am not a fan of it
the adult in me hates it, but the kid in me is desperately trying to scrub his eyes clean with comet and a wire brush.

[red4]

Oh boy another firing missile gimmick!! I have a whole box of "missiles" and launchers left over from RoC. I just haven't gotten around to throwing them in the trash yet.

And the package looks like a 12 year old designed it with MS Paint.

For no practical reason, I feel like pointing out that I live where Manos was filmed. Not the location, but the city. Remember the scene where Torgo is caressed to death? Yeah, I've had a girl on that same cement structure.

[Xaven]

I buy figures for the figures. Not a cardback. The cardback doesn't look that great, but it's not too bad. Too bad is the Power of the Force. It's a box. It's not a big deal. If you collect MIB, I see why, but other than that, what's the big deal.

[Torgos-Pizza]

For no practical reason, I feel like pointing out that I live where Manos was filmed. Not the location, but the city. Remember the scene where Torgo is caressed to death? Yeah, I've had a girl on that same cement structure.Haha! I love the movie, I've even survived the non-MST version. Looks like a pretty bleak area, though with the quality of the movie being so shitty it's hard to tell. Torgo's ghost might be peeking in your window right now!:D

[hectorxd]

I can't wait till they just make the figure the launcher. Take out the articulation and add a button to eject a rocket straight out of their neck with their head on top.

[Nightrain]

Buy the figure for the figure and not the packaging? Okay fine - the figures are garbage too. That settles that.

[Zombie F Body]

I personally buy for what's inside the box.

[red4]

Haha! I love the movie, I've even survived the non-MST version. Looks like a pretty bleak area, though with the quality of the movie being so shitty it's hard to tell. Torgo's ghost might be peeking in your window right now!:D

That specific area is now the site of cotton fields and a community college. The cement altar (which is locally known as Six Poles) still stands. It's at the top of a hill overlooking a cotton field, and has a dirt path leading directly to someone's unfenced back yard - which I think means the people living there own Six Poles. But stupid young people trespass all the time.

[Fred Broca XIII]

I'm sure most of you are thinking it, difference is, I am actually saying it...Fuck the kids...the people with the money are the collectors, most of whom happen to be of the age that they have their own kids by now since the damn Franchise is old enough to have it's own kids...kids get what their parents buy them...that how it is...the product evolved into an adult collectible as it's fanbase grew into adults themselves..Hasbro should quit pandering to children, most of them are dumb...GI Joe remains a toy, but when I see people thumbing through them at the store, it isn't kids that I see looking for joes 99.9% of the time...In fact I see more adults in Toys R Us than kids every time I go in there, especially down the action figure isles...You keep treating GI Joe like a kids toy and that is how it will remain...this is why you drool so heavily over the overpriced sideshow stuff every time it comes out, because it is a product marketed to adults...

...what drew me to the cartoon when I was a kid was that it seemed the most "real" of the 30min toy advertisement cartoons at the time, though it was still pretty, childish looking back...one major difference that made the show for me was the lack of those annoying side characters like Snarf, Zeek the Beak, and Orko and Cringer...I remember Exo Squad being good like that too...


nothing about this post has any merit.

one, Joe has evolved into an adult collectible because kids do not buy it. that becomes moot if Hasbro can get kids to buy it. so the idea that Hasbro should be content with a $30 million brand, which was what G.I. Joe was in 2008 when it was at its highest collector performance in years, when successful toylines like Transformers and Star Wars that attract kids make $300 million is beyond asinine.

no, Hasbro is right in saying Fuck the Collectors and trying something different.

and two, kids don't just get the toys their parents buy them. parents buy the toys that their kids ask or. no parent wants to waste their money on toys their kids might not like.

my parents didn't buy me Joe arbitrarily because they felt like it. they did so because I asked for them. same with every toyline I played with as a kid. I don't buy my daughter Strawberry Shortcake because she doesn't like them. I buy her Disney Princesses because they are like crack to her 3 year old brain.


A: so when did bitching about something ever require "merit"? ...and really, none of it had any merit?...so what you are saying is that GI Joe was the least mature of the 80's 30 minute toy advertisements and that you liked Orko, Cringer, Snarf and Zeek the Beak, and that they weren't lame...? ...because that is what I'm hearing...

B: ...hasbro sure is saying fuck the collectors...and it may or may not bite them in the ass if they keep it up, capitalism is a strange beast, only a fool or an experienced stock broker can claim to understand fully...all I did was make a comment on observations I have personally made and I typically see adults buying the toys, and the ones I talk to are buying for themselves and not kids in most of those cases...Kids make all the decisions about toys? I didn't realize that kids kept up on this stuff as avidly as you do...I would like to know what the user ratio of kids to adults on this website is? ...I get the feeling it's not going to be overly populated with kids in relation to the adult numbers (you can even count under 25 as kids if you want and I imagine the numbers would still be in favor of the adults)...I guarantee I spent more on GI Joes for myself alone last year than any 30 kids in my area put together even received as presents and/or purchased themselves, and the year before that, and the year before that, and the year before that and so on and I bet you can say about the same thing yourself...

C:my parents didn't arbitrarily buy me gijoes because they felt like it either, and they didn't always buy me them when I did ask for them for birthdays or xmas, maybe you got everything you asked for from your parents as a kid, but not everyone's parents buy them what they want when they want it...I had to mow lawns to buy almost all my toys and video games, my parents who both worked 2 jobs (usually one or the other would have 2 not both at once) wouldn't "waste" money on that stuff unless it was xmas or my birthday, that leaves 363 calendar days that my toy collection was not growing unless I was paying for it...which in the long run made me respect what I had to work for a lot more than what was just handed to me...getting input on what your kids want is one thing, as it does help prevent buying them something they hate, but buying them something simply because they want it is another thing entirely and it's is called spoiling your children which typically makes them into insufferable assholes...

D: I see your posts on almost every forum topic, but they are seldom constructive posts about the topic, but more often about what you feel is wrong about what the other people have to say about the topic...you should probably cut back or just stop over-analyzing every user comment you read, then posting a condescending retort, as it just makes you seem pretentious and anal?

...Please, do us both a favor and just ignore my comments in the future if all you want to do on this site is stir up shit focusing on other user comments, I came here to talk about GI Joes, not bandy insults with you or anyone else...I am going to be a cynical dick(about everything in general), and you are going to be pretentious and condescending (probably also about everything in general), so let's save us both the trouble and agree to disagree on everything henceforth...besides I'm not looking to bolster my post count to 12000+ with off-topic comments trying to make other users feel small so I can feel better about myself, nor am I eager to have my on-topic posts evaluated by some faceless know-it-all wannabe with a keyboard and internet access who has nothing better to do with his time than trying to make others feel small because they have an opinion about something...long story short; nobody likes a "know-it-all"...

[poddie]

one, Joe has evolved into an adult collectible because kids do not buy it. that becomes moot if Hasbro can get kids to buy it. so the idea that Hasbro should be content with a $30 million brand, which was what G.I. Joe was in 2008 when it was at its highest collector performance in years, when successful toylines like Transformers and Star Wars that attract kids make $300 million is beyond asinine.

no, Hasbro is right in saying Fuck the Collectors and trying something different.

and two, kids don't just get the toys their parents buy them. parents buy the toys that their kids ask or. no parent wants to waste their money on toys their kids might not like.

my parents didn't buy me Joe arbitrarily because they felt like it. they did so because I asked for them. same with every toyline I played with as a kid. I don't buy my daughter Strawberry Shortcake because she doesn't like them. I buy her Disney Princesses because they are like crack to her 3 year old brain.

I hate 100% of the content of this post.

Unfortunately, I can't disagree with any of it. And that makes me very sad.

[Fred Broca XIII]

I hate 100% of the content of this post.

Unfortunately, I can't disagree with any of it. And that makes me very sad.

HaHa...well in all fairness what he says is in a broad enough scope that it is true, but it's not the whole story, and it's not how things work for everyone else necessarily...it's just kind of a dick move on his part making a hobby out of criticizing people about what they post...again...nobody likes a know-it-all...

[MJjoe4life]

Wake me up after the movie line fails and Hasbro goes back to the POC/30th standard that was selling well...

Well if the line fails horribly, there mite not be a line to follow afterwards. No the package isnt the greatest and not all the figures are awesome. I understand y they did the package the way they did. I understand the limited articluation on the drivers and so on. We as collectors do not buy enuff alone to support a line, Hasbro has told us that. If u like the figures buy them when they come out in stores. Dont wait til they show up on clearance at a discount store somewhere and then buy them, it hurts the line when we do that.
I personally want to see the line do extremely well so we can get more figures after the movie line is over. No they wont be POC/30th line b/c those are over. I will buy what i like and leave what i dont.

[Shamac]

I thinn Hasbro does need to go GREEN, less package, less space, less cost in transport, then less cost and more affordable for us the fans, one way or another I'll open all my Gijoes for dioramas or cool playing!

[Shamac]

I think also in that same space Hasbro can add a 2nd figure, then again less cost in distribution and better price for parents of the kids and also a very good price for for the collectors- I remember a lot Valor vs Venom, I could buy a lot.....I think package must be smaller or if big, contain more figures...Hasbro does need to hear their customers!!!!

[WeaponXIII]

Ok so clearly the package is crap...we've determined that. What I don't get is people arguing that it's a way to cut costs. Cut costs? really? They've increased the price point, reduced articulation (which is the part that's reeeeeally got me going apeshit), and included an unnecesarily large missile launcher.

Come on, you know the cost of plastic excuse is bullcrap when the same company sells NERF guns at a 9.99 price point with 8 times the amount of plastic used on a Joe figure...plus it's a Hasbro property...they don't have to pay any royalties to anyone!!!

In this case, cutting costs is simply a big corporation's way of saying "eat our shit and like it" to the consumer.

[orezona]

I'm going to go ahead and lay claim to all the unwanted "Cobra Staff Fires Missile" things right now.

I'll throw away the flame thingy and use the cobra heads to build a pretty awesome Cobra Headquarters.

[Grimwing]

Cutting the budget to save the gijoe line. Seems to be the call to hasbros arms race.
Hopefully Retaliation can interest kids. Its certainly trying with its zip lines, parachutes, and piles of ninjas to pack more play value into this small scale line.


They can cheap out on the packageing. I'm cool with that.

Cobra commander is average. The lack on modern ankle and wrist movement a testament to that. I think I may have to many modern commanders anyway, so unless I see this on clearance I'll probably just pick up the interesting figures in this line. Still the helmet is a cool design. and the suit under the webgear has the classic commander blue and sculpted lapels. I dig the wackiness of the staff just fine, but when you put it in the psedo realistic world of the modern giJoe world, rendered even more so by a live action movie

Not buying this cobra commander means I can get an extra red ninja.

[spazzy]

meh kinda boring, of COURSE the Rock is on the packaging that will get him a nice cut on the profits

[Fred Broca XIII]

I thinn Hasbro does need to go GREEN, less package, less space, less cost in transport, then less cost and more affordable for us the fans, one way or another I'll open all my Gijoes for dioramas or cool playing!


...basically you're saying smaller packaging, less bulk...I like the idea too for the green and MOC space saving standpoint, and so do shoplifters, but from the "wow, that easily fits in my pockets" standpoint...of course none of these steps fix the repacking problem since that lies in the ignorance and apathy of the returns clerk

[CrimsonGuard101]

...basically you're saying smaller packaging, less bulk...I like the idea too for the green and MOC space saving standpoint, and so do shoplifters, but from the "wow, that easily fits in my pockets" standpoint...of course none of these steps fix the repacking problem since that lies in the ignorance and apathy of the returns clerk

Yeah like the plastic tubes they put M&Ms in these days, you know how many of those they could pack on the shelf? lol....

[Cobra Fox]

Fugly!!! Gonna need sunglasses to look at the figs.

[Raw Dog]

I'm really digging the new packaging. I like how it features the Rock and Snake Eyes. I bet kids are going to love the Rock and Snake Eyes after they see Retaliation, if they don't already! The new packaging will stand out to them (kids) because it features that dynamic duo so predominantly, I hope, lol! I hope this movie and toy line captures the imagination of kids today, and I hope the new packaging helps kids to find the Joes they're looking for, because that'll insure more Joes in the future for me!

[CrimsonGuard101]

I'm really digging the new packaging. I like how it features the Rock and Snake Eyes. I bet kids are going to love the Rock and Snake Eyes after they see Retaliation, if they don't already! The new packaging will stand out to them (kids) because it features that dynamic duo so predominantly, I hope, lol! I hope this movie and toy line captures the imagination of kids today, and I hope the new packaging helps kids to find the Joes they're looking for, because that'll insure more Joes in the future for me!

Thats a lot of hope...don't fall down too hard :0

[gunslingercbr]

Come on, you know the cost of plastic excuse is bullcrap when the same company sells NERF guns at a 9.99 price point with 8 times the amount of plastic used on a Joe figure...plus it's a Hasbro property...they don't have to pay any royalties to anyone!!!
.
actually you are wrong. Hasbro pays royalties to Paramount for both G.I. Joe and Transformers toys who essentially own the movie rights. this has been well documented.

Hasbro didn't pay the Rock or Bruce Willis to be in the movie, Paramount did. Hasbro wants to use their likeness, you gotta pay Paramount.

Hasbro didn't create the movie, its imagery and even the title G.I. Joe: Retaliation. Paramount did. if Hasbro wants to use them, pay Paramount.

Paramount has invested more into the Joe brand with ROC and Retaliation than Hasbro probably has in 20 years total. Paramount may be making a movie using their property, but Hasbro is leveraging the hundreds of millions of dollars Paramount is spending on the movie to sell action figures. they don't get that for free even if they own the property. that would just be bad business for Paramount.

[CrimsonGuard101]

actually you are wrong. Hasbro pays royalties to Paramount for both G.I. Joe and Transformers toys who essentially own the movie rights. this has been well documented.

Hasbro didn't pay the Rock or Bruce Willis to be in the movie, Paramount did. Hasbro wants to use their likeness, you gotta pay Paramount.

Hasbro didn't create the movie, its imagery and even the title G.I. Joe: Retaliation. Paramount did. if Hasbro wants to use them, pay Paramount.

Paramount has invested more into the Joe brand with ROC and Retaliation than Hasbro probably has in 20 years total. Paramount may be making a movie using their property, but Hasbro is leveraging the hundreds of millions of dollars Paramount is spending on the movie to sell action figures. they don't get that for free even if they own the property. that would just be bad business for Paramount.

Right, so it is paramount to blame for the reduction in articualtion to save on actor likness costs and not production costs...got it...Man that beneventura producer guy really hates GI JOE lol...

[gunslingercbr]

Right, so it is paramount to blame for the reduction in articualtion to save on actor likness costs and not production costs...got it...Man that beneventura producer guy really hates GI JOE lol...

actually, you aren't too far from the truth, it is just a bit more indirect.

why has Hasbro had to reduce articulation? it clearly isn't their preference when you look at the figures they made up to this point. for ROC they went all out with articulation, product variety, exclusives, you name it.

the answer is because the line underperformed and the brand has suffered because of it since. had they made a better movie for ROC the brand likely would have done better at retail, the line would have flourished, and the brand would be looking at as strong a push with Retaliation as ROC got.

instead, the brand has suffered and Hasbro has had to cut back on some things.

so yes, it actually is Paramount and diBoneventure's fault because they made that awful movie. granted, it seems they learned from their mistake, but the toyline won't fully recover from it until after it performs and grows the brand.

[Fred Broca XIII]

Yeah like the plastic tubes they put M&Ms in these days, you know how many of those they could pack on the shelf? lol....


...or in your pockets...haha

[Xenos]

The Club put up a packaged picture of Duke on their main page. He's got some birthing hips on him.

[Stalker]

Kill Ripcord - Unleash One Sequel!

[Raw Dog]

Thats a lot of hope...don't fall down too hard :0

Yeah, I did use that word rather excessively in my post didn't I, lol?

[Crazy Legs]

The Club put up a packaged picture of Duke on their main page. He's got some birthing hips on him.

Wow the figure looks like it comes with a rifle, a big ass launcher and that's it. No webgear or anything else..... these things better sell for 6 bucks.

[helrod]

yyyyaaaawwwwwwwnnnnn!

[DR.Sin]

Ok so clearly the package is crap...we've determined that. What I don't get is people arguing that it's a way to cut costs. Cut costs? really? They've increased the price point, reduced articulation (which is the part that's reeeeeally got me going apeshit), and included an unnecesarily large missile launcher.

Come on, you know the cost of plastic excuse is bullcrap when the same company sells NERF guns at a 9.99 price point with 8 times the amount of plastic used on a Joe figure...plus it's a Hasbro property...they don't have to pay any royalties to anyone!!!

In this case, cutting costs is simply a big corporation's way of saying "eat our shit and like it" to the consumer.

I agree with this. They aren't lowering the price at all. NERF is always on sale somewhere and costs more to make. Then we also keep buying their stuff. Of course I would but the whole distribution thing has got me saving my money for things I need; like shelves, storage bins, food, shelter.

Some of these new figures actually look good, but then they raise the price and and cheap out on figure articulation. I almost don't mind paying for these new figures as they are, but they keep the price the same. I don't think so. I will not bite if you guys don't lower the stores cost.

[WeaponXIII]

actually, you aren't too far from the truth, it is just a bit more indirect.

why has Hasbro had to reduce articulation? it clearly isn't their preference when you look at the figures they made up to this point. for ROC they went all out with articulation, product variety, exclusives, you name it.

the answer is because the line underperformed and the brand has suffered because of it since. had they made a better movie for ROC the brand likely would have done better at retail, the line would have flourished, and the brand would be looking at as strong a push with Retaliation as ROC got.

instead, the brand has suffered and Hasbro has had to cut back on some things.

so yes, it actually is Paramount and diBoneventure's fault because they made that awful movie. granted, it seems they learned from their mistake, but the toyline won't fully recover from it until after it performs and grows the brand.

Thank you for the tactfulness of your reply...LOVE replies that start with "actually, you are wrong"...there's different ways in which your information could've been communicated, but this was the least condescending of all....ha.

So I don't know all the details about the points you've brought to the table (while ignoring all the other 90 points I wrote about). But even still, I HIGHLY doubt the royalties to pay Paramount come even close to the type of royalties that Hasbro has to pay Lucasfilm (or Marvel) for figures that have the same price point that these half-assed versions of Joe toys are going to have.

They're cutting from every corner of the toy line including quality of product and playability, while raising the price!

...the saying "don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining" comes to mind, is all.

[WeaponXIII]

In the end...they're a multimillion dollar company and we're the consumer. If they wanna cut enough corners to maximize profit/make up for past mistakes...you can't expect the consumer's hard-earned dollars to accept it every time.

[SNAKE_EYES1975]

Thank you for the tactfulness of your reply...LOVE replies that start with "actually, you are wrong"...there's different ways in which your information could've been communicated, but this was the least condescending of all....ha.

So I don't know all the details about the points you've brought to the table (while ignoring all the other 90 points I wrote about). But even still, I HIGHLY doubt the royalties to pay Paramount come even close to the type of royalties that Hasbro has to pay Lucasfilm (or Marvel) for figures that have the same price point that these half-assed versions of Joe toys are going to have.

They're cutting from every corner of the toy line including quality of product and playability, while raising the price!

...the saying "don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining" comes to mind, is all.

In the end...they're a multimillion dollar company and we're the consumer. If they wanna cut enough corners to maximize profit/make up for past mistakes...you can't expect the consumer's hard-earned dollars to accept it every time.

Word. Fanboys can spank out all they want. This is TRASH. The CC looked bad...but this is a whole new era for Joe. The era where gijoe went to the likes of shitty KOs...

[Darth_Risar]

Well at least the people who missed the Day-Glo Joes will be happy.

[rdodger]

Well at least the people who missed the Day-Glo Joes will be happy.

Yeah, and they're bringing back the goofy colored weapons too. There's a reason that Marauder John doesn't make orange-colored rifles.

[TR1ER]

Yeah, and they're bringing back the goofy colored weapons too. There's a reason that Marauder John doesn't make orange-colored rifles.

Wave 6 is gonna be pink!

As far as that figure goes looks like customs fodder.

[Loose Cannon]

I wonder how much money Hasbro could save by getting rid of these STUPID gimmicky spring loaded weapons? That thing is HUGE! (that's what she said.) Hasn't some kid shot an Eye out yet? I bet the money spent on that 2lb sack of turd would be enough to treat these figures for Articulation Dysfuntion. Because sure some people like these POSs, but nobody likes ARTICULATION LOSS

[07GT500 COBRA]

It's a bit ironic the packaging says, "Pull Ripcord." LOL.

[Troops of Doom]

Ok so clearly the package is crap...we've determined that. What I don't get is people arguing that it's a way to cut costs. Cut costs? really? They've increased the price point, reduced articulation (which is the part that's reeeeeally got me going apeshit), and included an unnecesarily large missile launcher.

Unfortunately cost cutting isn't about saving money for the customer, it's about making bigger profits for the manufacturer.

[Smokebomb]

It will look good in my garbage can after I open them up.

[luigi]

god this packaging is horrible
makes me wanna puke

[Crimson Rage]

That DUKE is unbelievably lame! Of course, with decent packaging art they could have put a positive spin on an ugly figure, but they dropped the ball for sure with a double whammy of awfulness.

Are people so pent up with "ROC-rage" that they're still going to insist the packaging for that line was weak compared to this? I'd take any ROC figure (yes, 'any' figure) over that abomination. Most of the RETALIATION line is screaming "Battle Corps" at me through a loud speaker, and I'm starting to feel far less annoyed that this line isn't making it ot the UK. Probably limit myself to vehicles now...

[Troynos]

The new packaging is horrible.

[fireflyguy]

I'll pass on that Duke.

As a matter of fact, I passed that Duke(y) this morning!

[brock Samson]

actually you are wrong. Hasbro pays royalties to Paramount for both G.I. Joe and Transformers toys who essentially own the movie rights. this has been well documented.

Hasbro didn't pay the Rock or Bruce Willis to be in the movie, Paramount did. Hasbro wants to use their likeness, you gotta pay Paramount.

Hasbro didn't create the movie, its imagery and even the title G.I. Joe: Retaliation. Paramount did. if Hasbro wants to use them, pay Paramount.

Paramount has invested more into the Joe brand with ROC and Retaliation than Hasbro probably has in 20 years total. Paramount may be making a movie using their property, but Hasbro is leveraging the hundreds of millions of dollars Paramount is spending on the movie to sell action figures. they don't get that for free even if they own the property. that would just be bad business for Paramount.

You don't know the particulars of their contract so what you say may be true and it may not be. Where Lucas pioneered the intellectual property income through star wars toys, the source of this property comes from the Hasbro themselves. I doubt they said to Paramount, you pay us money for the rights to our movie and we'll pay you for the rights to sell toys from the property we've just sold you the rights to. I'd guess paramount gets nothing from the toy sales. The actors are paid for the use of their likenesses which may be built into their original contracts and may not be. The use of the paramount movie name "Retaliation" is probably built in as a term of the contract.

[Ctrl_Z]

That packaging looks so typical of cards these days.

[vapor]

I agree the packaging isn't very appealing but i will be opening them anyway so i dont care.

[Shipshape1983]

yikes...

[regisaugusto]

Yuck! Dead on arrival... May be 3 or 4 y.o. kids buy it, thinking that is a "mini-Max-Steel"

[orezona]

Oh yay, another Duke that will pegwarm... Gah!

Seriously an awful figure. Not even worth picking up on clearance just to use for parts fodder.

And is it just me, or does his face have a certain... "special" look to it...?

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c102/axisofevilskateboards/COBRAAAAA/derp.jpg

[Ctrl_Z]

And what the hell's with those orange weapons? lol

[sbartek1974]

It would be neat if he came with some headgear. I'd troop build him as updated Greenshirts.

[OSOK]

hmmmm

[Adamantite]

This is just horrible. And consider just how long after Retaliation these things will still be sitting on the shelves...

[jmlawn]

Nothing learned from history. What killed the Joe line in the 90s? big bright weapons, and too much focus on ninjas. The package art looks like the wwe wrestling figure art, Hasbro is trying to grab the wwe fans because the Rock is in the movie.
I was looking forward to the movie & the toy line, but now I just want it to be over so we can get back to good Joe stuff.

[jmlawn]

This stuff will be over mass produced, and end up in the close out stores, meanwhile I can't get any 30th anniversary figures at retail stores. Get with it Hasbro!

[ShadowNinja]

as someone mentioned before about the plastic. I thought hasbro is using less. There was less plastic bubble on the 30th and poc figs then these. This figure is ugly as hell. Looks like something from the sigma 6 or arah (they were nice in their prime but not in this century).

[samantha]

I like several of the new figures. In my Joe verse, the Rock is not Roadblock, he is the Rock. Bruce Willis is Bruce Willis just like Sargent Slaughter and the Fridge are their real selves. I am not going to buy everything that is being released, I don't like all of it. That said I could care less about the packaging this time around, I will not be buying any of the new figures to keep mint on card. I hope there are others out there who feel the same or we could be looking at clogged pegs for months if not years.

[hahoo3]

I bet most of the vehicles/figures from this movie won't even get released!! Making them more valueable in the end!! LOL

[TU482]

So, if a few of us write to Hasbro saying that our kid just shot themselves in the eye with the huge missile launcher, will they stop making them?

P.S. the packaging sucks

[The Batman]

Death of the line!!!

[sbartek1974]

So, if a few of us write to Hasbro saying that our kid just shot themselves in the eye with the huge missile launcher, will they stop making them?

P.S. the packaging sucks

Or we could write to Hasbro saying our kids are going blind from looking at the unsightly figures and maybe they'll stop making them. :)

[Troynos]

I think the line will do decent with the kiddos.

[CrimsonGuard101]

. I hope there are others out there who feel the same or we could be looking at clogged pegs for months if not years.

Not hope, pray the kids eat this stuff up. If not...then yes..years to come...much like ROC did lol...