G.I. Joe iBook Modern Figure Compendium

[Davestro]

I will be offering a draft version of an iBook textbook I have been working several months on at Joe Con in NOLA for free to anyone at the convention. All you need is an iPad with the iBooks app installed.

The "G.I. Joe Modern Figure Compendium" is a collection of pictures, blueprints and text from the filecards of the "modern era" of G.I. Joe action figures. This book collects only the 25th anniversary from 2007-current (including Joe Con and SDCC exclusives, as well as the GIJCC). It does not include ROC, POC, Resolute, and Renegades lines (yet). Basically, I have used stock photos, collector photos and photos from databases (Hisstank and YoJoe) paired with text from the filecards and accented with video and interactive images to assemble a multimedia guide for iPad users to enjoy.

Look for me at Joe Con. I will be part of the cosplay with Skinny (I'll be dressed as Zap). I'll also be showcasing the iBook wherever I am and will have my equipment to install on your iPad if you would like a sample copy for free.

Check out my thread and video to see the book. It still needs more work, but this will give everyone a good idea of what it will look like when done. I am also taking constructive criticism and tips to make this the next generation of guide to follow the efforts of Bellomo and others who have done this before.

[pstearman]

link please

[Davestro]

http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-toys-modern-general-discussion/233805-g-i-joe-modern-era-figure-ibook-textbook.html#post3620177

[Davestro]

Sorry guys...jumped the gun on the book and it was not complete in time for Con. I had a chance to show it to Mark Bellomo at his table, got some tips and gonna add more content (including some background and influences for the figures).

Stay tuned for this work in progress. When I have a first draft in final formst, I'll upload to a file sharing site so everyone can download as an iBook or a generic PDF.

[pstearman]

thanks for the update .really looking forward to this

[fireflyguy]

I'm glad I ran across this thread because I was gonna ask about this book. Still totally excited for it m

[Davestro]

Okay...progress update. This project is very much alive and well. When I decided to take this on, little did I know how much it would snowball. I had the chance to speak with Mark Bellomo at Joe Con in NOLA, showed him my draft and he absolutely loved it. Said his books were available in the ePub format, but loved the interactive features of iBooks like video, slideshows and diagrams. He encouraged me to add my own writing and to use my own collection for the images. I will have the first rough draft available sometime late next month for download via an online storage site TBA in the iBooks format, meaning you can only view on an iPad (an ePub and PDF version can be done as well, without the interactivity).

At first, I was simply taking text and images from the databases on HISSTANK, YoJoe and other sites and creating a layout in the iBooks format. Now I am blending history from filmcards from both the ARAH era and modern era in to a summary of the character, adding an "Influences" feature that has images from the comic, cartoon or movie. I've pretty much paraphrased much of the writing on the filecards and adapted it as kind of a history of the character, along with a brief history of the figure which would include info on variants.

Here is what I completed:

-two chapters so far: 25th anniversary and Exclusives
-added all images of the 25th anniversary figures
-added all images of convention and club exclusive figures
-added current filecard images
-added vintage ARAH filecard images
-added vehicle interactive images
-added video segments for 25 figures (cartoon versions of figures like MASS Device Snake-Eyes, Flint in Cobra Disguise, etc.)
-added character descriptions and figure histories

I'll keep you all posted and post another video.

[Money-B]

Sounds great.

I wonder if I could convert the file to use on my Kindle.

[titanate]

Sounds like a very, very cool venture, bro. Too bad I don't have an iPad. As an outsider looking in, I can only say that sounds like a really silly thing to limit the audience to such a narrow demographic. Sure, iPads are becoming increasingly popular, but it's not quite the "book", or a computer, y'know? Still, good luck on your progress! Something I've always wanted to know/see is to get someone to interview and speak with the "heads" that were behind developing the character design and get the stories about how they developed the look and what inspired them to do this and that. I mean, why did Bazooka have a football jersey? What inspired Shipwreck's tattoo design? Why didn't Quick Kick have a shirt? Who decided to give Mutt a muzzle as an accessory? We all know Law was designed to resemble Kirk Bozigian but why Law, the MP, and not Falcon, Chuckles, or Crazy Legs? The way I see it, the development and design of every character we've fallen in love with has a story--no one has told them yet.