Have you ever seen kids buying Joes?

Evan Ryan · 10-18-2008, 01:50 PM

Out of all my years collecting on my own, from 2001 to now, I have seen three children looking at Joes.

Out of those three, two actually got one.

I have also seen four different adults looking at Joes, all of whom give collectors a pretty bad name. Shaky, nervous, embarrassed, huge, smelly, badly dressed "action figure" obsessed kind of guys. Every time I see them, I'll try to talk and they're SCARED TO DEATH or they nearly run away. But that's besides the point.

The reason I bring this up is because I just read Hasbro's statement about cancelling the IJ line. One part said, "even GI Joe (the only standout in the last 15 years to have succeeded continuously without persistent entertainment) has a major movie coming down the pike," while talking about customer loyalty and interest in "boys action figures."

I'm gonna come out and say it:

A) I really think the only kids now who dig Joes are the kids of adults who enjoyed them as children. I'm sure most of our dad's had at least ONE 12" Joe with some badass kung-fu grip.

B) The Joe movie is going to be so far removed from the G. I. Joe that most of us now and love that I doubt a majority of us will buy the movie line. Maybe a few PG-13ers will pick up a few Duke's or Destro's from the movie line, but I genuinely see it fairing the SAME WAY as every other failed attempt to make G. I. Joe "appeal to kids."

When the ARAH line came out in 82, it was a huge chance and it WORKED. There was a comic, a toy line, mini-series and cartoons, merchandise out the ass, and a healthy bit of attention on Joes. Hasbro ruined it in a lot of different ways, but essentially by trying to move in a different direction than Joe fans were interested in. So, instead of going back to what worked, they attempted a lot of things that ultimately failed. Sgt. Savage, G. I. Joe Extreme, JvC/VvV, Sigma 6 and now this new movie. The 25th line has been doing extremely well as far as selling steadily. Since it's introduction, I'm only NOW starting to really see a ton of Joes warming shelves. But a few months ago, I could go into every Wal-Mart within 60 miles and everyone would be sold out. Bare shelves - if not just a few Buzzers or CP Duke/Cobra Commanders. Obviously this line works. It worked in 82, it's working now. I see the movie totally raping that. I even see the movie doing so bad that Hasbro cancels the Joe line altogether again.

I really really love to ramble.

Syn3sthesia · 10-18-2008, 02:01 PM

I started collecting vintage via online and then was lucky enough to be there when the 25th line took off and I have yet too see a kid even look at the joes.

Kids are far more interested in Bakugan or Ben 10.

I do agree this line is for the kid in the adult that grew up enjoying the cartoon/comics back in the 80s.

Outback 2094 · 10-18-2008, 02:08 PM

When my local TRU got in Wave 9 (when it was "hot") I saw a kid, maybe 8 or 9, walking through the store with five of the six new figures in his hands. Kids do look at them and even buy them, but I think a big part of the market is those of us that grew up with them in th 80's. And those whose first introduction was VvV or such, then they saw the 25th line and realized it was even better.

As for Hasbro cancelling the line... it won't happen. Even if the movie line tanks, GI Joe is still a known brand name. He has been an action figure staple for decades. And Hasbro knows that there is a market fo him.

Deckard · 10-18-2008, 02:09 PM

Evan you hit the nail in the coffin...hasbro seems to think that kids will be into GI JOE or even that parents will let them. Many a parent I have talked to doesn't want there kid(s) playiong with toys that so readily emulate war so closely. Some might say well what about transformers or what not. The fact is that transformers has a much more fantastical element to it than GI joe and when you try to give gi joe that fantastical element (upcoming movie a prime example) it strays so far from what made the franchise great that it no longer is seen in a decent light by the fans who would patronize said movie and products and parents STILL see it as a war toy and it fails that way as well.

Bravestarr · 10-18-2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deckard

Evan you hit the nail in the coffin...hasbro seems to think that kids will be into GI JOE or even that parents will let them. Many a parent I have talked to doesn't want there kid(s) playiong with toys that so readily emulate war so closely. Some might say well what about transformers or what not. The fact is that transformers has a much more fantastical element to it than GI joe and when you try to give gi joe that fantastical element (upcoming movie a prime example) it strays so far from what made the franchise great that it no longer is seen in a decent light by the fans who would patronize said movie and products and parents STILL see it as a war toy and it fails that way as well.

I agree with you.

Kids today are totally neutered.

I once posted a story about a recent trip to Target.

A young boy had a Forces of Valor Bradley IFV in his hands, and his mother took one look at it and said, "No war toys!"

Poor boys today. They are not allowed to be normal anymore.

Bunch of d@mn idiot parents won't let "boys be boys."

thunderdan19 · 10-18-2008, 02:14 PM

I have the distinct feeling that kids will only "find" an interest in GI Joe in one of two ways:

1. They are introduced and walked through the history by a nostalgic parent/relative (most likely).

or

2. The Joe movie does comparably to Transformers and becomes a "must have" toy the way the new Tformers were a year or so ago. Even then, to get the original history, kids would either have to do a lot of research or find a knowledgeable relative (probably not as likely). If they take to it, it will be the revised version, like it is with Transformers.

Barring that, it's just all of us man-children from what I've seen.

fred v · 10-18-2008, 02:14 PM

never once....

Steel Brigade · 10-18-2008, 02:23 PM

I've seen kids look at 25th Joes on a few occasions, & even buy some.

Dr. Whom · 10-18-2008, 02:29 PM

All the more reason for us Collectors to buy online and why I only buy Joes online. I like to believe that if I don't buy Joes in the store, it will leave the figures for the kids to pick up. I know some stupid tart scalper will pick them up but at least I tried.

Valo487 · 10-18-2008, 02:35 PM

I saw a kid buy the VAMP with Clutch once, which made me really happy, just to see some kids get into Joes on their own, but that's the only instance so far. But to be fair the only stuff I really see kids buying are those Ben 10 whatever they ares, not Star Wars, Batman or anything.