[BlueThunder]

I haven't logged in, for many years. But this issue has been bothering me of late, so thought I would throw it out their. As everyone knows, Gi Joe is at one of its lowest points ever recently. Hasbro cant seem to figure out how to make Joe toys successful and relevant of late. I see many talking about how to save the line, which reminds me of rumors I saw awhile back that never came to pass.. A solution to spark renewed interest in Joe that seems so obvious, I can't understand why Hasbro hasn't done it. That is create the Gi Joe Black Series 6 inch figures.

Recently Hasbro has taken focus off the Marvel Universe 3.75 figures, in favor of pushing 6 inch Marvel legends as the main collector line of highly articulated figures. And they have taken the focus off of super articulated star wars 3.75, in favor of Star wars 6 inch Black Series as the main collector line for highly articulated figures. So they already have been going all in to 6 inch for there action figure lines. So why not Gi Joe? Can you imagine how a black series style line would fly off the shelves, the 6 inch blue shirt Cobra Troopers would be just as hot a seller as the original SW stormtrooper in 6 inch. Classic Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes, classic Baroness and Scarlett. The Cobra android trooper B.a.t would be huge I gotta believe.

I mean even casual or non fans of Joe would be tempted to buy these figures I gotta believe. If just to mix in with their Marvel 6 inch as alot of collectors like to mix and match their 6 inch figures from various toylines. HOW HAS HASBRO NOT SEEN THIS OBVIOUS CHOICE TO MAKE MONEY ON SELLING GI JOE AGAIN. If even just for the moment, as a side toyline we can still have whatever scraps of 3.75 Joes they will throw us. Or can easily go back to 3.75 when the 6 inch scale starts to lose interest from people. I love the 3.75 Joes, from 25th to 50th I have tons of them and vehicles. But at a time when its not working, I'm at a loss for why Hasbro hasn't made this obvious move to keep Gi Joe relevant in the marketplace. (Rumors awhile back said Hasbro was doing a black series 6 inch Joe Line, and that Snake Eyes would debut at SDCC, But that never happened, at least thus far) So that leaves me saying why the "F" not lol, Hasbro likes money,

I gotta believe in todays market of 6 inch popularity for action figures. That Gi Joe 6 inch Black Series Style, is the best way for Hasbro to keep Joe alive and relevant for the moment. And the best way to make money on Joe. Its the obvious choice. Just wanted to express these thoughts. Maybe some of you have been wondering the same.. Yes I would LOVE to see Gi Joe 3.75 huge again in popularity, but it seems clear that isn't realistic "at the moment". Maybe that will change, until then why not allow Gi Joe to feel the same rebirth of interest to collectors that Marvel Legends and Black Series SW has brought. I know sigma 6 had the bigger figures, but that's not the same as a black series realistic style toyline aimed at collectors and kids alike. Thanks for reading, love the site, Yo Joe!

BlueThunder

[Shipshape1983]

I personally have no interest in a 6 inch GI Joe line. I think it would be neat to see Joe in 6 inch form, highly detailed and all that... but not enough to invest money in it.

The reason Marvel Legends are selling so well is because of the interest in Marvel characters and comics. That interest right now is primarily stemming from the mega success of the cinematic universe. I have bought some, but only the ones I'm interested in.

I really don't think Joe would have a successful 6 inch line without a push from another source. A tv show... or another movie...

Of course the collectors would say "Yes, that would be awesome!" but there aren't enough of us to support a 6 inch line. We are the only reason the 4 inch line exists anymore. Its why Joe has been relegated to "collectible" status.

What Joe needs is to be toys again. With a strong push from a good cartoon or other multimedia representation. Steer away from the war and fighting aspects a bit.

The biggest problem is that Joe is behind the times...fans are essentially clinging to the nostalgia, but that only gets you so far.

[SmokeBellew]

Idk, man. The problem here is that our own perspectives and experiences don't really give any of us a complete picture of what's selling and what isn't. Around here, I see nothing but 6" figures clogging the pegs. For example, every Walmart I go into has far less Black Series 3.75" than they do 6" Black Series. Does that mean the 6" are selling poorly or that there's just more consistent replenishment? Like I said, I dunno.

I do know this though, pretty much only Joe fans are buying Joe toys and we're not a exactly a huge market. Just because Hasbro starts making 6" Joes doesn't automatically mean 6" toy fans are going to buy 'em. Most people who buy 6" Marvel Legends do so because they are fans of superheroes. And 6" Star Wars buyers do so primarily because they like Star Wars. How many of them are going to realistically buy 6" Joes if they don't really care about G.I. Joe?

Plus, quite a few Joe fans prefer the 3.75-4" scale. I know I have no interest in 6" figures, regardless of the property. Hell, I've got precious little room for my 3.75" collection, where would I put a bunch of larger format toys? So here's one toy collector already, who happens to be a G.I. Joe fan, who wouldn't buy 6" Joes.

[AxonRey]

Star Wars and Marvel weren't in their death throes when those lines were launched...

[TARGETSIX]

Nope and nope...

[Playful]

I have no interest in purchasing any 6 inch G.I. Joe figures for my children, and I doubt that many other parents will either.

My theory why Marvel 6 inch figures might work, is because the 4 inch Marvel figures offered recently are garbage. They used to be alright, although a bit on the expensive side, but recently the quality and lack of articulation has ruined that product. I’m actually okay with this, believe it or not, because it is saving me some money. My children wanted both G.I. Joe and Marvel figures a while back, but that was getting too expensive. Recently my children have rejected the 4 inch Marvel figs, thank goodness.

Marvel figures are usually super powered individuals which do not need vehicles for children to play with. Spiderman in a dune buggy or on a motorcycle? Iron Man in an armored car? Even my children find these ideas ridiculous! If any figure can successfully exist without a vehicle, it’s a Marvel figure.

Recently, G.I. Joe figures have been the best value for the dollar. For an average or $6-7 per figure, these 4 inch toys offer a large assortment of accessories, articulation, a figure stand, and improved paint applications. The recent absence of vehicles is regrettable, but fortunately many previously made vehicles can be purchased for them. Also, many discount brand vehicles or playsets can be purchased to supplement G.I. Joe action figures. The figures offered by those same manufacturers are undesirable, so Hasbro need not worry about any threat to their line of G.I. Joe figures. They only need defend their legacy of G.I. Joe, their high quality flagship product, which remains as important to their identity and success as Mr. Potato Head does (in my opinion).

Nostalgia is not an adverse factor, because the children do not know if one of these characters or file cards ever existed in the 1980s or 1990s. They just want to play with the shiny new toy in front of them. A Python Patrol Cobra Viper sold at Toys ‘R Us in 2017 would be just as new to a child today as they were in 1989.

In fact, the nostalgia factor might help to increase sales, because collectors would also be willing to purchase that action figure, or even a new parent or grandparent that had some memory of that toy from their own past.

But if Hasbro makes the unfortunate move to 6 inch figures for the G.I. Joes, then the price hike excludes many children from that product. Vehicle sales for G.I. Joe becomes largely impossible, and discount brand vehicles and playsets become incompatible with G.I. Joe.

Sadly, 6 inch G.I. Joe figures lead to the unfortunate need to cancel the line. Then it truly will become, rest in peace, G.I. Joe.

[CrimsonGuard]

to me the 6" line would be put with the sideshow...as display only options. There are not vehicle interactions or playlet possibilities for a 6 inch line. Bottom line, they would be great to look at, but have not place in my JOEVERSE.

[MadGecko]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrimsonGuard

to me the 6" line would be put with the sideshow...as display only options. There are not vehicle interactions or playlet possibilities for a 6 inch line. Bottom line, they would be great to look at, but have not place in my JOEVERSE.

At least the 12" releases can live in Barbie's Dream house and ride around in the Pink Corvette or Beetle. :-)

The 6" would be like Funko Pop Vinyl. Nice to look at and display but no interaction and not much fun for anyone. (Us old folks or kids)

[Sean_C]

It would initially attract some 6-inch fans and collectors who'd buy the lead characters, but once they got to less popular character the line would start to gather dust. At $20 each, you've pushed out a lot of the kid/parent market, too.

[MadGecko]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean_C

It would initially attract some 6-inch fans and collectors who'd buy the lead characters, but once they got to less popular character the line would start to gather dust. At $20 each, you've pushed out a lot of the kid/parent market, too.

Agreed...plus storing 6 inchers is a PITA! We like our accessories too. How many accessories do the Marvel or SW 6" come with?