Answers: Hasbro Q&A for Oct. 2008

RedClaw · 10-20-2008, 09:01 AM

Before we get into this latest round of Q&A, we would like to present a statement from Hasbro:

"A note from the Hasbro G.I. Joe Team:

Thank you for your incredible support over the past year. What started as just a handful of figures in 2007 now includes a full line of figures, vehicles, comic packs, DVD packs, Mighty Muggs, and Combat Heroes. Yo Joe!

We would like to take this opportunity to answer one of the most common questions about the classic 3 3/4"" figures we have heard from the fans:
Will there be any more classic 1980's 3 3/4"" figures after fall 2008?

The Hasbro G.I. Joe Team's response: In late 2008 you will see a bonus wave of single figures and classic comic packs that are redecos of figures from the 25th Anniversary collection. Due to the huge success of the G.I.
Joe line, we were able to squeeze in a number additional figures into the end of this year. But this does not mean the end of classic figures or new tooling!

As we head into 2009 prior to the August 2009 live-action movie G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, you will see newly tooled classic vehicles, newly tooled versions of your favorite characters from G.I. Joe Resolute, and a number of favorites you have been waiting for:
Dr. Mindbender, Alpine, Tunnel Rat, Alley Viper, Recondo, Outback, Night Creeper, Zap, Shockwave, and even more!

With the release of the 2009 movie you will see many of your favorite 1980's characters in movie styling, but that does not mean the end of the classic style. The Hasbro G.I. Joe Team recognizes that there are plenty of additional classic 1980's figures and vehicles to release in the future after the movie and in the years to come."

Now, on to October's Q&A!

1. Fans have a LOT of helicopter personnel on the Joe Team -- six to be exact including WIld Bill, Pilot Scarlett, Lift Ticket and Airborne. However, fans still don't have a helicopter. When can collectors expect to see a Dragonfly, Tomahawk, or something to give our rotory wing warriors a ride?

Hasbro: There is no current plan for the re-release of a classic helicopter before the movie. We hear what you are asking for and will look into what we can do. .

2.Fans have multiple Zartan figures and all of the original Dreaknoks. So when can collectors complete the Zartan's familiy tree with Zandar and Zarana figures?

Hasbro: With some key Joe's and Cobra's still left to do, it does not look like we will be doing Zandar and Zarana.

3. While the line focuses heavily on first and second tier characters like Duke, Cobra Commander, Snake Eyes and Zartan, it's currently missing a few key players. Where are Ripcord, Recondo, Lowlight, Dialtone, Dr. Mindbender and the other iconic cartoon and comic personalities and when can collectors add these to their collections?

Hasbro: Ripcord will not be out before [the] movie. Recondo and Dr. Mindbender are on the way. No official word yet on Dial Tone and Low-Light. (editor's note: this sounds VERY good for Dial Tone and Low-Light in my opinion!)

4. Transformers is one of - if not the MOST - popular Hasbro toy line on shelves today and every Hasbro property seems to have a Transformers cross-over, including both Marvel and Star Wars. So where's the G.I. Joe and Transformers cross-over toy line? The two have crossed over multiple times in comics and a transforming Rattler into Starscream or HISS Tank into Megatron would be amazing.

Hasbro: We know that many of our fans would love to see a cross-over between G.I. Joe and Transformers, but for the short-term the goal of both brands is to drive the movie based fantasy and create top tier-brands for a new generation of kids. Once we do that perhaps we can evaluate a cross-over as the icing on the cake.

5. Hasbro's Star Wars line currently includes a "Droid Factory" build-a-droid bonus with its individual figures. Is somthing like this possible with the Joe line and when can collectors expect to be building a SNAKE armor, which could easily be broken down into six component parts and packaged with single carded figures.

Hasbro: We have the MASS Device on shelf as we speak with our DVD packs. We will not be doing a build-a-SNAKE Armor this year.

XtremeWRATH360 · 10-20-2008, 09:29 AM

Finally a Dr. Mindbender is on the way, but no Helicopter and Zandar/Zarana is a major bummer.

skinny · 10-20-2008, 12:48 PM

Didnt like this:
The Hasbro G.I. Joe Team's response: In late 2008 you will see a bonus wave of single figures and classic comic packs that are redecos of figures from the 25th Anniversary collection.

I liked the announcement of figures from the Wallyworld list being made official.
I wasnt huge into Ripcord even back then. but I can see why they wouldnt release him to avoid confusion with the movie character. Its one thing for us to know what the difference is but can you imagine kids who buy him in July 09 and then in Aug go to the movie?
Hasbro can get around this tho, give us the figure just dont call him Ripcord, call him the chutist ha the shootist.

Weezus · 10-20-2008, 03:14 PM

call the movie ripcord ....batman suit marlon wayans.

cause thats who he is.

just marlon wayans in a batman suit.

Erick · 10-20-2008, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedClaw

As we head into 2009 prior to the August 2009 live-action movie G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, you will see newly tooled classic vehicles, newly tooled versions of your favorite characters from G.I. Joe Resolute, and a number of favorites you have been waiting for:
Dr. Mindbender, Alpine, Tunnel Rat, Alley Viper, Recondo, Outback, Night Creeper, Zap, Shockwave, and even more!

I just hope that more includes Hit & Run & Dusty

MikePrime · 10-20-2008, 03:31 PM

This Ripcord problem is so stupid. Hasbro should just release the Ripcord figure before it's time for the movie. They have until at least June to do it. And it's would be so easy to make. All they have to do use the Para-Viper body and put on a new head with helmet and breathing mask.

El Chuxter · 10-20-2008, 04:31 PM

Interesting that they don't consider Zarana to be a "key" Cobra. I can see that for Zandar, but Zarana was a major player in both the DIC cartoon and the Marvel comic.

skinny · 10-20-2008, 05:27 PM

in another q and a they did let out that we get Chuckles.

zark1976 · 10-20-2008, 05:46 PM

The Hasbro G.I. Joe Team's response: In late 2008 you will see a bonus wave of single figures and classic comic packs that are redecos of figures from the 25th Anniversary collection.

Man that piece of news was a little annoying. Like, no duh. Isn't that what we are seeing for most of the next 3 waves.

Recondo was an interesting bit of news, now let's hope it's not a Gung Ho or Wild Bill head. I bet Chuckles will be mostly a Shipwreck repaint.

sparks007 · 10-20-2008, 10:19 PM

Ithink they were talking about the next 3 waves when they said that.wave 12 is the bonus wave they were reffering to and the comic packs featuring Tunnel Rat and Shockwave have already been announced.I am glad we are getting a Mindbender and Recondo I cant wait to see some pics of those.It seems that Hasbro was listening to the masses and thay have done as best they could to try to give everybody something that they want. I think it is Great news.