Review for Total Retaliation - a book by Paddy Lennon and Brian Hickey

[General_Hawk]

In many ways the G.I. Joe: Retaliation action figure line is a testament to the timeless greatness of the G.I. Joe brand at large. I know in many areas of the fandom the hate flows freely in regards to the G.I. Joe: Retaliation toys, but truth be told, I think we all have a lot to be thankful for, especially when looking around the toy aisles and seeing what other film properties were dealing with in their licensed action figures.


Yes, the vehicle drivers got cost cut to five points of articulation, but by and large, from start to finish, the G.I. Joe: Retaliation line provided a wealth of terrific figures from all different era's of G.I. Joe's 30 year history and we should all be thankful.


There are two fans who are especially thankful. So thankful in fact, that they went through some great trouble to assemble a book focusing on the greatness of G.I. Joe: Retaliation.


Total Retaliation debuts with an exclusive cover at Roll Out Roll Call 2014 (with pre-orders already live) and will be available for purchase for the rest of us shortly there after. I was able to acquire a review copy of the book, and I'm happy to say it meets all expectations.


Paddy Lennon and Brian Hickey have taken their love affair for G.I. Joe and combined it with great artistic talent, and the end result is a spectacular collection of the great things from G.I. Joe: Retaliation. Part reference book, part story book, and all awesome, Total Retaliation features an in depth look into all things from that toyline, but it goes a few steps further. Certainly if you want to see every figure and what accessories they came with, that's in there. But, if you were a little disappointed by the fact that most G.I. Joe: Retaliation figures didn't come with file cards... well, they fixed that for you and custom wrote file cards, creating a great synthesized history of all these different characters.


But where this book really shines (making it a terrific coffee table book) is with the diorama images. Brian and Paddy painstakingly designed and built sets, posed the figures, and took amazing pictures for the book as well, pulling scenes right out of the film, and also getting exceptionally creative along the way. From Cobra Commander's infamous walk from the Water Moccasin towards Fort Sumter, to high speed combat between Firefly and Agent Helix, this book collects all sorts of really fun images, and the quality is exceptional.


Terrific poses, great shot composition, and an obvious amount of love and energy went into every step of this book's design, construction, and publication. It really is a labor of love that manages to be be very high quality while its at it.


I know the G.I. Joe: Retaliation toyline was a short snippet of the brand's life, and garnered some mixed reactions from the fans. But I also know that the quality and execution of the toys themselves was exceptional, and both Brian and Paddy are well equipped to celebrate that. This book clearly identifies what we all love about G.I. Joe and the fact that this short snapshot of G.I. Joe history can provide such rich material to build a book is an example of just how timeless and well crafted the mythology is.


This is a project for fans, by the fans. Let's all reward the hard work of Brian and Paddy by loading up on pre-orders and buying these up! Pre-Order it now, and if you're going to Roll Out Roll Call, plan on picking up your book (with exclusive cover!) at the show. Also make sure you're following Total Retaliation on Facebook for some great behind the scenes details and pictures.

Also, if you live in the UK (or even if you don't), Roll Out Roll Call 2014 is hitting October 11th - 12th, and it's a show you don't want to miss! Get more information right here.


Well done, Brian and Paddy, you guys knocked this one out of the park.

[seaneley]

Wasn't sure if I was going to get this, but you can bet I am now...

[scryptic]

Do they cover just the 4" or also the 12" and the other merchandise, such as nunchuks, swords, nerf guns, etc.?

I must say, the first Retaliation figures in 2012 didn't have me too excited, but once they stopped the spring loaded weapons and got more realistic and accurate, it made it not a bad line at all.

[General_Hawk]

Do they cover just the 4" or also the 12" and the other merchandise, such as nunchuks, swords, nerf guns, etc.?

I must say, the first Retaliation figures in 2012 didn't have me too excited, but once they stopped the spring loaded weapons and got more realistic and accurate, it made it not a bad line at all.

Scryptic, they do not cover the role play or 12" stuff, just the 4" action figures and vehicles.

[scryptic]

Thanks! Nevertheless, the book looks awesome.

How many such books are there? I know of the following:

1) Bellomo, The Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe 1982-1994

2) Kavanaugh, R.A.H.C. A Guide to Second Generation G.I. Joe Action Figures (1997-2007)

3) Now this Retaliation book

Is there anything for 25th / Rise of Cobra / Pursuit of Cobra / 30th ??? Seems like ROC should be separate, but the others could fit in one book.

[seaneley]

Rise of Cobra should definitely be done!