G.I.JoeCon 2011: Day 1 Report
Posted by Curto on April 2, 2011 at 08:04 AM CST:
   
The 18th Annual G.I. Joe Convention is going on this weekend! Read more about it here.
CTR special agent Rich Alot is on the floor all day long, and he'll keep us updated with news and photos throughout the day...but first, here's a rundown of what happened yesterday, the first day of the convention.
PARACHUTE DROP
? Parachute drop from the 10th floor of the Dolphin Hotel.
? Wind was blowing toward the lake so everyone thought the figures would end up in the water
? Wind was actually putting the figures toward the building and a 2-3 dozen got stuck on the fa?ade
? The kids got first dips at the figures when they hit the ground & the adults followed
? Very orderly, despite the mass of people trying to get a figure (I got one!)
  
 
  
HASBRO BOOTH
? The design team at Hasbro said the popularity of the Pursuit of Cobra line is allowing them to do some really cool stuff and new sculpts, which we'll see in their panel tomorrow
? There were a number of dioramas on display that were very realistic looking and are indicative of the tone the design team said the line will follow
? The figures announced at Toy Fair were shown, including the new packaging for the line which varies by Joe and Cobra, as well as Renegades
? Speaking of packaging, the team was giving away proof cards of their San Diego ComiCon exclusive Zarana (both regular and Cold Slither versions)
? Some new vehicles were shown including those announced at Toy Fair including a Crimson H.I.S.S. Tank, H.I.S.S. Attack Scout, Black Dragon VOTL and an armored motorcycle.
    
    
    
    
   
    
    
   
 
G.I. Joe Renegades Panel
? The panel did not allow photography or filming because we were treated to a special, never-before-seen episode the Renegades in which several new characters are revealed. The title; "Castle Destro."
? There was a tribute to Clemente Suave the artist many credit as the inspiration for Renegades. Suave died of health complications.
? The recent confirmation that Renegades is not being renewed upset a lot of fans of the series. Hasbro stated it was in an effort to re-evaluate the G.I. Joe brand and to make it consistent throughout all cannon, especially with a movie slated for 2012.
? There is a good possibility Renegades won't return in its current form, but Hasbro owns the HUB network so there will be some form of animated G.I. Joe and they hope to continue an origins type of storyline
*EPISODE SPOILER*
The plot for the episode revolves around the Joe team following a Techno-Viper to a castle in Scotland, which, unbeknownst to them, is Castle Destro. The team is taken prisoner and make their way through the castle maze, while batting Destro's newest weapon; B.A.T.S. While the Joes fight to escape, Destro takes interest in and entertains the Baroness, who is visiting on behalf of Cobra Commander. The two are caught embracing - a reference to the A Real American Hero animated series - though Destro's mask keeps getting in the way. Destro wore a suit with smoking jacket and resembles his ARAH likeness only from the mouth up. From the mouth down, he looked more like Darth Malak and had no way of eating or as he was hoping, kissing the Baroness.
SHOWROOM
? A lot of dealers, a lot of toys!
? The Fan Club store sold out of Dial Tone very quickly and every other exclusive item followed.
? The Mickey-Mouse logoed Cobra Commander caught a lot of laughs
? There were some fans who were upset and voicing their concerns to Hasbro that the Dial Tone (which was limit 1 per person, per day) had sold out so quickly, yet there were dealers putting up multiples for sale (saw one selling for $125 and that was the cheapest one)
? There are some great deals. One dealer has just about everything from the A Real American Hero line (1982-1994) and the buzz from shoppers was that the prices were very fair.
   
  
    
    
  
Stay tuned later today as Rich provides us with more details from Joe Con! |
