Part 2: G.I. Joe

Report by Philip N. Zeman, Editor-in-Chief and Daniel Lipkowitz, Assistant Editor
3.19.2003

After Charness was done, he called Darryl DePriest of the G.I. Joe team up to the podium.

Darryl said that he would be saving the big announcements for the G.I. Joe Convention this summer; "There will be big news for the 12" and Joe vs. Cobra fans". Even without major revelations, though, what he had to say today was good news.

Darryl mentioned that the key strategy for the Joe line today is to create toys to create toys to satisfy both kids and collectors. Attention is paid to "features" (such as working radios, or the features of the upcoming Deep Sea Diver), but the emphasis must be on the toy itself. Even so, with their realistic military toy line, the Joe team is making sure the classic details aren't going away.

He also said that part of the upcoming Joe line would feature troop builder packs, to satisfy the want to create large armies of figures. And, the Joe team has been able to track down classic and vintage tools that were once thought to have been lost. These will make an appearance this year as well.

Darryl went on to say that 2004 is the 40th Anniversary of the G.I. Joe line. And this anniversary will be acknowledged... but he wouldn't give any hints today.

Continuing with his presentation, Darryl started focusing on the Realistic Military 12" line. The center of this line will be the Deep Sea Diver, which he says "works". With actual bellows on a pump, this toy will allow kids of all ages to pretend they are diving in the ocean. In addition, the Navy SEALS will be a focus as well. A new parachute figure will be "everywhere", as opposed to being an exclusive, because kids "love parachute figures". And the new 1:6 scale HUMVEE vehicle (which might be closer to 1:6.5 scale) is dead-on accurate to the real thing. When they sent their first test to the vehicle makers, they were told they didn't have to change a single detail.

Another part of the Realistic Military line is the Korean War-era Jeep. This toy is packed with feature. It fires missles. It ejects shells. It has a recoil-less rifle. Again, the attention to detail can easily be seen in this vehicle.

Darryl then went on to talk about the Joe vs. Cobra line. He started by showing a new CG (Computer Graphic) commercial made by Real FX for the Spy Troops line. Darryl stated that this year would feature 35 new figures in the Joe vs. Cobra line, and the popular 2-packs would remain. As for troop builder packs, the BAT Troop pack is currently an internet exclusive, and the Python Patrol will be coming exclusively to Toys R Us.

In the 12" Joe vs. Cobra line, the main feature will be the "Ninja Showdown" set, featuring Snake Eyes vs. Storm Shadow. Each figure has its own feature: Snake Eyes has rapelling gear, and Storm Shadow travels on a zip line. Just by themselves, these two figures are worth the $19.99 retail price (since each normal figure is $9.99). However, as an added bonus, this set, which will hit in October, will be packaged with a DVD of the new, 44 minute "Spy Troops - The Movie". This movie (which was debuted at the event in the form of a "sizzle") is also CG based, done by Real FX. If you've seen any of the commercials, you can get a general idea of how the sizzle looked.

Finally, Darryl mentioned that the licensing for G.I. Joe products will continue. Changos will produce new apparel. Palisades Toys will continue their popular line of busts and statues. This year, expect a Zartan Statue and a Hawk Bust. And at the Joe convention this year? You'll be able to get an exclusive Baroness Bust. Dreams and Visions will also produce many Joe licensed products.

Part 1: Introduction | Part 2: G.I. Joe | Part 3: Transformers | Part 4: Hasbro Publishing | Part 5: Zoids
Part 6: Micro Machines | Part 7: Stikfas | Part 8: Star Wars | Part 9: Hasbro Tour and Conclusion |
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