G.IJoe News And Notes From Hasbro

The Wild Weasel figure is still a prototype and Hasbro isn't sure which figure the Rattler will actually come with. It's most likely going to be an older style body with possibly a new head, but it wasn't decided yet.


Hasbro confirms that they will be making "troop builder" sets starting with a Toys R Us exclusive set featuring 5 B.A.T.S (2nd version as Hasbro doesn't have the original version tooling) and a Major Bludd (sonic fighter version). These figures will all have new paint schemes and will kick off an idea that will be refreshed quite often, as soon as every three months.

The second set will feature PYTHON PATROL with five different Cobra troopers and an as-yet-to-be-determined leader. Paint deco will be different from the original Python Patrol but with the same "snake" spirit in mind.

The 8 figure set is a BJ's store exclusive for release this fall with an MSRP of $24.99! Darryl DePriest said that a selected few online JOE dealers may get them as well to help fullfill demand and to offer them to collector's
who don't have a BJ's store in their area. BJ's is primarily a North East warehouse club store.

The all-new Wave 2 figures should hit in September and will have the brand new catalog/comic book inside. Hasbro plans on having a new comic story included at least every 90 days to kick off the line and get kids interested in G.I. Joe.

Hasbro is excited that the Cartoon network has picked up JOE for a six week run starting July 1. Nothing new is set, but hopes are high. Part of the concern is that the new toys don't have that awareness level that results from a current cartoon series. Devil's Due is having some input and as it gets going, the G.I. Joe toy line and comic book will reflect each other quite closely.

Hasbro doesn't like the idea of "green shirt" JOE troopers as the comic (and old cartoon series had). They prefer to work on individual characters and building up those identities. The one hit new character that will most likely be made down the road is Kamakura.