GI JOE Convention 2018

[Bravo]

The Official 2018 G.I. Joe Collectors' Convention

The final convention set:

Python Peril:
Marauders to the Rescue!

GIJoeCon 3 3/4” Figure Set

The COBRA PYTHON PATROL is an elite unit of troopers
that have been handpicked for their various tactical specialties.
They are expertly trained and equipped for stealth and infiltration
missions. They wear unique camouflage grid uniforms to mask
their presence, which confuses radar detection systems and allows
them to accomplish sinister operations around the globe.
Using the latest radar absorbing materials and stealth technology,
PYTHON PATROL 2.0 rears its ugly head with a surgical
strike against their sworn enemy. Led by the nefarious MAJOR
BLUDD, they have successfully captured a “Real American Hero”
and key member of the G.I. JOE team.

The SLAUGHTER’S MARAUDERS unit is called into action
to mount a dire rescue mission of their original commander.
A fellow Marine Drill Instructor, SGT. SMASHER takes the
squad leader position and selects highly specialized soldiers for
a fast attack, ground assault into enemy territory to combat these
devious COBRA forces.

PYTHON PATROL 2.0 is a dangerous unit, but it will take more
than their special uniforms and slithering nastiness to get the best
of the entire SLAUGHTER’S MARAUDERS team!

Our 2018 exclusive 3 3/4-inch
convention set contains a highly
requested G.I. JOE team and updated
COBRA army that are available for the
first time in the modern era 25A action
figure style. This special edition 15
action-figure set includes:
Five G.I. JOE team members: Sgt.
Smasher, Footloose, Hardball, Mutt
& Junkyard (K-9), Spirit & Freedom
(eagle).

Ten COBRA team members: Major Bludd, Python H.E.A.T. Viper
(troop builder x 3), Python Lamprey (troop builder x 3), Python
Laser Viper (troop builder x 3).
Each of these great teams comes with their classic weapons,
accessories, figure stands and file cards!

Ha-ha...those hoping for DEF vs Headhunters will be hoping until they die now. Cuz this is the end.

No Rock or SAW vipers...or are they add-on souvenirs for that last $$$ milking of the last die hard 4" GI JOE suckers fans.

Sgt. Smasher, because WWE is in Mattel's hands. SMASHER'S MARAUDERS?

Hardball?? Why not someone who was in the Dic Dragonfire. Lady Jaye? Rock'n Roll? Long Range? Backblast? The DIC Greenshirt?

[Felix]

Should have gone to Low Light, 1991 version but with blonde hair.

Major Bludd is in charge of Python Patrol instead of Copperhead, because screw continuity!

Not that I care anyway.

[Bravo]

Well, it's Python Patrol 2.0, the 2003 set. I guess they'll use those colors.

I find it hard to believe a lot of current collectors were really wanted modern versions of those that much, especially for the very last convention set. But we all know the Collector's Club has the pulse of the fan community, right? That's why they waited to make Big Lob their very last o-ring offering. And never made an o-ring Dr. Venom. That's why they make half their con exclusive figures as attendee only items that sell out at the show, sometimes before even attendees get to buy them.

[Felix]

I forgot about that TRU Python Patrol set.

Too bad they didn't do those unproduced figures of Flint, Leatherneck, Wet-Suit, Snow Job, Shipwreck and the Artic Whale.

[Johnny Turk]

I assume you'll be able to buy a two pack of S.A.W. Vipers for like 80 bucks at the show. The Rock Viper probably never! So will Sgt. Smasher be a Slaughter repaint, or will they make him an entirely knew character. Either way, it's probably going to be overly expensive and kinda dumb!

[Bravo]

Sgt. Smasher revealed!

Kinda dumb is right. The character he's based on was actually white (very tanned, but I think he was supposed to be white), but...the club is retarded. Oh, and the didn't even reuse the 25th Slaughter body...I guess even that's too risky? WWE gonna sue them and they'll have to shut down the club.

[Johnny Turk]

Wasn't Mr. C, a COBRA?

[Felix]

Yeah. Never did make a lot of sense, but that was the ongoing theme with G.I. JOE. Lots of figures that look like TV or movie characters, but changed slightly to avoid copyright infringement.

[Bravo]

At the of the "The Wrong Stuff" episode MR. C comes to GI JOE looking for a job. SO years later they put him in command of the Marauders...I guess. Who'll know until we see the awful file card?

[Felix]

Mr. T (Mr. "C") deserved a better origins story. He also deserves a "Now you know" message. Mr. T would always tell you to do shit like brush your teeth, drink your milk, eat your vegetables, go to school and be good to your mom. He was my favorite role model growing up. I really wish they just "Officially" made Mr. T a G.I. JOE. This is as good as it gets probably.

[Johnny Turk]

The Wrong Stuff was a season 1 episode, too. So it's an anachronism, in addition to being kinda dumb.

[Bravo]

Yes, as the Marauders never appear in the comic, that limits them to Dic's Operation Dragonfire and the only non-Marauders Joes with speaking roles were Scoop, Lady Jaye, Stalker and Rock'n Roll. They could've put LJ in charge and given her a smokey the bear hat!!

Sgt Smasher was used for Funskool's Slaughter figure, so...somehow that's been merged with Mr. C, who is now darker skinned than the toon because who the fudge knows?

Their Python Patrol Maj Bludd just reuses the barely poseable 25th right arm (Hasbro awesome tribute to the original figure). Sure, fans had wanted an updated modern Bludd with a moveable right arm, but you wouldn't expect a collector's club to listen to fans? It's a club by collectors for collectors...as in for the collectors who run it, not the rest.

[Bravo]

So the final con is on...heh.

Club screwed up and Bludd has no paint on his mustache and Laser Viper lack complete eyes.

Attendee Freebie a Marauders weapons locker with some weapons.

Con exclusives.
Carded Lamprey, Tunnel Rat and Law (all sonic fighters) $48 per figure. I guess this a good way to piss off carded completists.
3 Pack Renegades in Marauder Colors. $90
3 Pack Python Rock Viper $90
3 Pack Python SAW Viper $90
2 Pack Python Paratrooper/Para Viper Officer $65
Python SNAKE $65 the most interesting thing, but they did the cop out and used gold accents instead of yellow.

Enough stuff for a second con set. But if they sold it as such, people would feel so very special attending the final fan fiasco.

[Johnny Turk]

Hahahah! I wonder if they'll ever get around to mailing out the replacement heads. I kind of hope they pull the same scam they did with the Rip-It and Steeler figures, where when they awarded refunds, they still took some off for the shipping of those figures, even to people who picked the figures up at the convention!

Buy my snake oil.

[Bravo]

The annual paradrop was a farce again with greedy adults "trampling kids" to get exclusive figures. Then fandom says "boo! Shame on those guys!" whilst they pay insane exclusive figures prices to a greedy club. Why can't they ever get the thing right? Why do they have something supposedly for the kids at a convention that exists mostly to line the pockets of an inept "collector's club" that doesn't even listen to its supposed members, who PAY yearly to be part of it? Good fudgin' riddance to the club. HasCon 4 Ever.