We have received Hasbro’s official Toy Fair 2014 Press Release and Image Bundle. Of interest is the fact that names are included with each of the 50th Anniversary items. The Brown/Tan VAMP MkII with Flint and the Night Landing Craft with Eel are noted as Convention Exclusive..will this be our SDCC Exclusive? Only time will tell!
HASBRO CELEBRATES THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE G.I. JOE BRANDThe “Original Action Figure” Turns a Half-Century Old with New Toys“R”Us-Exclusive Line, Licensing Program
PAWTUCKET, R.I. – February 15, 2014 – Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) today unveiled initiatives planned for the 50th anniversary celebration of its iconic G.I. JOE brand at the American International Toy Fair in New York City. The storied property, which invented the “action figure” toy category, celebrates its incredible five-decade history by partnering with Toys“R”Us as the official toy headquarters for the G.I. JOE brand in 2014. Kids and fans can look forward to a special edition 50th anniversary-branded action figure line available only at Toys“R”Us stores nationwide and online at Toysrus.com, along with new items in the popular KRE-O G.I. JOE line of building sets from Hasbro, beginning this March through the fall 2014.
Join us after the jump for the full press release and crisp images of the 50th Anniversary Assortment (seen earlier; now with names) and Kre-O G.I.Joe (Official Images)! HASBRO CELEBRATES THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE G.I. JOE BRAND
The “Original Action Figure” Turns a Half-Century Old with New Toys“R”Us-Exclusive Line, Licensing Program
PAWTUCKET, R.I. – February 15, 2014 – Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) today unveiled initiatives planned for the 50th anniversary celebration of its iconic G.I. JOE brand at the American International Toy Fair in New York City. The storied property, which invented the “action figure” toy category, celebrates its incredible five-decade history by partnering with Toys“R”Us as the official toy headquarters for the G.I. JOE brand in 2014. Kids and fans can look forward to a special edition 50th anniversary-branded action figure line available only at Toys“R”Us stores nationwide and online at Toysrus.com, along with new items in the popular KRE-O G.I. JOE line of building sets from Hasbro, beginning this March through the fall 2014.
Launched at the American International Toy Fair in 1964, the “original action figure” debuted as a 12-inch pose-able soldier toy, G.I. JOE has been a pop-culture phenomenon ever since. The property evolved over the years, from the original 12-inch action figure in the 1960s, the ADVENTURE TEAM in the 1970s and the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA saga which was introduced in the 1980s with a 3.75-inch action figure line, comic book series and legendary animated series G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO. Recently the brand has introduced two blockbuster movies based on the saga including G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA and G.I. JOE RETALIATION from Paramount Pictures.
“The G.I. JOE brand is a pop culture and childhood icon whose cultural relevance, based on its core essence of action, bravery and the compelling characters from G.I. JOE vs. COBRA saga, continues to inspire the imaginations of kids and fans around the world,” said John Frascotti, Chief Marketing Officer, Hasbro, Inc. “From action figures and publishing, to animated series and global blockbuster movies, few properties have the cultural resonance and enduring appeal. In the 50th anniversary year of the G.I. JOE brand Hasbro looks forward to delivering fan-favorite action figures, exciting new publishing ventures and innovative but nostalgic KRE-O building sets to the brands most ardent fans and newest recruits.”
“For generations, Toys“R”Us kids big and small have cherished the G.I. JOE brand and brought its legendary characters to life through play,” said Lisa Harnisch, Senior Vice President and General Merchandising Manager, Toys“R”Us, U.S. “We are proud to partner with Hasbro to help commemorate this golden anniversary, and are eager to bring an exciting assortment of G.I. JOE figures, including classics and new items from the hit KRE-O line, exclusively to Toys“R”Us customers this year.”
Beginning in March, exciting new KRE-O building sets will let kids and collectors alike build vehicles and environments to play out the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA fantasy. Collectible blind-bagged KREONS of popular G.I. JOE characters will also hit shelves, including characters from both the heroic G.I. JOE team like LADY JAYE and FOOTLOOSE, as well as the villainous COBRA organization like TOMAX and SCRAP IRON. As part of the 50th anniversary celebration, Hasbro and Toys“R”Us are bringing one of the most popular G.I. JOE vs. COBRA playsets from the 1980s back in KRE-O form with the KRE-O G.I. JOE TERROR DROME Building Set. This iconic set features over 850 pieces and will be available in the fall.
Additionally, a collectible 50th anniversary-branded, 3.75-inch scale action figure and vehicle line will debut at Toys“R”Us this fall. The special edition line will be offered in unique 50th anniversary branded packaging and reintroduce classic G.I. JOE vs. COBRA characters and iconic vehicles, including some that have not been available since the 1980s. Fans will be able to purchase classic characters like DESTRO, SNAKE EYES and HAWK, as well as vehicles like the G.I. JOE VAMP MKII and COBRA WOLF VEHICLE with an updated sculpting style and unique deco.
The 50th anniversary year will also continue the G.I. JOE brand’s long tradition of publishing and rich storytelling with exciting new programs from Hasbro’s partners. IDW Publishing’s G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO will release its landmark 200th issue in March 2014, continuing the story of the original 1980s G.I. JOE comic by original writer Larry Hama. IDW will also launch TRANSFORMERS/G.I. JOE, a series uniting Hasbro’s iconic brands, by acclaimed creators Tom Scioli and John Barber this summer. Additionally, as part of its publishing program, Hasbro is opening the fantasy to fan participation. Amazon Publishing recently announced that Kindle Worlds has reached a licensing agreement with Hasbro to open up a new Kindle World based on the G.I. JOE brand. With the launch of the G.I. JOE Kindle World, writers will be able to publish their own original fiction starring iconic G.I. JOE characters like DUKE, SNAKE EYES, and COBRA COMMANDER and sell their work on Amazon.com. The G.I. JOE Kindle World will open for writers to start publishing stories in the next few months.
This spring, the official G.I. JOE Collector’s Club will host the 21st annual G.I. JOE fan convention, known as “GIJoeCon,” in Dallas from Thursday, April 10 to Sunday, April 13. Convention organizers plan on celebrating the 50th anniversary with exclusive action figure sets, special G.I. JOE guests from throughout the brand’s history and the opportunity to meet and interact with other fans of the brand. Fans can learn more about the Hasbro-sponsored convention by visiting www.GIJoeCon.com.
About Hasbro, Inc.
Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company dedicated to fulfilling the fundamental need for play for children and families through the creative expression of the Company’s world class brand portfolio, including TRANSFORMERS, MONOPOLY, PLAY-DOH, MY LITTLE PONY, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, NERF and LITTLEST PET SHOP. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its global customers with innovative play and entertainment experiences, in a variety of forms and formats, anytime and anywhere. The Company’s Hasbro Studios develops and produces television programming for more than 170 markets around the world, and for the U.S. on Hub Network, part of a multi-platform joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery Communications(NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK). Through the company’s deep commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world for future generations and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. It has been recognized for its efforts by being named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” and is ranked as one of Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s “100 Best Corporate Citizens.” Learn more at www.hasbro.com.
Press Contact:
Jen DeAngelis
C.I.A.D. says
Hasbro Toy Fair 2014 G.I.Joe Press Release And Images - GI Joe News
Shin-Gouki says
kevjul says
So the Flint that everyone wants is going to be a convention exclusive. Thats sucks ballz.
Fox says
Trigue says
that does indeed suck and suck hard. The tan Vamp Mk II is the one thing I've wanted the most since the 25th Vamp came out. That is disappointing but hey atleast we're getting it.
Maybe TRU will do like with other SDCC exclusives, if it is for SDCC, and have it up for sell on their website.
C.I.A.D. says
Remember though...2 versions will be out so people can still get both characters
Nightrain says
Iok says
That's a pretty underwhelming line-up. The 80s vehicles are nice (not having had them growing up, it's cool to have the chance to get them now) but Blowtorch, Snow Job, Low Light et al were out just a few years ago. They're fine (mostly) but I'd prefer to see something new. I know they can't do anything as revolutionary as the jump from original Joes to the 25th Anniversary figures but this does seem to be Hasbro just looking at putting out a bunch of kitbashes and repaints.
Oh and am I misreading it or are they going to be TRU-exclusive releases? I really hope not, as you know each figure will be $15 and the vehicles will be $50 a pop knowing their pricing policy...
On the plus side though, at least they look like they're including bases.
Superjoe74 says
Really? Wow. The ARAH Ultimate Flint that everyone has been screaming about is going to be an exclusive rather than a regular retail product? There's the chance it might not even get made too?! I like the digital camo Vamp but, we all know the Flint repaint that accompanies it is a second or third choice figure. Hasbro would make that repaint- a less appealing toy, for regular retail rather than the one everyone wants most? They don't like to make money do they?
I am sure the margins on the SDCC exclusive are high enough that it helps balance out some other deficiencies for this 50th line- like the lack of sales at retail from a digital camo Vamp. It seems like poor positioning of the ARAH product. It seems that the ARAH product should be at retail where it can sell more units and we should be using that SDCC slot for niche product. Wherever it ends up though- SDCC or otherwise, I will buy the ARAH brown Vamp Mark II with Flint.
Scratching my head in wonderment..
JoeMama says
WOW!
Leatherneck!
SOLD!
Love it.
I hope the brown Vamp Mark II is the retail version; I could pass on the digital NF camo scheme, which is likely a convention exclusive (to fit w/ last year's NF scheme??)
Keep reading: Hasbro Toy Fair 2014 G.I.Joe Press Release And Images - Page 2
Not a member yet? Join HissTank Now!