25th Anniversary Line - The Intel Report

Time has gone on, and we've now received another group of pictures to pour over and get excited for...so it's now time for another intel report here at General's Joes! Lots of questions have cropped up in regards to the first wave of single packs, and we're here to try to get some answers for you.

What's with all the repaints already? - Repaints are a necessary aspect of toy manufacturing today to offset tooling costs. That being said, no toyline will thrive in the market if all it relies on are repaints and re-releases of existing tools. Yes, the first wave has alot of repainted characters or re-used tooling, mostly due to the impending schedule of release dates. However, you can rest assured that there will be a dramatic increase in new tooling used starting with the next wave of Single packs. Hasbro realizes that this first wave did take advantage of a lot of existing tooling, but you can be assured that new tools are a certainty in the near future for the anniversary line.

When will we hear more about the second wave? - Wave 2 of the single packs isn't likely to hit retail until September or thereabouts, so I wouldn't necessarily expect too many concrete details really soon. Summer time is convention season, though, and I'm pretty certain once shows like SDCC hit we'll start seeing a lot more of our 3 3/4" friends.

Plans still in place for a ComicCon Exclusive? - Absolutely. It definitely looks as though the 25th Anniversary line will have a representation as a ComicCon exclusive this year. To add to collector excitement, there will also possibly be some minor variants mixed into the single pack line. For up to date information on the ComicCon exclusive, keep your eyes peeled on the G.I. Joe Collectors' Club website and newsletters!

When will we see more pictures? - It may be a little bit. Post Toy Fair is usually a pretty quiet time for product reveals, but as I said earlier, once convention season hits, we'll start getting some more pictures and info, I'm sure. I think we can expect to see packaged pics before the summer season hits, but new product (like Waves 2 and 3) probably won't be until later on in the year.

Seems like 3 3/4" are getting some steam again! - Both Hasbro and the retailers have been very happy with what has been shown of the Anniversary product so far. If reaction continues to be this positive, anything is possible. One thing's for sure, you're not going to want to miss the Joe Con this year, regardless of what's happening in '08 and beyond, the 25th Anniversary celebration is sure to be huge!

Is the anniversary line still bound by the 25 figure "limit"? - I don't think "limit" is the right word, I think "tribute" is much more accurate. Originally, the plan was for a tribute of 25 figures to celebrate the 25 years of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. At this point, considering the positive retail and collector reaction, Hasbro may try and sneak another handful of figures into the 2007 assortment.