Wishlist: IDW G.I. JOE FIGURES

Veteran writer Chuck Dixon has been in charge, or at least played a significant part of current G.I. Joe mythology for several years, since the license was taken over by IDW. Since that time, he's crafted a very intricate tale that rebooted the early origins of Joe. Some fans complained that the stories were a bit too decompressed and slow going (it took a few issues in for Joe to even realize the existence of Cobra). As the series wound down post Cobra Command, however, it seems that Dixon and company were playing the long game, making an epic Joe story that had consequences, not just recurring themes and motifs.

To that end, he introduced many new characters that would be cool to have in toy form. Rather than get yet another version of the same character, Hasbro or another group (G.I. Joe Collector's Club Figure Subscription Service - whew!) would do well to create some of these interesting characters.

Cobra Trooper - Many Cobra troopers have been made, so do we really need another one? Not really, but the motorcycle mask-like design makes for an interesting wrinkle, and how can you not want a fig opf the guy that almost fought Snake-Eyes to a standstill?

Dial Tone - Many fans were disappointed at the sex-change revision of IDW's Dial-Tone, but as several years have gone by, like most changes, people have gotten used to it. Plus, it would be nice to have another female figure.

The ROC seven-pack version left a lot to be desired, since it was just a shoddy Helix repaint, so a new figure, perhaps with added computer accessories, would be nice.

Urso - Like the Cobra Trooper, there are a few big, armored bad guys in the Cobra figure ranks (or maybe not as many as I think). So, another "heavy" would also be a good addition.

Cobra Submarine Captain - Kind of snively and cowardly, he didn't make much of an impression in his brief appearance, but the design is pretty interesting - thin, old, with the uniform and hat.

Bildocker - The Joes' scrounger for resources when the government cuts their funding. Pretty amusing personality, with a heavy-set frame. Not all figures need to be muscular, manly men right?

Badass Dreadnok - Speaking of manly bad-ass though, this unnamed(?) guy made quite the impression when he blasted a bunch of Arishikage ninjas in the "Target: Snake-Eyes" story arc.

This guy appeared in a later(?) issue, and only made an appearance for two panels before coming to an end.

Brainstorm - Another computer geek, before Mainframe made his appearance as the Joes' go-to techie. He would probably make a dull figure in his regular uniform, but put him in the outfit he wore in his first appearance, and it would be more interesting. Pack it in with a "camera drone" and it would be cool.

Coil Trooper - With the Cobra no longer associated with the Arishikage for contracts and other missions, Serpentor volunteers his worshippers as Cobra's new hit squad.

Savane - Female bad girl figure? Kind of like a neo-Baroness.

Krake - Not making much of an impression, just a new Cobra heavy, but the creators gave him a slow-rollout to become a brutally efficient killer. This would serve him well in Cobra Civil War, when he finally took the reigns...

As the new Cobra Commander.

Flashback Fave: JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL

Everyone is familiar with Justice League - Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the rest of DC comics' "magnificent seven" - the top-tier, i.e., most popular, most iconic of the company's characters, teaming up to vanquish evil no one hero can tackle alone.

Less well-known is the 80's iteration of the group: Lesser known heroes such as Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Guy Gardner, et. al. (though still keeping Batman for a few adventures), battling together, but mostly bickering and bantering with one another - to hilarious results.

In the intro to the 1st JLI paperback, A New Beginning, editor Andy Helfer related the genesis of the project, spurred on by popular Legion of Superheroes plotter/penciller Keith Giffen, who was bugging him on a daily basis ("He would stick his head in my office and say, 'Jusssticce Leeeaague'.") Finally, Helfer answered, "You got it." But before they could chronicle the continuing adventures of the one of comicdom's signature teams, they hit a snag. Post-Legends (a company-wide crossover following Crisis on Infinite Earths), most of the editors and creative teams in charge of solo titles like Superman and Green Lantern were still in the midst of revamping and renewing their characters, so these heroes were off-limits. What was left were second-tier characters that, although familiar to fans, weren't quite strong enough to star in their book.

Plotted by Giffen, scripted by J.M. DeMatteis (then known more for horror and angst), and wondrously penciled by newcomer Kevin Maguire, Justice League International was considered a breath of fresh air after the serious, dour tone of comics post-Watchmen and  Dark Knight Returns. The emphasis was not on adventuring and fighting the big baddie every issue; instead, it was how the characters related to one another and humor. Importantly, the treatment of humor wasn't the typical, full-on sight gags and slapstick of "funny"-based comics. Rather, it was dialogue and character-driven, with facial and body expressions that were more grounded in reality.

Never truly done before in comics, much less superhero mainstream comics, strange that it hasn't been truly replicated since, at least compared to the "serious, dark" turn of heroes that became the dominant, de facto style for the better part of a decade. Although the series, like most, petered out towards the end (almost becoming a parody of itself), the first several years remain a distinct, highlight of that late 80's period.

Proves you can go home again

Flashback Fave: (ANIMATED) WORLD'S FINEST

When this was released on laserdisc more than a decade ago, I taped it to VHS and must have watched it about a dozen times, more or less. I thought the story was really, really good (with a few cool character interactions and moments), the voice acting top notch, and the animation exemplary (sort of an anime spin on Bruce Timm's BTAS style).

I was a fan of Batman, and admired, though was not that big a fan of Superman. Together, however, I liked the chemistry and contrast in characters. Gone were the days of the  happy, smiling relationship of their previous team-ups in the early days of comics. Since the 80's, the two were antagonistic and distrustful of one another - perhaps reaching it's zenith in the mano y mano, boot-in-the-face confrontation of the Dark Knight Returns. I was also a big fan of the "prestige" mini-series World 's Finest, written by Watchmen artist Dave Gibbons and gorgeously drawn by Steve Rude.

Memorable comics confrontations

With the success of B:TAS followed by Superman's turn in the hand-drawn realm, it was only a matter of time until the two teamed up, and with the "World's Finest" series of episodes in S:TAS (combined for one straight-to-video movie), the wait was well worth it.

Not a great start

When a mysterious jade statue gets stolen in Gotham by the Joker, Batman tracks it (and him) to Metropolis. He promptly encounters Superman and, in one of the first "cool" moments, simply uses his x-ray vision to discover Batman's alter ego. Not one to accept such a offense without retribution, Bats promptly stalks - via hidden tracker - Superman to his apartment, where he sees him changing into Clark Kent.

You peeked

Eventually setting aside their differences and misunderstandings, the two team up to try and foil the Joker, who himself has forged a shaky alliance with Lex Luthor, by making a deal to kill Superman with the jade statue (actually - surprise! - made of kryptonite). Like the two heroes, there's a couple of scenes displaying the characters' outward, often hilarious enmity towards one another. Another interesting plot development is the love triangle between Lois, Batman/Bruce and Superman/Clark, which almost ended up in marriage(!) for Lois-Bruce, until she discovers Batman's secret identity, and has second thoughts.

When were you going to tell me? The honeymoon?

For anyone wanting more of a Superman/Batman team-up it's a good thing DC Animation eventually turned Justice League into an animated series, extending their relationship, complete with passive-aggressive interplay, with the two eventually having, if not a traditional friendship, mutual respect for each other.

A comics adaptation of an adaptation of a comic

Hey, Here's a Good Idea (and Investment)...

Marauder John's has mostly been known for selling guns and other accessories for 3.75" figures. Now it looks like they're dipping their toes into making actual figures, replete with oodles and oodles of accessories.

Pre-G.I. Joe 25th, I daydreamed of how cool it would be to get new versions of the figures I loved as a child, but this time have them packed to the gills with various weapons, knives, grenades - all of which would be removable. The 25th figures, highlighted by the the 30th POC Wave, was mind-blowing. With MJ's Kickstarter Campaign, it looks like we're moving closer to the dream.

One minor nitpick, well a few, plus some "future wishes": More soldiers and bad-add military types? Aside from the teeny-tiny props (such as mini-pouches), these seem to be variations on some of Joe's POC 30th offerings, like the "breacher" Cobra Trooper, which were basically soldier-SWAT-types packed with various, realistic weapons. Not bad, but it sorta-kinda feels familiar.

As mentioned on a message board and other places, there are plans to make some minority figures (if they're able to reach their stretch goals), and I realize hoping for variety at this early a stage is too risky, investment-wise - but wouldn't it be cool to get something other than the army-soldier standard?

I  know many fans and customizers were clamoring for a "guy-in-suit" mold, to have figures that could act as background, agents, secret identities, etc. to include in their collections, dioramas and game-playing. Jazzwares came out with Face with the A-Team, and Marvel/Hasbro had their own suited figure with Professor X. There had been others, like Men in Black 3 and the upcoming Joe Colton figure (let's not forget the ROC Destro before that), so it wasn't exactly barren.

Face, Custom James Bond, Professor X, Destro

But aside from those, wouldn't it be great to get variations - how about a trenchcoated figure? Or one in a boiler suit or mechanic uniform? Or how about a figure with an older man headsculpt (instead of the typical 20-to-30-year-old)?

And although women figures aren't a big seller, many of the other options available leave a lot to be desired - and it would be cool to have variety in terms of different body types and ages. One figure that surprised many fans when it came out was the JL Amanda Waller figure - a heavy-set black woman. Not a big-seller, yeah, but wow, Mattel actually had the balls to do this.

Not your typical action figure, but cool fan service

Sure, many might find these figures boring, but as an addendum to the figures many collectors already own, I think they'd be popular. And let's face facts: Many of these types of soldier figures, even the MJ Marauders, are directed towards the Adult Collector.

Awesome custom Tony Stark, by local customizer extraordinaire riverspoons

Still, the MJ project is a great start, and hopefully with its success, many more types of figures will be released in the future. Too bad imported prices to own these would be too expensive for many local collectors. Sigh.