Archive: Zarana - Sister to Zartan (Cold Slither)

Zarana was released in the summer of 2011 as a convention exclusive at San Diego Comic-Con. Two versions of Zarana were produced: a primary deco version matching the classic style of the original 1986 figure and a variant version with dark paint applications and t-shirt sporting the logo of Dreadnok rock band Cold Slither. Both figures were available at the Hasbro Toy Shop booth (limited to three for the primary version and one for the variant, per attendee badge) at Comic-Con and later online at HasbroToyShop.com, in limited quantities.

Zarana's Cold Slither band shirt features pantograph printing on the front and back. The front of the shirt reads "Cold Slither North American Tour 1985" while the back lists the stops along the band's tour schedule including Cleveland, OH; Cincinnati, OH; Toronto, ON; Great Woods, MA; Philadelphia, PA; Providence, RI; Seattle WA; Los Angeles, CA and finally closing out in San Diego, CA, where the figure was exclusively available for purchase.

Archive: Zarana - Sister to Zartan

Zarana was released in the summer of 2011 as a convention exclusive at San Diego Comic-Con. Two versions of Zarana were produced: a primary deco version matching the classic style of the original 1986 figure and a variant version with dark paint applications and t-shirt sporting the logo of Dreadnok rock band Cold Slither. Both figures were available at the Hasbro Toy Shop booth (limited to three for the primary version and one for the variant, per attendee badge) at Comic-Con and later online at HasbroToyShop.com, in limited quantities.

Like the original 1986 card art, the artwork for this modern update to Zarana features a digital explosion art pattern behind the character portrait. This digital pattern was introduced with series five figures in 1986 and carried forward until 1992, however, card art for figures from this era in the G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary line did not have this digital pattern and instead used the traditional explosion pattern.

Comic-Con 2011: It's A Wrap!

Comic-Con 2011 is a wrap. Our photo gallery from the show is now live and can also be seen on our Flickr photostream. The teams at Hasbro and Sideshow Collectibles were gracious hosts and shared a wealth of information with us, much of which we passed on via our Twitter feed. Although there weren't many new product announcements, we have a lot to look forward to in next year including female G.I. Joe characters from Sideshow, a great lineup of classic and Renegades style figures from Hasbro and oh yeah, a G.I. Joe movie. What are your thoughts on this year's Comic-Con? We'd love to hear your opinions and would appreciate your feedback, as well.

Comic-Con 2011: Sideshow Collectibles Premium Format Baroness

In addition to the Snake Eyes and Cobra Commander premium format figures on display at their booth at Comic-Con, the Sideshow Collectibles team gives us a first look (starting at 1:21 in) at what the future has in store for G.I. Joe premium format with a glimpse at the first female in their G.I. Joe lineup, the Baroness. The Baroness wears her signature glasses and will don a skin-tight body suit overlayed with hard-shelled, segmented armor to achieve her classic look. There is no release date specified for the Baroness figure at this time.

Comic-Con 2011: Sideshow Collectibles Booth - Preview Night

Our preview night gallery of photos from Sideshow Collectibles' booth at San Diego Comic-Con 2011 is now up. Sideshow has infused a jolt of excitement in their G.I. Joe lineup, recently, announcing a wide variety of new products including 1/6-scale figures and environments, statues, dioramas and premium format figures. While the publicity shots for these items look amazing, these items must be seen in person to be fully appreciated. See the photos after the jump and follow our Twitter stream for answers from our interview with Sideshow.

Comic-Con 2011: Hasbro Booth - Preview Night

Our preview night gallery of photos from Hasbro's booth at San Diego Comic-Con 2011 is now up. Hasbro made the decision to reveal their product line into early 2012 at G.I. JoeCon 2011, so nothing new is being shown at Comic-Con. In discussing the line with the Hasbro team, we learned that additional Renegades concepts do exist--in some form--meaning they could be anything from an early stage concept drawing to pre-production prototype (we'll pry more, but mentioned Roadblock as an example of a figure essential to the show that doesn't have a figure as of yet). We've also confirmed that the Hasbro team will find a way to release the Data-Viper, but they weren't certain how, yet. For those of you not attending Comic-Con and hoping to land one of the exclusives at Hasbro Toy Shop on Monday, exclusives are limited. Attendees may purchase up to three regular Zarana figures and one each Starscream Sky Striker and Cold Slither Zarana variant figure per badge. See the photos after the jump.

Comic-Con 2011: Hasbro Booth - USS Flagg Diorama

Hasbro always has a great diorama set up to showcase their G.I. Joe toy line, wherever they go. These amazing displays tend to make many collectors envious of both the space and artistic aptitude required to create the them and this year is no exception. The USS Flagg aircraft carrier is not being released, it is an homage to San Diego and its rich history as a Navy port town.

Sideshow Collectibles 12-Inch G.I. Joe Comic-Con Showcase

Interested in learning more about the creative process behind Sideshow Collectibles' latest 12-inch G.I. Joe figures?  Check out Sideshow's Comic-Con showcase video featuring Zartan and Rock 'n' Roll to find out what  the Sideshow team used for artistic inspiration, what new features are included with these two figures and how Sideshow overcame design challenges they encountered. You'll also get a more detailed look at the figures.

Our Comic-Con Coverage Begins Wednesday Night

San Diego Comic-Con kicks off this Wednesday with a special preview night sneak peek starting at 6 p.m. PDT. We'll be on the showroom floor making the rounds with all the G.I. Joe licensees, bringing you live video streams, photo galleries, question and answer sessions and more. Be sure to follow us on Twitter for up-to-the-minute coverage and notifications on when we'll be "going live" with video streams and Q&A's. If there's anything you'd like us to ask the teams at Hasbro or Sideshow, please leave a comment.

Sideshow Collectibles Announces Urban Threat – Condition RED Environment

When it rains, it pours. If the announcement of two new 12-inch G.I. Joe figures today wasn't enough, Sideshow Collectibles gives us a sneak peek of the next environment in their 1:6-scale G.I. Joe line, Urban Threat – Condition RED. The full product reveal for the Urban Threat – Condition RED environment will be next week at San Diego Comic-Con. We'll be at Comic-Con next week bringing you live covering from the show so check back starting next Wednesday evening. In the meantime, be sure to check out the rest of Sideshow's G.I. Joe environments.

Sideshow Collectibles 1/6-Scale Zartan Available Now

Sideshow Collectibles has unveiled and made both an exclusive and regular edition of their 1/6-scale Zartan figure available, today, as part of their online Comic-Con celebration. Zartan features his signature hood, shoulder and chest armor, skull adorned belt buckle and functioning backpack with removable face mask--an homage to the characters first release in 1984 as part of the 3-3/4-inch A Real American Hero toy line. The exclusive version of Zartan is limited to 750 pieces and includes an alternate "Evil Duke" portrait. Both versions sell for $159.99 and are estimated to ship in the fourth quarter this year. Be sure to check out the Zartan product page on Sideshow's Web site for more photos and details.

Sideshow Collectibles 1/6-Scale Rock 'n' Roll Available Now

Sideshow Collectibles has unveiled and made both an exclusive and regular edition of their 1/6-scale Rock 'n' Roll figure available, today, as part of their online Comic-Con celebration. Rock 'n' Roll is modern interpretation to the original '80s 3-3/4-inch green shirt figure with his signature olive drab fatigues and crisscrossing ammunition bandoleers. The character's surfer personality isn't  lost in the update as Sideshow has cleverly included a surfboard helmet sticker sheet including sticker one that reads "Cobra Don't Surf." The exclusive version of Rock 'n' Roll is limited to 500 pieces and includes an alternate portrait wearing a bandanna. Both versions sell for $134.99 and are estimated to ship in the fourth quarter this year. Be sure to check out the Rock 'n' Roll product page on Sideshow's Web site for more photos and details.

Hasbro's Comic-Con Exclusives Detailed

Hasbro released details of their exclusive G.I. Joe lineup for this year's San Diego Comic-Con. Confirmed earlier this year at G.I. JoeCon, the exclusives include both a classic and Cold Slither chase variant version of Zarana on "burst" style packaging, and a G.I. Joe / Transformers cross-over Starscream set. The Starscream jet is modeled after the soon-to-be-released 30th Anniversary Sky Striker XP-21F jet and includes a pilot Cobra Commander figure with Megatron gun accessory. The Starscream jet will also include additional decals for unique number, letter and piping possibilities. The exclusives can be purchased at the Hasbro Toy Shop booth (booth 3329) on the exhibitor floor with both versions of Zarana priced at $12.99 and the Starscream with Cobra Commander set priced at $49.99. Comic-Con 2011 kicks off on July 20.

Sideshow's Comic-Con Exclusive Ninja-Viper Pre-Order Info

San Diego Comic-Con is quickly approaching and Sideshow Collectibles is getting their con exclusive offerings prepped. Priority pre-orders for Sideshow's Comic-Con exclusive Ninja Viper 12-inch figure start this week. Like Sideshow's other G.I. Joe offerings, the Ninja Viper is loaded with some amazingly detailed accessories. For those of you attending Comic-Con, you can begin placing orders for the Cobra ninja starting at 1 p.m. (EST) on Thursday, May 19. Non-attendees may place their orders the following day, Friday, May 20. For complete details and additional figure images, visit Sideshow's pre-order info page.

Sideshow Collectibles Reveals G.I. Joe Exclusive for Comic-Con

Sideshow Collectibles has revealed its 2011 Comic-Con exclusive will be a 1/6-scale Cobra Ninja Viper. Not going to Comic-Con? Don't worry! Sideshow's got you covered as both attendees and non-attendees will have the opportunity to purchase the exclusive. Priority pre-orders for attendees start on May 19, while non-attendees can pre-order on May 20. For complete details, visit Sideshow's online Comic-Con micro-site.