Archive: Kim Arashikage (Unmasked) - Ninja / Intelligence

Kim "Jinx" Arashikage was released in the summer of 2012 as a convention exclusive at San Diego Comic-Con. Two versions of Jinx were produced: a primary deco version matching the classic red color style of the original 1987 figure and a variant version wearing a white shinobi shozoko. The variant features the unmasked portrait of actress Elodie Yung, who portrays the character in G.I. Joe: Retaliation. 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.

Many of us are familiar with the red deco'ed version of Jinx and consider it the character's de facto look. If you're among that crowd, you'll be surprised to learn that Jinx debuted in Marvel's G.I. Joe A Real American Hero comics sporting a white shinobi shozoku with no mask and a long flowing ponytail. This first appearance makes the use of G.I. Joe: Retaliation actress Elodie Yung's portrait ideal, but a far cry from the red-clad, shaggy haired appearance we've become accustomed to, due in part to G.I. Joe: The Movie.

Comics: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #180

The Joes invade San Diego Comic Con! As the Blue Ninja storyline winds down, the Joes attempt to intercept an arms exchange that could have world-wide repercussions. Meanwhile, Destro and Darklon ignite a feud that could bring the Joes into the mix.

Archive: Kim Arashikage - Ninja / Intelligence

Kim "Jinx" Arashikage was released in the summer of 2012 as a convention exclusive at San Diego Comic-Con. Two versions of Jinx were produced: a primary deco version matching the classic red color style of the original 1987 figure and a variant version wearing a white shinobi shozoko. The variant features the unmasked portrait of actress Elodie Yung, who portrays the character in G.I. Joe: Retaliation. 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.

Jinx's name embodies collector sentiment when it comes to the frustration felt in acquiring convention exclusive items from Hasbro. Many collectors feel jinxed because if you can't attend a convention or aren't incessantly checking Hasbro Top Shop after the con ends (which only has limited quantities that usually sell out within minutes), you're stuck paying aftermarket prices that are double or triple the retail cost.

Comic-Con 2012: Hasbro Booth Dioramas Video

Once again, we were amazed by the dioramas on display at the Hasbro booth at San Diego Comic-Con, this year. The dios were, by far, some of the most impressive toy-related displays at the show and awed many passers-by. Now, if only we had the space to build our own mountain-side ninja battle...

Comic-Con 2012: Hasbro Booth Video

While they didn't make any new reveals for a second consecutive year at Comic-Con, Hasbro had a strong G.I. Joe presence at the show. Shelves were packed with Joe figures, clothing, dioramas and there wave even a prop Arashikage motorcycle at the display. Unfortunately, the ninja bike was roped off, so there was no hope of us hopping on and taking it for a spin around the convention floor.

Comic-Con 2012: It's A Wrap!

Comic-Con 2012 is a wrap and our photo gallery from the show is now live and can also be seen on our Flickr photostream. We spoke with the teams at Hasbro and Sideshow Collectibles at length about the G.I. Joe brand and we're pleased to report they're listening to the collectors and long-time fans. While there wasn't much for new reveals at Comic-Con, G.I. Joe had a good chunk of real estate at the show and with some amazing dioramas that awed many passers by.

Sideshow's Comic-Con Exclusive Falcon Sixth-Scale Figure Now Available

The next soldier in the ranks of Sideshow's sixth-scale G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line is Lieutenant Falcon. Wearing his signature beret, Falcon includes an alternate back-country portrait and the usual gratuitous arsenal of weapons and accessories Sideshow has been spoiling us with.  A San Diego Comic-Con exclusive, Falcon is available for purchase to both attendees and non-attendees alike. With a limited edition size Falcon is available now on Sideshow's Web site for $134.99.

Hasbro G.I. Joe Retaliation Figures - A Closer Look

When Hasbro pulled the curtain on their G.I. Joe: Retaliation lineup, today, it surprised many collectors who expected they'd have to wait until Toy Fair, next week, for a full reveal. While the news was exciting, the small photo sizes on Hasbro's Web site left much to be desired. The big guns came out this afternoon (literally and figuratively), however, with large, hi-resolution photos, courtesy of Hasbro's PR firm.

Hasbro Reveals G.I. Joe: Retaliation Lineup

The cat's out of the bag! Hasbro has updated the G.I. Joe section of their Web site revealing a majority of their 2012 G.I. Joe: Retaliation lineup, including figures, battle packs, vehicles and role-play items. Also shown are Hasbro's San Diego Comic-Con 2012 exclusive figures--Kim Arashikage (Jinx) clad in both an updated classically-inspired, red shinobi shozoko and an un-masked variant wearing a white--and vehicle--a Transformers cross-over Shockwave / Hiss Tank v5. Hasbro teases that 14 items are yet to be revealed, one of which can be deduced to be a Joe Colron figure based on the on-page description that reads "...including an all-new, super-heroic take on ROADBLOCK, as well as JOE COLTON, the original founder of the G.I. JOE team."