Hasbro Q & A, 2008 round 5 - Answers

[Rockshield]

Here are the answers for the last round of questions for 2008:

JOHIO: Now that we have seen a new VAMP, RAM, MOBAT, and the upcoming FLAK, we have almost received a complete re-issue of the 1982 Vehicle line up. What other "Real American Hero" classic vehicles can we expect to see soon, and can we expect to see a HAL, MMS, or complete JUMP (the rest of the 82 lineup) in the near future?

HASBRO: There are no plans to reissue the rest of the 1982 items in the short-term. You will see a handful more of classic vehicles and then some classic inspired vehicles for movie that will blow your mind!

JOHIO: Will we see more figures relating to other Kenner/Hasbro 80's toylines like Miles Mayhem from MASK, characters from COPS, etc.? Are there any plans to pull another other originally-non-Joe character into the mythos like Matt Trakker?

HASBRO: Matt Trakker was planned as a one time tribute figure.

JOHIO: The new 5-pack pictures that have come out have really gotten the online collectors excited. Can you please explain why you decided to release another set of 5 pack figures, and will those figures be released later on cards as were the original 5 packs?

HASBRO: The new 5-packs were designed with two audiences in mind. First we wanted to deliver great versions of classic characters to our fans who have been with us for almost 2 years. We also wanted packs that would welcome new 80's fans back into the line as buzz around the movie builds. Because these will be released so close to the movie line, we will not have time to get them out on single cards in 2009.

JOHIO: Will we get any new female characters besides Scarlett, Lady Jaye, and the Baroness (and cover girl from the movie line)?

HASBRO: Yes…but it is too early to reveal right now.

JOHIO: During one of the previous round of questions, it was mentioned there would be a big announcement about releasing smaller playsets; since this is our last chance for the year to ask about it, is there any word on this?

HASBRO: We are not ready to make an announcement on this. After all of the fan feedback on mini-playsets we have gone back to see if we can find the original tools and deliver. Right now the search is still on, so no announcement is coming today.

[Rockshield]

From yojoe.com http://yojoe.com/magazine/2008/12/01_qa.shtml

1. How many assortments of figures (single card) and vehicles can Joe fans expect between now (Holiday season 2008) and the debut of G.I.Joe: The Rise of Cobra products?

Hasbro: Our goal is to get out as many figures as possible.

2. Recently, photos have shown up on the interwebs of a new pod-shaped G.I.Joe snowmobile and a green and white Snow Job figure. Any comment as to the origin of this unique item?

Hasbro: No comment.

3.The latest shipment of Operation Rescue: Doc figures have been arriving in mail boxes across the country and collectors noticed immediately the improved "Duke" arms - this is fantastic but why the change in the middle of the production offer and will we see a Doc hanging on the pegs in the next year?

Hasbro: The change was made because we went back and did a second production run of figures because the promotion was so successful. Doc will not be coming out next year.

4. We at YoJoe have been hearing a lot of buzz about figures coming without a knife to fill an empty sheath or pistol to fill an empty holster - our fans are clamoring for spare accessories, like the 80s accessory packs - any chance of something like this? (Star Wars does it with their Clone Gear weapons lockers).

Hasbro: There are no plans for this right now, but please keep giving us feedback and we will keep looking at new ideas to bring to the fans.

5. Something we've noticed with our new DVD Pyramid of Darkness sets - Some Dusty figures have his web gear/straps and others are missing this accessory, any idea on what happened and what can fans do to complete their figures?

Hasbro: This was a production error coming out of the factory in China. All of the figures have now been produced, but any future figures will be corrected.

[Rockshield]

from joecustoms.com

http://wiki.joecustoms.com/wiki/Hasbro_QA_10

Q. Is there any chance of seeing more female characters ie: Cover Girl, Zarana, and Jinx, or even lesser female characters like Pythona, Vypra, Zanya, and Daina?

A. There is a chance you will see additional female figures with the movie.

Q. Are there any plans to create accessory packs with weapons, helmets, and even alternate heads/ hands in the future?

A. There are no plans to create accessory packs (with weapons or heads) right now. We will also pass on this request to the collectors club.

Q. The DVD pack Dusty has a new body construction with both a waist joint and a mid-torso joint. Is this going to be the body-style for future figures?

A. No this was a isolated figure and will not be the new standard going forward.

Q. Is there any more word on what [the speculated large vehicle/playset release] may be?

A. We cannot comment on this right now.

Q. Will Hasbro make more extreme condition packs and offer them as market releases [or online retail]

A. Based on the success of the EC packs, we are looking at adding more sets in the future. No plans are finalized.

[Rockshield]

from toynewsi.com

http://toynewsi.com/news.php?catid=9&itemid=13732

TNI: How will the 25th Anniversary Dr. Mindbender figure be released, on single card, comic pack, in a vehicle or some other way?

Hasbro: It is too early to reveal where and when you will see Dr. Mindbender.


TNI: Why is Hasbro selling AFA figures on HTS at very high prices? How and who sets these prices and how are they being justified at such high values for figures that are currently being sold at mass market?

Hasbro: Hasbro Toy Shop is selling AFA graded figures because there is a specific market for these items. These prices are set by the HTS team working with the brand team, AFA, and looking at the market.


TNI: Will we get a Leatherneck figure in his traditional green camo outfit or will the desert version be it?

Hasbro: There is currently no plan for a green Leatherneck.


TNI: Why wasn't the Quick Kick figure in the DVD pack given ankle articulation; it seems like a chacacter that specializes in karate would be the perfect pick for this?

Hasbro: The ankle articulation would have given the foot a bad break in the flesh (like the Duke arms that the fans did not like) and the design team wanted to deliver a great looking foot for a character who is named Quick Kick.


TNI: With so much arctic stuff being released for both Joe and Cobra, will Joe be getting some type of arctic vehicle released like the Snowcat?

Hasbro: Nothing we can annouce yet..but it is possible in the future.

[Rockshield]

from cooltoyreview.com

http://www.cooltoyreview.com/story/fron ... 119067.asp

Cool Toy Review: Your recent battle packs have been awesome. Any chance of seeing battle backs consisting of Joe & Cobra Female Troopers as seen in the episode "Sirens of the Conch?" Now these would be two seperate battle packs like the Green shirts.

Hasbro: Thanks for the suggestion. We do not have a plan for female troopers right now.


Cool Toy Review: Could we get a nifty checklist/handbook in .pdf format similar to what the Star Wars collectors have? It would really help collectors to track down all the various exclusives if they knew the estimated release dates and which retailers had which exclusive. On a related note, could we get a list of all the official, intentional variants from waves one through present on the single carded line? This would help collectors to distinguish between errors vs. variants when trying to complete their collection.

Hasbro: Great feedback, we will look at this for the G.I. Joe line.


Cool Toy Review: Is there somehow a way that you could showcase all of the art so far for the new line? This includes all of the vehicle drivers and special battle packs, DVD packs and comic packs. Your website has the art for up to wave 2 but none after that. Part of what makes GI Joe so cool is the awesome artwork depicted on the filecards.

Hasbro: Thanks for the suggestion, we will look into this.


Cool Toy Review: Before the line goes on break for the movie figures, will we be getting a Zarana figure to round out the most important players of Zartan's group?

Hasbro: Sorry to report that Zarana will not make it into the line before the movie.


Cool Toy Review: Will you be providing replacement web gear for those of us customers whose Dusty figures (from the Arise Serpentor Arise! DVD Pack) did not include this item.

Hasbro: This was a production error coming out of the factory in China. All of the figures have now been produced, but any future figures will be corrected.

[Rockshield]

from figures.com

http://www.figures.com/databases/action ... e=687&nl=1

1. With the apparent success of the G.I.Joe vehicle assortments, can Joe fans expect to see larger classic vehicles coming into the line before the transition into movie based products?

Similar to 2008, you may see some large vehicles as exclusives, but most will be "normal" size. With the movie line anything is possible.

2. The recent press release of 5-figure boxed sets was exciting news indeed, especially with a retooled Cobra Viper featuring new arms. But, this iconic and essential troop builder is trapped in a 5-pack; is there the possibility of seeing our favorite front-line trooper on a single card?

Feedback from fans has been that they have gotten enough Vipers. Other than Hall of Heroes we will not be single carding the Viper again before movie.

3. When can we expect to see G.I.Joe: Resolute product and web-based cartoon episodes? We're going batty over here for the newest Joes after seeing some leaks from overseas!

You will start to see some Resolute figures in early 2009. Timing for the episodes is still being finalized.

4. Inside every vehicle box recently, we've seen artwork depicting the USS Flagg, Cobra Island and so much more - who is responsible for such creative diorama packaging and are these merely eye-candy or alluding to something more? (Like what, we're not sure but the art sparks our imaginations!)

The artwork is meant to pay homage to the 80's and the incredible line and story line. These are not subtle clues as neither Cobra Island nor the USS Flagg are coming out in the foreseeable future.

5. According to a release from the Official G.I.Joe Collectors Club, we can expect to see the FLAK cannon in the coming months. That brings us the VAMP, JUMP Jet Pack, FLAK, RAM, MOBAT this year - can we expect to see the MMS (Missile system) and HAL (Heavy Artillery Laser) to finish our neo-1982 vehicle assortment?

[Rockshield]

from joereloaded.com

http://www.joereloaded.com/forum/viewto ... =36&t=2173

1. With the inclusion of M.A.S.K. into the toyline, are there any plans to bring elements of M.A.S.K. into the comic universe?

Matt Trakker was planned as a one time tribute figure.

2. Will there be movie comic packs?

We are still working on the movie plans and do not have an answer for this yet.

3. How many new comic packs can we expect in 2009?

We are still finalizing the plans on how many new comic packs will come out before the movie.

4. What has the GI Joe brand team thought of the reaction to IDW's GI Joe #0?

The reaction the GI Joe team has seen to IDW has been very positive.

5. Is there any update on getting the GI Joe comics published to this point onto a DVD-ROM/CD-ROM?

There is no update on this, it is still on our list of long term projects.

[Rockshield]

from hisstank.com

http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-g ... swers.html

Q. Is the 12" figure line returning for the movie line, and if so, will it have classic characters and utilize the super articulated body? This body was used on the Indiana Jones movie figures(german soldier and Cairo swordsman).

A. Yes, there will be a 12'' expression (not classic) for the movie figures. The body type is still being finalized.

Q. The Cobra B.A.T.s are huge sellers. Why haven't you done a five pack of this awesome figure? It was mentioned awhile back that the Battle Damaged B.A.T. (from Toy Fair '08) will get released, when?

A. We have heard this feedback from the fans and are looking into this. We are not ready to announce the plans for the Battle Damaged B.A.T.

Q. Since you're including Matt Tracker a M.A.S.K. figure into the Joe line We were wondering if we might ever see more characters from M.A.S.K. or other cross over figures from say the Transformers Movie or other Hasbro brands.

A. Matt Trakker was a one time item and there are no plans for other MASK figures. No crossovers are planned right now as we want to concentrate on developing the G.I. Joe storyline and characters in 2009.

Q. Will we ever see the figures from Battle packs and Comic 2 Packs: Tele-Viper, Dusty, Quick Kick, Alpine, Grunt, Cutter, Star Duster, Iron Grenadier, Leatherneck, Main Frame, Scrap Iron Ect...... on a single card? If so which ones?

A. There are no plans right now to release these figures on single cards.

Q. It almost seems like everybody on the Tank wants the rest of the Dreadnoks, Monkeywrench, Zarana, Zandar, Thrasher, Zanzibar and Roadpig? Can we expect to see any of these figures before the movie?

A. The Hasbro team are also huge fans of the Dreadnoks, but need to use them sparingly over time. No plans to release any other Dreadnoks before the movie.

[Rockshield]

from joecanuck.com

http://www.joecanuck.com/joe/board/inde ... pic=2984.0

Joecanuck Question #1) Nearly a year ago, we (Canada) was told that HTS would start shipping to Canada. Transformers, Star Wars, GI Joe collectors and others have all been waiting for HTS to finally start this. Are there any updates as to when we can expect this to happen?

HASBRO Answers: We will follow up with HTS on this. Thanks for the patience and as always, the enthusiasm.


Joecanuck Question #2) Will the G.I.JOE resolute cartoon be picked up by a Canadian station such as YTV or Tele-Toon?

HASBRO Answers: We do not yet know if Resolute will air in Canada.



Joecanuck Question #3) There have been some major omissions in the re-releases. Are any of the following carded figures anticipated? Quick Kick , Dr. Mindbender, Zandar, Zarana, Recondo

HASBRO Answers: None of the mentioned figures will be single carded, but some of these we are working on for 2009 and beyond.



Joecanuck Question #4) Has (or will) any Canadian retailer picked up the Ultimate Battle Pack Target exclusive?

HASBRO Answers: To our knowledge, this has not been picked up in Canada.



Joecanuck Question #5) Can you provide any updates on a full release of the original Sunbow cartoon on DVD?

HASBRO Answers: We are looking into options for this.

[Rockshield]

from the terrordrome.com

http://www.theterrordrome.com/forums/vi ... ?f=2&t=521

Q1 — An easy way for Hasbro to maximize profits and give the collectors something special would be an "Original 13" multi-pack, like the 15th anniversary set. What are the chances of this using the current sculpts?

We have discussed this option and it is being considered for a set in the future….but there are no plans for it right now.

Q2 — With so many fans obviously clamoring for the remaining Drednoks — why is Zarana And Zandar not being considered for a Comic Pack release or release in general? As there seems to be a large enough demand for these two characters.

Zarana and Zandar will not come out in 2008/2009, but we have heard the fan request for them and will look into them in the future.

Q3 — We now have two Cobra Extreme Conditions packs, when can we expect to have a G.I. Joe Extreme Conditions packs?

Based on the success of the EC packs, we are looking at adding more sets in the future. No plans are finalized.

Q4 — Any plans to release more international figures (e.g. Oktober Guard and/or Big Ben)? A 5-pack or something like that would be great.

As we get closer to movie we want to make sure we are offering figures that invite 80's fans back into the franchise, so we will not be focusing on 80's international figures.

Q5 — In the last round of Q&A you said "no major playsets" until after the movie. You have also said you are planning to make G.I. Joe bigger than it was in the 80's (hopefully). So from these statements could we assume IF the movie and resolute do well, could we see things like the Flagg, Terror Drome and '83 HQ? Or are we talking about things the size of the Tomahawk, the Tactical Battle Platform and the Killer WHALE? How large are you implying with "major"? If you do not have these specific products in development now would you explore toys of this size based on these statements and the success of the planned media?

[Dragongravy]

wow a fat load of nothing.......no big reveals, nothing about anything new, just really really vague answers.


on the flip side i have to admit there was a lot duplications in questions. how times has it been asked already about 3 3/4 adventure team, and whether we will get more mask? frankly i think 3 3/4 adventure team would look like those cheap tonka toys.

[gogorobo]

these Hasbro Q and A's are such a waste of time,they rarely answer your question with a straight answer that isn't "we have no plans right now" or "we'll take it back to the team"