Since the Movie got pushed back and there is no new Joe merchandise set to fill in the 9 month gap, I got to thinking about ways hasbro could relaunch the Joe franchise after the movie has come and gone. Here's the best idea I came up with:

"G.I.Joe: The Adventure Team"

This could be a small, separately branded line that would sell alongside the inevitable return of more traditional Joes after the movie stuff is clearanced out. It would focus more on high adventure and less on outright combat, think "Indiana Jones" but with a modern setting. Keep the line focused, small, managable and affordable. Also, get a cartoon on the air in time for the toyline's launch for added punch!

Basic Figures (MSRP $8.99)

Wave 1 Heroes

Joe Colton (Adventure Team Commander)- Renegades Duke body, new older looking head, new thigh holster to cover the groove where the Renegades pistol plugged in, current Joe sidearm, hunting rifle from Resolute Scarlett, Resolute Snake Eyes harness, 25A Gung-Ho/Duke backpack. Deco would be olive drab pants, white shirt w/ red and black AT logo on left breast, "leather" boots/straps/holster and backpack.

Jane Colton (Medic)- later 25A Lady Jaye body, new mature yet still pretty looking head, dvd Dusty straps, 25A Doc satchel and flare gun, POC Lifeline injector, Resolute Cobra Trooper backpack, 25a Lady Jaye belt + pistol. Deco would be tan uniform (think JoeCon Daina but without the camo) w/ red and black AT logo on left arm, "leather" boots/harness/belt/satchel/backpack.

Joe Colton Jr. (Tech Specialist)- ROC General Hawk body for smaller (younger) frame, new head, ROC General Hawk shoulder holster w/ 25A Doc flaregun, ROC laptop w/ AT logo on lid, 25A Falcon backpack w/radio + knife, Renegades Order for pet sidekick. Deco would be white shirt w/ red + black AT logo on left breast (like dad), tan pants (like mom), "leather" boots/belt/holster/backpack. order painted like Siberian Husky w/olive drab gear.

Recondo (Jungle Adventurer)- straight up reissue of "Cobra Island" figure but would have some new deco including AT logo on left sleeve. Replace machine gun with hunting rifle from Resolute Scarlett.

Spirit Iron Knife (Forest Adventurer)- straight up reissue of TRU POC Spirit minus the tac vest and assault rifle but in more realistic colors and w/ AT logo on left arm wrap. Add in his 25A belt and ROC MARS Officer knife.

Shipwreck (Sea Adventurer)- unreleased Concept Case "Navy" shirt Shipwreck but minus the assault rifle (replaced by Resolute Scarlett hunting rifle). Deco would be what was seen in the case, but w/AT logo on left sleeve.

Wave 1 Villians (need a cool team name, something like "Ravagers" or "Despoilers"

Major Bludd (Leader)- Safari look combining 25A Viper torso and upper arms, 25A Disguise Flint lower arms and ROC Destro legs for the flared thighs, new mean looking helmetless head. POC Jungle Duke webgear and machete, AK47 from 25A Stinger (to match the clips on the front of the webgear), POC Firefly backpack w/bombs, 25A dog tag necklace, new pith helmet. Deco would be classic safari - cream, white or light gray uniform w/matching pith, black boots/gloves webgear, cool purple and black villian team logo either on left sleeve or front of helmet.

Kwinn (Mercenary)- straight up release of the fantastic Kwinn Hasbro has already created.

Doctor Mindbender (Mad Scientist)- ROC CC legs/feet/arms/jacket, 25A Viper torso, "Cobra Island Mindbender head. Deco would be black pants, gloss black shoes and gloves, white "labcoat", purple shirt. Accessories would be VvV Laptop w/test tubes (test tubes cast in clear green), dvd Radioactive SE container in solid silver, ROC Doctor/POC Hazard-Viper case in silver w/ cannisters cast in clear green w/silver handle caps), ROC Destro "flamethrower" repurposed as an injector cast in clear green painted silver but leaving the tank in the front clear, Resolute CC pistol in silver.

Shadow Tracker (Hunter Of Men!)- straight up reissue of POC Shadow Tracker but with the lime green replaced with olive drab, purple villian logo replaces Cobra tat on left arm, loose the weird spear and replace with POC Rock-Viper's spear.

Gnawgahyde (Evil Poacher!)- straight up reissue of the 7pk figure but w/purple villian logo somewhere on uniform or hat. Add in the foot traps from POC Recondo.

Croc Master (Lord Of Reptiles!)- straight up reissue of the POC version's accessory load out but with darker greens on his costume. I know people are sick of this figure, but it works in the context of the line.


Wave 2

Heroes
The adult Coltons would be carry-forwards with 4 new environmental-specific heroes added.

Snow Job (Arctic Adventurer) - straight reissue of POC Snow Job w/all accessories, but w/ AT logo on left jacket breast.

Torpedo (Undersea Adventurer)- unreleased Concept Case Arctic Diver Ripcord/Retaliation Cobra Eel in Wetsuit v1's signature colors and AT logo on center of chest. Toss in unmasked head (possibly 25A Airborne?).

Dusty (Desert Adventurer)- POC head, ROC Desert Duke body, 25A Disguise Flint arms. Deco would be tan (no camo), AT logo on left sleeve, "leather" boots/gloves. 25A Gung-Ho/Duke backpack in "leather", hunting rifle from Resolute Scarlett, basic Joe sidearm pistol.

Wild Bill (Air Adventurer)- ROC Wild Bill (including vest/hat/helmet in black) in tan w/black gloves/boots/belt. 2 25A Wild Bill revolvers in silver, 25A OG13 knife.

Villians

Bludd, Kwinn, Mindbender and Shadow Tracker would be carry forwards with 2 new villians added.

Raptor (Master Of Birds!)- POC Zartan from the neck down, new head. POC Zartan's bird/blinder/staff/belt blades in new deco, new bird headed/feathered cowl, DTC Spirit's eagle in brown deco, ROC Polly in yellow/red deco.

Crystal Ball (Psychic Menace!)- ROC CC legs, non Gung-Ho shirtless torso, POC Jungle Duke arms, new head, new vest piece mimicing the original shirt. Resolute CC pistol, 25A Sgt. Slaughter swagger stick (black w/gold tip), new hypnoshield (either lenticular of holographic).



Mission Packs (carded accessory sets MSRP $5.99)

"To Soar With Eagles!"- "The Evil Paochers are trying to capture American Bald Eagles and it's up to the Adventure Team to stop them!". 2 25A JUMP packs in yellow w/ AT logos, 2 dvd Duke chest rigs in silver, 2 POC Shocktrooper helmets in silver, 2 POC Dusty goggles in black, DTC Spirit's eagle, Shadow Tracker's net in black.

"To The Highest Peak!"- "The Adventure Team seeks to reach the highest mountain peak on Earth before their adversaries!". 2 each except for flag- ROC Arctic SE/POC Rock-Viper backpack w/string/hooks, ROC Arctic SE pickaxe, pair modernized Blizzard v1 ice shoes in silver to be climbing gear, VvV Alpine rope coil, 25A Doc flare guns, dvd Duke flagpole w/AT logo flag.

"The Lost City Of Gold!"- "The Evil Poachers are searching for the lost City Of Gold! Can The Adventure Team get there first?" 25A Buzzer Chainsaws (2), ROC Helix machetes (4), ROC Charbroil hatchets (2), 25A VAMP shovels (2), dvd Creeper Vines, 25A Polly w/open wings in red w/lime green and yellow highlights, POC Spirit snakes (4), dvd Montezuma's Skeleton, "Indiana Jones" line Temple Carving relic in gold.

"Viral Emergency!"- "Doctor Mindbender has unleashed a deadly virus in a tropical village! Can The Adventure Team find a cure before it's too late?"- reissue of all of POC Lifeline's medical gear and stretcher (med case and stretcher in yellow w/AT logos), rerelease of Mindbender's clear accessories.

"Shifting Sands Of Doom!"- "Major Bludd wants to plunder the Pyramid Of Lost Souls! Can Dusty stop the fiend?" 25A VAMP shovels (2), "Indiana Jones" line Anubis Statue/Eye Of Horus/Ankh (2)/Staff Of Ra Headpiece relics (all in gold), POC Spirit snakes (4) in brown, ROC CC cobras (2), "Indiana Jones" line Eye Of The Peacock diamond in clear, "Indiana Jones" line whips (1 coiled and 1 uncoiled), "Indiana Jones" line Sallah torches (4).

"Skydive Insertion!"- "The Adventure Team often needs to get into areas where planes cannot land so they rely on their trusty Adventure team parachute rigs to get them on the ground safely!" Retaliation Cobra trooper parachute gear in black w/yellow parachute w/large AT logo in center, Retaliation Mouse para helmet in black, 25A VAMP shovel, 25A Doc flare gun, 25A OG13 knife.

Basic Vehicles (MSRP $12.99)
No Drivers to keep costs down

Adventure Hawk- 25A Skyhawk in yellow w/large AT logos on rear stabilizers. Red missiles, also comes w/2 Renegades Ripcord backpacks in yellow and 2 Retaliation Mouse para helmets in black for figures riding on skis.

Dolphin- Retaliation Night Landing Raft in yellow w/ AT logos on sides. Replace front gun w/ searchlight. Also comes with tons of adventure gear (shovels/hatchets/knives/hunting rifles/pistols/flare guns/etc.) that stores in yellow AT logo'd locker (also from Retaliation raft) to make up for small size.

Poacher Buggy (need cool name)- Retaliation A.W.E. Striker in black w/ purple villian logo on hood.


Deluxe Vehicle (MSRP $17.99)

Adventure Team Cruiser - Retaliation VAMP II in Yellow w/AT logo on hood. Replace missile launcher w/spotlight (maybe same tooling as one from Dolphin to save costs). Include cool accessories like gascans, and an AT locker (same as Dolphin) for gear.


Store Exclusive 2pks (MSRP $12.99)

Joe and Jane Colton: Undersea Adventurers (Target)- Joe- 25A Torpedo body in yellow w/AT logo in center of chest, Joe Colton head from single pack figure, 25A Torpedo dive gear (facemask/hose/backpack w/removable tanks/flippers) in red, 25A Torpedo speargun in black. Jane- 25a dvd diver Baroness body, Jane head from single pack figure, 25a Torpedo dive gear (facemask/hose/backpack w/removable tanks) in red, 25a Torpedo speargun in black, 2 25A Wetsuit flashlights and hydrosleds in black, "Indiana Jones" line small False Grail accessory (from Elsa) in gold.

Joe Colton Vs. Major Bludd: Arctic Showdown! (Toys R us)- Joe- ROC Arctic SE body + hood in plain white w/AT logo on left sleeve, Joe head from single pack figure, POC Recondo wrapped rifle, POV Jungle Duke backpack (in white), 25A Snow Serpent snow shoes (pair). Bludd (light gray deco w/black straps/etc. and purple logo on left sleeve)- ROC IceViper body + legs, POC Hazard-Viper arms, unreleased ROC Arctic Duke jacket, Bludd head from single pack, ROC Arctic SE hood, POC Firefly backpack w/bombs, ROC Ice-Viper wrapped rifle, 25A Snow Serpent snow shoes (pair).

Martial Arts Training! (Walmart)- Joe Colton- Renegades SS body, Joe head from single pack figure, most of Renegades SS's accessory pack out. White gi w/AT logo on left breast and black belt. Jane Colton- SDCC white Jinx body (no dragon on leg or red accents) w/AT logo on left breast and black belt, Jane head from single pack figure, both sets of SDCC Jinx accessories.


As you can see, I thought long and hard about this, even going so far as to utilize almost completely previously available tooling except for where no appropriate tooling exists. I would love to see hasbro try something like this as a way to breathe some new life into the Joe brand and maybe bring in another generation of fans.

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You've put a lot of thought into this. Very cool concept, kind of a side story to the regular Joe line. I like your ideas, i'd probably get the whole except Crystal Ball. That guy just sucks. Or I'd get him just for the complete set, and he'd always die in the first second of the story.
All around a great idea though. This would be cool for some of those parents that won't buy their kids war toys. It's Indiana Jones, only with bad guys who aren't Nazis.

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I'm in! I had some of the AT figs and vehicles way back in the early 70's and would love to see a line or sub-line like this in 3-3/4.

Instead of a more or less straight reissue of Croc Master...

I'd want to see a version based on the Valor vs Venom version.

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Hey Spectre, how many bricks would you _______ if Hasbro's rep that trolls these boards showed this to the higher ups and they went for it? Wonder if you could sue for royalties or something....

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You are almost there with what Kirk Bozigian was saying on the last Flag Point podcast he was on. That's one of the things he feels is it needs to progress to regain the popularity. I don't think a full new cast of characters right away is necessary, bit something like you are outlining would probably work.if Hasbro would get their marketing in gear and really do a full marketing onslaught, this could easily be at the front of launch. Maybe once the movie is out of the way we'll see something.

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This is a fun idea, and sort of how I think of my POC figures already. This would make a fun group project, at any rate.

And your Mindbender is very reminiscent of Renegades Mindbender. Which is good.

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Sign me up!
Great line up.
Joe Colton's pants could be khaki instead of drab as a reminder of the Adventurer figure that came between the military GI Joe and the AT lines.
Funny thing is, I put a Obi Wan Kenobi head on Renegades Duke body and added a Steel Brigade vest to make my LBC Joe Colton.

I'd make a Secret Mission to Spy Island set using Snake Eyes' sweater, naked hands, Renegades Duke legs and RoC Shipwreck's head.
Add your Dolphin set in black with an AT logo and voilà.

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I am glad you guys are excited by this idea I had.

Redmao- I drew up that same idea as well, but I only wrote out the first year of product offerings. I actually drew up plans for the second year of offerings and a mail-away but thought what I had written was enough to start with. If everyone wants to see year 2,LMK and I'll write it up tonight

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Year 2! Year 2! Year 2!

Love these ideas, keep 'em coming!

OB

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Bring it on!

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The only thing that pains me about these discussions is that we generally come up with stuff that's cooler or more imaginative than Big H, and it makes me sad when I'm on Target's aisles staring at actual product.

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This is a great idea. It has a real organic feel to it with just a hint of fantastical.

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This is awesome. I love the inclusion of Joe characters, plus the detail in which this has been thought out in is amazing.

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Yeah, gotta admit, if Hasbro went with your ideas, maybe with a few new toolings...I would be so on board. Sounds like a really fun idea and would breathe new life into the franchise. Really well thought out.

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