JoeDeclassified.com

My name is Justin, I've been around the G.I. Joe brand since it shrunk down to 3 3/4" over twenty-five years ago and have never looked back since.

Unlike many of the folks behind the DeClassified project, I don't have a truly unique collection of unproduced items, paperwork, or intricacies like that...my stuff is all about the retail releases. I have some foreign stuff mixed in, some unproduced things here and there, but for the most part it's a straight forward domestic release collection of figures that I love...which happens to be most of them.

I'm not a 3 3/4" fan. I'm not a 4" fan, or an 80's fan. I'm not even a vintage fan, a "Modern Era" fan, or a 12" fan. I'm a G.I. Joe fan.

To me, the toys and the universe aren't about size, scale, style, or format...to me, there is a certain spirit or energy to the G.I. Joe brand, and as long as a toyline captures that very specific essence, it's got my attention. It often boggles folks' minds that I can talk up the virtues of The Rise of Cobra or Sigma 6 while at the same time lamenting the backwards steps the brand took during the infancy of the 25th Anniversary, but I'm a fan of looking forward. I like to see the brand reinvent itself, bring new concepts to the table and write the book, not just look back at the old book and copy the pages. If they're going to change the articulation, change it for the better. If they're going to change the style, improve it. I don't particularly care if Cobra Commander v. 57 has the same chrome faceplate and blue helmet as v. 1 did, as long as it's a cool looking figure that carries the "Cobra" torch in a respectful and sensible way.

If anyone wants to know what I feel are critical concepts in a successful G.I. Joe launch, just simply look in your local Wal-Mart, Target, or Toys "R" Us in the coming months. To me, the Pursuit of Cobra is exactly what I want in a G.I. Joe line. The core characters re-invented in new and interesting ways, merging real world military with somewhat futuristic fantasy and science fiction technology. I don't know why it seems so difficult, but whatever the G.I. Joe design team is doing now, they're doing it right (in my opinion).

And I may be in the minority, but I'm also greatly looking forward to what Renegades brings to the table in the form of a rejuvinated origin, reconceived designs, and a whole new look at the Real American Hero mythos. I strongly believe the creators are taking the brand concepts very seriously, and I think a lot of fans are going to love what they see.

But I'm digressing. I do that a lot.

JoeDeclassified is a great resource, and I really look forward to seeing where you guys take the newsletter and the website. While my collection is absent a lot of the high end rarities and stuff like that, I remain exceptionally interested in that sort of stuff, as the history and process of toy manufacturing is endlessly fascinating. I foresee great things.

I'm psyched to be a part of the forum, and look forward to Joe Declassified's future offerings!

Justin

The man's too modest. Everyone should make Justin's site, General's Joes, a daily read for G.I. Joe news and entertainment. It's the best source of G.I. Joe news on the Internet.

this ^

Probably the most rational and level-headed GIJoe fan I know. He finds ways to love stuff the rest of us hate, then we start to love it to. You are unique, Justin. That is certain.

I disagree. I still hate the day-glo orange of the Mega-Marines.

I think I take that as a compliment.



You're on "the list".

I wouldn't worry Mike. Studies have shown that Justin rarely travels west of the Adirondacks.

He's in what? Newfoundland?

Oh SNAP.