With G.I. Joe's 50th Anniversary on the horizon, and Retaliation toys concluded as far as I can tell, I'm wondering where you would go with G.I. Joe if it were entirely up to you, and you were assured of retailer cooperation? Here's a few options I've thought of.

Bring Back the Real American Hero format. I don't know how workable this would really be, but I'd certainly be in favor of it. I'd emphasize new characters, however, while mixing in new versions of a few longtime favorites. But it would still be Joe vs. Cobra.

Something Entirely New. All-new characters, a whole new concept, figure format of your choice. Personally, I wouldn't be in favor of this. I think Joe vs. Cobra is definitelty entrenched in the public mindset, certainly among fans. Changing everything around didn't work too well for G.I. Joe Extreme. I don't think it would work well now.

Stay the Course. Come up with the next modern-style figure series, something beyond Retaliation and maybe not even related to it, but still within the Joe vs. Cobra format. My reaction to this -- sure, why not? But I'd like to see more new characters and Cobra trooper divisions introduced.

A 6" Black Series/Legends Line. I would be definitely in favor of this. I know there's a lot of collectors on here that -- if it's not 4", you're not interested, but I've been hugely impressed with the Star Wars 6" Black Series, and I'd love to see Duke, Snake-Eyes, Storm Shadow, Destro, and the rest get the same highly-detailed, highly-articulated treatment.

So, what are your thoughts? Never mind what any of us think "is or isn't" going to happen for G.I. Joe's 50th. What would you do if you were in charge?

This.

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=34765

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Adventure Team is one route. Keep the current format of the figures but give them adventures rather than battles. Update some of the original adventures but also make some modern mini stories for them to go on. Modern equipment. Soooooo many possibilities. It has history behind it and makes sense in the current marketplace.

The other way to go is Future Wars. Look at most of the non-Super Hero block busters coming out. There is a lot of sci-fi with mechs lasers and holograms out now and coming soon. There is interest in that sort of story. I'm just not sure how you fit GI Joe in there without ending up with unsold mechs and "too sci fi" figures peg warming on shelves.

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Three options

1) Adventure Team - This is one line I think (if done right) I could fully support. I think it could have a cartoon and be successful with kids.

2) Legends of the Arashikage - Probably wouldn't buy these, but I could see this successfully being pushed commercially especially with cartoon support.

3) Neo-classical - Imagine the way the MOTU Line has been produced. Classic style and design with updated articulation. This would be my number 1 choice, but don't see it being something that would breath new life into the brand.

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#3 is probably what most people want, but it's the exact opposite of breathing new life into the line.

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I would like to see #1 or #3 and be completely happy with either. Maybe after the third movie one of those will actually happen.

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Whatever they'd do beyond one-off exclusives as bones to fans (which, for the record, i believe we'll be lucky if we see outside of the Club) would absolutely have to have a media tie-in if it stands a chance of revitalizing the brand for a new generation. And that means the modern warrior theme is off the table in any reasonably market-aware conversation. The fact is, regardless of how we feel about it, the average American is tired of hearing about war and terrorism. Most parents will not let their kids watch shows about it, and many stores won't stock product with that theme at all.

That leaves the Adventure Team (which could be set in the past, present or future), ninjas or some very futuristic conflict as the only really commercially viable options.

Of the three, I'd really like to see what they could do with a modernized Adventure Team.

In terms of figure format, I'd love to see the last-wave of retaliation-style and proportions carried forward, but the mainstream industry really seems to be trending toward reduced articulation. And for the Adventure Team I could totally see them going smaller scale so they could offer playsets at a "reasonable" price point (think Imaginext).

Personally, I think however the Club celebrates is going to dictate how the 50th goes. But I'd welcome the surprise if I was mistaken.

The Adventure Team seems the logical option.
Ideally, I'd keep the current style and size of figures or I'd go slightly smaller, perhaps the size of Playmobil, to widen the playset and vehicle possibilities without rising the costs too much. Of course, I'd keep the current level of articulation, because after all, GI Joe is supposed to be a moveable fighting man.

Screw the movies, I'd put the money on a weekly cartoon. The brand needs a constant presence.

Under the Adventure Team banner, I'd create sub lines like Space Explorators, Treasure Seekers, Underwater Adventures, etc. Variations of the core characters would be available throughout the sub lines. Each sub line could also have a unique specialist character like the astronaut for the space line.
Each figure, playset and vehicle would come with a mission card to stimulate the imagination.

I'd bring back the mysterious Black dragon organization, a ring of spies and various criminals who try to get lost treasures and secret documents to finance their activities...

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They should go back to basics, the "Club" is basically offering that at absurd prices, why not sell to retail chains ???

I'd like and would love to see a Cobra Headquarters already !!!

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First and foremost bring back the ARAH o-ring format with new sculpts.

If it was adventure team I wouldn't be buying anything.
I just want something like the vault joes and only 20 figures released for the complete year

The Adventure Team.

Two editions of the line:
CLASSIC

Used to kick off the 50th anniversary, featurng reproduced Adventure Team figures and an assortment of sets voted on by collectors.

-and-
CONTEMPORARY

The Contemporary line would consist of the Adventure Team today, done in the 3 3/4 inch format, featuring one commander and a half a dozen to a dozen members in each designation (Land Adventurers, Men of Action, etc.) Assorted vehicles and playsets. Let's not forget those pesky villians, a nameless organization against everything GI Joe. Stories would be illustrated in special comics included in some of the sets, a-la original Adventure Team run. Each figure would come on a blister with a docier.

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Every problem I have with Joe the past decade or more ultimately goes back to Wal-Mart's insistence that it be a Pokemon-type toyline. Cut them out of the picture somehow and keep everything else pretty much the same, and I'm happy. Keeping the guy that sculpted up the latest CC, SE, and SS figs on-staff is vital, tho.

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screw backs and o-rings

'MERICA
i'd like to see a story line where cobra is the "new world order" and joes go underground to fight in a revolution. tie in the huge prepper/survival market. sell knives and parachord bracelets. push the RED WHITE and BLUE back into the brand, and parents that are patriots will buy them.

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The early Marvel run, the Sunbow cartoons, and the early waves ('82-'85) had a great magic that's never really been duplicated. As much as I'd like to see Hawk and Snake-Eyes and Cobra get processed in new yet unexciting ways again and again... maybe those of you with the Adventure Team concept have the right idea.

For today's kids I'd take everything from the '82 era and put in storage. Until then, go the Adventure Team route and let today's generation have their own set of characters and storylines.

For us, grown men in our late 30's and early 40's still enjoying our childhoods, develop a high quality television show geared towards adults. Like Game of Thrones or Dexter. Bring Larry Hama in and put him in charge of it.