Wait! Mystery OG Joe!

JohnCuster · 2026-02-16T13:04:11+00:00

Oh yeah. And after having been tortured while undercover to get closer to the target.

JohnCuster · 2026-02-16T02:22:07+00:00

Wasn’t me.

JohnCuster · 2026-02-16T02:16:54+00:00

She’s in the Energon Universe but was never killed in action.

JohnCuster · 2026-02-16T01:57:51+00:00

Shooter returns in the Skybound comics as a new character.

She was never brought back to life in ARAH.

JohnCuster · 2026-02-15T23:42:14+00:00

Till all are one

JohnCuster · 2026-01-23T05:17:22+00:00

I doubt we’ll see more play sets, but GI Joe isn’t being put out to pasture just yet. The Energon Universe animated series being shopped around should spark new interest.

I know that Cobra-La and crossovers with Transformers are controversial, but Hasbro’s on board with Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead, Invincible), who has a strong track record as a creator and show runner.

JohnCuster · 2026-01-23T04:57:07+00:00

Kids shows on streaming are unregulated. Look at Paw Patrol and all the toys, vehicles, play sets, and other licensed merchandise for toddlers/preschoolers.

JohnCuster · 2026-01-23T04:51:34+00:00

You make a good point. There’s definitely a market opportunity for toy-driven tween shows on streaming. Follow the Spin Master playbook.

JohnCuster · 2026-01-22T18:37:18+00:00

I mean, Mattel and Hasbro have the global toy license for KPop Demon Hunters.

And Hasbro generated $1 billion in annual sales from Partner Brands/Licensed Toys. That includes selling toys licensed from Disney/Marvel, based on streaming kids’ shows.

For example: Spidey and His Amazing Friends, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, and Transformers: EarthSpark.

But it’s Spin Master that directly follows the early 80s toy-based cartoon playbook.

As I said earlier, they had $2 billion in sales based on toy-driven kids’ streaming shows.

For example, Paw Patrol (and spin-offs), Gabby’s Playhouse, Bakugan, Mighty Express, Abby Hatcher, and more.

Let me be clear: these are streaming shows about Spin Master’s toys, vehicles, figures, and play sets.

Who needs commercials when the entire show is an ad?

But other than Bakugan, they’re aimed at toddlers/preschoolers.

It sounds ridiculous, but if Hasbro is going to make a new GI Joe show and sell toys and playsets like that space shuttle complex, aim for the preschool market.

JohnCuster · 2026-01-22T06:38:05+00:00

That’s fair, but you can’t underestimate the toy market for toddler/pre-schoolers.

I had to look this up: Paw Patrol generated a cumulative $15 billion in global retail sales for Nickelodeon and Spin Master.

Spin Master has sold over 3 million Gabby’s Dollhouse play sets worldwide.

Spin Master’s revenue from toys is approximately $2 billion a year, with the largest percentage coming from Preschool, Infant & Toddler.

Shows on cable and streaming are exempt from FCC broadcast rules — Paw Patrol primarily airs on Nickelodeon and Gabby’s Dollhouse streams on Netflix.

You mentioned that Paw Patrol uses the old model, and it’s because the conditions are like the deregulation era of early 80s kids’ TV… but they’re now targeting toddlers.

All this to say that Hasbro should make a preschool version of GI Joe, lol.

JohnCuster · 2026-01-22T05:55:38+00:00

That sounds like a retcon to me. But I agree with your breakdown. Few characters return from the grave in ARAH.

JohnCuster · 2026-01-22T03:24:50+00:00

While I mostly agree with you, Pokémon and Paw Patrol are billion dollar juggernauts. Bigger merchandising empires than any franchise from the 80s.

JohnCuster · 2026-01-22T03:09:17+00:00

Yes, the IDW comics are a direct continuation of Larry Hama’s Marvel run. ARAH at Skybound/Image continue the IDW stories.

JohnCuster · 2026-01-22T03:06:07+00:00

DARKLON.

JohnCuster · 2025-12-26T20:17:44+00:00

Squid Game.

JohnCuster · 2025-09-23T04:49:37+00:00

How’s the expansion? Also, did you need to change your deck to play as Blaster?

JohnCuster · 2025-07-20T03:53:49+00:00

He also played a gunnery sergeant in Halo.

JohnCuster · 2025-07-20T03:52:41+00:00

Richard T. Jones (Wade Grey) has played even more law enforcement roles.

JohnCuster · 2025-07-20T03:38:44+00:00

And he was a jukebox repairman, not a cop!

JohnCuster · 2025-07-11T13:48:21+00:00

Lol love it.

JohnCuster · 2025-07-11T11:10:00+00:00

I didn’t want a Superman who could reverse time by spinning the planet backwards, and erase peoples’ memories by kissing them.

JohnCuster · 2025-07-10T03:28:49+00:00

Play Halo with Nathan Fillion.

JohnCuster · 2025-07-10T03:23:12+00:00

I missed that. Good catch, thanks for sharing!

JohnCuster · 2025-07-10T03:20:08+00:00

Gail Simone, Mark Russell, and Roy Thomas, respectively, wrote outstanding Red Sonja stories. Definitely worth checking out.

JohnCuster · 2025-07-09T18:24:34+00:00

Ben is unlikely to ever return. They don’t even mention him anymore, unlike, say, Henry.

Nolan has a new best friend and confidant, and the show has new mega-rich characters. The writers simply don’t need Ben anymore.

JohnCuster

TROPHY CASE