Tom Feister to attend JOElanta 2011

Another talented addition to the guest list at JOElanta 2011 is Tom Feister who's worked for DC Direct, Cartoon Network, Marvel Comics and Darkhorse just to name a few. Among the many publications his art has appeared in is Gi Joe, Iron Man and The Avengers comics. www.tomfeister.com

"That's one good looking action figure!" JOElanta report

WOW! That about sums up my experience from this year's JOElanta. More Dealers, more Commanders, more Attendees and more Toys than ever. It was truly a great time. The energy was building as we got closer to the show and pretty much exploded during it!

The festivities kicked off after Commanders patiently waited until 6pm and then after all our sponsors were thanked for their support, JOElanta founder (and Trivia MC ) Buddy Finethy was given an award for his labor of love which has become this great gathering, 12 teams competed in the Who Knows JOE Trivia. After lulling a number of teams into a false sense of security with some easy questions a few zingers made everyone reconsider how easy this was going to be. Do any of you know what the inspiration for Barbie was (And for the record it was NOT Big Jim : )) or the name of the Hippity Hopp originally invented in the UK? At the mid point all the Commanders got to open their Convention Exclusive Uniform and Figure Set with 2 lucky individuals scoring a vintage painted head or a vintage AT fuzzhead! Once the dust settled 3 lucky teams won a variety of Gift Certificates and figures from MARX TOYS www.circlexranch.com

Next the group made their way to the dealers preview room and JOElanta Film Festival. But not before hearing a presentation from Collector DASH www.collector-actionfigures.com about the latest applications to their state of the art website as a resource for collectors (you've really gotta check it out - and it's FREE too!). The Film Festival included past winners such as "Plastic Chef" and "Lara Croft" as well as 19 episodes of Govt. Issue Joesph and the debut of #20 - HILARIOUS! www.youtube.com/GovtIssueJoseph or www.governmentissuejoseph.com and finally one new entry! While the film festival was going on all attendees were able to peruse the Dealer preview tables to begin their buying frenzy. And boy did it continue into a full blown 100 person plus "Lobby Swap" hosted by Mr. EJ White. It was like a mini show! Next came the parachute drop that ended up lasting into the wee hours of the night (12:30 am).

The next day was amazing. Just think 120 tables jam packed with all types of toys, comics, movie posters. And centered in the room was a massive medieval castle sporting stained glass windows and everything! Think "Where Eagles Dare" - Mike Gardner and Steve Bugg really outdid themselves this year! Great door prizes, Custom figures and vehicles with prizes donated by SIDESHOW Collectibles www.sideshowtoy.com , a rather voluptuous Baroness monitoring the floor, a collection of MIB and carded Military era and AT GI Joes on display, other costumed guests and the list goes on and on. Again a truly great time.

On a personal note I would like to say thank you to everyone, both here locally and around the country, who helped make this 10th anniversary show such a huge success. It is truly wonderful to see something like this become a reality because of so many people's hard work. It was also great to see many old friends again and to meet many new ones.

Thank you to our sponsors, thank you to Gregg Sherb for the great exclusive uniform, thank you to all our great dealers, thank you to all the Commanders and their families, thank you to all the 100's of visitors who supported the show. And to those who missed it we sure hope to see you all next year on March 19th & 20th at the same location.

Now about the title to this entry, that devilishly handsome fellow is supposed to be me! Ha Ha! Thanks to Don Coffee and his "Flocking Machine" that he had set up at the show (more to come on that in a future post). The shelf is beginning to get a bit full with JOElanta exclusives - guess I'll have to continue it down to the next shelf for next year's exclusive. Finally the buckboard wagon was just one of many items I was fortunate enough to score during the show.

Stay tuned much more to come. Visit www.joelanta.com for show pictures and next year's show info - coming soon.

JOElanta 2010 right around the corner

Mark your calendars because the show is only 2months away. Saturday night March 27th for all you commanders (visit www.joelanta.com for more info) Joe Trivia hosted by Mr. Buddy Finethy, JOElanta Film festival, Dealers preview room, presentations, Lobby swap meet hosted by Mr. EJ White, parachute drop, show T-shirt/poster and more!

Sunday March 28th is the show 100+ tables jam packed with all types of vintage and newer toys and action figures! Diorama, Iron Joe Competition, Display of every Adventure Team boxed figure - 1st 100 kids get a free toy!

The Marriott Century Center, 2000 Century Center Blvd NE, Atlanta, Ga 30345

The images above are the front of the postcard (if you're on our mailing list look for one of these within the next month) and this years show logo which will be featured on this years T-shirt. See you at the show!

JOElanta 2008 Diorama

Here's just one angle of this amazing 8x12 ghost town diorama titled "Killer Mine at Bloody Canyon" from JOElanta 2008. With a church, general store, sheriffs office and an underground railroad tunnel this piece was really something to look at. Heck we even had a hanging at high noon! Check it out on utube as well as these other diorams from past shows.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFuQIu9qyqo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPHpWbx9Eek
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYHVPtM6S4w

My Action Figure Collection

I remember getting my first Action Man (UK's cousin of GI Joe) back in 1970. Over the next 6 or so years I was enthralled with them and although I never had that many, playing with them certainly helped stimulate my imagination until I discovered MAD magazine which helped further warp my mind.

Over the last 10 years I have rekindled that love of Action figures, specifically Action Man and GI Joe (I have been involved with JOElanta, helped start The Great Atlanta Toy Show and helped out at various National GI Joe Conventions around the country) and more recently Johnny West and Marx Action figures. Strangely enough I had never even seen Johnny West as a child but after seeing so many of these great figures at various shows I was tempted beyond the breaking point to start collecting them.

Here then is my collection which includes various JOElanta exclusives. Check out www.joelanta.com and come to our 10th anniversary show next year on March 27th & 28th. We are in the process of putting together next years exclusive set. Pretty exciting!

Also check out http://www.circlexranch.com/ to see the latest from MARX TOYS, including many great head sculpts.

JOElanta 2009 show MAY 17th

We are getting very excited about the 9th annual JOElanta GI JOE , Action figure and General Toy Show that is rapidly approaching. The buzz is out check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCmZpkBeO7o on utube as well as go directly to www.joelanta.com to find out more info about the show.

Also check out a look back at JOElanta http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYHVPtM6S4w&feature=related

and Jack Wash's Film Festival winner "Plastic Chef" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydwM1HtyOWQ

Saturday night is gonna be great for all those with Commander's packages as there'll be a ton going on. We'll kick things off with registration at 3pm in the lobby of the MARRIOTT Century Center at 2000 Century Center Blvd NE, Atlanta Ga 30345, next we'll have a "Meet and Greet" followed by Trivia. Next is our world famous JOElanta Film Festival, a couple of presentations and then a Dealers preview room!!!! Stay up late to room trade and watch the parachute drop!

Sunday we'll kick the show off at 9am for Commanders and all others at 10am. Remember this is a Family friendly show- 1st 100 kids get a free toy, any Scouts or anyone in uniform will get in for free. Check out the 501st STAR WARS Storm Troopers in full gear! Our Diorama experts Steve Bugg and Mike Gardner will be on hand to unveil their latest creation - a tribute to "War of The Worlds" with a 16" robot! Here's last year's Diorama "Killer Mine at Bloody Canyon" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPHpWbx9Eek The show will have 120 tables packed with all types of toys, the Iron Joe competition (where teams will compete to build a Diorama within one hr), custom figure and vehicle contest hosted by "Tanker", tons of door prizes and fun for everyone.

We are very excited to be working towards our goal of opening "The Cody Lane Toy & Diorama Museum" right here in Atlanta.

Hope to see you all at this years show. Doors open at 10 am Sunday 17th! Bring the family, dig up your old toys and bring them to be appraised by our experts.

'

Man them's "Some Ugly Looking Action Figures!"

For all your Toy and Action figure needs - Come check out the 9th annual JOElanta May 17th in Atlanta. For more details http://www.joelanta.com/ GI Joe, STAR WARS, Johnny West, Dragon, Sideshow, Barbie, Transformers, Mego, Hot Wheels, Comics, Magazines, Horror/Monster, Games, Tin Toys and Pop culture collectibles of all kinds!

Check out last years JOElanta exclusive

This very item is currently up for auction on e.bay. If you didn't get one at last years show - don't let it get away from you again!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/GI-Joe-JOElanta-2008-exclusive-action-figure-Dragon_W0QQitemZ160318620771QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item160318620771&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

JOElanta 2009 Poster