Gamestop has a computer listing for a Transformers toy described only as "Project Trooper," retailing for $89.99 and named in the spirit of previous crossover toys (Project Bat, Project Park, etc.) It's speculated that this is in fact a Transformers/G.I. Joe crossover toy, which honestly I'm surprised took this long to finally happen.

There's a big G.I. Joe 40th anniversary event scheduled for tomorrow, so it's likely there will be a full reveal during the livestream. A source who claims to be in the know says it's the first of two planned sets and will be an existing Transformers character.

Zob (easy to collaborate with the license holder for G.I. Joe, since it's also Hasbro)

On Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 4:08:01 PM UTC-8, Zobovor wrote:
> Gamestop has a computer listing for a Transformers toy described only as "Project Trooper," retailing for $89.99 and named in the spirit of previous

The following has also been circulating as a GameStop link that spoils the surprise if it's true:

https://www.gamestop.com/products/hasbro-transformers-generations---transfomers-collaborative-g.i.-joe-mash-up-megatron-h.i.s.s.-tank-and-baroness-action-figures/336822.html

Evil King Macrocranios <evil.king.macrocranios@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 4:08:01 PM UTC-8, Zobovor wrote:
>> Gamestop has a computer listing for a Transformers toy described only as
>> "Project Trooper," retailing for $89.99 and named in the spirit of previous
>
> The following has also been circulating as a GameStop link that spoils
> the surprise if it's true:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> https://www.gamestop.com/products/hasbro-transformers-generations---transfomers-collaborative-g.i.-joe-mash-up-megatron-h.i.s.s.-tank-and-baroness-action-figures/336822.html
>

Having seen the revealed Megatron HISS, I’m not dazzled. The robot mode
looks weird, because it is a gray G1 Megatron with black HISS bits all
over. It looks like two seapate toys glued together.

Over the years we’ve had a lot of different Megatrons, with different
colors and alt-modes, and I would expect a black Megatron robot from this,
with a very classic bucket head or something to indicate Megatron. This
seems just off.

HISS tanks have come in a variety of colors over the years, so a gray tank
might have worked fine.

Or a blue tank, make it Soundwave, and then the Baroness becomes a minion.
Add an ActionMaster style Frenzy or something for when the Baroness is
getting her beauty rest or drunk or whatever.

Or a Thundercracker Rattler (would it be in scale with Maverick?)

On Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 8:26:27 PM UTC-7, Gustavo Wombat, of the Seattle Wombats wrote:

> Having seen the revealed Megatron HISS, I’m not dazzled. The robot mode
> looks weird, because it is a gray G1 Megatron with black HISS bits all
> over. It looks like two separate toys glued together.

That's my thinking as well. Somebody else called it "Megatron wearing a HISS tank costume" and that's pretty accurate.

So, while it's interesting from an academic standpoint, I'm not going to part with any money in order to own it.

There's supposed to be at least one more of these coming. I would assume it's a good guy Joe vehicle to serve as a counterbalance, and most likely an Autobot, and most likely somebody to fight Megatron. So, in all probability, Optimus Prime as a H.A.V.O.C. or something along those lines. (I can't really think of a Joe vehicle that's iconic in the same way as the HISS Tank. Maybe the Skystriker, but Prime as a jet doesn't make a lot of sense.)

Zob (it's too bad HISS Tank Megatron didn't come with Cobra Commander, because they could be all "DECEPTICONS, RETREAT!" and "COBRA, RETREAT!" together)

On Friday, February 25, 2022 at 4:59:03 PM UTC-6, Zobovor wrote:
> On Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 8:26:27 PM UTC-7, Gustavo Wombat, of the Seattle Wombats wrote:
>
> > Having seen the revealed Megatron HISS, I’m not dazzled. The robot mode
> > looks weird, because it is a gray G1 Megatron with black HISS bits all
> > over. It looks like two separate toys glued together.
>
> That's my thinking as well. Somebody else called it "Megatron wearing a HISS tank costume" and that's pretty accurate.
>
> So, while it's interesting from an academic standpoint, I'm not going to part with any money in order to own it.
>
> There's supposed to be at least one more of these coming. I would assume it's a good guy Joe vehicle to serve as a counterbalance, and most likely an Autobot, and most likely somebody to fight Megatron. So, in all probability, Optimus Prime as a H.A.V.O.C. or something along those lines. (I can't really think of a Joe vehicle that's iconic in the same way as the HISS Tank. Maybe the Skystriker, but Prime as a jet doesn't make a lot of sense.)
>
>
> Zob (it's too bad HISS Tank Megatron didn't come with Cobra Commander, because they could be all "DECEPTICONS, RETREAT!" and "COBRA, RETREAT!" together)

So a lot more pictures have come out, including the box, and he looks Commander sized, which makes the price make sense.

We can see the whole top of the tank is removable, the turret and the cockpit. He has a lot of parts.

$90 is still a tough ask, but at least I understand it a little more. Hasbro doesn't have to pay anyone else for licenses this run.

https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/megatron-hiss-tank-transformers-gi-joe-crossover-revealed/46708/

Apparently this is part 1 of 2, so we might get another.

Zobovor <zmfts@aol.com> wrote:
> On Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 8:26:27 PM UTC-7, Gustavo Wombat, of
> the Seattle Wombats wrote:
>
>> Having seen the revealed Megatron HISS, I’m not dazzled. The robot mode
>> looks weird, because it is a gray G1 Megatron with black HISS bits all
>> over. It looks like two separate toys glued together.
>
> That's my thinking as well. Somebody else called it "Megatron wearing a
> HISS tank costume" and that's pretty accurate.
>
> So, while it's interesting from an academic standpoint, I'm not going to
> part with any money in order to own it.
>
> There's supposed to be at least one more of these coming. I would assume
> it's a good guy Joe vehicle to serve as a counterbalance, and most likely
> an Autobot, and most likely somebody to fight Megatron. So, in all
> probability, Optimus Prime as a H.A.V.O.C. or something along those
> lines. (I can't really think of a Joe vehicle that's iconic in the same
> way as the HISS Tank. Maybe the Skystriker, but Prime as a jet doesn't
> make a lot of sense.)
>
>
> Zob (it's too bad HISS Tank Megatron didn't come with Cobra Commander,
> because they could be all "DECEPTICONS, RETREAT!" and "COBRA, RETREAT!" together)
>

Change the colors a bit, though, and he looks great.

https://twitter.com/jossnas/status/1496989801689808896?s=21

That I would buy.

On Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 1:49:34 AM UTC-7, Gustavo Wombat, of the Seattle Wombats wrote:

> Change the colors a bit, though, and he looks great.
>
> https://twitter.com/jossnas/status/1496989801689808896?s=21

I admit that does look better. More integrated.

What they should have done, honestly, is a G2 tank version of Megatron. He already had ties to G.I. Joe in Marvel Comics, so it would have been perfect. Problem is, most of the traditional normal-shaped tanks are good-guy vehicles. The MOBAT, the Mauler... I think the HISS was just about the only Cobra tank. I wouldn't be surprised if this was the thought process that Hasbro followed. They wanted to do a tank, but it would have to be a bad-guy tank, and the HISS was the only thing that really worked.

Zob (the only G.I. Joe vehicle I ever owned was the Cobra FANG helicopter, a birthday gift, and I never had a pilot to fly it)

On Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 7:12:45 AM UTC-8, Zobovor wrote:
> Problem is, most of the traditional normal-shaped tanks are good-guy vehicles. The MOBAT, the Mauler... I think the HISS was just about the only Cobra tank.

I think they had a black repaint of the MOBAT for Cobra that was a Sears exclusive or something. I don't remember the name. The die hard Joe fans would recognize it. If they did that black MOBAT and made it the Neutro Fusion tank so the die hard Transformer fans would recognize it they would have the perfect fan pleasing fit, but they would have sold about five of them.

It makes me sad that Megatron is such a canon fodder vehicle. Cobra Commander had a HISS with two turrets once. Some modification would have been befitting of the Decepticon leader. They could have integrated the fusion canon better or altered the silhouette of the HISS like Star Wars did with those gorilla AT-ATs and made a HISS that really looked like a mean Megatron in disguise. But whatever. I am letting go of my hate and disappointment. I accept that Megatron is a bishoujo girl now and they wear tank costumes all the time.

https://media.indiedb.com/cache/images/groups/1/1/84/thumb_620x2000/1196353986123cc6.jpg

On Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 9:31:33 AM UTC-7, evil.king.m...@gmail.com wrote:

> I think they had a black repaint of the MOBAT for Cobra that was a Sears exclusive or something.

I didn't know about that. Did some digging and I found it:

https://www.yojoe.com/international/canada/cobratank.shtml

See, that would have been PERFECT. It's already the right shape to be G2 Megatron. It would have been a deep cut for both the Transformers and G.I. Joe fandoms. Or, like you said, a Neutro-Fusion Tank color scheme would have been amazing as well.

The more I think about it, the more I think they're doing to do something idiotic with the next Transformers/Joe crossover toy, like turning Optimus Prime into a Skystriker jet or something.

Zob (you don't realize how many painted toy cars you own until you have to wrap each one in a little paper towel and box them up)

G2 Megatron might have been off-putting to the Joe fan base. I seem to
recall the Joe fans not being overly excited about crossing over with
Transformers back in the day.

Brian

On Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 8:43:14 AM UTC-8, Zobovor wrote:
> https://www.yojoe.com/international/canada/cobratank.shtml

I didn't know about that one! The one I remembered is this one with a lot more red highlights:

https://www.3djoes.com/cobra-cat.html

> See, that would have been PERFECT. It's already the right shape to be G2 Megatron. It would have been a deep cut for both the Transformers and G.I. Joe fandoms.

A MOBAT Megatron would definitely have been out of left field but I don't think the current Transformers and Joe teams are familiar enough with the brands to even think of that. Regardless, I wonder if they've made so many Megatron tanks at this point that another one would have elicited more moaning and disappointment from the fandom than what we're seeing now. I remember the back to back Siege/Earthrise releases were really similar and people got tired of the mold reuse.

> The more I think about it, the more I think they're doing to do something idiotic with the next Transformers/Joe crossover toy, like turning Optimus Prime into a Skystriker jet or something.

If all they're gonna do is these flip phone style transformations with partsforming accessories then any character/vehicle combo is possible. Put me on the list of people who think Skystrikimus Prime is next.

On Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 8:28:07 PM UTC-6, evil.king.m...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 8:43:14 AM UTC-8, Zobovor wrote:
> > https://www.yojoe.com/international/canada/cobratank.shtml
>
> I didn't know about that one! The one I remembered is this one with a lot more red highlights:
>
> https://www.3djoes.com/cobra-cat.html
> > See, that would have been PERFECT. It's already the right shape to be G2 Megatron. It would have been a deep cut for both the Transformers and G.I.. Joe fandoms.
> A MOBAT Megatron would definitely have been out of left field but I don't think the current Transformers and Joe teams are familiar enough with the brands to even think of that. Regardless, I wonder if they've made so many Megatron tanks at this point that another one would have elicited more moaning and disappointment from the fandom than what we're seeing now. I remember the back to back Siege/Earthrise releases were really similar and people got tired of the mold reuse.
> > The more I think about it, the more I think they're doing to do something idiotic with the next Transformers/Joe crossover toy, like turning Optimus Prime into a Skystriker jet or something.
> If all they're gonna do is these flip phone style transformations with partsforming accessories then any character/vehicle combo is possible. Put me on the list of people who think Skystrikimus Prime is next.

TFC Toys made a Rolling thunder Optimus Prime.
https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/tfc-toys-rolling-thunder-optimus-prime.1115407/

There are a number of of Joevehicles, perhaps we'll get a Jetfire Skystriker, or a a Hound Vamp, (both of which are already Hasbro approved designs we have yet to see the toys of) or perhaps Prime could be a H.A.V.O.C tank, or the APC, or even go big and use The General (though that would fit Metroplex better)

On Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 7:08:01 PM UTC-5, Zobovor wrote:
> Gamestop has a computer listing for a Transformers toy described only as "Project Trooper," retailing for $89.99 and named in the spirit of previous crossover toys (Project Bat, Project Park, etc.) It's speculated that this is in fact a Transformers/G.I. Joe crossover toy, which honestly I'm surprised took this long to finally happen.
>
> There's a big G.I. Joe 40th anniversary event scheduled for tomorrow, so it's likely there will be a full reveal during the livestream. A source who claims to be in the know says it's the first of two planned sets and will be an existing Transformers character.
>
>
> Zob (easy to collaborate with the license holder for G.I. Joe, since it's also Hasbro)

Honestly, the reviews have been severely underwhelming, and I have little desire to pay the extra for a carded Baroness that I don't care about, but the lure of twin nostalgia highs was strong, and I am now the proud(?) owner of HISS Tank Megatron.

TL;DR - if you're not a Joe fan, don't bother. The issues with the bot mode (Cyberverse-level plastic, restricted articulation, Megatron wearing tank parts, etc) are well-documented and all too true. It's impressive in bot mode, but there isn't much you can do with it.

BUT. If you're a Joe fan, or if you ever enjoyed any of the various TF/Joe comic crossovers, then run, don't walk, to get this, esp as it's been hovering around $56 on Amazon lately.

As a HISS tank, it's superbly accurate, detailed, and hefty. This was clearly a love letter to Joe fans first and foremost. It's truly a robot in disguise, with almost nothing to give away the fact at first glance that it's actually a Transformer.

The transformation is clever enough, despite a reliance on partsforming and panel massage to get you to the finish line. And seeing Megatron emerge in all his glory from vehicle mode - if only we'd had this when we were kids!

This one is truly for the child in all of us, and I'm glad they're making more.

> Zob (it's too bad HISS Tank Megatron didn't come with Cobra Commander, because they could be all "DECEPTICONS, RETREAT!" and "COBRA, RETREAT!" together)

The choice of Baroness is puzzling. I picked up a new Cobra Commander at the same time to pair with Megatron.

Side note: I wish there was a resource as exhaustive as the ones that exist for TF (TFU, TFWiki), because I have no idea about the variants and different body constructions for the Joes across the years. And now they've got 6" Classified Joes to join the 3.75" scale from the 80s and the 12" scale from before that. Too much for my brain to handle.

On Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 6:56:05 AM UTC-5, Codigo Postal wrote:
> > Zob (it's too bad HISS Tank Megatron didn't come with Cobra Commander, because they could be all "DECEPTICONS, RETREAT!" and "COBRA, RETREAT!" together)
> The choice of Baroness is puzzling. I picked up a new Cobra Commander at the same time to pair with Megatron.
>

They chose Baroness to recreate some of the crossover comic covers is what I was told, but I cannot find the specific comic

> Side note: I wish there was a resource as exhaustive as the ones that exist for TF (TFU, TFWiki), because I have no idea about the variants and different body constructions for the Joes across the years. And now they've got 6" Classified Joes to join the 3.75" scale from the 80s and the 12" scale from before that. Too much for my brain to handle.

yojoe.com has a pretty exhaustive database with pictures and is the best accessory guide I know of. I assembled 2 Rattlers, a Night Raven and a Skystriker yesterday because the site pictures ere good enough to determine which parts went where.

On Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 1:10:10 AM UTC-4, Irrellius Spamticon wrote:
> On Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 6:56:05 AM UTC-5, Codigo Postal wrote:
> > > Zob (it's too bad HISS Tank Megatron didn't come with Cobra Commander, because they could be all "DECEPTICONS, RETREAT!" and "COBRA, RETREAT!" together)
> > The choice of Baroness is puzzling. I picked up a new Cobra Commander at the same time to pair with Megatron.
> >
> They chose Baroness to recreate some of the crossover comic covers is what I was told, but I cannot find the specific comic
> > Side note: I wish there was a resource as exhaustive as the ones that exist for TF (TFU, TFWiki), because I have no idea about the variants and different body constructions for the Joes across the years. And now they've got 6" Classified Joes to join the 3.75" scale from the 80s and the 12" scale from before that. Too much for my brain to handle.
> yojoe.com has a pretty exhaustive database with pictures and is the best accessory guide I know of. I assembled 2 Rattlers, a Night Raven and a Skystriker yesterday because the site pictures ere good enough to determine which parts went where.

Thanks! I'll check it out. I was confused as to why the GIJoe vs Cobra pack I picked up lacked the O ring and had less articulation than their 80s counterparts!