Choose the Next GI Joe Action Figure!

Hasbro and Kindle Worlds team up for a fan poll to select the next new character to join the Real American Hero forces.

It’s been a rocky couple years for GI Joe, but Hasbro has been promising some big things for the future of the brand, and we’re seeing the first new concept come to life this week, as Hasbro Pulse has launched their Fan Poll to select a new character to join the Real American Hero mythology.

The lineup was first revealed at Hasbro’s pre- New York Comic Con party back in October, but you’ll find a primer of all four new characters below.  These four characters were actually all fan creations, which is where Kindle Worlds factors into the equation.  Each creator has published GI Joe stories via Kindle Worlds, and were subsequently offered the opportunity to design a new character for this poll.  That is an awesome way to bridge the worlds of fan fiction and canon, and I’d love to see Hasbro and other companies get this creative with their future fan-sourced campaigns in the future.

So who should you vote for?  It’s a tough call, because all these characters seem pretty cool… but I’m for sure siding with one of the new female characters, STILETTO or WHISPER.  GI Joe has always been one of the more gender inclusive action figure lines out there, but any chance to increase the representation of women in a toy line is aces, in my book.

Here’s a look at all four new GI Joe and Cobra candidates:

1) ADVENTURE TEAM MARCUS (Created by Jim Beard)

Code Name: Adventure Team Marcus™

Adventure Team® Member

File Name: Marcus (Last Name Classified)

SN: Classified

Primary Military Specialty: Communications

Secondary Military Specialty: Medic

Birthplace: Hammonton, New Jersey

Grade: E-5

A graduate of West Point, ADVENTURE TEAM MARCUS was a communications specialist and battlefield medic before forming the ADVENTURE TEAM. Members of this elite group are cross-trained in medicine, geology, zoology, and engineering among other disciplines, and they apply their training on missions of exploration and rescue. An accomplished marksman, ADVENTURE TEAM MARCUS can handle any weapon from pistols to rifles, and is proficient in several martial arts including karate, kung fu, and even the gentler tai chi.

2) COBRA BLACKJACK (Created by Troy Osgood)

Code Name: Cobra Blackjack™

Bodyguard to Baroness®

File Name: Osten, Nikolai

Primary Military Specialty: Infantry

Secondary Military Specialty: Close Protection

Birthplace: Odessa, Ukraine

Grade: NA

COBRA BLACKJACK had a distinguished military career in Eastern Europe before striking out on his own as a mercenary. When the BARONESS was young, he accepted the job of keeping her safe, and has continued to do so, faithfully, for years. Cold and calculating yet deeply honorable and loyal, he also became her trainer, seeing it as the best way to protect her from danger. Quiet, proficient, and deadly, he safeguards her through all her plots and schemes.

3) STILETTO: (Created by Bill Nedrow)

Code Name: Stiletto™

Security

File Name: Kwaigno, Paithoon

SN: 414-33-PK72

Primary Military Specialty: Covert Operations

Secondary Military Specialty: Infantry

Birthplace: Hua Hin, Thailand

Grade: E-5

With her facial scar, dead eyes, and streak of white hair — as well as her mysterious past and knife-edged battle skills — STILETTO makes even the G.I. JOE® team a little nervous. She joined the team alongside Cobra® defector Felix “Mercer” Stratton™, acting as his bodyguard, and has since become a strong asset to the team. With skills that hint at Special Forces training, she is proficient in most small arms weapons and an expert in the use of bladed weapons.

4) COBRA WHISPER: (Created by Justin Bell)

Code Name: Cobra Whisper™

Cobra® Liquidator

File Name: Unknown

Primary Military Specialty: Assassination, Silent Weapons

Secondary Military Specialty: Covert Operations

Birthplace: Unidentified Island Fishing Village

COBRA WHISPER was orphaned as a child by Cobra® forces, but has been led to believe that G.I. JOE® forces were responsible. Cobra Commander® used this misinformation to build her into his personal assassin, fostering her sense of isolation and thirst for revenge. She is an accomplished martial artist and an expert in sound-suppressed weapons ranging from knives and swords to pistols and submachine guns. The Commander also uses her as a military operative skilled in sabotage and armed combat.

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The Fan Poll is only open until Monday November 9th… CLICK HERE to place your vote!