COUNTDOWN: 10 potential G.I.Joe x Transformers crossover ideas

In case you missed it, we had an extraordinary episode of Triple Takeover launch this week in which we sat down with the Hasbro Transformers team for a lengthy chat!

Of the many topics discussed, one of the more memorable parts concerned the Collaborative Transformers x G.I.Joe toys that have been dropping lately. Hasbro’s own Ben “Bmac” MacRae is a huge Joe fan, so it’s no surprise that these crossover attempts are a passion project for him. He also teased that the next release would be something special and, as it turns out, he wasn’t lying.

Yes, it’s Soundwave’s turn for the treatment now, as he follows on from Megatron and Bumblebee in being overhauled to work alongside some classic Joe characters.

In this case, the set includes reissues of the vintage Zartan and Zarana toys from 1984 and 1986, respectively. Both bad guys are commonly affiliated with the Cobra-aligned Dreadnoks, a violent gang of thieves and mercenaries, so it’s little surprise to see them cropping up here.

Image credit: James Eatock

Rounding off the proceedings is what seems to be a repaint of Masterpiece Ravage, in a surprise twist, although here coloured to match his original cartoon model before it was changed to black (which itself was a nod towards one of the colour schemes from the toy’s pre-Transformers Micro Change days). That’s pretty exciting!

Soundwave transforms into a very close approximation of the vintage 1986 Thunder Machine figure, a signature vehicle of the Dreadnoks. Like Megatron & Bumblebee and their vehicle forms, the resemblance is uncanny overall!

It’s a tremendously exciting new release in a line that I am thrilled to see continuing. Naturally, it leads us to speculate what else might follow before too long, so with that in mind, here are ten more ideas for Collaborative efforts in the future!

#10: Snow Cat

Image credit: YoJoe

Possibly one of the most recognisable Joe vehicles to Transformers fans thanks to it having already been homaged in the Energon line in 2004. However, that Snow Cat was a Decepticon, whereas the vehicle itself belongs firmly to the good guys, so any Collaborative effort would surely end up being an Autobot. Originally released in 1985, the design is still incredibly timeless, and despite not being medical-themed, it could make for a good fit with everyone’s favourite doctor, Ratchet! After all, the colour scheme is about right (although that has yet to stop designs like Bumblebee, mind), and the sizeable windshield would play nicely with the Autobot’s classic appearance, too. Moreover, the treaded double-wheels on the rear of the Snowcat fall in theme with the bottom of Ratchet’s mobile platform from his own classic toy. You could even remove the Joe vehicle’s rear section to imitate this feature!

Image credit: BotchTheCrab

#9: Vamp

Image credit: YoJoe

This is one of the more obvious entries on the list, if only because it’s not the first time the Joe VAMP has been reimagined as the Autobot Hound. It first occurred on a non-transformable figure as part of the San Diego Comic-Con exclusive ‘The Epic Conclusion!’ set in 2013, and it’s not hard to immediately see how perfect that was. Still, a full-convertible take would be a true thing of beauty, with the colour scheme and general design of the 1982 vehicle not looking a million miles away from the Autobot’s classic appearance anyway. Obvious doesn’t have to be a bad thing.

Image credit: BotchTheCrab

#8: Cobra Hydrofoil

Image credit: YoJoe

Let’s have a gander at our first Decepticon entry, which naturally would turn into one of the classic Cobra vehicles on offer. In this case, as soon as I considered the bad guy’s 1985 Hydrofoil, I instantly knew it would make an excellent choice for Cybertronian guardian, Shockwave! Consider that not only is the colour scheme surprisingly on point, but the heavily-armed boat seems entirely fitting as an Earthern alternative for a space-faring laser gun, somehow. Plus, there’s something about the style and pointy angles of the design that just seem to fit, to my eye. A logical choice?

Image credit: BotchTheCrab

#7: Dragonfly

Image credit: YoJoe

1983’s Joe Assault Copter, known as Dragonfly, is another outright classic that would add a bit of airborne variety to the Collaborative ranks. The most likely candidate for the treatment would surely be Springer, who, although he doesn’t hail from the first two years of Transformers like the rest of the considerations here, is just about as well-known an Autobot helicopter as you can get. There is Whirl, too, but in this case, the colour scheme matches up so nicely that there was only one choice.

Image credit: BotchTheCrab

#6: APC

Image credit: YoJoe

The whole concept of 1983’s APC is that it’s an amphibious vehicle designed to carry an entire squadron of Joes to where they need to go. There aren’t many classic Autobots that quite fit such a description, but something about the design of it at least makes me think it is a good fit for the likes of Ironhide, or even Trailbreaker. Either way, it would be an exceptionally fun figure to see represented!

Image credit: BotchTheCrab

#5: Cobra Rattler

Image credit: YoJoe

Another bad guy effort here, and you don’t get much more exciting than this one! The Rattler is also synonymous with Transformers crossovers already, having been the inspiration for two separate toys that are both modelled after Powerglide, with Combiner Wars Decepticon Viper even copying over the colour scheme. That said, the pipsqueak Autobot plane doesn’t feel like the right choice for a Collaborative effort, as it should be a Decepticon that takes the form of one of Cobra’s most recognisable 1984 vehicles. With that in mind, and considering the blue finish on offer, Dirge could be a good option here.

Image credit: BotchTheCrab

#4: Rolling Thunder

Image credit: YoJoe

Sometimes you just have to go with the classics. Given that the Joe’s iconic Rolling Thunder has already been reimagined as Optimus Prime by legendary Transformers artist Don Figueroa, it feels like a shoo-in to be recreated as a Collaborative effort at some point down the line, surely. After all, the idea has already captured the imaginations of no less than two separate third-party efforts, so an official stab would be very welcome, even if it would likely require a move away from Optimus’ classic look somehow. The 1988 vehicle could also be one of the largest and most impressive outings for the line should it ever come to pass!

Image credit: BotchTheCrab

#3: Killer W.H.A.L.E.

Image credit: YoJoe

Come on, this has to happen, surely! Another thing discussed on that Triple Takeover episode was that one of Bmac’s favourite Transformers toys is Seaspray, so if we’re talking poetically appropriate Joe crossover toys, what could be better than the good guys’ 1984 hovercraft being put up for the treatment? This one would be almost too perfect.

Image credit: BotchTheCrab

#2: Cobra Night Raven

Image credit: YoJoe

Our final Cobra entry here is the simply stunning Night Raven from 1986. It’s a beautiful black jet that would make for an undoubtedly incredible crossover toy, and who better consideration as the character than the Decepticon’s own sultry Seeker, Skywarp? Admittedly, this is our second take on the classic Transformers jet design after Ramjet, but there’s nothing to say they have to share the same mould as Joe crossovers, is there?

Image credit: BotchTheCrab

#1: U.S.S. Flagg

Image credit: YoJoe

If I have to explain this one to you beyond simply presenting the basic idea, I’m surprised you made it this far on the list. The Joe’s largest and most desirable toy has been a staple of the franchise since 1985. Clocking in at a jaw-dropping seven-and-a-half feet (yes, really), it’s a concept that is rarely far away from discussion where wishlists of this kind are concerned. Given that it’s an aircraft carrier and there’s a fair amount of desire for an equally sizeable Broadside toy that can finally do the Transformers character justice, this one would be the ultimate crown jewel of the line. It’s unlikely ever to be a real thing… but just imagine!

Image credit: BotchTheCrab

So that’s our list! Are there any other classic Joe vehicles that we should consider?

TTFN