Talking Toys: Viper Island (5/27/26)

 

Talking Toys: Viper Island (5/17/26)

 

Talking Toys: Viper Island (2/9/26 Episode)

 

Talking Toys: Viper Island Episode January 20, 2026

 

Viper Island: December 30, 2025 Episode

 

Viper Island: December 26 Episode

 

Viper Island Episode: December 5, 2025

 

Be sure to follow Viper Island on YouTube for your latest G.I. Joe Classified News.

Talking Toys: A look inside the minds of the Nacelle Company

 

I am excited about this latest interview I have for you.  For those of you who have been following me, you may remember when I interviewed  Brian Volk-Weiss for the Netflix series The Toys That Made Us for the site Somewhatnerdy.  Well, because of the contacts I made during that interview, I was able to get an interview with the Nacelle Company about their newly announced toy division.  I hope you enjoy this edition of Talking Toys.

DERF:  May I ask, what is your name and what is your position at the Nacelle Company?

RICHARD:  Richard Mayerik, VP of Content Strategy

How long has the Nacelle Company been in existence?

Since 2017

What projects may we know the Nacelle Company from?

The Toys That Made Us, The Movies That Made Us (Netflix) Behind the Attraction (Disney+), Down To Earth (Netflix), The Center Seat (History Channel), A Toy Store Near You (Amazon Prime)

Because of my past interviews with CEO Brian Volk-Weiss, I was lucky enough to get an email discussing the launch of your toy division.  What led to this development?

An evolution of the pop-culture brand established by Nacelle Company through shows such as The Toys That Made Us and A Toy Store Near You.

I also received an email discussing the Nacelle Toy Stores of the World Passport.  I think it is a cool concept.  For those who may not have heard about your World Passport system, please briefly explain how it works.

The Toy Store Passport Program connects toy stores across the world by offering customers the chance to buy a passport booklet at any participating store, and receive a unique store specific passport stamp from every Passport Program store they visit.

Will there be any online stores available?  Like a unique transparent sticker stamp that you could place in your passport when the product arrives.

Stay tuned!

In doing my research for this article, I discover that you are working with Super 7 and Funko for some projects.  What projects might we have seen and not realized had the Nacelle Company involvement?

The Emerald City Comic Con exclusive Great Garloo Funko Pop was the first of many planned collaborations between Nacelle and companies such as Funko, Super7, etc. 

I also read, that you gained rights to Robo Force and Power Lords, when can we except to see items from these brands?

Wave 1 of our Robo Force action figure line will be up for pre-order later this Spring. Expect to find these figures available at many of your favorite online and physical retailers. Expect to see first looks at our new Power Lords action figure line later this year, along with other exciting toy-lines yet to be announced!

I cannot wait, Power Lords and Robo Force were some of my favorite toys as a child.  Has the Nacelle Company acquired anymore licenses or rights to other projects since your last announcement?

Stay tuned!

What is next in line and ready to be released from your wonderful company?

Robo Force Wave 1 is up next, along with some more aforementioned toy-related collaborations, as well as Season 5 of A Toy Store Near You!

Thank you for taking the time to do this interview.  I would love to interview you again for future projects the Nacelle Company may have in store.

Saturday Showcase: Tomax and Xamot

Tomax and Xamot...or is it Xamot and Tomax?

    This episode of Saturday Showcase is brought to you by my childhood and my love of G.I. Joe.  When I was young, G.I. Joe was the cartoon I could not miss.  I always loved watching the adventures of my favorite "toys" going into battle.  One day, I was introduced to the twins that lead the Crimson Guard. The twins are Tomax and Xamot and they were my favorite COBRA baddies next to Zartan and his Dreadnoks.  I loved them so much, that when I first saw them on the screen I had to go to Toys'R'Us to get them so I could include them into my after school battles against the joes.

On the run

    Fast forward to a trip at my local drug store only to browse through the comics only to see Tomax and Xamot had made their first appearance in the comics.  I was so excited because I love the way the twins interact with others.  For example, when one gets punched the other feels it.  That, for some reason, always stuck with me through the years and allowed my battles as a child to be entertaining to say the least.  

    I must apologize, I have spent this entire post talking about my love of the twins without giving you any facts.  Tomax and Xamot were first introduced in 1985 for the Real American Hero series that promoted the G. I. Joe toy line.  They also made their appearance in Marvel Comics in 1985 with their first appearance being in issue # 37.  They have gone on to star in other comics from the Joe Universe as well as make appearances in the G.I. Joe app Battleground. (An app they should bring back by the way)

G.I. Joe #37 (July 1985)

VITALS

First appearance: 1985

Voiced by:  Corey Burton (Tomax) & Michael Bell (Xamot) - G.I. Joe

                    Stephen Stanton (both) - Renegades

Affiliation: Cobra

Specialty: Crimson Guard Commanders

File Name: Tomax Paoli & Xamot Paoli

Birth Place: Ajaccio, Corsica

Abilities: Infiltration, Espionage, Sabotage, Propaganda, & Corporate Law

Subgroups: Crimson Guard; Extensive Enterprises

Twins on the Hunt (Photo by Unknown)

    Well, I could go on and on about the Crimson Twins, but I feel I am biased and you should make your own decisions about how bad ass Xamot and Tomax were.

Until next time, get your READ on or in this case, watch some classic cartoons.  COBRA!!!!

Saturday Showcase: Footloose

Footloose sneaking up on COBRA (Vintage toy photography - Photographer Unknown)

    Today's showcase comes from my childhood and all the adventures I had in my backyard playing with my elite force of soldiers known as G.I. Joe as they stopped the terrorist organization known as COBRA.  One of my favorite Joes was Andrew "Footloose" Meyers.  As a toy, I loved his look but as a cartoon character I absolutely loved his personality.

Now with Swivel-Arm Battle Grip!

    Footloose first made his appearance in 1985 when he was released in the great G.I. Joe action figure line.  He, like so many others, then debuted as a cartoon.  He was voiced by the talented Will Ryan.  Also back in '85, Andrew made his first appearance in the Marvel G.I. Joe series, issue #37, to be exact.

   Issue #37 is one of my favorite comic covers hands down, in the G.I. Joe series.

     I just explain my love for Footloose.  He was just one of my favorite characters from the series and I always felt he could have been used more.  He should have been featured better in the films and if they ever make another one, he better be in it.

    Needless to say, I was happy when I saw his 25th Anniversary figure when the Joes started hitting shelves again.  I was also ecstatic when I first saw his card in the G.I. Joe Battleground app. (BTW I wish that game was still around.)

Footloose as seen in G.I. Joe Battleground

    I could give you more facts about Andrew "Footloose" Meyers, but I figured I would let his File Card say the rest.  Until next time, unleash your inner NERD!

Yo Joe!

Code Name: Footloose

Talking Toys: Funko Friday Edition

I just submitted an interview I did with Reis O'Brien for my other site Somewhatnerdy.  I want you all to click on the link and check it out. Reis is one of my boys and I love everything he does.  Once you read the interview, check out his other project known as bimtoy. Then get on Netflix and watch the documentary called Making Fun.  You will be glad you did.

http://somewhatnerdy.com/home/talking-toys-funko-friday-edition/