Toy Fusion presents:

Highlights from the 2008 Gi Joe convention in Frisco Texas June 26-29th! 

 The Gi Joe 2008 convention was held in the Embassy Hotel in Texas.

The dealer selection was good, about 50 percent 3 3/4" figures,  25 percent  12" figures and 25 percent other toys.

 A prop from the upcoming Gi Joe 2009 Movie (drill tip display was actually rotating)
Click Here to see a preview of the upcoming 2009 Gi Joe Live-Action Movie!

The some of the upcoming Gi Joe vehicles slated for 2008 include Firebat, Sharc, Conquest and Rattler vehicles with figures (Hasbro seems to be reusing the original 80's toy molds)

 Ron Rudat (pictured above) began working for Hasbro's Art department in 1971.
For over 28 years he was designing toys for various Hasbro products including Gi Joe.
In the 70's he worked on package design illustrations for accessories
and instructional line art for the Adventure Team figures. In the 1980's
Ron started work to design the new Gi Joe 3 3/4" figure line.
Ron continued to designing figures up to the 1987 assortment.
In addition he designed vehicles, accssories and many of the logos.

*Ron is the designer who created the famous "Cobra" logo!

*Artist Ron Rudat was immortalized as the face of Leatherneck for the 1985 figure cardback. He was also the filecard name for "Dusty" (aka Ron Tadur, which is Rudat spelled backwards)

"Alot of designs came from my head. I love my job, and we really did our research. I like accuracy. We even visited Camp Edwards in Cape Cod to research military vehicles and designs, I dont think many people in the industry do it anymore."~Ron Rudat

Toy Fusion asked Ron: "What was one of your favorite Toys as a kid?"

"I  did not have many toys as a kid, I did have a cap pistol with a white grip handle...I liked doing things like playing Army out in the woods. I was more into the creative field rather than playing with toys. I always loved to draw and using my imagination, art was my passion. " ~Ron Rudat

Mr Rudat is still creating fine art, illustrations and charicatures through his business "Bright Ideas! Design inc". If you are interested in contacting Ron Rudat, please send an e-mail contact request to store@toyfusion.com (subject heading: Ron Rudat)

  Dave Dorman (pictured above) began working for Hasbro in the 1980's as a freelance artist to produce presentation paintings for thier designers. These paintings were never published outside of Hasbro as they were for internal use only. Today Dan continues to produce art for many companies including Hasbro licensees.

Toy Fusion asked Dave "What are some of your favorite childhood toys"?

 " I liked Major Matt Mason, it had cool designs and different colors of figures.
I also remember having a game called "DogFight",
another game I wanted was called "Getaway Chase" it was a battery powered slot car chase game with tracks, I think it was made around 1964-65. I am actually looking for one still".~Dave Dorman

You can visit Dave Dormans personal website at www.davedorman.com 

Brian Savage (above left), CEO Fun Publications, Inc. and G.I. Joe Collectors' Club Director.

Toy Fusion asked Mr. Savage if he had any favorite toys as a kid:

"I really liked Johnny Astro, Major Matt Mason and the Daredevil Stunt Plane set.
I still have most of the toys I played with as a kid.
Some of my favorite memories was making dioramas and movies
 using toys, shooting with 35 mm black and white film." ~Brian Savage

Below is a slide show of pictures from the 2008 Convention!

To see Toy Fusion's amazing Gi Joe selection, Click Here to Shop

Cobra Commander for President? Click on video link below: