 Hello everybody hooded Cobra Commander 788 here, and we have more Cobra Convergence 7. We have another Cobra Convergence 7 presenter here It is my privilege to talk to the host of chaplains assistance motor pod Gary Could you introduce yourself tell the audience who you are and what you do? Hello, my name is Gary. I am the host of the chaplains assistance motor pod I Host a podcast that is all about my life and collecting in particular gi Joe Just take a minute to review, you know Talk about what's going on in like Gijo news and what I've gotten in you know, little quick things of like classified or other military inspired toy lines, but every episode is a Review of a Gijo toy play set trailer from the Gijo a real American hero toy line From 1982 to present and concentrating really on the three and three quarter and four inch toy lines That is awesome. That's that's right in my wheelhouse And I have to say chaplains assistance motor pod is one of the the more clever names for a show that I've heard So congratulations, that's that's a gem But thanks for for being in Cobra Convergence this year so You've had how long have you been running your show so that hopefully everybody will check it out There will be a link in the description of this video to to your to your podcast So how long have you had it running? about two years now actually just over to the second anniversary as this recording and You know, it's it's it's been interesting You know doing it doing it alone was with the occasional guests. So it's It's you know, it's it's definitely different experience than what I used to be when I used to guest on my my friend shop So so used to guess now you are so low now you do but you have guests sometimes what kind of yeah So what guests have you had in the past? All right other fellow podcasters Gio Joburg notably Steven I've had order of battle pods Jason anything jose's Greg angle and Yeah, it's basically it so far I have a couple other guests lined up for in the near future So, you know, just it's fun to have a conversation sometimes as a podcast But doing it by myself and having just a way to regularly or semi-regularly produce episodes is a good format to have Just to get my gi Joe fix going for myself and for others as well I love all those folks. It's awesome that you had them on and and congratulations on the two-year milestone That's that's really awesome So talk to us. So hopefully everybody will be checking out your show right after they watch this What should folks expect to find I'd talk walk us through like what a typical episode might be on Chaplin's assistance motor park Typical episode is really, you know, what my life of collecting has been since the last episode So that's how I began every episode, you know, it's good to have a formula So if it's been eBay, you know selling or buying if it's been McCurry, you know buying, you know Mail calls, you know, G.I. Joe classified, you know, if I get something new in And it's also comics. So if something comes up in the world of comics or, you know, other toy lines, you know With all these Kickstarter's I'm going on for o-ring revival That's really the the opening segment is my place to talk about that and it's very varied So it could be me complaining About just a bad experience to praising a Update in six inch form of a G.I. Joe classified figure So it that's that ranges the gamut and then the other thing the second half is the review and that's usually thematically timed with the bad Thematically themed with a bad pun in the beginning in the title of the show. So dad humor is Welcome here bad puns are very welcome here and So but then that's I do a you know an audio review For for the show. So this way it gives people a Feel of what I can do I tried my best to explain it to put the picture in the person's head, you know, the mind's eye and Also, just try to provide a unique perspective or anecdote or, you know, something off the cuff You know, because a lot of times I have notes, but you never know when you're when I'm actually holding it during the recording I might have something new just pop into my head at that moment and verbal diarrhea You know, get it out there get in the cosmos and just put, you know, the good and the bad out there for everybody to hear That does happen sometimes no matter how well you plan sometimes when you're just looking at it and talking about it Something something pops up that you hadn't occurred before so it's a it's a bit of an aha move it and I love the titles I love the episode title is fantastic. Yeah, it's it was partially inspired by you I felt that, you know, nobody was talking about like doing full toy reviews Um on podcast format, you know, I am not usually a YouTube person For reasons, but I felt that the audio format allowed me a way to have something scheduled and regular as I could do it. And You know, I started this, you know towards the tail end of the pandemic You know getting my stuff together getting, you know, figuring, you know, things out like a name for a podcast, which is probably the Anybody that has a YouTube channel or podcast will say the name is probably The hardest thing to come up with. Yeah, I still haven't come up with a good one. So that you you hit the ball out of the park first try. That's fantastic. Oh, it's yeah, it's yours is fine. I love it. It's it reminds me of my favorite version of Cobra Commander. So it's, you know, it's, you know, and I started it and it just worked out and, you know, it's going on. Nice. So obviously you had some knowledge of GI Joe before you started this podcast. And a lot of us started with GI Joe, you know, way back as youngsters. Talk to talk to us about your your earliest experiences with GI Joe. What first got you interested in? First got me interested, I have to admit was the cartoon. So that was September of 85 when that first mini the third mini series came out. And I was five years old, and I was watching it. It was, it was at 7am at the time. Before I went to school. And that Christmas, I got my first Joe's, you know, and then I was basically hooked for the next couple of years. And then I was hooked for the next couple of years. And then I was hooked for the next couple of years. Before I went to school. And that Christmas, I got my first Joe's, you know, and then I was basically hooked for the next nine years. So nine years. It's a pretty good run. That's a pretty good run. Do you remember your first Joe's? Yes, because it was a moray, a ferret. So the moray had the lamprey. And then I had shipwreck, barbecue, Flint, bareness and torch. That's a pretty good set. I got to say that's a that's a good start. Christmas hall. Yeah, absolutely. In 1985. A lot of folks consider that to be the pinnacle. That's, that's a great time to start as well. That's awesome. So nine years. That's a pretty good run on even some of the diehards from the early 80s can't say that we stuck with it that long. That's that's impressive. That's impressive. It helped that I played by myself. I was definitely the last kid playing with GI Joe's in my in my school. I was trading my brother's Star Wars figures that he had left he had moved out of the house. I was trading them for other GI Joe's because kids had aged out. I built a diorama in my parents basement and it's nothing fancy. You know, what a 12 year old does is they find a sheet of plywood, they put it on saw horses, and your dad just allows you to that space in the basement. And then I didn't have the headquarters. So remember constructs that I would build the headquarters out of constructs. Nice. So it's a lot of cobra attacking the base. You know, you break it apart. And, you know, and that's and I kept with it because I kept reading the comic book. So, you know, it evolved from the cartoon to the comics, and I stayed with it to the very end. Wow. Oh, that that is awesome. And that's, that's a great childhood memory. I think I think a lot of us can relate to relate to that some some of us stuck with it longer than others but now you're in it again now as an adult you got a podcast about it. I can see some GI Joe toys behind you there. So, at what point did you start to get back into it and start get into it, get interested in it again. Well, 2001, the devil's do series launched. So I was just finishing up my back issues. So I had I was, you know, and when I say I'm like, I'm collecting at that point in time I'm, you know, things in the 20s and 30s that were just getting hard to find like issue 22 was hard to find 38 for one reason was the last one. But, you know, but then I discovered GI Joe issue number two on the shelf. You know, I wasn't in a comic books, I had laps from comic books by that time. And I got back in the comics, and I never stopped the comics after that. And then, you know, the toy line really started with the 25th anniversary. You know, I wasn't really big into the big shoulders era and I really wasn't like when you had the two packs and the three packs it was just, you know, wasn't it was enticing but just not enough at that point in my life. And, you know, all things considered that point in my life it's good thing I probably didn't collect toys. So, 2007, I got my first GI Joe for the first time and at that point 14 years. I was about what was 93. And I remember and I still have that that's my winter winter gear snake eyes with the Quinn necklace. And then it was a slippery slope from there and it was like dominoes and it just accelerated to the point where, you know, you lie to yourself and you know, I remember 2011 I'm telling my now wife, yeah, I'm only collecting the ones I had as a kid. And then it, and then it just, you know, my son was born in 2015. And then it's like, I had a little, I had to spend a little more time in the house. So then it's just like it just snowballed from there and, you know, really doing things that, you know, with adult money I only could have I never could have even dreamed as a kid. Yeah, it starts that way doesn't it we all promise ourselves that the collection will stay within certain parameters but the first time you get one that's outside of those parameters you know all bets are off. So, so welcome welcome to the to the addiction I guess I should say. So, a couple years ago though you started your podcast what inspired you to do that. I had been on pine comics as a guest off and on for a couple years at that point. And it was frustrating because my schedules don't jive with the host schedule. So it's like, you know, our obligations kept getting in the way. So, and then he's like, Well, you can figure something out and I was doing some YouTube videos for him on occasion like trying to do one a month. And then, you know, you know I was trying to be, you know, get guest on Cobra convergence I did a couple submissions for the fan submissions. And thank you for doing that. No, thank you for having these. And then, you know, it was just like the stars line two years ago. I'm my son had gotten to a point where he didn't need 100% constant attention. I was able to start pulling away and having a little more free time. You know, the pandemic had freed up a lot of work time, which is now unfortunately help back but back. So, so I had a little more time for creative juices. And it was just, you know, it just felt right. And, you know, I wanted to do more I wanted to celebrate collecting. You know, really do more than just acquire. I wanted to share and is just like this is the way I felt I could do it. I hadn't really developed a rapport for anybody for like, you know, a second host or whatever. So it was just like, Okay, what am I going to do as a solo act. And I just felt like this was, you know, there's a lot of guys that talk about all aspects of GI Joe. So I figured I looked for an aspect that really wasn't being, you know, you know, I'm a niche of a niche in the podcasting world so it's. So it's just, I felt like there was an opening and I go for it. We need those niches. And it is, it's, it is fun to collect and share isn't it I mean doesn't that for me at least it feels like it enhances your experience as a collector, if you're able to share that with with someone so. Yeah, definitely it's like social media, you know, has helped a lot. I really wasn't big into social media until my friends podcast. And, you know, now, you know, when I share an episode, you know, one of the things I do to try to promote every episode is I try to take a picture of the toy in play, or, you know, do something artistic, you know, just to make it, you know, I try to tell a story with the picture, which may or may not relate to the actual review, but you know the toys in there so it's a promotional image. But it allows me to you know, you know the social media aspect of interacting and just meeting a lot of fellow collectors, you know with direct messages or, you know, hey, you know I heard this you know really, you know, this really brought back memories to, you know, one guy didn't like my review and I said, Oh, I'm sorry you feel that way that's I understand why you feel that way and I meant no disparaging towards your experience with that toy. And I even say that these are all toys these were all meant to be played with. And one thing I learned, you know, even as you blow away my favorite version of Dr. Bender, you know, you realize that that's somebody's favorite toy. And I try to remember that too. That is, that's something that you discover after you do this for a little while is that no matter how weird it is that was somebody's favorite, except for the cobra rat I'm pretty sure the cobra rat was nobody's favorite but other than that every one of them was was nobody's favorite and so yeah, you know, we do what we do but you know there's got to be some respect for folks that really love this stuff so that's, I think that's important. Yeah, and the, and the other thing too is like even with the cobra rat, you know, there's an engineering and design process behind that that brought this toy to life, and as somebody and I have a manufacturing background. So, I want to make sure that, you know, people were, you kind of got a somewhat respect that the fact that these things were brought to market. You know, there wasn't an idea. There was a guy that said, hey, this would be make a toy. I'm not using the fun adjective. But there's, but there's, but there was an idea to bring it to market that this would be something that would appeal to children. Because I really feel that, especially the real American hero era, you know, it is an absolute gem of a toy line. And that's to me that's what's important is meant for play. And, you know, you really can't disparage that part of any of these. So we have our ones that we like to pick on cobra rat, but, you know, but they're, but they were there for a reason. Yeah, the, we collect them now, but all of them were designed to be opened up and played with that's that was the market then so it's important to keep that in mind collectibles now sure but these were toys and a lot of the ones that are our they've seen a lot of battles. So that's, I think that's a great thing to keep in mind. So cobra convergence. Once again, chaplain's assistance motor pod link will be in the description of this video. Go click on that link as soon as you're finished watching this cobra convergence this year. We're recording this of course well in advance of cobra convergence. So there's still a little bit of time. Do you have now by the time people see this though, there wouldn't be any spoilers but have you given some thought to what you might do for your event presentation. Yeah, I have. I actually have it right here. Oh, yes. That's awesome. And it was so easy to get this box. Rather than hunt a loose complete example. Um, and it's, I love the spy, the spy troops line, because they're cheap. I am a frugal man. I am a man of meager means, but it. But for doing a review for any of my reviews, because I want to do a picture of it. I want something complete. So in case there is an aspect of it, I want to capture on camera or experience so I can talk about it. You know, I like to have the whole thing, you know, the famous, the famous one that I did, I did a review about a year ago of the GI Joe hammer. Unbroken antenna. And I mentioned that in their view is like, I am not going to hunt down an unbroken antenna. I'm not going to pay the money for one with the unbroken antenna. That is what it is. These 1990 1991 GI Joe's are made of disintegrating classic. Just the experience you're going to have with this. Sometimes the broken parts are part of the experience and the person checking out the review needs to know that too. I can't. I don't remember how many hammers that I had to get to get one complete one because yeah, they just like, they're made out of rock candy that just crumble. Yeah, it's I think it was four. Yeah, yeah, I think so. Yeah. And mine was three. I had three. Congratulations. Well done. Yeah, it's just it's a luck of the draw on that thing. It's it's really rolling the dice. Yeah. But and actually when you to go back to an earlier question. I've kind of a little bit moved away from it because of just my life. But one of the impetus is for my podcast was fixing GI Joe vehicles and play sets. I don't do it at the rate that I was doing it because, again, life, but I was fixing, you know, I fixed whales. I've talked about fixing the whale on the podcast night Ravens terror drums. And I try to, you know, I haven't reviewed the wheel yet. There's a special, special episode in the future for that one. You know, that's, like you said, the broken parts, you know, collecting these as adults, you know, I know there's a lot of guys getting new that are being new into collecting as well. And I even say that if you're getting new, you're at this point, just buy one complete if you can. Because, you know, buying childhood, you know, lots, which is, I did that a lot about seven years ago, you know, I got a whole bunch of broken ones. And I've been able to piece together vehicles from those lots, or you get one piece away and then you, you know, call up, you know, an online source to, to get that, you know, that, you know, machine gun shield for your, your night Raven or your, you know, the little ring that goes with the machine gun on the back of the Cobra condor. So it's Yeah, fixing broken toys, I think it is kind of a reality of a collector it's just part of the experience, you're just going to, you will have to do it you will have broken toys and so it's nice to know that at least you've done that and maybe we'll, we'll do that more because I think that's And that, that would benefit a lot of people, especially as you said, people getting into this new and just coming into the hobby. You know, the repair job that's that's a part of the experience of a collector. So, it's Cobra convergence, and you've picked a really cool one I'm glad that you showed that off. I was I didn't know that you would have it right handy which is great. Well done. Like I said this is well in advance of the event. Yeah. So, but let's talk about Cobra I guess I guess we've got to have our Cobra quota for this conversation so. So, I've been asking everyone who their favorite Cobra character is so do you have a particular Cobra character that that you're drawn to the most. It usually doesn't fluctuate depends on, you know, the mood, but usually my favorite Cobra the one I always have displayed is a 1984 Hooded Cobra commander. I have a few of them. I have one that has just the right amount of play and where it had a melted head. I had a, I got another head for it, and I replaced the head yo ring. It, you know, it's not, it's not perfect by any means I have an accessory pack laser gun on its back it's the bright blue one. But it's the one that reminds me the most of the one that I had as a kid. Unfortunately, my childhood figures are no longer with me. But that that character was, you know, Cobra commander has such an amazing origin in the comics he has an amazing storyline in the comics. And he was such a lovable buffoon that still holds up in the cartoon series. So it, he is he's he's the linchpin of the whole thing. You know, without him there's no Cobra. Right. Without him, there's like, there's no show, you know, he's got a, you know, he's he's the, the reason for GI Joe doing what it does handsome devil to I have to say. But yeah. But that's that's awesome. Good choice. Good choice. That's it. Yeah, that figure had a bit of. I'm not saying it because of present company. Oh yeah, no, no, no, it's fine. It's, it's, no. No, I got your PayPal before we started that your kickback will be on the way. But that figure had a bit of a mystique back in the 80s because it wasn't at retail. That was a male way figure that's the only way you can get it. So I didn't have I didn't own one at the time but friends did. So it just felt special. So that's I, I like that choice. That's an excellent choice. Well, we, we are, we're coming close to the end of our time. I want to remind everybody one more time. There will be a link in the description of this video. Go check out Chaplin's assistance motor pod. They should have something for Cobra conversion seven up right now. And do check it out and make sure you follow, make sure you keep up with what they do. It's a fun show. The episode titles. Great. The name of the show is great. What I like to do to wrap up is basically turn the floor over to you for any closing thoughts or comments that you would like to give to our fair viewers. Thank you to everybody that's going to check out my show for the first time. And thank you to everybody that's returning to check out my show for Cobra convergence. I hope you enjoy it. It is going, I think I'm looking at my subject matter right now. And I already have some fun ideas and some things that I want to talk about with it. I'm really, it's really tertiary related to the theme. But it was, but you know, when you got a crowbar, you got to use it. And when you have a Cobra ring neck. You got to review it. So I hope you guys check it out. I have no idea what the lead is going to be. At, at time of this recording, but I can definitely assure you that it will definitely be a closer fun look at the Cobra ring neck. And can't wait to, if anybody wants to kick kick back your thoughts or reviews of it, wherever you listen to the podcast. I know there's some buzz about the ring neck. So I think, I think that'll be a great one. Also, the theme is more of a guideline than a rule. So, you know, this wiggle room wiggle room. But anyways, thank you Gary and thank, thank you for talking with me. Thank you for being Cobra Convergence seven. I will remind everybody one more time. Link in the description. And I really hope I hope you have fun this year. And I hope everyone has fun checking out your show. Thank you very much, sir. All right. Thank you. And we will see you soon.