The team behind one of the most celebrated modern O-ring action figure projects is heading south this fall. Legendary G.I. Joe figure designer Mark Pennington, classic packaging illustrator Doug Hart, and project mastermind R. Carson Mataxis have officially confirmed their attendance for JoeLanta 2026.

Taking place September 25–27, 2026, at the Gas South Convention Center in Duluth, Georgia, the annual gathering will host the creators for a weekend filled with physical figure inventory, behind-the-scenes production peeks, and direct community interaction.

For fans of vintage 3.75-inch military figures and modern creator-owned collectibles, this appearance marks an opportunity to meet the original architects who shaped 1980s toy aisles alongside the team driving the current O-ring revival.

Event Details & Location

Event Details	Information
Dates	September 25, 26, & 27, 2026
Venue	Gas South Convention Center
Address	6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097
Featured Creators	Mark Pennington, Doug Hart, R. Carson Mataxis
Product Offerings	Year One Waves 1 & 2 (In-Person Sales)

Year One Waves 1 & 2 Available In-Person

Attendees visiting the booth will have the chance to purchase physical figures from Operation Recall Year One Wave One and Wave Two.

With Wave One inventory dwindling online following initial backer fulfillment, securing these 3.75-inch O-ring figures in person gives collectors a chance to bypass shipping wait times and secure limited-run items. Designed with authentic retro aesthetic engineering, modern tooling, and original character concepts, these figures represent a true passion project for the vintage toy community.

The inclusion of Wave Two stock at the show offers fans an up-close look at the expanding universe, featuring updated sculpting, unique accessories, and packaging artwork executed by the original industry legends.

Exclusive Sneak Peek: Year Two Progress & Panel Details

Beyond purchasing figures, attendees at the event will get a first-hand look at what lies ahead. The team plans to share status updates, control drawings, and production milestones for Year Two of the lineup.

• Mark Pennington will be on hand to discuss figure design, concept execution, and translating classic design sensibilities into new figures.
• Doug Hart brings decades of illustration history, offering insight into creating traditional painted card art for modern releases.
• R. Carson Mataxis will detail the operational side of manufacturing, distribution, and preserving O-ring construction in today’s collector market.

Official panel times and programming schedules will be released by Joelanta closer to the show dates. Collectors attending the event should stay tuned for further announcements regarding Q&A sessions, signing schedules, and potential display prototype reveals on the show floor.