In 2012 some huge news hit Jem fans. Something we had dreamt of for decades was coming
true, Jem was back as a doll line!!!
Jem, which was a high quality playline already in the 80's, was getting the royal treatment as super high quality
collector dolls by the worlds probably most famous doll manufacturer of collector dolls, Integrity Toys, under license
by Hasbro.
The first sign of the new Jem doll line, appeared very suddenly after it was announced.
It was a doll of the main character herself, Jem, to be released as a special San Diego Comic Con exclusive.
Jem fans were surprised by the new look and unknowing
what else was to come. Jem fans who were used to slowly building their collections piece by piece, with items available
since the
80's, were subjected to in many ways a very different kind of product, that was not a playline available in toystores.
It was a struggle to get ahold of these limited edition dolls, only available at the
San Diego Comic Con. You were forced to
reach someone who was going to the convention. Luckily several people announced they would take part at the
convention, and offered a pre-order on auction sites like ebay.
Soon after that, the first actual wave of dolls of this new line were announced, and collectors were pre-ordering
like crazy from the companies that were listed as official Integrity Toys dealers. Jem and Jerrica were released
as separate dolls, and we even got Rio and Synergy in this first wave. And there would be much more to come.
An issue of the Haute Doll magazine with the scoop about the new line had a
cover variant featuring Jem, which was
only available at the SDCC. Another
giveaway at the Comic Con was a card
with 80's art of the Glitter 'n Gold roadster, and advertisements from
WeLoveFine.com, ShoutFactory.com and spirithalloween.com on the back.
To find out any news about upcoming dolls, keep an eye out on the following links:
This new doll, the first one in the Integrity Toys line, is the first Jem doll ever that has all pink hair and
not also blonde. A very recognizable hairstyle in the cartoon, rather than the long and straight 80's doll hairstyle.
The most Jem-like hairstyle yet, with pink hair and no blonde. So it's closer to the cartoon than the 80's dolls.
They went with a later
cartoon makeup-scheme, and distinct black eyebrows, and a new and more adult looking head sculpt.
Makeup is very similar colorwise, to the makeup Jem wears with this fashion in the cartoon, but while
the eyebrows are more arched on the doll, the makeup is slightly softer than in the cartoon.
She is wearing a very popular fashion that is known from the cartoon.
Introduced in the episode "One Jem Too Many".
According to Integrity Toys, this outfit is one of the most requested animated-based looks.
The outfit is not the same as the 80's unreleased Hollywood Jem doll, but an earlier outfit
that did appear in the Hollywood Jem two-parter, and has become known as
"Hollywood Jem" among Jem fans, originally because of a Doll Reader magazine article from 1989 by Glenn A. Mandeville.
And they made it as glittery and detailed as possible, which makes it a perfect introduction to Jem at it's Comic-Con debute.
Differences from the cartoon is that the doll's jacket and pants are glittery. The jacket looks slightly longer in the
cartoon. The stars on the
doll pants are golden instead of white. The shoes in the cartoon are perhaps a little more blueish
than black.
In my opinion, they did a great job on choosing an original cartoon outfit that also has a modern look.
The earrings look alot like in the cartoon, more than on the 80's dolls of course, but only one of them have the
"bulb" or button, while the other is blank. The bracelets were not present in the cartoon.
Jem fans were quite divided in their opinions on the updates in Jem's doll format and some details about her look, or
particularly on
this first doll. The black eyebrows looked a bit fierce. Jem collectors had already built a collection of the 80's format
dolls, and weren't used to this
kind of high quality fashion doll. Years after this first doll, we've seen all kinds of interpretations of
Jem's looks in this line, and if some were hesistant at first, they were won over by this beautiful format that
works perfectly for the Jem line. But as I
look back on this doll, I can see they did a great job already to begin with. Nowadays, a decade later, this first
release of Jem, is probably the most expensive to buy of them all.
Doll specs:
Promotional pictures:
Packaging:
Alternate hands:
Same nailpolish as main hands. For gripping things, like the microphone.
Interchangeable. Identical to the ones that came with Classic Jem.
Palms.
Earrings:
Red chromed metal starshaped, one of which has a "button" in the middle of
the star, which it seems no earrings for Jem dolls got.
Jacket:
Gold-toned yellow with shoulder pads, pockets on the sides, and a button for decoration. With
tag inside
(back).
No closure on front. Consists of two fabrics.
Open.
Back.
Top: A light blue corset with ruffled lapels on top and bottom, and
black ribbons outlining. Hook-and-eye closure in the back. Consists of four fabrics.
Back.
Back open.
Pants:
Red capri pants with golden thread, a golden stripe along the legs and golden star prints.
Black hook-and-eye closure in the back. Consists of three fabrics.
Back.
Shoes:
Shiny black high heel pumps, with yellow/golden insoles and black
outsoles. Same shape as Rapture, Raya, Jetta, Astral, Clash, Video, Danse, and Regine.
Bracelets: Golden metal, to be worn one on each arm.
Microphone:
Plastic, darkpink handle, with silver-chromed (slightly golden) top and button. Connects to the stand with the cord in
the bottom of the microphone.
Microphone stand and cord:
Metal pole, inner part is made of metal while outer part is made of chromed plastic. Adjustable in height and at direction
of the mike on top, to be placed in the round plastic base. A plastic/rubbery black cord, with golden chromed plastic
connectors, to connect to the mike and stand.
Stand:
Black plastic base, in oval shape, with a print of the Jem and The Holograms logo on top.
A hole on top for the pole, and a hole on the left and right side to plug in power cables.
Text print on the underside says 2012.
Silver-colored pole, adjustable in height, inner part is metal, outer part is chromed plastic with a plastic
plug in the bottom.
2 black plastic pieces, underarm support and saddle support, to put on top of the pole one at the time, to hold the doll.
4 pieces in total.
Base bottom.
Boulevard of Fame star frame: Cardboard print, that says
"Presented to Jem", "The Occasion of the placement of your celebrity star on Hollywood Boulevard".
Miniature poster:
Cardboard reproduction of the original Jem poster, with the addition of the text "and The Holograms" under the Jem logo,
aswell as the Integrity Toys logo and the modern Hasbro logo.
Certificate of authenticity: .
Instructions: Hands/stand/microphone version that says "Hollywood Jem".
Other info on this site:
Jem finally makes a comeback in her original pink ¾ sleeve mini-dress, the way most people recognize her.
Introduced in the episode "The Beginning", although the fashion appeared in it's finished
look, with the belt in this color, from the episode "Starbright Part One: Falling Star".
They went in a surprising direction with the minidress fabric, which appears to resemble the doll box artwork,
rather than the 80's doll's bright metallic fabric. Very accurate outfit.
Unlike the 80's version, the belt is not reversible, since Jerrica is released separately, and tights
are based on the 80's doll.
Accessories are always fun, even if Jem didn't have the bracelet in the cartoon for this outfit, which
the 80's doll did.
Again, like Hollywood Jem, this doll has all pink hair, but with less bangs.
A big hairdo with all pink hair, much like in the cartoon.
We also see a big change in her eyebrows,
which are now blue, a very requested change from Jem fans to give her a softer expression,
like sometimes seen in closeups in the cartoon.
The blue eyebrows works out as a great fix for making Jem look nicer and more recognizable than Hollywood Jem.
The makeup is stronger than Hollywood Jem's, but still a bit soft compared to the cartoon and has some blue in it.
They also gave her the original cartoon pink eye-makeup instead of violet.
Doll specs:
Promotional pictures:
Packaging:
Alternate hands:
Same color of nail polish as the main hands.
These are made to grip things like the microphone.
Palms.
Earrings:
Red chromed metal starshaped. From here on all Jem star earrings
are in the flat style without the "button".
Mini-dress:
Darkpink shiny fabric. Consists of two fabrics.
Back.
Back open.
Belt:
Double layered silver glitter fabric, with silver fringes hanging down, and white
leather-like fabric in opposite side. Doesn't reverse for Jerrica's outfit. Hook-and-eye closure in the back.
Back.
Tights:
Fishnet stockings in pink and silver, with elastic waist.
Shoes:
Hot pink metallic high heel pumps, with pink insoles and beige outsoles.
Bracelet:
Metal silver-colored with a pink "gemstone". Hand must be removed to put on.
Microphone:
Pink plastic handle, with chromed top and button, and connects to the stand with the cord.
Microphone stand and cord:
Metal pole, inner part is made of metal while outer part is made of chromed plastic. Adjustable in height
and at direction of the mike on top, to be placed in the round plastic base. A plastic/rubbery black
cord, with golden chromed plastic connectors, to connect to the mike and stand.
Stand:
Black plastic base, in oval shape, with a print of the Jem and The Holograms logo on top.
A hole on top for the pole, and a hole on the left and right side to plug in power cables.
Text print on the underside says 2012.
Silver-colored pole, adjustable in height, inner part is metal, outer part is chromed plastic with a plastic
plug in the bottom.
2 black plastic pieces, underarm support and saddle support, to put on top of the pole one at the time, to hold the doll.
4 pieces in total.
Base bottom.
Certificate of authenticity:
Card with purple background.
A new certificate compared to Hollywood Jem.
From here on it doesn't say the amount of dolls, just "ultra-limited edition".
Instructions:
Hands/stand/microphone/hair.
Double-sided with French text on the other side.
New look of the instruction sheet from here on. This one covers hands, stand and microphone, and now also hair.
Other info on this site:
Offsite links:
For the first time Jerrica gets her own doll.
No need to hide any pink hair under a hat on this doll unlike the 80's one, although she does come with her hat.
A more cartoon accurate shorter hair length compared to the 80's doll, and it could even have been a bit shorter still,
to resemble the cartoon even more.
Blue eyebrows like in the cartoon, but the pink and blue eyemakeup is new.
She has a softer looking makeup than the Jem dolls, making her look more natural than the rockstar Jem, and more
Jerrica-like.
This outfit was introduced in the episode "The Beginning", although the fashion appeared in it's finished
look from the episode "Starbright Part One: Falling Star".
Outfit looks very much like in the cartoon, and more so than the 80's doll fashion does.
The mini-dress has an alot higher quality fabric than the 80's doll. But Jerrica
never wore that beret in the cartoon (once the outfit had changed from pink/blue to white/blue that is), so it's
from the 80's doll. Same thing with the glasses. She even comes with some accessories
like a new design of glasses, and a purse.
I don't think the purse is based on anything seen in the cartoon.
The magazine Music Bizz, resembles a magazine seen in the
episode "In Search Of The Stolen Album". Integrity Toys added the date "July 1986" and "The #1 Band of the
Decade!". As for the top list, Integrity Toys used other fonts on top, and removed the names "Rodents" and "Mundanna" and
added "The Misfits" and "Luna Dark", which is funny because both Mundanna and Luna Dark are based on Madonna. The top list
also appears in the episode "Glitter and Gold".
Doll specs:
Promotional pictures:
Packaging:
Alternate hands:
Bright pink nailpolish. Gripping style.
Palms.
Beret:
White and aqua striped with a white ribbon around the opening, and a couple of
short frignes at the top of the hat. Consists of three fabrics.
Underside
Dress:
A white and aqua vertically striped shirtdress. Consists of two fabrics.
White zipper closure in the back.
Back.
Back open.
Belt:
Double layer white leather-like fabric with white fringes. The fringes
are much thicker than those on the Classic Jem doll. Hook-and-eye closure in the back.
Back.
Tights:
Skincolored with elastic waist.
Shoes:
Aquablue high heel pumps with white insoles and beige outsoles.
Earrings: Red chromed metal starshaped.
Sunglasses:
Blue metal sunglasses with bright blue plastic lenses. These are very cool as the temples have actual working hinges.
But the plastic lenses are fragile and may come off.
Purse:
Beautifully designed in white pleather. Hook-and-eye closure. Consists of two fabrics.
Back.
Hat pin x2:
A couple of short metal pins to fasten the hat in the head.
Very hard to spot in the package and very easy to lose.
Stand:
Black plastic base, in oval shape, with a print of the Jem and The Holograms logo on top.
A hole on top for the pole, and a hole on the left and right side to plug in power cables.
Text print on the underside says 2012.
Silver-colored pole, adjustable in height, inner part is metal, outer part is chromed plastic with a plastic
plug in the bottom.
2 black plastic pieces, underarm support and saddle support, to put on top of the pole one at the time, to hold the doll.
4 pieces in total.
Base bottom.
Minature Jem album:
Cardboard record, thats fits into cardboard cover.
Music industry magazine: Cardboard, empty white on inside.
Music Bizz Top 10 list: Cardboard, empty white on other side.
Based on the cartoon, but interstingly Luna Dark was added, which might have been a hint she was considered for a later
doll release. And in 2018 IT released a doll that resembled Luna Dark in some ways, although named Lark Lawrence.
Certificate of authenticity: Same as Classic Jem's.
Instructions: Hands/stand.
Double-sided, with French text on the other side.
A third version of instructions, since this is the first doll to come without a microphone and stand. Same instructions as
Synergy and Rio.
Other info on this site:
Offsite links:
Integrity Toys really starts of this line with a great example of what they can do.
Synergy is undoubtedly one of the most outrageous dolls of this entire line, with her bright violet skin
she even stands out among the Jem dolls.
This look is based on the cartoon look rather than the 80's doll.
Introduced in the episode "The Beginning". She doesn't have
metallic strands in her hair like the 80's doll.
Amazing job with the eyes and the makeup. She doesn't have visible eyes and no eyeshadow
in the cartoon, so this looks like a mix of the cartoon and 80's doll.
Outfit is obviously based on the cartoon version rather than the doll, even if in reversed colors, but perhaps that was
intentional to bring out the haircolor more.
She even comes with a mini-box of earrings for Jerrica, resembling the one seen in the very first episode.
And although she is not supposed to wear them herself, her ears are pierced. The mastertape is referring to the
one seen in the episode "Out Of The Past", although Integrity Toys added the design and text. The voice imprint also refers
to "Out Of The Past", where we see the song titles appear on a computer screen, in a very similar font. As for the
"Main holographic transmitter logic board schematics" that's probably made up by Integrity Toys.
Integrity Toys have also re-used her skincolor dolls in their other lines.
Doll specs:
Promotional pictures:
Packaging:
Alternate hands:
Bright violet with red nailpolish that matches her lipstick.
Palms.
Headband:
Metallic lavender, double layer, with silver pearl closure.
Bodysuit:
Glittery holographic techno body, with printed areas of purple and pink.
3 hook-and-eye closures in the back. Tag inside. Worn over the full body bodysuit.
Back.
Back open.
Bodysuit second part:
Glittery holographic techno bodysuit, with
printed areas of purple, and elastic bands for the feet. Tag inside.
Worn underneath the body piece. Not recommended to be taken off, since it's so difficult to put back on it might
break in all the seams around the waist.
Back.
Gloves:
Chrome pink and violet fabric, which are to be put over the chromed hands.
Boots:
Chromed pink and violet high-heels with white insoles and black outsoles. Open op entirely in the back, all the way down to
the heels. Pink zipper closure in the back.
Miniature gift box:
Made of cardboard. Containing a pair of chroemd red metal JemStar earrings "for Jerrica", although Synergy's own ears
are pierced for some reason.
Open.
Underside.
Earrings: Red chromed metal starshaped.
Miniature mastertape:
Consists of four cardboard print layers. Says
"Starlight Music", "Jacqui Benton Master Tape" and "Set 1, Take 1".
Back.
Main holographic transmitter logic board schematics:
Cardboard print. Also says "by Emmett Benton, June 1984".
Jacqui Benton voice imprint from master tape 1:
Cardboard print. Lists the songs: Starlight, First Love, My Heart, Oh. Jo and Jerrica's.
Stand:
Black plastic base, in oval shape, with a print of the Jem and The Holograms logo on top.
A hole on top for the pole, and a hole on the left and right side to plug in power cables.
Text print on the underside says 2012.
Silver-colored pole, adjustable in height, inner part is metal, outer part is chromed plastic with a plastic
plug in the bottom.
2 black plastic pieces, underarm support and saddle support, to put on top of the pole one at the time, to hold the doll.
4 pieces in total.
Base bottom.
Certificate of authenticity:
With purple background. Same as Classic Jem's.
Instructions: Hands/stand.
Double-sided, with French text on the other side.
Same as with Jerrica and Rio.
Other info on this site:
Offsite links:
The doll I looked forward to the most and prefer out of the first wave! In the 80's line
the two Rio dolls were the only male dolls released, so it was time for another version of
Jerrica's boyfriend.
He now has longer purple hair, a good match to the cartoon. Rio has a new body sculpt compared to the 80's doll,
and is now 12.5 inch tall (taller than the female dolls). His headsculpt was designed in a way that
makes it appear as his head is pointed just slightly upwards, which was fixed for the next Rio doll
of this line. Finally Rio has purple eyebrows.
Comes in his very detailed cartoon outfit, introduced in the episode "The Beginning", which differs completely
from the 80's doll.
Since the outfit is his cartoon look, and is very close in resemblance, with a few small differences: the color of the shirt
could have been more dark pink, he now has a pocket on his jacket, and his shoes are more detailed.
The crew duffle bag with the Jem logo print, may not be from the cartoon, but a nice touch, and kinda resemble a violet
one that Jem has in the episode "Frame Up", the one Zipper fills with the concert money.
And look at that watch and the shoes!
Doll specs:
Promotional pictures:
Packaging:
Jacket: Grayish beige pleather varsity jacket with working zipper.
Open.
Back.
Shirt:
Dark peach crew neck t-shirt in stretchy fabric. Hook-and-eye closure on back. Tag inside.
Back open.
Pants:
80's style high-waist pleated dark beige trousers, with pockets on back.
Tag inside. Zipper and hook-and-eye closure in front. Consists of two fabrics.
Back.
Belt:
Made of a a leatherlike material, with a brighter more beige color than
the pants, and a slightly golden belt buckle in metal.
Shoes:
Beige deck shoes in matching color to the belt and wristband for the watch,
with white shoelaces. White insoles and beige outsoles.
Watch:
Beige miniature new wave wristwatch with leather-like wristband in matching color to the belt and shoes.
Bag:
A dark blue crew duffle bag in a leather-like fabric with a Jem logo print
and black handles, and zipper closure. Has an actual pocket on the side, with zipper closure.
Back.
Miniature V.I.P. back stage pass:
Cardboard doublesided print laminated.
Made to look like a mail-in piece from the 80's official Hasbro Jem club.
Back.
Concert hall layout schematics:
Cardboard print with plans for the stage of Jem's
next concert. Says, among other things, "International Stop #3 Montreal Oct. 18-19, 1986".
Stand:
Black plastic base, in oval shape, with a print of the Jem and The Holograms logo on top.
A hole on top for the pole, and a hole on the left and right side to plug in power cables.
Text print on the underside says 2012.
Silver-colored pole, adjustable in height, inner part is metal, outer part is chromed plastic with a plastic
plug in the bottom.
2 black plastic pieces, underarm support and saddle support, to put on top of the pole one at the time, to hold the doll.
4 pieces in total.
Base bottom.
Certificate of authenticity:
Purple background. Says 2012.
Instructions: Hands/stand.
Double-sided, with French text on the other side.
Same instructions as Jerrica and Synergy.
Other info on this site:
Offsite links:
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