Cover Girl (1983)
Cover Girl’s figure doesn’t quite live up to her code name or to the reputation put forth in her file card as a stunning beauty. However, consider this is a figure produced in 1983, when female action figures weren’t all that prevalent, and the production techniques of the time didn’t lend themselves to the kind of detail and realism that we’re accustomed to today. Even the licensed toys of the day, like Star Wars’ Princess Leia, didn’t much resemble their actor counterparts, and neither did some Joe figures when compared to package art. Not a complaint, just an observation.
It helps if you think about these early figures for what they are: representations of the human form, meant to be played with by children aged 4 and up. We had a word for them a long time ago–wait, I remember–toys. All things being relative, she is more attractive than ’82-83 Scarlett.
All those years ago, I picked up Cover Girl in a trade. Oddly, I didn’t get the Wolverine, just her. As a female figure, I suppose she was easy trade bait within my group of friends. I think I traded a Star Wars figure for her, the type of trade unheard of in our circle. Usually Joes were only traded for Joes, especially since Star Wars had mostly run its course.
Like most of the early driver figures, she was weaponless. Now that I think about it, I don’t recall using her much during my play as a kid. I don’t think it was just because she was a female figure, I just literally had nothing for her to do. I’m sure she would have remained in her vehicle had I owned it.
Cover Girl didn’t get another release until 2006, when she was made part of a comic pack. Her mostly forgettable presence in the 2009 movie, and her bumbum-ugly action figure based on it were disappointing to say the least. But hey, things are looking up for Courtney, as 2013 will see her released as part of the Collectors Club’s Figure Subscription Service.
I picked up my Cover Girl at a flea market with a bag of ’90 figures. Though she doesnt look very feminie, gijoe had more female characters than any other boys toy line of the 80’s
She looks rather oddly like Veronica Cartwright in Alien.
She is not sexy at all, but we always love her, even after 30 years!
In my view, she doesn’t look bad at all. I once saw her in a small antique shop I went to three times (where I picked up ’88 Sgt. Slaughter and Voltar, and ’87 Taurus). I would buy her there, but she had a $30 price tag.
Cover Girl has always been the most underrated of the female Joes. I always liked her better than Scarlett or Lady Jaye, but I wasn’t too fond of the Wolverine so I never had her figure as a kid.
The years have been kind to the character since her ’83 debut and it’s safe to say that she has experienced a renaissance of sorts in the modern era.
I’m not a Cover Girl fan, not in the lest, but I agree this is a far better figure than the 1982 Scarlett is for sure.
Not sure what she would have been on the cover of…
She’s actually a pretty good figure, with some great details (pocket calculator, empty hip holster…), but that head is rough. I’m trying to remember ladies’ hairstyles of the early ’80s and this still looks “off”. I also picked the figure up from a friend and had nothing for her to do until the mail-away Wolverine saved her from oblivion. She’d launch all 12 missiles Robotech style and decimate Cobra!
Ever notice the prototype head sculpt on the back of the Wolverine box?
http://www.3djoes.com/cover-girl.html
Also, there are different (more detailed) paint apps on that prototype, mainly on the thighs.
All in all, she’s a decent figure… but I really didn’t use her much in my wars.
I’ll say this: the actual product (except for those missing paint apps) is MILES better than the prototype head sculpt.
Oy, the head of the figure on the back of the box is horiffic! 😮
I think the figure is really nice when one considers the (file card) character is working against her “cover girl” beauty by becoming essentially a tank driving grunt, this figure comes across as a strong success. The whole product, file card, MOS/SMOS, figure, all well thought out as I see it.
I think they should’ve went with blonde hair and a head sculpt more closely resembling Cover Girl’s original appearance in the cartoon. That’s my favorite rendition of the character.
”Cover-Girl’s beauty was only matched by the lethal missile tank that she drove, The Wolverine.During the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd release of early G.I.JOE/Cobra female action figures, Scarlett(1982),Cover Girl(1983), The Baroness(Cobra 1984), and Lady Jaye(1985)…Then came along Zarana(1986), and finally Jinx(1987)…Cover Girl stood out on her own , without a vehicle.”