Operation: Lion’s Den (1999 Adventures of GI Joe: 2010)

Top Secret Document:

The worldwide movement of international criminal and terrorist organizations is monitored by a classified defense satellite network system code named: Eagle Eye. Recently, Eagle Eye has detected an advance of several of the world’s largest hostile networks. Though its final objective is unknown, this new and dangerous enemy represents a serious menace to the world.

In response to this threat, the United States military has formed a small, hard-hitting counter-insurgent team whose primary mission is to infiltrate these operations and hostile activities. Code named G.I. Joe, their authorized name is classified, and their existence is not officially recognized by the government. These individuals represent the most effective strike force in the world—the best of the best, trained to operate anywhere and at a moment’s notice.

Status: Dignitaries have been kidnapped and are being held captive in Europe’s Thousand-Year Space Tower. Resistance is strong—Several rescue attempts have failed.

Mission:

1. Gain entrance to the tower by use of stealth climbing equipment. Structure is heavily guarded and wired with explosives.

2. Rescue hostages, take down resistance and deactivate bomb. Your code name is Red Stallion. Of course, if anything should happen to you, your existence will be denied. Good luck!

Wow, got all that? Such read the back of the package for this figure. You remember a couple of years ago when the US military was outfitting its special-ops troops in sleeveless vests, hockey masks and trapezoidal camouflage patterns, right? No? Well, they were going to in ten years’ time, according to Hasbro’s 1999 12 inch scale Adventures of GI Joe 2010, or to put it more succinctly–Future Joe!

There was a time when I was very much into the 1/6 scale Joes. I even reached a point where I was buying older 60’s Joes. The Hall of Fame series of the 90’s had piqued my my interest, even though the bodies left a lot to be desired, and functioned as little more than mannequins for the Real American Hero based uniform designs. I was much more impressed when the Classic Collection launched in 1997. The body was far more articulated, and the accessories were well integrated, and based on then-current military weapons and gear. I fell out of collecting the big guys eventually, but I do remember stumbling on the 2010 series several times over the years.

Adventures 2010 flung GI Joe ten years into the future, with the team acting as a sort of special forces meets James Bond.  The vibe I got from it was very similar to the 90’s Action Man line, some of which had been ported over to the US earlier in the decade. Elements of both the Hall of Fame and the Classic Collection (the bodies, thankfully) were reused to make up the line. The short-lived 2010 series was also big on action features; this particular figure had a climbing action backpack. This figure is one of the less far-out concepts in the line. The gear from this figure was a reuse of Hall of Fame Snake Eyes’ mask, Karate Choppin’ Snake Eyes’ vest and Major Bludd’s rappelling backpack. Since the body used is the early Classic Collection type, his uncovered arms look a bit puny.

As a whole, the Adventures 2010 line incorporates a lot of elements that interest me–bold looks, fun accessories and action features. It’s a very odd, very fun, and very cool little chapter in Joe history. Too bad it was 12 inch scale, as I could totally incorporate it into my whacked-out Joe universe. If I didn’t spend all my free time writing this blog, I’d get to making some 3 & 3/4 scale customs. Maybe some day…