Recondo Redux
Some figures hold such a sway that just one entry can’t satisfy my need to talk about them. Recondo is one such figure. Going into this daily blog project, I realized fairly early on that I would need to pace myself as far as covering my favorites, especially if I were in it for the long run. After all, I’d hate to have covered all of 1982-1994 right off the bat, and end up only talking about later figures or the modern era subjects that don’t hold the same interest to me. That’s not to say I don’t care for the newer figures, but the more exciting Joe toy subjects for me reside in the 80s and 90s. I’m delving more and more into the modern large scale figures and even the Adventure Team, but I just don’t own enough to go very far.
So here we are again with Recondo. As a figure, he was an instant favorite when I bought him back in ’84. I must have carried him around even more than I did Storm Shadow. He fulfilled more than a jungle fighter role in my adventures, as I figured his color scheme matched up well with the older green Joes. Loaded with character and detail, he’s the perfect example of what made the reborn GI Joe toys resonate with so many of us 80s kids.
He’s one of the few that seems to me to be a perfect figure.
”So many G.I.Joe action figures to choose from. So much, about them, makes them popular among collectors.”
Hell yeah
Iconic G.I.JOE.
In the UK Palitoy released him with the Silent Attack Canoe. He wasn’t available again until Hasbro issued him with the Tigerfly in the Tiger Force subset until the late 1990s but the figure was re named Wild Bill.
Recondo and Wild Bill are two different characters. He was introduced in 1983, and came with the Dragonfly. Recondo came out in 1984. I may be wrong, but I don’t believe it was the same head sculpt.
and im holding my breath…
Recondo is a top notch figure. His gear was awesome for a jungle fighter. So awesome, though, that I could never use it for another figure…even to this day. You should check out the Brazilian Leopardo figure. Same great Recondo, but with deeper green hues and a suntan. It’s a great way to rediscover a classic again.
What is this Brazilian leopard you speak of?
Hasbro in 1984 gave us detailed sculpting and creativity while staying somewhat tied to the olive-drab roots of GIJoe. I’d rather Recondo had dark green BDUs, but this look probably helped freshen up the line. Also, his design art featured a boonie hat and less fancy mustache, but now I can’t imagine Recondo any other way than how they made him.
He looks more safari than jungle trooper. But he’s still awesome.
Such a good figure. He had great roles in the cartoon. Jungle trap and red rockets glare are great.
Just needs a canteen and a machete. Kindof amazing he doesn’t have one!!
Canteen’s on his pack and machete’s on his leg. 🙂
That’s true but it would be better if he can hold them.
My absolute favorite Joe. When I was a kid, I thought he looked Australian. So in my mind he sounded like crocodile Dundee. “That’s not a noif” “THIS is a noif”
Also reminds me of Quigley Down Under.