I became fascinated with the DIC cartoon series for some strange reason back in the early 2000s. At the time, I was delving more deeply into the toys that I had missed between 1988 and 1991. The cartoon was a bit of a revelation in that it featured animated versions of later toys. That in itself was exciting, even if
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The battlefield accessories concept of the Real American Hero era was a brilliant little example of Hasbro’s marketing its revamped GI Joe line in new and interesting ways. The small size and small price point items really recalled the diorama-like accessories of the 60s as well as the small action packs of the 70s. For just a bit of money,
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Customs have been a fascination of mine within toy collecting for some time. The first time I can remember customizing a toy myself was back in the 80s, when I asked my mother to make a set of arctic clothes for my ’82 Snake Eyes and ’83 Stalker. I had been so smitten with issue 2 of the Marvel comic
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One of the most unique aspects of the GI Joe series since its inception in the 1960s has been its attention to minute detail and mundane accessories. Sure, every fighting soldier needs a uniform, helmet and weaponry, but they also require the necessities of food, shelter and supplies. From items like canteens and mess kits in the 60s to tents
Read moreIt’s time for another Geewunner.com custom build. Continuing with the brilliant brick builder’s 80s GI Joe homages, it’s the Enemy Jet Glider. The one-man Cobra attack glider, first made famous by Storm Shadow in Marvel issue #21, is always a fan favorite. It cuts a very familiar outline for 80s toy fans, and that shape is accurately portrayed here. The
Read moreJoe A Day reader and frequent commenter Skymate recently sent in a Christmas care package that included two cool custom figures. One of them was a modern interpretation of his moniker. Skymate is one of those 90s Joe figures that doesn’t get much thought in comparison to other figures. Part of the Air Commandos pilots, the original is an interesting
Read moreby KansasBrawler Retaliation gave us some very good designs for Joes and Cobras in my opinion. Despite being a movie tie-in line, the Hasbro design team managed to throw us some nice Easter eggs in the early waves, like Renegades Zartan, while still remaining true to the limited movie cast list. However, sometimes Hasbro makes a figure that with just
Read moreThe Ninja Force Storm Shadow has been one of my favorite of the famous ninja’s redesigns, at least in terms of the uniform. There’s something really interesting about the black and white pattern, and the hooded head is a cool nod to his second figure. But being a toy with spring-loaded action, he was hampered by poseability and proportion issues.
Read moreIn my younger days, I was heavily involved in action figure customizing. Most of my focus was on Marvel comics, with a particular bent toward the more obscure corners of their well populated universe. I tackled the likes of weirdos such as Brother Voodoo, Shaman, Spirit of ’76, Wonder Man, Nighthawk, Fixer, the Son of Satan, and even Videoman. I
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