Python Patrol at Toys R Us
Sorry to make everyone sad, but here’s a classic TRU ad.
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Destro (2008)
Are you an original Destro fan or Iron Grenadiers Destro fan? I find there are elements of both that I enjoy, be it action figure or comic portrayal. The 25th anniversary series focused on this particular mold several times, and the comic interpretation got quite a lot of exposure in just a couple of years. While the other repaints of
Read moreHavoc Chopper (Lanard CORPS)
If there’s one thing Lanard packs into its vehicles, play value is it. I can’t think of any other budget toy maker that gives kids as much bang for their buck. While such things may not be a collector’s cup of tea, little ones dig action features. The Havoc Chopper is a neat little one-man copter. The silhouette is similar
Read moreQuest Rover
By Past Nastification GI Joe was dead, at least in 1:18th scale, in 1996. Like many of us now in our mid 40’s, even if 1:18 GI Joe wasn’t dead then, it would have been dead to me anyway. I had outgrown it around 1988 and wouldn’t rediscover my love of GI Joe as adult collector/customizer until the Stars ‘n
Read moreCaptivating Cover: Order of Battle #3
Cobra gets the spotlight in the third issue of the Order of Battle mini-series. If you haven’t heard of it, the comic ran four issues, and was set up in much the same style as the 1980s Handbook of the Marvel Universe. Since Joe had readymade filecard info, this was I’m sure a no-brainer for the House of Ideas. I
Read moreMarauder Snowmobile (Force of Battle 2000)
By KansasBrawler It’s time for another KansasBrawler confession. I like a lot of early Joe vehicles, but I’ve never really liked the vintage Polar Battle Bear. For some reason, that vehicle just never really spoke to me. If I had to venture a guess, I’d say it’s probably because, growing up in a town in South Dakota that manufactures front
Read moreThe GI Joe File: Part 3
Wrapping up the GI Joe File are two more pages, featuring a full page of Zap as well as the continuation of the Larry Hama interview and Steeler with the MOBAT. Gotta love that full page pin-up. Excelsior!
Read moreThe GI Joe File: Part 2
Continuing the 1984 Marvel Age article, this page features more unseen Trimpe art as well as a bit of coverage of the historic silent issue. An image of Rock N’ Roll on a RAM is iconic, and this one is made even cooler by his helmet-less and shaggy Marvel comics depiction.
Read moreThe GI Joe File: Part 1
Marvel Age ran quite a few GI Joe articles over the course of its run, which is no surprise considering the mag was one of the publisher’s best sellers for years. Issue 15 presents the state of Joe in real time circa 1984, and features some amazing and then never-seen Herb Trimpe art. What a time capsule peek into Joe’s
Read moreThe Power of Packaging: 1983 Zap
Looking back at the first series of 80s Joes, I get a sense that these images more than any others would make a great collage. Has anyone done that yet? 1982’s Joes to me are an excellent continuation of the 60s and 70s package paintings, at least they give me the same feeling of action and adventure. Zap is another
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