Over the years, we’ve not covered one of the most integral elements of the 1980s Joe toys: blueprints. These little extras, printed on the reverse side of vehicle/playset instructions were yet another tool in Hasbro’s world-building arsenal. If a kid were so inclined they could pore over the more technical aspects of their new plaything. Another brilliant low-cost marketing feature
Read moreMany of our familiar friends from the 80s ended up with extra name descriptors during the post-ARAH years. From Agent Scarlett to Sgt. Stalker, the Joes had to adapt to the needs of copyright. Such is the life of men and women of action. Of course, this kind of parsing of character names is mostly a concern of nerdy toy
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By KansasBrawler I love G.I. Joe and while Transformers was more KansasBrother’s thing, I always thought they were pretty cool. However, despite Hasbro controlling both brands, at least in America, there was never much interplay between the two brands in the toy aisles. Sure, there were the Transformers Vs. G.I. Joe comics that both Marvel and DDP did and there
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Heavy Duty has been saddled with the label of Replacement Roadblock for some time. I’ve never thought of him in that way. My initial introduction to the character came from the original 1991 figure, which was still available when I came back to Joes as a collector. I simply saw him as his specialty described, rather than another Roadblock Sure,
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By KansasBrawler It’s taken me a while, but I now finally get to talk about something unusual from the 25th Anniversary line: a Duke figure that I didn’t regret getting. Yes, Resolute Duke was a 25th Anniversary line figure, but the Resolute sub-branding means I tend to place him with his Resolute brothers and sisters rather than the 25th Anniversary
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By Past Nastification Junkyard and Freedom are the First Animals of ARAH GI Joe. Introduced in 1984, they were Hasbro’s first non-human figures in the line. As animal companions/accessories to Mutt and Spirit, respectively, they added world-building value to the Joe universe. Junkyard represented Mutt utilizing a trained working canine, whereas Freedom represented Spirit violating federal laws by keeping an
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Hi-Tech encapsulates most of what I enjoy about the eight inch Sigma 6 figures. A large, durable toy (especially in kid-sized hands) as well as multiple, modular accessories with sensible action features. Finally, a funky, stylized look that injected freshness into a brand that had been rejuvenating the themes and styles of previous decades. I really, really like Sigma 6.
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It’s not often that we bring up Big Questions around here. So on the occasion of Nice Pants Week 2017, we ask one about one of the oldest GI Joe figures. Why did sailors at one time wear bell bottoms? I thought I knew the answer thanks to a relative who served, but after scouting online sources, it turns out
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Happy Birthday to Me! Now I’m gonna a have a big ol’ piece of chocolate cake on a Star Brigade napkin, and a cold brew in a Sky Patrol stein. Yo Joe!
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By KansasBrawler While I didn’t have it growing up, ever since I got lucky and found the Wal-Mart exclusive Rise of Cobra Outpost Defender, I’ve been kind of obsessed with that little set. It’s a great little piece and the design is perfect. As a fan of the Outpost Defender, it’s pretty easy to guess what my feelings towards the
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