The Power of Packaging: 1983 Airborne
Is this not the boldest of the bold among GI Joe card art? He’s coming right at you!
Airborne is also one of the unique subjects to get just a little bit of environment in his card art thanks to a bit of line presumably coming from a helicopter. It’s a small but powerful piece of business that really places the character into a situation that illustrates his specialty.
I always loved the jumpers, even the overly red-colored Crazy Legs. But what really stands out to me about Airbourne is how he is the FIRST Native American in the line. Nearly 20 years after the launch of the toy, and a full year before Spirit Iron-Knife, Airbourne is a legit ground breaker.
AND with none of the stereotypes of Native American dress or dart guns. It is pretty amazing! (Though Spirit is of course one of my all time faves)
I remember feeling just a tad bit ripped off as a seven-year-old that Airborne didn’t come with a length of cord with a grappling hook on one end as an accessory. He had one on the package art, so he should have one in his gear bubble; it only made sense to me at the time.