Backyard Battles: Snowing is Half the Battle – Part 3
By Jason Royalty
Read moreMonth: February 2017
The Power of Packaging: Chest Winch
If you think the GI Joe brand only gave rise to ridiculous accessory concepts as recent as the 1990s, you’d be thinking wrong. Check out the Chest Winch, from the Adventure Team era. I covered it once before in its application as part of the Action Man line, but I think this piece of package artwork truly captures the beautiful
Read moreAirWing Force (Ultra CORPS!)
Lanard’s Ultra CORPS! series of twelve inch figures has had something for almost everyone. If you’re into straight military style outfits and accessories, you’re covered. If you like the adventure side of things, that’s an option as well. If the modern army and character vibe of 1980s GI Joe floats your boat, the line includes a variety of them also.
Read moreRise of Cobra Neo-Viper
By KansasBrawler I know some of the choices made in Rise of Cobra were pretty contentious. I didn’t love everything Hasbro and Paramount did either, however, I thought that, on balance, there was more good than bad there. One of the best decisions I think they made was tapping the Cobra Neo-Viper as the primary Cobra foot soldier. I have
Read moreTonka Play People Rapid Deployment Team
By Past Nastification Some of you hate Coke and love Pepsi… or vice-versa. I respect that. As someone who simply appreciates sugar-laden carbonated liquids for the delicious empty calorie beverages they are, I’m happy to drink either one. In terms of holding a larger spot in the public’s nostalgic heart, it’s hard to not see Coke as the winner. Pepsi
Read moreToy Fair Flashback: Scorpion & Manta-Ray
No, it’s not a fight between two Mortal Kombat ninja–although in 1994, it could have totally been possible. It’s our final Toy Fair Flashback for the year, and I think this one is a doozy. Well, I am partial to catalog diorama shots. The shot impresses not only for the dramatic posing of the many figures featured, but also for
Read moreToy Fair Flashback: 1994 Blockbuster
Wow, if you hadn’t known that GI Joe was changing within a year, you would think that a large tank-like vehicle like this would signal a return to form in comparison to previous 90s offerings. Unfortunately, the Blockbuster represents the final large vehicle of the RAH era. The diorama shot here in the Hasbro catalog showcases it nicely. It’s a
Read moreToy Fair Flashback: 1994 Star Brigade
Today’s Toy Fair catalog page comes from Hasbro’s 1994 catalog. The new items for the final year of RAH Joe included the Power Fighters, a pair of Joe and Cobra mechs. I find this interesting because mechs later became something of a focus in the 2000s and modern years. These two are chunky and limited in mobility, but both came
Read moreToy Fair Flashback: Tonka GI Joe Vehicles
It’s Toy Fair time again, and no Joe news to report from Hasbro. That’s why we’re reaching into the catalog vault to dig up an advert of what was coming soon—in the past. My favorite of these 1993 offerings are the Steel Brigade branded vehicles. It wouldn’t be Tonka without a bulldozer and dump truck. And it’s the most literal
Read moreAlley Viper (25th Anniversary)
By KansasBrawler The Alley Viper has always been one of my favorite Cobra troopers. Even back in 1989, the design was powerful and intimidating. Alley Viper was probably the figure I was most looking forward to out of either of the Cobra Island seven packs, and that’s saying a lot because there were quite a few figures in those sets
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