You wouldn’t know this was an Iron Grenadier trooper from his looks. Black and gold are usually the colors one thinks of in regards to Destro’s forces. But I’m all for a splash of color and flash from time to time. So is Destro, apparently. Some of the Iron Grenadier bling is on display here, from the gold braids on
Read moreLong Range’s file card states that he’s earned the nickname “the Knock-Out Man” due to his incredibly effective abilities as an artillery man. “The Blink and You’ll Miss Him Man” would be a more apropos nickname for his media appearances. The poor guy only made a few small comic appearances and a brief cameo in DIC’s Operation Dragonfire series. He’s
Read moreCouldn’t this guy have just been Short-Fuse? He certainly has the look and the specialty to be the Joe team’s original mortar soldier. Other ’82 Joes had the redo treatment later in the line. Actually, this did happen when the mold was re released as Short-Fuze in 2004. Regardless of name, it was a welcome addition to have another mortar
Read moreAccording to his file card, Zandar is a master of camouflage and covert movement. He’s good at hiding and sneaking up on people. I would agree, but if he’s wearing this outfit, he’d stand a better chance at hiding in a Mardi Gras parade. His brother Zartan certainly had a strange look, but at the same time was stylish, mysterious
Read moreFast Draw is one of those Joe figures that make you wonder just how the idea came about. Granted, there have been many far-out almost science fiction elements in the line since the beginning. The JUMP jet pack stands out in my mind as one of those things that have been dreamed of, but will probably never be a practical
Read moreDuke, like Snake Eyes is one of those Joe characters who seems to be on an equal number of Joe fans’ love and hate lists. How do I feel about him? I suppose it changes depending on which facet of Joe I’m talking about. The Real American Hero toys, comics and cartoons weren’t tied too closely together, so one could
Read moreBack in the day, I bought a lot of my comics at 7-11 of all places. I didn’t get the chance to pick up issues each month, so my following of the Joe comic was sporadic. Even so, I had a good time reading the issues I could get, sometimes many times over. It’s almost hard to remember the times
Read moreWhat is it that causes a madman with aspirations of ultimate power to also dress up like a complete snickerdoodle? Nobody brings together so many mad scientist elements like addle-brained former orthodontist Dr. Mindbender. Let’s see, shirtless–check; bald–check; monocle–check; mustache–check; cape–check; purple pants and jackboots–check and check. Joining the likes of mustache champions Mutt, Gung Ho and Wild Bill, his
Read moreI have always thought that some of the original thirteen Joes followed very closely from their adventure team predecessors. Breaker was one of the figures that gives me this impression. Most obvious to me is his look, specifically the head sculpt. To me, the bearded Joes looked like throwbacks to the fuzzy-head days of old. Another aspect that strikes me
Read moreIn 1987, the year 2000 seemed so far off. I’m sure some people thought flying cars would be the future. In fact, they’ve been saying that since the 50’s, and I’m getting upset about it–hey, future–where’s my flying car? In the GI Joe universe, they apparently thought the future would be crazy looking modular vehicles which offered their drivers no
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