The second iteration of TARGAT is missing two essential elements of its initial version. First, they’re apparently no longer affiliated with the Iron Grenadiers (at least it’s not mentioned on the file card) the TARGAT troops nevertheless make a welcome second appearance. Most everything else remains the same as far as the troops’ function. The specialty makes a lot of
Read moreAll was not lost in 1994 and 1995 for fans of GI Joe and ninjas after its cancellation. There were two continuations, at least of some Joe molds, in the Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat lines. I recall finding the Mortal Kombat figures at the now defunct Kay-Bee Toys. Generally located in malls, the stores had a history of two
Read moreWell, I really really thought I was done with the snow themed figures a few days ago. Along came spring, and along with it, another snow storm. For the occasion, I broke out another fella in white. This time it’s the second version of Iceberg. In 1993, I was fully into GI Joe and action figure collecting as an adult.
Read moreWell, I thought winter was finished around these parts, but I guess there’s one last blast coming through. In honor of that, and this crazy season of apocalyptic snowfall, here’s Snow Storm. Part of the Battle Corps series, his claim to fame with collectors comes from a variation. This figure, along with the same year’s redesigned Outback, was intended for
Read moreI really like Star Brigade, the fairly grand experiment at the end of the original small scale GI Joe line. Maybe experiment is the wrong word. Some may say desperate attempt to boost sales. Was Hasbro prescient, foretelling the successful relaunch of Star Wars under their banner? Were they trying to catch some of that galaxy far away’s lightning in
Read moreSacre bleu! Tank tread boots! Zeut alors! Up until a short time ago, I actually thought his name was Hat Trick Lemonade. Can you believe that? I think that name is much more fitting than LeMonde. It certainly matches the figure in terms of sheer wackiness. Part of the funky Corps! sports series figures, he was released alongside other classic
Read moreOriginally the driver of the Arctic Blast, Windchill was thrown in with another cold weather vehicle, the Blockbuster, late in the Real American Hero era. The most impressively large of the GI Joe snow vehicles, it boasted an incredible salvo-firing missile launcher, and was quite a good vehicle considering its later release date. Windchill hasn’t been changed much since the
Read moreWhile the last bit of snow remains on the ground, I’m still in a bit of a winter mood. Not arctic, but winter. Funny how these two terms seem to be so interchangeable in GI Joe. The last time I checked winter is a season, and the arctic a location. The arctic is cold, with ice and snow being its most
Read moreThere are a few GI Joe vehicles that have become iconic, that remind one of a magical childhood time of fun and innocence. Toys that when you see them, make you say, “Ooh, I had that. It was so cool!” Then there are a few that elicit the response, “What the hell is that thing?” The Patriot falls in the
Read moreWhat’s the least likely three words you’d ever think to see strung together on a GI Joe package? How about Russian Bear Wrestler? This is Zangief, from the Street Fighter II sub-series, a set of figures that were based in the popular video game and branded with the GI Joe logo. Crazy? Of course. It was the 90s, and the operative phrase
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