By Twitziller G.I. Joe was the first action figure, a 12” hero introduced in 1964 and supplied with a staggering array of uniforms, weapons, vehicles, and playsets, each sold separately, of course. After over a decade of success, rising plastic costs and competition from smaller and wildly popular 8” superhero figures led to the demise of the 12” Joe figure,
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May the Fourth be with you! I know there are other, more direct ways to sneak in some Star Wars references on this day. Sure, I could have talked about the Cobra Mountain/Geonosis Arena shared molds, or the POTF2 figures who shared similar rifle molds with 90s Joes. I could even have discussed the Endor Bunker that donated itself to
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Look out, it’s the LCV! I wonder if buyers at Toy Fair asked–what the hell is this!? Proof that the GI Joe design team could do whatever they wanted after a few years of huge success. I also never was able to sit a figure on it motorcycle style, as Bazooka is in the inset photo. Need to check if
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Is there a more iconic Cobra vehicle than the HISS? This early villainous ride hasn’t been ecplised as far as I’m concerned. While there have been multiple re-imaginings of it, and other subsequent vehicles have become more elaborate, the original still rules in my eyes as the de facto Cobra ground combat platform. Geewunner’s Fast Attack Tank resembles the true
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Quick, everybody! Look! Get to Toys R Us! Oh wait, this is an old ad. Check out the name references here. I have to wonder whether the copy writer didn’t bother to use the names of the toys, or if the ad was produced before names were finalized. My favorite aspect of this ad is just how gosh-darn shiny that
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By KansasBrawler Growing up, I never really had that strong of an attachment to the playsets. I loved Joe vehicles, but the Joe playsets were just a little too big to pick up and play, and that’s what I preferred. My brother and I had joint custody of the 1991 Joe Headquarters, but that was about it for playsets and
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One of the most unique aspects of the GI Joe series since its inception in the 1960s has been its attention to minute detail and mundane accessories. Sure, every fighting soldier needs a uniform, helmet and weaponry, but they also require the necessities of food, shelter and supplies. From items like canteens and mess kits in the 60s to tents
Read moreOf all the GI Joe toys I had as a kid, the Falcon glider was at once one of the most fun and frustrating. Made of foam, not the most robust of construction materials, the Joes’ glider didn’t last through many adventures. Within days of its purchase, I had made some hasty (and not quite aerodynamic) repairs to the vertical
Read moreSometimes collectors bellyache when toy makers remold and repaint figures and vehicles. The situation is understandable, from both sides of the equation. The toy manufacturer is, after all, in business to turn a profit. This often results in cost cutting measures to ensure the most bang for their buck. Collectors sometimes get frustrated when an item is repainted and re-purposed
Read moreTime for another Geewunner creation. This one is the largest and most impressive set we’ve yet covered, and is based on one of the early 80s classics. My original SHARC logged many hours in my family swimming pool during the summer of ’84. By the end of the year, its stickers had been chlorine bleached pretty badly. I didn’t care.
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