Hard to believe it’s been almost eight years since I started this project. It’s probably even harder to believe that in those years, I’ve not covered the original Storm Shadow figure. 1984 Storm Shadow: the figure that launched five-dozen variations and pushed GI Joe into places the brand had never been before. As much responsible for hooking American kids on
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It’s not often that we bring up Big Questions around here. So on the occasion of Nice Pants Week 2017, we ask one about one of the oldest GI Joe figures. Why did sailors at one time wear bell bottoms? I thought I knew the answer thanks to a relative who served, but after scouting online sources, it turns out
Read moreJust one year after his debut, Lt. Falcon was back. I admit that in 1987, I thought the figure was pretty amazing, with its realistic green beret look, and stoic face sculpt. The accessories were very nice as well, inclusing a two-part backpack, and a great new shotgun mold that a GI Joe figure could actually hold. In a year
Read moreThe silent weapons master of Ninja Force is also the most talkative member of the group. It’s not the last time the team would play the irony card. Witness Bushido, the samurai helmeted snow ninja. No matter what you think of the Ninja Force concept, props must be given for the first year’s eclectic mix of personalities, uniform design and
Read more1993 saw the continuation of the previous year’s DEF, albeit in a less obvious manner. Each of the second year Joe drug fighters and Cobra criminals were folded into the regular Battle Corps assortment, and given normal accessories in place of the previous Battle Flash weaponry. Gristle comes to us as either a lieutenant or successor to the drug kingpin
Read moreThe Eco Warriors sub-set hasn’t generally been regarded as one of the Real American Hero line’s shining moments. Part of the ever increasing trend toward splintering the GI Joe concept into action feature filled offshoots and more socially conscious action toys, the set remained only for one year beyond its debut. Of all the detours of the time, I found
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Straight arm or swivel? Seems an odd question to ask, since the 1983 figures are regarded as improvements to the first year offerings. Not only did the later figures offer the added poseability option of the swiveling arms, but the waists were also slimmed down. The new arms themselves also seem just a bit beefier. Even the rivets looked less
Read moreThe 1991 series still holds a special place for me as a collector. It was the first set of figures I encountered upon re-entering the world of GI Joe. When checking out the cardbacks, I was excited to see not only some old favorites newly redesigned, but also some new faces. Big Ben was an immediate standout. The head sculpt
Read moreFirst off, I aplogize for the less than stellar quality of this figure. His paint is worn, he’s got a but of a broken crotch, and most all of his joints are quite loose. Someone must have played the heck out of him back in the day. I just can’t bring myself to plunk down a large sum of moolah
Read moreCan you believe it’s taken me this long to get around to the icon of 80s Cobra troop building? I must apologize; then again, I’m not exactly getting bombarded with requests for certain figures. I suppose I should get a pass, since I’ve covered the mold in several of its later incarnations. I wasn’t a big fan of the Viper
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