If you go back to the early comic issues and cartoon episodes, most Cobra troops were the basic blueshirts of 1982-83. Then the organization branched out, and before you knew it, there were Cobras for every occasion and situation. Then a strange thing happened in the 2000’s–out of the blue (or the black) a new Cobra force was born, the Night
Read moreAs redesigned Joes go, Rock & Roll is one of my favorites. The mold manages to take what was iconic about the original figure and create something that’s more than just a change of color. Though the old crossed bandoliers are gone, the look is replicated with straps on the chest and waist. The later 80’s more sizable chest and
Read moreOh brother, another New York ninja. Banzai is the team’s Rising Sun ninja. I have no earthly idea what that is, but he is wearing a mask that incorporates rising sun iconography, so maybe that’s it. Probably not-it just looks badass. I do wish the mask had been painted red and white, but I digress. The file card refers to him
Read moreDebuting a new feature today (over in the Features section, natch!) where friends and readers get to ramble on, Joe A Day style. You know, because the site just needs more content. Stop in and check out the first Field Report from podcasting compatriot Dave from Flag Points. Dave waxes nostalgic about the System: Neutralizer-Armed Kloaking Equipment. You know it
Read moreIf there was one figure from the 25th anniversary line I couldn’t wait to get in my hands, it was Flash. Most of that want was due to my nostalgia for the old figure, as he was one of the first GI Joes I had bought back in the day. But as much as I loved that old straight-arm Flash,
Read moreThe presence and popularity of the 1986 Viper within Joe fandom goes without saying. The updated faceless Cobra trooper appeared more battle ready than the previous ’82-83 blueshirt, and is many a fan’s favorite army builder. The design continues to resonate into the most recent toyline. The 1994 Battle Corps figures were rife with re-dos and repaints of previously released
Read moreWho would have thought that over thirty years after this influential milestone Joe figure hit the market that we’d still be talking about it, much less that it would give rise to the greatest and longest-lasting iteration of the venerable toy brand that began as GI Joe way back in 1964? I’m amazed myself that I can still go into
Read moreWhen I got my first couple of Joe figures I was having fun with toys that were something new and fresh after years of Star Wars fanaticism. It took the addition of the 1983 series to totally bring me around to being a Joe fan first and foremost. At a time when early looks at new product just couldn’t happen,
Read moreIn a recent interview with Flag Points podcast, former GI Joe Brand Manager Kirk Bozigian related a story about a trip with his son to the toy department back in the day. He was going to buy an $.88 Hot Wheels car, and when he handed it to his son, the boy responded, “What does it do?” That statement became
Read moreWhile I appreciate the modern era GI Joe figures, I do miss some elements of the 2000’s lines. Most of all, I miss the deluxe figure concept. It’s something that was somewhat specific to the era, and though it wasn’t a part of the Joe line in the 80’s, there was a sort of precedence for it. The low price
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