Short-Fuze (1982)
I used to think that having the 1982 Joes was an afterthought in comparison to picking up the “improved” 1983 versions. I only went back and bought the straight-arm first run of the original thirteen after the completist bug had bit me in the early 2000s. Looking at the 3 & 3/4 inch line as a whole, and from a historical standpoint, I’m glad I did buy all of the older guys. The first series of figures represent the beginnings of the small Joe line, and also shed light on its origins.
While Kenner’s Star Wars figures were the kings of boys’ toys action figures in the late 70s and early 80s, rival toy maker Mego also delved into the same scale with various television/movie action and sci-fi properties. Tie-in toys from CHiPs, The Dukes of Hazzard, Buck Rogers and the Black Hole shared a construction style similar to Mego’s licensed Takara Microman/Micornauts. Obviously, Hasbro was inspired by this O-ring construction, and later mastered it with GI Joe’s successful relaunch. I’ve at times wondered if the 1982 catalog’s Cobra trooper mock ups didn’t use some sort of Mego figure as a base. The high waist parts look awfully similar to something from 1979’s Buck Rogers.
Being a kid who had seen these similar toys in the aisles for several years, I wasn’t too jazzed about GI Joe at first glance. The more articulated form just looked a little ugly to me. Looking back, I was probably turned off by the largely uninteresting 3 & 3/4 Mego figures from lines like the Black Hole (why wouldn’t they paint the eyes?!) My opinion of the new GI Joe changed when I put my hands on a 1983 Cobra Commander. I was instantly hooked by the designs and poseability, and began pestering my parents regularly for GI Joes in lieu of Luke, Han and the forces of the Empire. Eventually, Flash and Snake Eyes were the only 1982s to make it into my young hands. I assume the others were simply gone from shelves by that next year. My association therefore with 1982 Short-Fuze is limited to a collector’s “better pick him up too” mindset.
Looking at the first series of the Real American Hero era with the eyes of an adult collector, I have come to appreciate the toys for what they are, regardless of comparisons to what design improvements came later in the 80s. I have come around to Mego’s o-ring figures as well, but some of them are still uglier than sin.
Of all the 1982’s, I think I’ll only own one–Grunt, since he was presented as the face of the newly-launched line.
Short-fuse is one of my favorite characters. I managed to pick up an 82, streight-arm short fuse last year. He had clearly been someones favorite and needed some repairs.
I think a big part of the reason G.I.JOE managed to outdo star wars was because Kenner got drunk on success and made too many bad desissions [goofy aliens, armed with staffs] and the infamous Imperial dignitry to name a few.
You’re right about the ’82 GIJoe figures being designed over Mego’s Buck Rogers ones; Tiger Man I think one of the Hasbro guys said. The elbows are what really impressed me. And oddly, Short Fuze was my 3rd figure; got him in a grocery store (Tom Thumb chain). Must’ve been the cardart. That, or my dad convinced me a mortar was hardcore. Haven’t done much with Short Fuze since.
Short Fuze was one of my first joes and he remains one of my favorites. I’d love to see him done well in the modern style (the 25th anniversary version leaves a lot to be desired). I’m also hoping Gentle Giant gets around to releasing him in their new 12″ line. He’s the one figure I’d buy in that format.
One can see how much the line changed from following characters who filled the same role. Granted, Short-Fuze’s ‘successor’ was Downtown though we saw Zap replaced by Bazooka. Short-Fuze looks very plain, but as Rob noted, some earlier toylines showed a lack of detail. While 1982 had extensive parts recycling in GI Joe (shared body parts. Recycling heads was the worst one. Just can’t do it with faces, as opposed to helmets [see Heli-Viper for how well it looks different from 1985 Snow Serpent]), we can see signs of the elements that would take off in coming years (details in the molds, paint apps, individual accessories).
@ Acer
Flash also seemed very iconic. I guess it was better for him to disappear than to get a cosmetic makeover like Grunt got (shudders at 1991 Grunt). Maybe it was a Falcon Glider accident? Viper Pilot was better protected.
Classic!
I had a complete collection of all the 82 straight arm Joes (all 13) and sold ’em for 100 bucks .I think the 83’s are much improved and make the 82s redundant. I think this Short-Fuse was the first Joe I ever had. I love the OG13. To me, they’re the “real” G.I. Joes!