I miss the days of the big retailer catalogs. Each year around back to school time brought the beloved Christmas catalog or Wish Book in the case of Sears. Before the days of instant coverage and inside intel from the internet, the catalogs were the way that a kid like me found out about all the latest toys. I think
Read moreIn honor of Talk Like a Pirate Day, I’ve asked Seamus McGillicutty, pirate impersonator extraordinaire to write a guest blog. Welcome, me buckos, tis time for what I’m told is a blog post. Never heard of it, though it is soundin’ like it could be part of a sailin’ ship that I wouldn’t like to be tied to. This here
Read moreThe Joe line has had many sub-teams scattered throughout the years, some being more popular than others. Tiger Force, Python Patrol and Night Force have seen releases in both the vintage and more modern series. All of them were known for a common paint scheme or style of decoration of uniforms. One of the sub-teams that doesn’t get much play
Read moreThe venerable vintage Tunnel Rat mold has seen release numerous times since its debut in 1987. It’s been Night Force (twice), a Sonic Fighter, Tiger Force (in Europe), a comic pack, and has even had a Funskool repaint. In 2004, it showed up again in a desert themed Toys R Us exclusive multi-pack. Each figure in the set was adorned
Read moreThe Tiger Force sub-team not only featured repainted figures but also had its share of redecorated vehicles. Most of the vehicles didn’t include a driver, and those that did had their original replaced with a different figure. The repaint of the Snow Cat is an exception, as it came with Frostbite, its original driver. Some of the Tiger Force paint
Read moreThe Street Fighter spin off series of the 90’s produced not only figures based on Joe molds, but vehicles as well. This was a stretch to say the least. What possible reason would fighters like Chun-Li and Blanka have to drive a missile-firing off-road truck? One character that could justify piloting a military vehicle is Col. Guile, who has a
Read moreThe Steel Brigade has had a long history in Joe collecting. It’s been around since the vintage line, and continues as part of the modern line. Hasbro’s original concept of letting kids make up their own character was a hit with imaginative young collectors like me. Although the original version was a hodge podge of ’83 and ’84 parts, it
Read moreWelcome to day two of Nice Pants Week, wherein I continue to work out my issues with some of the crazy drawers of our favorite little plastic men. Today we return to another thought-to-be-cancelled Target exclusive from the movie line. Sandstorm is the driver of the RAM cycle from the Rise of Cobra line. He’s an MP who guards vehicle
Read moreI’ve said it before in other entries, and I think it’s time to focus on something I have an inexplicable fascination with when it comes to Joes. I call it Nice Pants Syndrome. In order to heal, one must first admit they have a problem. So this week, I’m focusing on it. Welcome to Nice Pants Week. Let’s kick it
Read moreAction Man, the original UK version of GI Joe, made a return to toy aisles as a series of 12 inch figures and accessories in the 90’s. Its revival was an adventure oriented series, and a limited amount of sets were actually release in the US. Instead of military situations and equipment, the new series had more of a James
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