For the collectors out there: what got you back into Joes? Some folks were pulled back into collecting with the release of the 25th anniversary line in 2007. For others, it was the 2009 movie or even the most recent Pursuit of Cobra line. Some others never stopped collecting since their youth. When I think back on my time as
Read more“Deep behind enemy lines, World War II’s greatest military hero leads a small platoon of soldiers on a top secret mission. The year is 1944 and Master Sergeant Robert Steven Savage is about to be ambushed by a traitor in his ranks! Fifty years after that fateful ambush, Savage’s cryognically frozen body is discovered among the ruins of a mysterious
Read moreVypra was released as a driver figure in the second Toys R Us exclusive series in 1998. She was included along with a recolored version of the classic Cobra Stinger jeep, renamed as the Rattler. An odd choice of mold as drivers go, since she appears to be dressed as a ninja. Her file card notes her primary specialty as
Read more“Cobra has unleashed a crushing blow to the earth, dumping tons of hazardous toxic sludge into the environment in their quest for world domination. GI Joe and Cobra are armed with all new, sophisticated water launching armaments with exciting color-change Eco-suits! Even now the future of the earth hangs in the balance!” Such was the story of the Eco Warriors,
Read moreThe 90’s Joes often catch flak for their outrageous color schemes, wonky gimmicks and myriad sub-lines. There’s no denying the shift from subdued traditional military colors as the 80’s ended and the 90’s rolled on, and Hasbro’s throw-gimmick-at-wall-and-see-what-sticks mentality didn’t always succeed. However not everything from the time is all bad for the collectors who like their figures more realistic
Read moreNo this isn’t a custom action figure from Friday the 13th Part 17: Jason Goes to Alaska. It’s Frostbite, from the 1993 Battle Corps series. 1993 was one of the most prolific years for Joe releases. By this time, the line had been broken up into so many different sub-groups, it could make your head spin. Battle Corps was the
Read moreI’m not afraid to say it–I love the 90’s Joes as much as the earlier figures. Detractors of the era talk about the color schemes, departure from pure military style and overabundance of action features. I prefer to dwell on the positives; color schemes, departure from military style and action features. This release of the Cobra Alley Viper epitomizes the
Read moreHey, it’s another mail-in! This figure, like his GI Joe Steel Brigade counterpart, is an action figure with a personalized background. Again, kids could make up a code name and specialty. Being that he comes to us from that Day-Glowiest of decades, the 90’s, he has no compunction about going into battle looking like this: Some Joe collectors like to
Read moreEver collect cereal box tops as a kid to send away for a cheap plastic tchotchke, or eat 10 horrible subway sandwiches just so you could get the 11th horrible sandwich free? If you were a kid buying GI Joes during the 80’s and 90’s, there were similar offers, only the results weren’t so disappointing. In fact, they were downright
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