The second iteration of TARGAT is missing two essential elements of its initial version. First, they’re apparently no longer affiliated with the Iron Grenadiers (at least it’s not mentioned on the file card) the TARGAT troops nevertheless make a welcome second appearance. Most everything else remains the same as far as the troops’ function. The specialty makes a lot of
Read moreThe Python Patrol sub-set was responsible for some of the weirdest Cobra uniform color schemes of the time. While the set has a unifying palette of colors and patterns, they’re not commonly placed on the figures in the same way. All featured a snakeskin pattern, but some were across pants and shirts while others were only on small parts like
Read moreIs Thunder one of the most forgotten of the early 80s GI Joe drivers? I don’t know why, looking at his figure. While he may not have been as colorful as others, his uniform and accessories were unique for the time. Outfitted in a very realistic looking uniform with flak vest and chest holster, he has some of the most
Read moreWell, I really really thought I was done with the snow themed figures a few days ago. Along came spring, and along with it, another snow storm. For the occasion, I broke out another fella in white. This time it’s the second version of Iceberg. In 1993, I was fully into GI Joe and action figure collecting as an adult.
Read moreWell, I thought winter was finished around these parts, but I guess there’s one last blast coming through. In honor of that, and this crazy season of apocalyptic snowfall, here’s Snow Storm. Part of the Battle Corps series, his claim to fame with collectors comes from a variation. This figure, along with the same year’s redesigned Outback, was intended for
Read moreI really like Star Brigade, the fairly grand experiment at the end of the original small scale GI Joe line. Maybe experiment is the wrong word. Some may say desperate attempt to boost sales. Was Hasbro prescient, foretelling the successful relaunch of Star Wars under their banner? Were they trying to catch some of that galaxy far away’s lightning in
Read moreThe Imp is an impressively squat and stocky little one man missile tank with a secret. What look like three large missiles hide an extra surprise payload. Just for this reason, it’s a neat addition to the Cobra ground forces. I also find a lot to like in the design itself. It has a real throwback look to it, and
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The Black Major is another member of the Action Force enemy, the Red Shadows. I find these early Action Force figures endlessly fascinating, not only for their visual appeal, but also for the comic storyline that revolved around the Red Shadows and its transition into Cobra. It’s an interesting alternative to the US comic mythos. In the Action Force story,
Read moreOriginally the driver of the Arctic Blast, Windchill was thrown in with another cold weather vehicle, the Blockbuster, late in the Real American Hero era. The most impressively large of the GI Joe snow vehicles, it boasted an incredible salvo-firing missile launcher, and was quite a good vehicle considering its later release date. Windchill hasn’t been changed much since the
Read moreWhile the last bit of snow remains on the ground, I’m still in a bit of a winter mood. Not arctic, but winter. Funny how these two terms seem to be so interchangeable in GI Joe. The last time I checked winter is a season, and the arctic a location. The arctic is cold, with ice and snow being its most
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