Custom action figures are a big part of the Joe collecting community. Most fans at one time or another have wanted to have a figure of a character that was never officially produced by Hasbro. The nature of vintage Joe construction made it easy to swap parts for figure to figure, and the huge number of individual parts created over
Read moreTwo elements of Joes that I am enamored with: the 1991 to 1994 series and winter themed figures. Today’s figure fulfills both of these categories. Why do I like the arctic figures so much? Several reasons, the first being the amount of accessories usually included with them. I remember getting the original Joe arctic trooper, Snow Job. Along with the
Read moreReleased as part of the Battle Corps series, Law was originally intended to be a member of the DEF (Drug Elimination Force) a short lived sub-group of the Joe team that battled the evil Headman and his Headhunters, who were out to get all the kids of America high on drugs. Oh yes, the 90’s how I do miss you.
Read moreI’ve said it before, and I say it again. Nice pants. Why do I find myself drawn to crazy looking pants? I can’t explain it. But here we are with a remake of another classic character. Leatherneck is a fan favorite, and although the character is the second Joe marine, his original 1986 version is also many fans’ favorite marine,
Read moreFor 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“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 moreOkay, I talked about Big Brawler, and at the time I thought he had the worst Joe code name. I still think he does. It’s generic and ridiculous at the same time. When looking through candidates to write about next, Skidmark’s name struck me as the best unintended double-entendre code name. Make up your own joke here… Skidmark, in collector
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