Original Figure

The Evolution of the GI Joe “A Real American Hero” Action Figure

He came up with a concept that could be marketed to boys; a Barbie-like line with a military theme. Don Levine, creative director of Hasbro at that time, was pitched the idea and he approved it. Mr. Levine also came up with the name of the line, inspired by the 1945 movie “The Story of G.I. Joe”.

The first ever G.I.Joe line was launched in 1964. They had the same scale as Barbie dolls, 12 inches, and there was originally four figures, one for each branch of the Armed Forces.

During the following years, G.I.Joe saw a few shifts in the war theme by being re-launched as “The adventures of G.I.Joe”, and later on as “Adventure Team” to try to move away from the war theme associated with the Vietnam War. The original line of 12 inches G.I.Joe ended in 1976 in America.

A Real American Hero (1982)

G.I.Joe Action Figures were successfully re-launched in 1982 when Hasbro produced a smaller scale line of figures to try to compete with the popular Star Wars action figures. The decision to go with a smaller scale also allowed Hasbro to produce a variety of vehicles and play sets to increase the excitement of the line with youngsters.

The smaller scale line was canceled in 1994. A small assortment of figures were released in 1998, exclusive to Toys “R” Us, to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the 3 3/4 inches line.

The Return of the 3 3/4 inches G.I.Joe

It didn’t take long after the last anniversary line to see the small figures make a comeback on the shelves. In 2000, Hasbro released a selection of figures and vehicles which lasted until 2002 and were sold in pack of 2. In 2002, the line was now called “G.I.Joe vs Cobra” and each collection from 2002 to 2005 was centered around a theme. After the basic edition of “G.I.Joe vs Cobra” there was “Spy Troops”, and then later on the “Valor vs. Venom” theme.

After a brief hiatus in 2005, where Hasbro released another type of G.I.Joe action figures (Sigma 6, an 8-inches action figure), the 3 3/4 figure came back in the form of a direct-to-consumer line, which was available later at retail because of the success with collectors.

25th Anniversary

2007 was the year of the 25th anniversary of the “A Real American Hero” line. To commemorate the event, Hasbro released another collection of newly sculpted small scale figures based on the original designs of many of the most popular characters. The new figures replaced the classic “o-ring” waist with a swivel chest feature and many more increased articulations points.

This new line was a total success, and what was supposed to be only 2 collector set of 5 figures each became a full fledged line which is still running in 2008.

The “A Real American Hero” line of G.I.Joe figures has many collectors around the globe, and many of them buy their figures on the web through the use of G.I.Joe action figures specialty sites which help collectors find the figures they’re looking for, likehttp://gijoe.actionfigures-for-sale.com

 

About the Author

Go Figure Part 1/9

LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon 7965 $127.99 Straight from the Death Star escape scene of Episode IV: A New Hope, the all-new LEGO Millennium Falcon features stunning details, like hull plates that open to reveal a detailed interior, twin flick missiles, r otating quad laser cannons and detachable cockpit cover. Featuring Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, Ben Kenobi, Princess Leia Organa and Darth Vader, can you rewrite history and help B…

Pop In Kins Elf Pop-In-Kins Christopher Bookset $14.19 Christopher Pop-In-Kins is the classic hide-and-seek elf tradition. Each Christopher Pop-In-Kins set includes a pose-able, Christopher Pop-In-Kins doll, an illustrated hardcover storybook, and a case for convenient storage. Read the story and each night Christopher is hidden so he can “pop-in” when the kids find him each morning. Pop-in-Kins are winners of following awards: 2011 Moms’ Best Award…

Willow Tree Sisters By Heart Figurine, Susan Lordi 26023 $21.00 Sisters By Heart figurine – celebrating a treasured friendship of sharing and understanding. Resin. 4.5″ high. Comes gift boxed. Since 2000, Susan Lordi has been creating these figurative sculptures that speak in quiet ways of deep emotion and inspiration. Artist Susan Lordi carves each original sculpture, then pieces are cast from her original carving in resin and individually painted by hand. E…

West Side Story (50th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray] $19.85 The winner of 10 Academy Awards, this 1961 musical by choreographer Jerome Robbins and director Robert Wise (The Sound of Music) remains irresistible. Based on a smash Broadway play updating Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to the 1950s era of juvenile delinquency, the film stars Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer as the star-crossed lovers from different neighborhoods–and ethnicities. The film’s real…

The Year Without a Santa Claus / Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey / Rudolph’s Shiny New Year $5.22 This DVD contains three holiday titles from Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass. The Year Without a Santa Claus Even Santa can suffer a case of the holiday blues. In this 1974 stop-motion holiday family favorite, a sparkly eyed Mrs. Claus (voiced by Shirley Booth) sings and tells about the year her hubby felt too weary and too unappreciated to prepare for his annual Christmas rounds. Mickey Rooney s…

Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael $10.96 Bathroom escapades aside, there’s no denying that George Michael has been responsible for some of the biggest party jams of the ’80s and ’90s. Have you ever noticed what happens to a room when “Faith” erupts from the speakers? Aside from the funk-fueled “Fastlove,” the material from his most recent album, Older, is well and truly overshadowed here by the megahits from days gone by. The first disc …

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town [VHS] $1.58 This 53-minute, 1970 animated film may be the most delightful of those sundry, stop-motion animated Christmas perennials that show up on television during the holidays. The clay animation production, boasting a wonderful musical score and art direction that occasionally underscores the flower-power era in which it was born, tells the story of Santa’s origins, in which Kris Kringle decides to …

The Mouse and the Motorcycle [VHS] $9.99 Bored, bored, bored. That’s how young Keith feels about being stranded at the time-worn Mountain View Inn with his parents. Then he meets Ralph, an equally stir-crazy mouse who quickly befriends Keith and begs to ride Keith’s toy motorcycle. Soon Ralph masters the tiny two-wheeler and “rrroom-zzzooms” through the hotel hallways, dodging four-legged predators, adults, and the occasional vacuu…

Jim Henson Muppets: The Christmas Toy [VHS] $9.98 Kermit the Frog as Santa Claus narrates this delightful holiday tale. Rugby the Tiger is Jaime’s favorite Christmas toy from last year. Rugby is convinced that he will be wrapped up and placed under the tree again this year. When it’s Christmas Eve and all the other toys try to explain to him that that is not going to happen, Rugby decides to take matters into his own paws and place himself …

SF Cable, Non-polarized 18 AWG 2-Slot Power Cord (6 Feet, Black) $0.01 SF Cable’s Power Cords Suitable for Personal Computers, Laptop, Printers, Office Equipment, Instrumentation, Consumer Electronics or any 2 prong Non-Polarized connector is the perfect replacement for a lost or damaged one. This premium 6′ universal AC power cord is designed to work with high performance notebooks and laptops that require a figure 8 style power cord.Length 6FT1 x NEMA 1-15P 2pin Ma…

Star Legacy’s Dance Of Life Wood Finish Large/ Adult Urn $288.95 Features two (2) figures embraced in the ‘dance of life’ for all eternity One-of-a-kind urn created by award-winning sculptor, stephen CannetoEach urn is signed and dated

Star Legacy’s Dance Of Life Wood Finish Companion Urn $348.95 Companion urn features two (2) figures embraced in the ‘dance of life’ which captures the memories and love that will not be forgottenOne-of-a-kind urn created by award-winning sculptor, stephen Canneto

Manga for the Beginner Chibis (Paperback) $14.8 A follow-up to the best-selling Manga for the Beginner provides step-by-step coverage of the many varieties of endearing chibi characters, from mini-people and animals to comical and villainous figures. Original.

Star Legacy’s Dance Of Life Wood Couple with Child Large/ Adult Urn $324.95 Couple with Child features two (2) figures embraced in the ‘dance of life’ for all eternity holding a childOne-of-a-kind urn created by award-winning sculptor, stephen CannetoEach urn is signed and dated

P. Chabas September Morn Stretched Canvas Art $153.49 The original took three years to complete and was finished on a September morning in 1912Contrasts the warm figure of a woman with the cool icy background of Lake AnnecyIndividually handcrafted canvas is recreated in amazing detail

Who Was Franklin Roosevelt? (Paperback) $4.99 A comprehensive introduction to the 32nd president features coverage of such topics as his 13-year leadership during the Great Depression and World War II and the unique challenges he faced as a physically impaired political figure. Original.

Yoga Mala (Paperback) $11.44 The seminal treatise and guide to Ashtanga yoga by the master of this increasingly popular disciplineOne of the great yoga figures of our time, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois brought Ashtanga yoga to the West more than thirty years ago. …

Star Legacy’s Dance Of Life Mediterranean Blue Finish Large/ Adult Urn $288.95 Features two (2) figures embraced in the ‘dance of life’ for all eternityOne-of-a-kind urn created by award-winning sculptor, stephen CannetoEach urn is signed and dated

The New Best of Wayne Shorter $17.78 Through his work with Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, the Miles Davis Quintet, Weather Report and in his own prolific solo career, saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter has been one of the most original figures in jazz for over 40 years. His remar…

You Might Be a Zombie and Other Bad News (Paperback) $10.88 A book drawn from a top humor site includes unsettling medical facts, incredible stories about historical figures and the hidden truths behind some of pop culture`s most beloved icons. Original.

Curel Continuous Comfort 16.25-oz Original Form Lotions (Pack of 4) $26.99 This Curel Continuous Comfort Lotion includes unique and effective time-released moisturizers that comfort and relieve dry, itchy and irritated skin. This lotion provides 24 hours of continuous moisturizing.

Costume Crazee (Paperback) $6.92 None of his friends` suggestions are quite right when Skippyjon Jones is trying to figure out what to wear for Halloween, but then Skippyjon comes up with the perfect idea, in a title that includes four pages of stickers. Original.

Goddesses Coloring Book (Paperback) $5.15 The traditional goddesses of ancient cultures take on a New Age aspect in these 30 original drawings. Dynamic portraits of female deities range from the well-known Greek and Roman goddesses to legendary figures from Celtic, Norse, E…

The Original Number 1 Mad Libs (Paperback) $3.95 Description not available.

Original Lap and Scroll Frame $53.99 Original Base adjusts from 13 inches to 22 inches wideNeedlework aide complete with a 16-inch scroll frameScaffold accommodates a scroll frame, PVC frame or hoop

Original TV Soundtrack – Grey`s Anatomy Vol. 2 $9.31 Description Not Available

Now You See Me … (Paperback) $5.93 When best friends Lena and Abby find an old Polaroid camera at a thrift shop, they`re creeped out by the images it produces, which include the shadowy figure of a boy they`ve never seen before. Original.

Making Vintage Bags $11.85 Includes 20 projects that are suitable for various levels and four matching purse designs that can be adapted to any bag. This book includes patterns for various bags and all have seam allowances added already.

War and Peace (Paperback) $13.46 The monumental Russian classic reflecting the life and times of Russian society during the Napoleonic Wars comes to life in a compelling new translation that is faithful to the original text and accompanied by an index of historical figures, textual an…

Jackson Pollock (Hardcover) $28.26 How did Jackson Pollock become a cult figure for the Beat Generation? And what caused his reputation to continue to soar? This compelling and original Abrams classic…

Do More Great Work (Paperback) $9.46 An inspiration book uses 12 short, visual exercises called “Maps” that provoke thought and help the reader to figure out how to do more “great work,” the type of creative work that moves a business forward. Original.

The Star Trek Encyclopedia $22.87 A companion series to all things Star Trek, including facts and figures on the original series and the later incarnations, the m

American Coin Treasures St. Gaudens $20 Gold Piece Replica Women’s Watch $25.99 Stunning watch lets you own a collectible design without paying the premium price commanded by the original coinsTimepiece features a magnificent recreated figure of LibertyTwo-tone stainless steel watch case and bracelet

American Coin Treasures St. Gaudens $20 Gold Piece Replica Men’s Watch $39.49 Stunning watch lets you own a collectible design without paying the premium price commanded by the original coinsTimepiece features a magnificent recreated figure of LibertyTwo-tone stainless steel watch case and bracelet

Little Green Dresses 50 Original Pattern (Paperback) $15.45 Description not available.