In 1982: GI Joe Steeler was Straight and Armed with a Suprise !!

In 1982; Hasbro rolled out the GI Joe line to a generation craving the next great 3 3/4 toy line that would supplant Star Wars as the top of the line. GI Joe went on to become one of the greatest toy lines ever created and even with a few "bumps" in the road it is still being produced today.

 

The initial roll out by Hasbro was first and arguably the best.

Were there many flashy offerings ? No. Were there Ninjas ? Technically not yet. Were there plenty of toys that could spur the imagination of pre-adolescent boys ? YES !!

It was the start of things to come. The first wave had the short lived "Straight Arms" that preceeded the greatest running change to be implemented into a toy line; the "Swivel Arm Battle Grip".

 

Steeler was included in that first offering. He came packaged as the driver of the Motorized Battle Tank (MOBAT). It was the tank of the GI Joe team. It was self propelled and all kinds of awesome !!

 

Steeler himself is different from his teammates. The M.O. of Hasbro was to re-use and re-paint in the first line. That said, even though he is created from a "Flash" head and "Zap" waist and legs; the torso and arms are unique to Steeler. Also, he got the cool "Snake Eyes" Uzi and a binocular attachment for his helmet that was unique as well.

 

The chest piece is unique and detailed. I always loved the pistol holster, it just looks bad ass !

The arms are unique to Steeler which is a grand departure from the rest of the line. His are adorned with a gold paint app to his left bicep. But the coolest feature is the little pouch on his wrists which are completely unique to this mold.

Here is the 83' version with swiveling arms but no wrist pouches. Uh oh, looks like he has the dreaded "Broken Crotch Syndrome".   ouch ......

 

 

I did not get the MOBAT and Steeler in the first wave. The price must have been too high for me to get it right off the bat, but I managed to get the rest of the line in its entirety before the second run started. I got the MOBAT the next year with Steeler and his swivelin arms. That tank became a mainstay of my battles. C'mon, it the frikin' tank ! You had to use it ! I managed to get the straight arm version recently pretty cheap on eBay and was pleasantly surprised to see the wrist pouches. I never knew the difference til now and its a neat little bit of detail that sets him apart. I'm unsure if the wrists were used for any other figures but if my memory serves me correctly; they remain unique to Steeler and his Straight Arms.

It would not be Christmas without looking through Transformer product catalogs !!!

Yes, for a few years Transformers took my attention away from GI Joe. Really they were just a gateway between GI Joe and WWF LJN which would soon take over my entire attention. Anyway, I remember leading up to Christmas staring at this catalog thinking about which ones I wanted and how I could use them. I mean really, if you have new troops coming in you have to think ahead and have a plan for their insertion to the battle, right. Too much Sun Tzu too early ......

 

This was the first year that TF hit and I was caught in the excitement. There were cartoons, commercials and comics promoting them, how could I resist ?!?! These were the offerings .....

 

Oh Yeah, the GI Joe Comic Pack Kwinn Came First ....

Back in 2004, Hasbro's GI Joe line produced a Comic Pack three figure set as part of its twentieth series (2004). Showcasing the figures that played a role in Marvel's issue # 2 "Panic at the North Pole." And Oh Yeah, there is an O-ring Kwinn in this set !! we'll get to that in a minute ....

 

 

GI Joe Makes Kwinn the Eskimo a Reality !!

KWINN. I've been waiting a long time for this figure. The Eskimo mercenary that graced the pages of the Marvel GI Joe comics from issues 2 - 19 finally gets made into plastic reality.

 

While I am not a fan of the new figures, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get Kwinn. The packaging is nice. He sure is packed full of stuff and it will display well. Roadblock on the cover looks really weird to me .......

 

Hasbro hits a Grand Slam for GI Joe all the way to the Hall Of Fame !!!

In 1983, Hasbro re-released the original GI Joe figures and incorporated one of the greatest running changes ever into them, The Swivel Arm Battle Grip !! Grand Slam was included in that group of iconic figures that could not only swivel at the bicep,  but also had slimmer torsos to relieve pressure off of the O-Ring (but introduced the "Crotch Blowout" that the new waists were susceptible to).

 

The "driver" of the HAL - Heavy Artillery Laser - Grand Slam !!

The original figure (shown on the right) has straight arms and the original thick waist.

  The reissued figure now has a slimmer torso and swivel arms at the bicep. The strange thing is the pad on the straight arm figure was removed and now is replaced by a paint app. Upon closer look, you can see the swivel arm feature would cut right through the pad. Hasbro must have made the decision to not modify the original bicep (probably a cost issue). Instead, the reissue of Grand Slam has the same bicep and elbow combination that was included with most of the other figures. A paint app instead of retooling the bicep for 2 figures (Grand Slam and Flash) that probably didn't sell well was probably cheaper. Personally, I would have not put on the app and left the arm bare. The paint makes it look like something is out of place.

 

This year I have an agenda for my collecting habits: to immortalize the origins of the 3 3/4 G.I. Joe line. I will put together a "Hall of Fame" combining every original Joe and Cobra in both Straight and Swivel Arm versions. Click the link at the top bar to see the current state !

The newest inductee into the Toymorrow GI Joe Hall of Fame: Grand Slam !

 

Grand Slam, in both the Straight and Swivel Arm versions occupy an area of the Hall of Fame as the newest complete inductee !

To view the Current State of the Hall of Fame and see the other inductees CLICK HERE !!!

Got something to add ? All are welcome to leave a comment !

GI Joe hits a Grand Slam in 1982 !!

 In 1982's initial offering of Joes from Hasbro, there were four "vehicle" drivers produced. While only two were really vehicles, and the other two were really mobile units that were hauled by the vehicles ... but I digress.

 

The "driver" of the HAL - Heavy Artillery Laser - Grand Slam !!

 

 

Clad in Helmet, visor and lead lined uniform, Grand Slam is ready for battle !!

The original figure has straight arms and the original thick waist.

  I always thought the shade of green in his uniform is cool looking.

 

I always like Grand Slam. His weird outfit is kinda cool looking, if not useful. I just assumed that since his vehicle was a massive laser cannon, the red padding was actually lead lined protection. Knowing that, it was usually his fate to get shot in the chest. The padding was like a bullet proof (mostly) vest.

 

The HAL itself didn't get a lot of use. I was a bit biased against "lasers" in use, I would have liked a traditional artillery weapon. Also, since there were no Cobra weapons that needed artillery guarding against, I did not have a viable role for it to play. It got dragged around by the VAMP a lot !

1983's Stalker the Swivel Arm Ranger Heading for the Hall of Fame !!!

In 1983, Hasbro re-released the original GI Joe figures and incorporated one of the greatest running changes ever into them, The Swivel Arm Battle Grip !! Stalker was included in that group of iconic figures that could now swivel at the bicep and also had slimmer torsos to relieve pressure off the O-Ring (but introduced the "Crotch Blowout" that the new waists were susceptible to). I still remember getting Stalker the first time: CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT IT.

 

My original Stalker suffered from "Cracked Thumb" syndrome and he was quickly replaced by a new, Swivel Arm version that stayed with the team until the end. Although I loved my straight arm version, the swivel arms made Stalker a force to be reckoned with !! Couple the fact that this is a frikin' awesome figure, with the poseability that the new feature brings, Stalker goes from a great figure to an Epic Figure.

I remember getting a new Swivel Arm Grunt to replace the broken one, and the extra backpack was quickly given over to Stalker. I thought then, and still do to this day, that a great injustice was appropriated upon Mr. Wilkinson by not including a backpack for him. Hasbro made up for it with other versions and Larry Hama gave his character a huge role in the Marvel comics, but he should have gotten a backpack.

 

The camouflage made him one of my favorite troops and being a Green Beret instantly made me think he was basically invincible. His file card says that he is a Field Medic so I involved him in that role a bit, but for some reason, maybe his camo, I used him as a sniper a lot too.

Decked out in Full Camo and Green Beret, Stalker and his trademark M-32 Submachine gun !!

 

This year I have an agenda for my collecting habits: to immortalize the origins of the 3 3/4 G.I. Joe line. I will put together a "Hall of Fame" combining every original Joe and Cobra in both Straight and Swivel Arm versions. Click the link at the top bar to see the current state !

The newest inductee into the Toymorrow GI Joe Hall of Fame: Stalker !



 

Stalker, in both the Straight and Swivel Arm versions occupy an area of the Hall of Fame as the newest complete inductee !

 

 

To view the Current State of the Hall of Fame and see the other inductees CLICK HERE.

 

Got something to add ? All are welcome to leave a comment !

 

GI Joe Clutch gets a Tan and The Battle of the Clutches has a Suprising Ending !!

In 1984, when the third series of vehicles were released by Hasbro for the GI Joe line, Hasbro decided that the VAMP needed a makeover! Driving the VAMP Mark II (Vehicle.Attack.Multi Purpose) is Version 2; "Tan" Clutch .

 

The second version (v2) has the new swivel Arms that not only bend at the elbows, but the biceps swivel making the figure infinitely more poseable. Also, the torso was changed to a thinner version that puts less stress on the O-ring, but does add to the possibility of the "Broken Crotch Syndrome" that can plague these figures. This version is molded and painted in the Tan and Brown colors  to match the new VAMP Mark II vehicle.

 

That brings us back to the battle ....

 

Tan Clutch jumps in to victory !!

 

 

He is an improvement on the original after all ......

 

It's been a Clutch o Rama around here lately ...

Version 1 Straight Arm Clutch was reviewed: READ ABOUT IT HERE !!

Version 1.5 Swivel Arm Clutch was reviewed: READ ABOUT IT HERE !!!

 

Thats a lot of Clutchin !!

 





The Next Version of Clutch is a Swivelin Kinda Guy !!

In 1983, when the second series of figures was released by Hasbro for the GI Joe line, we got one of the greatest running changes ever, the Swivel Arm Battle grip ! The first wave of figures was re-released and the line had a slight variation to the original figures. Driving the "VAMP" (Vehicle.Attack.Multi Purpose) is Clutch v1.5.

The variation version (v1.5) has the new swivel Arms that not only bend at the elbows, but the biceps swivel making the figure infinitely more poseable. Also, the torso was changed to a thinner version that puts less stress on the O-ring, but does add to the possibility of the "Broken Crotch Syndrome" that can plague these figures. I only had the Straight Arm version as a kid, so how can I determine which version is the best ? COMBAT !!

 

 

Clutch v1.5 strikes a Boxing pose while v1 Clutch takes a Tae Kwon Do stance ..... who will prevail !?!?!

 

It's been a Clutch o Rama around here lately ...

Version 1 Straight Arm Clutch was reviewed: READ ABOUT IT HERE !!!

Version 2 TAN Clutch was reviewed: READ ABOUT IT HERE !!!

The First Version of GI Joe's Clutch is a "Straight" Guy !!

In 1982, when the first series of vehicles were released by Hasbro for the GI Joe line, we got one of the coolest vehicle drivers produced ! Driving the "VAMP" (Vehicle.Attack.Multi Purpose) is Clutch .

 

 The first version (v1) has the classic Straight Arms that only bends at the elbows. Also, the torso is the thicker version that puts more stress on the O-ring, but does not easily suffer the "Broken Crotch Syndrome" that can plague these figures. Another cool feature is that the chest is a completely original design, not reused on any of the other first series figures.

 

Clutch was one of my favorites from the first line. I got him in the Great GI Joe Birthday of '82 that completed my GI Joe collection that year. Not only did he drive the VAMP, which was a staple of my adventures, but his file card made him out to be a bit of a rebel. I used him as one of the most vital members of the team. Being the mechanic had Clutch constantly pulled into repair situations to get the team to safety, or driving like mad to exit a hot spot !

It's been a Clutch o Rama around here lately ...

Version 1.5 Swivel Arm Clutch was reviewed: READ ABOUT IT HERE !!!

Version 2 TAN Clutch was reviewed: READ ABOUT IT HERE !!!

Thats a lot of Clutchin !!

GI Joe Lifeline, the Medic that needs a Dictionary !!

Lifeline; Version 1 from the GI Joe Real American Hero Fifth Series released in 1986. I was a Doc kid myself. By the time Lifeline was released I was thrashing my head to Slayer and was, well, into other stuff ....

Anyway, as I got back into collecting GI Joe I immediately took a liking to Lifeline. I always liked the Field Medic's role in Warfare. Fixing the wounded while all Hell is breaking loose around you. That's someone with nerves of steel !

 

In the Marvel Comics continuum; Special Missions # 4 and Action Force # 8 ; Lifeline was portrayed as a Pacifist that hates guns and uses his intellect. Someone should have shown him what Webster defines as a Pacifist .......

From Websters Online:

1 : of, relating to, or characteristic of pacifism or pacifists

2 : strongly and actively opposed to conflict and especially war  

 

OOPS !!

 

Lifeline comes pretty well equipped to help his fallen comrades !!

The portable medical gear is really cool !

While I like Doc a lot, I see him as the Chief Medical Officer mostly in Surgery. Lifeline I see as the guy in the field sending the wounded back to base as they need help. Lifeline is well equipped and is carrying enough gear to be an asset in action.

 

Looks like Rock n Roll has a blown crotch !! Can Lifeline save the day ?!?!?!

 

You bet he can !

 

Mr. Steen makes a pretty cool action figure. Aside from the pacifist stuff, he looks like he would be a formidable force out there on the line. I could see him being a constant member inside the Tomahawk as it lands in hot spots picking up the force from battle !!

1983 GI Joe Breaker Swivel Arms and Hall of Fame Credentials !!

One of my first posts (which you can read here: Breaker vs Breaker) was about my Straight Arm Breaker. Breaker was my first Joe and the start of my obsession with Hasbro's GI Joe line !

In 1982, I was at the local K-mart with my mom and saw the first lineup of GI Joe on the pegs. When my mom said I could get 2, I could barely contain myself ! The first one I picked was Breaker. The reason: I thought he was GI Joe ( you know the flock haired ones - I was only 9...). I also picked Short-Fuse, he had a lot of accessories. Breaker has always been one of my favorites and I was devastated when Marvel killed him off. That figure was the straight arm version.

 

In 1983, Hasbro introduced the Swivel Arm Battle Grip and we got Version 1.5 of all the original figures. Even though I love the straight arm figures for their nostalgic value, the swivel arm battle grip was a major upgrade ! The figures became instantly more poseable and the play value it added is incalculable.

 

Breaker enjoying his new moves !

His equipment is outdated by today's standards but still look pretty cool !

 

Here is a comparison; my original straight arm version and the swivel arm version. The same basic figure except for the arm movement and a subtle change that was included as well: the hips were slimmed down to take some stress off the O-ring.

 

 

There is no question that the swivel arms add to the poseability and realism. Fighting stances and overall balance are upgraded. The smaller hips give him better stability as well.

The biggest difference ? The ability to hold a weapon in a realistic manner. The straight arms don't allow for a comfortable pose. The swivel arms make for an easy task of letting Corporal Kirby handle a weapon.

Also, this year I have an agenda for my collecting habits: to immortalize the origins of the 3 3/4 G.I. Joe line. I will put together a "Hall of Fame" combining every original Joe and Cobra in both Straight and Swivel Arm versions. Click the link at the top bar to see the current state !

 

Breaker, in both the Straight and Swivel Arm versions, occupy an area of the Hall of Fame as the newest complete inductee !

 

Breaker, in both forms, fits in well with the rest of his comrades !

Hasbro's Ric Flair with Flair Snare !!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Ric Flair.......Stylin and Profilin!!!!!!!!

 

In 1993, Hasbro' Series 6 produced not just an action figure....but an icon to all wrestling fans worldwide!!!

 

The Greatest Professional Wrestler to walk this planet captured in plastic!

Now I know the look on his face makes him look a bit insane, but this is one hell of a figure. Very detailed and well done. I absolutely LOVE the LJN wrestlers and had to settle for my own customized version of Flair back in the day. Flair didn't make it to the WWF til 1991 and the Big Rubber Wrestlers were but a memory by then....but at least we got this guy!

 

Oh, and yes, Ric Flair was my idol growing up. He is the Greatest Wrestler of all time.