GI Joe

From Hero Toys Wiki

Between 1982-1994 Hasbro manufactured no less than 82 action figures for the G.I. Joe brand, no wonder it was the most successful action figure of all time.

The cool thing about G.I. Joes, or to give it its full designation of "G.I. Joe - A Real American Hero" was that they had classifications and a code name. Each action figure came with assorted accessories such as backpacks, weapons and a command dossier about that particular figure's personal and military specialization. Pretty neat.

1 1st Series
2 2nd Series
3 3rd Series
4 4th Series
5 5th Series
6 6th Series

1st Series

Hot of the line in 1982 were nine figures each with a classification and code name, these were:

Infantry Trooper - Grunt
Ranger - Stalker
Commando - Snake Eyes
Mortar Soldier - Short Fuze
Communications Officer - Breaker
Machine Gunner - Rock n' Roll
Bazooka Solider - Zap
Counter Intelligence - Scarlet
Laser Rifle Trooper - Flash

Interestingly, each action figure had a straight arm and only a single elbow joint. This meant that in the heat of battle, posing your hero toy could be quite difficult. Still, it was G.I. Joe and they rocked.

Owners of a mint condition Commando Snake Eyes and Counter Intelligence Offer Scarlet can expect them to be worth in the region of $200!

2nd Series

New figures were added to the G.I. Joe and Cobra line up in 1983 with each action figure now updated with "Swivel Arm Battle Grip", Hasbro's solution to the straight arm figures of the 1st Series.

The 2nd Series figures were:

Cobra Officer
Cobra Commander
Cobra
Major Bludd
Destro
Medic - Doc
S.E.A.L. - Torpedo
Mine Detector - Tripwire
Marine - Gung-Ho
Arctic Trooper - Snow Job
Helicopter Assult Trooper - Airborne
First Sergeant - Duke

"Destro" proved to be the most popular of the Cobra villains, and if you managed to keep one in mint condition it could be worth $140 or more.

3rd Series

Cobra hit back with the 3rd series released in 1984. Equipped with an intelligence officer, a saboteur and a ninja, G.I. Joe's certainly had to be on their guard.

The 3rd Series figures were:

Cobra Anti Armor Specialist - Scrap Iron
Cobra Intelligence Officer - Baroness
Cobra Saboteur - Firefly
Cobra Ninja - Storm
Flame Thrower - Blow Torch
Tracker - Spirit
Dog Handler - Junkyard & Mutt
Heavy Gunner - Roadblock
Halo Jumper - Rip Cord
Jungle Trooper - Recondo
Zartan with Swamp Skier
First Sergeant Duke

Zartan deserves a special mention as sunlight and temperature effected the color of his uniform. Pretty neat back in 1984! Also available via mail-in was a hooded Cobra Commander.

A mint condition Cobra Intelligence Officer - Baroness today could set you back as much as $175 big ones!

4th Series

Hasbro spiced things up with the 4th series by adding women and secondary figures to the line up. Hasbro also hinted at things to come with the brightly colored Airtight and Fire Fighter Barbecue figures.

4th Series figures included:

Infantry Trooper - Footloose
Silent Weapons - Quick Kick
Covert Operations - Lady Jayne
Sailor - Shipwreck
Airtight
Fire Fighter - Barbecue
Warrant Officer - Flint
Commando - Snake Eyes II with Timberwolf
Cobra Frogman - Eels
Cobra Polar Assault - Snow Serpant
Crimson Guard Commanders - Tomax & Xamot

4th Series action figures can range in price from $15 to $100 dependant on condition, whilst a mint condition Snake Eyes II might set you back as much as $140.

5th Series

Released in 1985, the 5th Series were brighter and more varied than those before. A good example was the brother/sister enemy team of Zandar and Zarana who were dressed in multicolored neon clothing. Considering that they had red hair, that was quite a combination!

Fans of William "Refrigerator" Perry of the Chicao Bears may recall that an action figure based on the "Fridge" was also available via a mail in. With a big number '72' on his shirt and a hammer with a football as a head, he made quite a figure!

Snow Trooper - Iceberg
Laser Trooper - Sci-Fi
Marine - Leatherneck
Seal - Wet-Suit
Commander - Hawk
Cobra Zandar & Zarana
Cobra Andriod Trooper - B.A.T.
Cobra Master of Mind Control - Dr. Mindbender

6th Series

A lot can change in six years, and the G.I. Joe brand had come along way since it's first appearance in 1982.

Not only were many of the new figures more complex in design, they had no counterparts to the original series. The brand also attracted the attention of fan and famous author Steven King to write the card bio information for Cobra Hypnotist "Crystal Ball".

Other unusual characters were Cobra Falconer and the Cobra Reptile Trainer, complete with a falcon and crocodile respectively. Who would have seen that coming in 1982!

U.S. Marine Gung-Ho made a return, this time in full dress uniform who looked very ordinary against the pink Ninja outfit of Cobra Nina - Jinx.