Mercenary

Code Name:

Major Bludd

Desimone Guide: #37

Tomart's Guide: #GI5065 (mail-in), #GI5137 (carded)

Carded Figure

Major Bludd's Filecard

Biography from the G.I.Joe Comics Homepage

Figure Description:

Major Bludd was first available as a special unadvertised mail-in offer in late 1982/early 1983.

Major Bludd was released carded as part of the second series (1983). He was sold in 1984 and was discontinued domestically in 1985.

In 1986 and 1987, Hasbro Direct offered Major Bludd as part of the "Original Adventure Team" mail-in set. He came packaged in a plastic bag and came with nine other figures in a carrying case. In 1989, Major Bludd was available by himself through Hasbro Direct.

Versions of Major Bludd:

• Version One (1983)
• Version Two (1991)
• Version Three (1994)
• Version Four (2000)
• Version Five (2003)
• Version Six (2005)
• Version Seven (2006)

Accessories:

Major Bludd came with a black rocket pistol and a black backpack.

Click the link to see the figure with all its weapons - All Geared Up!

Variations:

No variations of Major Bludd are known to exist.

There is a variation of Major Bludd's filecard. Early cards of his had one version of his poem, later file cards had a second version of his poetry.

Early versions have: When you're feeling low and woozy/Slap a fresh clip in your Uzi/Assume the proper firing stance/And make the suckers jump and dance!

Later versions have: A mercenary's job is a heartless one/I'm a soldier for hire, like a pawn-shop gun/My ruthless tactics keep you on your toes/'Cause I fight 'em all, whether friends or foes!

Neither card seems to be more difficult to find than the other.

There is also a glossy red-backed version of the filecard that came with figures from Hasbro Direct.

Body Construction:

Major Bludd's body is completely original - all new body parts.

Major Bludd's upper legs (thighs) were repainted and used to create Duke. Those same thighs were eventually repainted and re-used to create the 1988 Tiger Force Duke (v2), the 1997 Duke (v7), and the 1997 Alley Viper (v4).

Note that the figure's right arm is one solid piece and does not bend. It is some sort of bionic/cybernetic arm that was never explained and it was "fixed" on the subsequent 1991 and 1994 releases of Major Bludd.

Note that the figure's head only turns left and right - it does not allow the head to look up and down. The heads only turned left and right until the the swivel ball head that was introduced in 1985 (Series Four).

International Variants:

In India, a blue and yellow Major Bludd was released carded. A more traditionally colored variant Major Bludd with brown hair was also released in India.