****** GI JOE 3 3/4" NEWSLETTER ****** Issue #6 October 8, 1996 http://www.ecnet.net/users/mucds/joehq.htm Welcome to the long-awaited issue #6! I apologize for not having this out sooner but once again classes have had to take priority over all else. A successful semester will mean graduation this December. Maybe more free time will follow?? :) I'd like to welcome the *many* new subscribers who have joined our ranks since August. I hope you enjoy this issue. List moderator: Corey Stinson (mucds@bgu.edu) Editor: Corey Stinson (mucds@bgu.edu) Contributing editor: Josh Zyber Contributing editor: Benjamin Ian Thomas (BThomas828@aol.com) Webmaster: Corey Stinson (mucds@bgu.edu) Table of contents: ---------------------------------------------------------- 1. News Bits 2. Vehicles That Joe Never Got 3. GI Joe 3 3/4" vs. GI Joe Extreme 4. "Shot In The Dark" - part IV (conclusion) 5. A History Of UK GI Joe/Action Force 6. GI Joe 3 3/4" Trading Cards 7. Subscription Info ======================================================================== NEWS BITS It would seem that the first pictures of the two reported 1997 3 3/4" GI Joe four-figure sets have surfaced. You can view these pictures at: http://www.thegrid.net/bear/giscrap.htm. For those of you without access to a graphic web browser I can e-mail you a copy of the picture in question, send your request to me at . I want to point out that I have not confirmed with Hasbro that the picture mentioned above is authentic or accurate. Please formulate your own conclusion. I would like to hear from everyone about what you think of the figures pictured and would like to post your comments in the next issue of the newsletter. Response has been very strong to the WWW page on-line survey. If ever there has been one group of fans who had such an overwhelmingly solid and consistent opinion on a particular toy line you, my friends, are them! I think that this survey should be of profound marketing interest to Hasbro. When I end the survey, probably at the beginning of 1997, I will write up a statistical analysis and will post it in the following newsletter. Speaking of the on-line survey; our Headquarters WWW page is not doing so well. My ISP is slowly destroying the functionality of our WWW server. First they broke the ability to run certain CGI programs which took away access to the filecard gallery. As of yesterday (10/6) no CGI programs are running. This has put the on-line survey off-line. :( All classified ad submissions and subscription requests are now being handled via email right now. More details in the "What's New" section of the web page. My request to start a discussion listserv was turned down by my ISP. Apparently they only allow academic-related discussion groups. It looks like this ball is out of my court, at least for the timebeing. Anyone else want to try and head up this one? ======================================================================== VEHICLES THAT JOE NEVER GOT As I look at a lot of the later GI Joe vehicles, especially those produced between 1989-1994, it occurs to me that departure from reality was the order of the day. This prompted me to consider some of the interesting modern military vehicles that GI Joe never got. Wouldn't it be neat if GI Joe could have gotten an... "Army Truck" - this has been a military mainstay since WW I. I wonder why GI Joe never got one? The closest GI Joe ever came was the A.P.C., a neat vehicle in its own right. An authentic truck with a real cloth/canvas tarp over the bed would be neat! "Hum-vee" - GI Joe got a lot of jeeps. Everything from the VAMP to the VAMP Mark II to the AWE Striker to the Dino-Hunters six-wheeler. But Joe never got this modern version of the military jeep. Joe needs a jeep that seats three characters in front! "SR-17 Blackbird" - Hasbro never skimped on quality when it came to the aircraft they provided for the GI Joe line. The Skystriker, the Night Raven, the Conquest X-30, and the Dragonfly were all well-done aircraft. Why then did Joe never get a Blackbird for those reconaissance flights over Cobra Island? "C-130" - Yet another (IMHO) neat concept. I would have loved to have had a BIG C-130 transport that I could have actually driven a couple of GI Joe jeeps up into, or even the Mauler M.B.T.! I'm sure that part of the reason something like this never came to be is that it would have been too large and heavy for a smaller child to carry around, and would have surely broken badly if dropped. Nevertheless, it would have looked great! Can you think of any vehicles that would would like to have seen as part of the GI Joe line? If so, please write me an email describing the vehicle and how you picture it. I'll post all your comments in the next issue of the Newsletter! - Corey Stinson ======================================================================== GI JOE 3 3/4" vs. GI JOE EXTREME Pros and cons of GI JOE extreme ________________________________________________________________________ PROS CONS ________________________________________________________________________ 5.They are easily playable 5.They are not playable with most modern action figure with 3.75 JOES lines(batman,superman,x-men,etc.) 4.The larger size makes it easier 4.They have far less detail, to keep from losing pieces,knives,etc. and cheap paint jobs. 3.They add new characters/history to 3.They are unrealistic, a the 30+ years of GI JOE. far cry from the semi- realistic military 3.75" Joes. 2.They provide a 'futuristic' 2.They are too unarticulated approach to GI JOE. while the 3.75"s we're lifelike in articulation. 1.They ARE GI Joes. And that 1.They S U C K!!!!! They are counts for something, right? nothing near as good the 3.75"s!!!! - Mike List ======================================================================== G.I. Joe, A Real American Hero Chapter One, Shot in the Dark (the conclusion) Ben Thomas, BThomas828@aol.com and bithomas@eos.ncsu.edu ------------------------------------------------- In an earlier part, I mentioned that this story and all future stories are a continuation of the Marvel comic storyline. However, I failed to mention that some major differences exist between my stories and the comic. First, the Transformers never existed here. Second, Destro, Zartan, the Baroness, and Billy never rejoined Cobra (for that matter, Storm Shadow is not a Cobra under Dr. Mindbender's control either). Since those people never rejoined Cobra, Darklon is also not dead. Out of the last twenty or so issues, only a few of the events still happened in this alternate take. Zarana and Road Pig have gone back to the Dreadnoks, Millville is no longer a Cobra front, and Borovia was conquered by Cobra. Dr. Biggles-Jones and Scarlett did join Cobra, but they are no longer with the organization. Finally, the events of issue #155 did happen. On to the usual disclaimer. All characters and vehicles in this story, with the exceptions of Armada and the Black Phoenix, are trademarks of Hasbro/Kenner. ------------------------------------------------- Total darkness prevailed in the unlit corridor of the Trager Fortress prison block. No ordinary person stood a chance of seeing anything through the cloud of pitch black cover; however, the two people currently staring each other down could hardly be called ordinary. "Let me guess: you have come to rescue the U.S.'s top brain," the large Cobra surmised aloud. "I regret to inform you that you are going to have to leave now. After all, you are trespassing, and if I make an exception for you, I have to make an exception for everyone. Surely you understand my situation!" Snake Eyes refused to acknowledge the Cobra's humored threat with even the slightest body motion. He did not even bother to rise from his perch on one knee. The cold stare certainly sent the proper message about his intentions to his adversary. "Ah! You must be that mute super-commando called Snake Eyes!" Armada realized after a few seconds. "Your record does not list you as being deaf, too. Well, just in case, I will repeat my last few comments." The Island Commander proceeded to mockingly move his hands in the motions of sign language. The Joe Commando would no longer waste any time with the large man, since he had probably already radioed for backup teams to shut off all means of escape. In one fluid motion, Snake Eyes unsheathed his diamond-sharp katana sword, spun like a whirlwind, and slashed at the Cobra's neck in a decapitation attempt. Instead, the armored man simply grabbed the katana by the upper portion of the blade and flung the commando into a nearby barred cell door. Snake Eyes adroitly rolled away as the Cobra lunged at his former position, but the two cannons mounted on the sides of the man's arms snapped backwards and unleashed a rapid stream of bright, searing energy blasts. The Joe Commando may have been the world's leading expert in matters of agility and quickness, but in the cramped quarters of the corridor, even he could not run from all of the blasts. The pain shooting through his body from the burns on his right thigh and lower back nearly knocked the commando unconscious. Snake Eyes slumped to the cold concrete floor, unable to push his weight up to confront the Island Commander. Daring one last glance at his opponent, he saw the man tower above him, looking down upon the injured form below. "I gave you a chance . . ." ****** The Medi-Vipers, after a long and arduous climb up countless flights of stairs, finally reached the fourteenth floor of the fortress. Only one elevator had been installed at the present time, and its location at the other end of the complex would have erased any advantage in speed that the ride might have given them. Speed was extremely important in this instance. Upon reaching the entrance to the holding area, the MVs found their passage blocked by a team of seven Vipers. "Why are they here?" whispered Medi-Viper Three to Medi-Viper One while the other two MVs set the stretcher they were carrying on the floor. "They were probably sent as a safeguard when the city was alerted," Medi-Viper One quietly replied. "Why are you medics here?" growled the first Viper, his right hand firmly clutching his rifle. "No one here requires any medical attention!" Medi-Viper one crossed his arms over his chest, visibly annoyed at the delay. "Look here! We received a call that the prisoner's condition had seriously degenerated, and we were to report immediately to the holding area. Now, let us through or he may die!" "I don't know what you're talking about, medic," the Viper declared, suspicion thick in his tone. "The prisoner is fine. I just saw him about ten minutes ago." "Who are you to decide if the man is in good health or not? Did you spend twelve years in medical school? No, I didn't think so! If you don't believe me, why don't you contact your superior and find out?" The Medi-Viper stuck his nose in the air to the chorus of "You tell him!" from the other three MVs. The Viper pulled a walkie-talkie out of his black vest. "Have it your way!" he snapped, pressing the talk button on the device. "Commander, this is Viper Team Leader Five speaking--" The Medi-Vipers simultaneously reached behind their backs and pulled out several small firearms. "Sorry, your time is up!" Medi-Viper announced, brightening the dim hallway with a stream of submachine gun fire. ****** Armada picked up the lifeless form of the Commando Snake Eyes. Cobras from all divisions and walks of life had countlessly warned the island commander to watch out for Snake Eyes, the invincible super-ninja who twice had broken into the impenetrable Silent Castle. "To this point, I never truly realized the extent of the U.S.'s capabilities in the use of propaganda. Imagine, an entire army afraid of one weak loser like this man?" Before Armada could continue basking in his total victory over the invader, he received a message in his helmet communicator. "Commander, this is Viper Team Leader Five speaking--" the device relayed, but the speaker was cut short by the ring of gunfire. "Well, it looks like your friends have finally arrived," Armada informed the unconscious commando. "I should hardly call myself fair if I don't show your friends the same amount of respect with which I have shown you!" ****** As suddenly as the cacophonous outburst had started, the echo of the extensive halls restored the relative silence. Stalker examined the lifeless bodies of the fallen Vipers, his skills as a medic confirming his initial belief that they had all died. The Vipers did not have the time to inform his superior that the assailants were Medi-Vipers, so the disguise would hold if the team would just move swiftly. "Lightfoot, strip this Viper of his uniform," he ordered, referring to the last Viper examined. "Low-Light, let's get Sampson out. Backblast," he concluded, noticing that the Anti-Aircraft Trooper was grasping his wounded side in pain, "you back up Lightfoot." Stalker and Low-Light stood in front of the double automatic doors separating the cells from the administrative section, neither man knowing the dangers that could lie behind the doors. Stalker stepped cautiously forward, opening the doors with a reverberating, swooshing sound. To his utter amazement, the complete darkness created an atmosphere so oppressive that the darkness felt like an evil entity in itself. Without warning, the darkness took shape outside its confines and clubbed the Ranger with a poweful forearm smash, propelling him ten feet back. Low-Light instinctively rolled backwards, sensing that his life was greatly imperiled. The shadowy form emerged from the fog, separating to become a man of large proportions. The Night Spotter recognized the man far too well; it was the same man that tormented his dreams every night when he had been lost in the dark woods as a boy. Some of the features had changed, but the purpose remained. Even worse, Low-Light saw that the dark soul carried the lifeless form of Snake Eyes with his right hand. The sight sent shivers running through his system; how could he defeat an enemy that felled Snake Eyes? He could not think clearly any more. He raised his rapid-fire sniper rifle, aimed with the honed instinct for which he was famous, and pulled the trigger with all of his might. Burst after burst impacted upon the black figure, blinding everyone who could see the exchange. The dark man stared blankly at the Night Spotter for a few seconds, brushing his chest as if to sweep off dirt. "Do you always waste ammunition like that?" he finally asked. "NOOO!!!! I'LL KILL YOU WITH MY BARE HANDS!!" Low-Light primally screamed, rushing at the juggernaut with the ferocity of a raging bull. Armada dropped his baggage in Snake Eyes and swiftly plucked the charging madman from the ground. Low-Light kicked and struggled violently, attempting to break the man's powerful stranglehold, but he would not relent. With the Night Spotter suspended in the air, Armada kicked his captive in the gut and then backhanded him with such a force as to propel him painfully into the wall. Backblast rushed to the scene only to watch Low-Light be viciously pummeled by a large black-armored man. Snake Eyes and Stalker layed unconscious nearby. After introducing Low-Light to the wall, the man turned to take in the new challenger, his featureless face inviting danger despite the lack of expression. The Anti-Aircraft Trooper slowly stepped backwards, unsure of a method of approach. Unfortunately, the question had already been answered for him. Out of nowhere, rifle barrels sharply poked and prodded his back. A quick glance to the rear revealed a new team of Vipers blocking any further movement in reverse. "Don't be a fool," the black warrior advised. "Learn from the mistakes of your friends here," he added, opening his arms to draw attention to the inert forms of Snake Eyes, Stalker, and Low-Light. Backblast saw no other choice. The Vipers had Lightfoot restrained, and the other two Joes were nowhere in the vicinity. He shamefully dropped his submachine gun and raised his arms. "Okay, I give up." *** Admiral Colby, better known to the crew of the U.S.S. Flagg as Keel- Haul, paced back and forth in the command room worriedly. He had no means of contact with the rescue teams, and the departure time was quickly approaching. All signs from Trager's Island indicated that major troop activity was occurring throughout the city, and those movements could only mean that the TI team's cover had been blown. The manpower would at best slow down the escape effort, but it likely would cause the entire mission to fail. The Admiral did not like failure in the least manner, and in this case failure would cost the lives of seven soldiers as well as a top scientist. "Dial-Tone, call Major Altitude and what's-his-name right now! Tell them to report to my quarters on the double!" Dial-Tone looked back at the Admiral with a puzzled look. "Sir, the extraction time isn't for a couple--" "Just do it!" the Admiral snapped before Dial-Tone could finish. This time, he was definitely going to write down the Stealth Fighter Pilot's name . . . *** "Pathfinder, I'm not getting a response anymore!" Hit & Run exclaimed. "That's bad, bad, bad! What are we gonna do?" "Well, there's only one thing we can do, and that's to try to get closer to the action," the Jungle Assault Specialist replied. "We definitely can't hope to fight our way through the fortress, not in our condition." Hit & Run painfully grimaced as he surveyed the busy city below. He had already scaled this building once, and that action had required nearly all of his strength. "At least the coast is clear down there," he answered. "We better get moving!" The Light Infantryman secured the hook of his rapelling line to the side of the rooftop and slowly began to slide down the length of the rope. Pathfinder joined his partner on the line to the ground level of the city. Halfway into his descent, he heard a swooshing sound overhead, followed by a quick loss of tension in the line. The rope had been cut! He arrived at this conclusion as quickly as his body slammed into the pavement below. Fortunately, he did not fall a large distance, and he rolled in a manner to reduce the impact. The Jungle Assault Specialist groggily looked up from his sprawled position. A man stood in front of him, wearing red pants with black leg covers. Slice had found them! "Now, to finish what I started earlier . . ." *** Ghostrider stared at the cockpit mission indicator. TEN SECONDS TO TARGET RANGE. The fortress ahead towered like Mount Everest before him, outside of the X-19 Stealth Fighter. NINE SECONDS TO TARGET RANGE. The seconds passed like hours. EIGHT SECONDS TO TARGET RANGE. The fortress mutated into a structure even more imposing than before as the distance lessened. SEVEN SECONDS TO TARGET RANGE. Would the plan work? SIX SECONDS TO TARGET RANGE. He had no idea where the team might be located in the complex, and he could be endangering them instead of helping them escape as a result. FIVE SECONDS TO TARGET RANGE. The thoughts had to be dispelled; he was the best strike pilot in G.I. Joe. FOUR SECONDS TO TARGET RANGE. He had to concentrate on the task at hand. THREE SECONDS TO TARGET RANGE. If only the time would come! TWO SECONDS TO TARGET RANGE. Almost there! ONE SECOND TO TARGET RANGE. "Good morning Trager's Island! It's time for a return to nature!" the Stealth Pilot cried as he activated the missile launch. The fiery heralds of destruction jetted flawlessly towards the intended target. The pair exploded brilliantly, brightening the island sky like the sun. "Yes!" Ghostrider celebratedly screamed. His sense of accomplishment was quickly destroyed, however. WARNING, WARNING! the voice module echoed. MISSILES DESTROYED BEFORE IMPACT. "What the hell?!" Ghostrider exclaimed as the X-19 was forcibly dissuaded from its desired course. The Stealth Pilot grabbed the controls and frantically tried to regain command of the plane, but it was to no avail. The fighter was pounded again, this time closer to the cockpit, and he felt the blasts which were the source of his frustration. Someone was attacking the plane! Since he could not even see the attacker, he had no chance of fighting back. Not waiting to check on the state of system operations, he opened the emergency cockpit release switch and parachuted out of the burning plane. Upon release of the chute, he looked back at the plane and saw it explode as blasts from the fortress destroyed it. But, the actual source of the blasts was not the fortress itself; one human- looking figure had done all the damage. Ghostrider thought that it must have been a new model of Battle Android Trooper, but the answer did not make any difference now. Staring at the approaching ground below, the group of rifle-wielding Vipers sealed his fate for the near future. *** Dial-Tone watched in horror as the X-19 exploded over the Trager's Island fortress. "Admiral! The Cobras tagged the X-19!" "What?!" the Admiral cried, shocked to the very cells which composed his body. "How could they do that? They've never successfully dealt with the Stealth Fighter before, certainly not during the dark hours!" Dial-Tone simply continued to shake his head disbelievingly. "All I know is that they did!" Admiral Colby had faced many crises before, but he had always properly prepared himself for the opposition. He thought he had done so this time also, but the fiery mass on the video screen suggested otherwise. He had failed; that much was certain. Now, he could only hope to salvage the rest of the team. "Patch me through to Major Altitude!" "Major Altitude here, sir," the helicopter pilot called over the radio link. "Turn around and return to the Flagg now! The pickup is aborted!" "I can't just leave them in that hell-hole, sir!" Major Altitude forcefully objected. "I've gotten guys out of worse situations before! I can do it!" "That's an order, Major!" Admiral Colby calmly yet sternly repeated. "I'm not taking any more chances with their anti-aircraft system! If it took out the X-19, you'd better believe it can tag you as well!" "Yes, sir. Returning to the Flagg now. Major Altitude out." With the end of the transmission, the Admiral quickly turned and moved for the door. "I'll be in my quarters, Dial-Tone," he dejectedly announced, his back hunched in sorrow. Dial-Tone rose from his seat. "Sir, you did what--" His statement was interrupted by the slamming door. [How could I have let this happen?] *** Cesspool entered the door-activation code for the third time without any success. Somehow the door controls had been overridden, but he would not let a minor detail like a thick steel partition keep him from the action inside. "Slude Vipers! Open the doors!" The trio of Slude Vipers raised their Super Plasmatox Cannons to shoulder level. Very few materials could withstand the pure corrosive power of Cesspool's patented weapon, and the Chief Environmental Operative utilized this knowledge for great personal gain. But today, the Plasmatox would not leave its storage tanks. As the Sludge Vipers prepared to pull the trigger, the door swooshed open, and the Island Commander Armada stepped through the portal with a team of Vipers in tow. "It's about time you made it, Lieutenant! You've already missed all the thrills and spills!" D'Alleva's mutated eye squinted angrily as the rest of his face reddened to a crimson glow. "What in the name of Rockefeller was going on in there? I suppose building material stock will skyrocket now that you've managed to bungle your way through a sabotage attempt!" The Island Commander stared calmly at the CEO with the one expression forever etched upon the face of his helmet and gestured for him to follow. "Please, have a look around. Tell me what you see . . ." ****** Consciousness slowly returned to Stalker's bruised form. Very little light entered the small cell, so the Ranger's eyes had plenty of time to adjust to the new surroundings. He reached around to try to mentally picture his environment. Someone grabbed him in the abdominal area and placed him on a bench. "Who-who are you?" the groggy Ranger asked. "Well, my name is Robert Sampson. I believe you came here to rescue me . . ." END of SHOT IN THE DARK ======================================================================== A HISTORY OF UK GI JOE/ACTION FORCE Editor's note: this information was retrieved from USENET almost three years ago. The author's email address is now invalid so I was unable to obtain his permission to reprint this. Adrian, if you are out there, thank you for taking the time to post this information those many moons ago! :) ----- From ma11af@ee.surrey.ac.uk Wed Apr 13 22:05:45 CDT 1994 Right below I have compiled a list of all Joe stuff brought out in the UK since 1985. There is not much on pre-'85 as at that time I was too busy collecting Star Wars! If anyone knows of anything I've missed, let me know & I'll revise this list. I've also tried to include some of the main events happening in the UK. I hope to bring out a second edition in the future with more on 1980-1985, details on special offers offered, etc. The Hot items denoted those figures & vehicles that you spent all year looking for, & except for the time you saw them & bought them, you never saw them at all! Happy reading. Now you'll realise just how backward the UK is!!!!! Adrian ________________________________________________________________________ around 1980 ^^^^^^^^^^^ Some 3.75 figures are released. These are models of soldiers from past & present. They are distributed under the name of Action Man: Action Force ________________________________________________________________________ 1980-1985 ^^^^^^^^^ Action Force is second rate only to Star Wars in the toy stakes. The models are re-released but are in 4 different forces (although I think 2 of them came later). Z-force is your normal army/green berets & they wear green & camoflage. SAS-force are in black & are the special forces Q-force are the sea experts & wear yellow & blue (I think) ...-force are the space experts & wear orange & grey. Their enemy is Baron Ironblood & the Red Shadows. Nobody thinks that this sounds like a pop group at the time!!!! Adventures are journaled in Battle comic, published by IPC magazines, which becomes Battle Action Force. These are purely UK stories and is published Weekly. Some of the present Joes turn up in "disguise"-usually a repaint & a different name. They only ever came with a vehicle. Snake-Eyes- was the same as 1st Edition. He came with the SAS Panther (a black Vamp) & was called Stalker! Scarlett- was green & black with blonde hair. She came with the Z-Force RAM (but it wasn't called that) & was renamed Quarrel. Steeler- was green & Black & came with the Z-force tank. No name change. Gung-ho - was green & Red?, he had a name like Honcho or something mexican & came with the Command Centre Stalker, was green & black with a red beret. He also came with the command centre & was called Jammer. Cobra Officer- was black & silver. He came with the SAS Wolverine & had a mexican name as well. Cobra Commander was painted red & black as a Red Shadow Laser Extermionator Pilot (the one Flash cane with in the US) called..... ________________________________________________________________________ 1985 ^^^^ FIGURES: ******* Duke, Roadblock, Blowtorch, Stalker, Ripcord, Flash, Torpedo, Snow Job, Breaker, Gung-ho, Scarlett, Mutt(&Junkyard),Airborne Recondo (& Canoe), Major Bludd, Baroness, Destro, Cobra Commander, Scrap Iron, Cobra Trooper, Cobra Officer, Firefly,Zartan(& Chameleon Vehicle), Storm Shadow VEHICLES: ******** FANG, Cobra Hangglider, Sealion(with pilot Dolphin), Wolverine(with Rock&Roll), Command Centre (with Gung-ho & Stalker), Hovercraft(wasn't called Whale then)(with pilot Cutter), Skystriker(with Ace), SHARK(called Flying Submarine over here)(with Deep 6), Stinger, APC, Water Moccassin(with Copperhead), Hiss(with a Different Cobra Trooper [who was red!!]) HOT ITEMS: Cobra Commander, Scrap Iron & Snow Job Battle Action Force starts the changeover in January before the new line appears in April. Remember that this is a WEEKLY comic so the build up was big!!!! Snake-Eyes appears in a Battle Action Force Story, although there is no figure of him. Special Offer: Send off tokens for a free Action Force trooper (really Grunt). ________________________________________________________________________ 1986 ^^^^ FIGURES: ******** NONE VEHICLES: ******** NONE No new figures or vehicles. A few rumours persist that people have seen a new range in the same style packaging, but nothing becomes of it. Battle Action Force drops Action Force in the Autumn. The range looks doomed! I use up my tokens & get a further 4 Action Force Troopers ________________________________________________________________________ 1987 ^^^^ FIGURES: ******** Flint, Alpine, Lady Jaye, Shipwreck, Buzzer, Ripper, Barbecue, Footloose, Quick Kick, Snake-eyes(& Timber), Snow Serpent, Televiper, Crimson Guard, Airtight, Dusty, Bazooka Re-Released: Cobra Trooper, Stormshadow VEHICLES: ********* Dragonfly(with Wild Bill), Stinger, Snowcat(with Frostbite), Silver Mirage, Mauler(& Heavy Metal), AWE Striker (with Crank Case), Cobra ferret,hydrofoil (with Lamprey) Re-released: FANG, Skystriker(with Ace) Battlefield Accesories: Checkpoint, Air Defence, Cobra Bunker. HOT ITEMS: Snake-Eyes, Mauler First Signs of a new range appear in January when Marvel Comics start advertising a new weekly Action Force comic beginning in February. 2nd issue free with issue 1. Covers show Flint, & Scarlett & Snake Eyes. Everyone assumes that Flint is really Duke. The comics cary adverts for the new range, which blow everyone away, but it isn't until late March/early April that the new line appears in the shops. The stories are a mix of Marvel US strips & new UK ones. By issue 8, the comic starts serialising the US version starting with Snake-Eyes Origin, GI Joe issue 25. The packaging of the new range is now the same as the US. ________________________________________________________________________ 1988 ^^^^ FIGURES: ******** Tomax & Xamot, Hawk (General), Zarana, Zandar, Monkeywrench, Lifeline, Leatherneck, Dialtone, Mainframe, Dr. Mindbender, Iceberg, Beachhead, Wet Suit, Roadblock(2nd edition), Sci-Fi, Viper, BAT re-released: Airtight, Lady Jaye, Snake Eyes, Shipwreck, Flint, Quick Kick, Ripper, Snow Serpent, Storm Shadow, Televiper,Buzzer, Cobra Trooper, Crimson Guard VEHICLES: ********* Serpentor & Air Chariot, Triple T(with Sgt Slaughter), Devilfish, Rattler(with Wild Weasel), HAVOC(with Cross Country), Flightpod, Hydrosled, Thundermachine(with Thrasher), WHALE(with Cutter), Ski Mobile, STUN(with Motorviper) Motorised Action Packs: Cobra Mountain Climber, Radar Station, Anti-aircraft Gun, Helicopter, Earthborer, Pom Pom Gun, Rope walker, Rope Crosser Battlefield Accessories: Ammo Dump, Forward Observor, Rifle Range, Survaillance Port, Laser Artillery Weapon, Outpost defender. Battlefield Accessories Re-releases: Checkpoint, Air Defence, Cobra Bunker.. re-released: Hydrofoil with Lamprey, Dragonfly(with Wild Bill), Skystriker(with Ace) HOT ITEMS: Beachhead, Zandar & Zarana, Rattler Action Force comic finishes early this year or late last around issue 50. They return with a monthly format, published in the US as GI Joe: European Missions (I think). However, the British public is not ready for a monthly comic & so lasts only about 14 issues. The US serialisation already up to around issue 50 is moved to Transformers comic, where it is the backup strip. ________________________________________________________________________ 1989 ^^^^ FIGURES: ******** Road Pig, Falcon, Jinx, Crazylegs, Outback, AstroViper, Pysche-Out, Fast Draw, Raptor, Gung-ho(Marine), Techno-Viper, Hit&Run, Tunnel Rat, Cobra Commander (silver battle armour), Big Boa, Blizzard, HydroViper, Croc Master,Law & Order Re-released: Monkeywrench, SciFi, Mainframe, Viper, Lifeline, Hawk(General), Dr. Mindbender, BAT, Dialtone, Wet Suit, Roadblock(2nd Edition) VEHICLES: ********* Conquest X-30(with Slipstream), Tomohawk(with LiftTicket), Pogo, Persuader(with Backstop), Drednok Cycle, Cobra Jet pack, Battle Gear, Wolf(with IceViper), SLAM, Night Raven, Costal Defender, Maggot(with ....), Zanzibar& Air Skiff, Mobile Command Centre(with ....), Buzz Boar, Road Toad Motorised Action Packs: Drednok Battle Axe, Cobra Twin Missile Launcher, Cobra Machine Gun nest, Mortar Launcher, Double Machine Gun, Mine Sweeper. Re-released: Rattler(with Wild Weasel), HAVOC(with Cross Country), Thunder Machine(withThrasher),Devilfish, Hydrosled, STUN(with Motoviper), Triple T(with sgt Slaughter), Tomax & Xamot, WHALE(with Cutter), Ski Mobile Battlefield Accesories re-released: Ammo Dump, Forward Observor, Rifle Range HOT ITEMS: Cobra Commander, Conquest X-30, Maggot, Night Raven The figures are unusually early this year. I spot my first figure at the end of December 1988. ________________________________________________________________________ 1990 ^^^^ FIGURES: ******** Budo, Spearhead(& Max), Storm Shadow(Joe), Toxoviper, Hardball, Voltar, Repeater, Muskrat, Charbroil, Iron Grenadier,Shockwave Battleforce 2000(although marketed as ordinary figures): Knockdown, Blaster, Blocker, Dodger, Avalanche,Maverick Renegades(although marketed as ordinary figures): Red Dog, Mercer, Taurus Tiger Force: Duke, Pysche-out, Outback, Tripwire, Roadblock, Lifeline Re-released: HudroViper, Cobra Commander(battle Armour), AstroViper, Falcon, Croc Master, Road Pig, Raptor, Big Boa, Techno-Viper VEHICLES: ********* Cobra Imp, Swampmaster, DEMON(& Ferret), Destro's Despoiler(& Destro(2nd edition)), Skystorm(with Windmill), Phantom(with Ghost Rider), RPV, Warthog(with Sgt Slaughter(renamed Sgt Slammer!)),Mean Dog (with Wildcard), Rolling Thunder(with Armadillo), Desert Fox(with Treadmark). Vehicle Packs: Trike, Cobra Helicopter, Go-kart, Underwater, Cobra Sled (I'm not sure of the names of these) Tiger Force: Tigerfly(with Wild Bill [Recondo repainted]), Tigerpaw, Tigershark, Tigercat(with Frostbite) HOT ITEMS: Storm Shadow, Phantom, Warthog, Mean Dog This year Hasbro makes a big change renaming the range: GI Joe: The Action Force. At long last GI Joe is going to make it to the UK. ________________________________________________________________________ 1991 ^^^^ FIGURES: ******** Snake Eyes(3rd edition), Recoil, Countdown, Scoop, Mutt(new colours), HEATViper, Annihilator, Lowlight(new colours although first time brought out in UK), Stalker(Tundra Ranger), Spirit(new colours although first time brought out in UK), Gnawgahyde, Dee-Jay (again no mention of Battleforce 2000), Rock&Roll(2nd edition with twin Milliguns), Frag Viper, NightViper, Deep6(2nd edition), Downtown, Backblast, AlleyViper Sky Patrol: Airborne, Airwave, Static Line, Skydive, Altitude, Drop Zone. Tiger Force: Blizzard, Hit & Run, Sneak Peak, TunnelRat Sonic Fighters: Dialtone, Tunnel rat, Lamprey, Viper,.. Re-released: Shockwave, Stormshadow(Joe), Toxoviper, Voltar, Budo, Muskrat, Spearhead& Max, Dodger, Lightfoot. Tigerforce re-released: Pysche-Out, Outback. VEHICLES: ******** Raider(& HotSeat), FANG2, Bugg(& Secto-Viper), Pulveriser, Arctic Blast & Windchill, Thunderclap(& LongRange), Evader(& Darklon), Razorback(& WildBoar), HISS2(& Track Viper). Sky Patrol: Sky Raven, Sky Hawk, Sky HAVOC, Sky Sharc. Battlefield Robots: Devastator, Radar Rat Re-Released: Phantom(& Ghost Rider), all 5 vehicle packs, Destro&Despoiler, Rolling Thunder(& Armadillo). Tiger Force Re-released: Tigerfly(& wildBill), Tigerpaw, Tigercat(& Frostbite) HOT ITEMS: Snake-Eyes, Mutt, Stalker, Rock&Roll, Bugg, Thunderclap Hasbro make the final change dropping :the Action Force. GI Joe has arrived (even if they drop 'an American Hero' bit! ________________________________________________________________________ 1992 ^^^^ FIGURES: ******** Range-viper, Bullhorn, Stretcher, Undertow, Downtown, Ambush, Sub-zero, Capt Grid Iron, Pathfinder, SAW Viper, Freefall, Nightcreeper, Rampart, Sub-Zero, Topside, LaserViper, MetalHead, Salvo, Pathfinder,TARGAT,Rock Viper Ecowarriors: Flint, Ozone,..., Cesspool, Toxoviper2, Sludge-viper Talking Commanders: Hawk, Stalker, Overkill, Cobra Commander Super Sonic Fighters: Zap(2nd Edition although we never got the first!), Rock&Roll(2nd Edition repainted), Road Pig(repainted), Major Bludd(2nd Edition), Pysche-Out(2nd Edition), Falcon(repainted) Air Commandos: Cloudburst, Night Vulture,....., ......., Re-released: Countdown, recoil, Scoop, Snake-Eyes(3rd Edition), Dee-Jay, Gnawgahyde, Rock&Roll(2nd Edition), Stalker(Tundra Ranger), Annihilator, Backblast, Deep Six, Downtown. VEHICLES: ********* General(with....), Piranha, Avalanche(& .....), Dominator,Tracker, Hammerhead(& Decimator), Eco-Warriors: Septic Tank. BattleCopters: Major .... (Joe), Interagator(Cobra) HOT ITEMS: Undertow, Stretcher, Bullhorn Hasbro seem to cut down on vehicles this year & concentrate on figures. I personally prefer this ________________________________________________________________________ 1993 ^^^^ FIGURES: ******* Red Star, Hawk (jetpak), Dusty(with Sandstorm), Incinerators, Snake-Eyes (Grappling hook),Tracker, Sci-Fi (2nd edition), Lowlight(2nd Edition), Crimson Guard(2nd Edition), Heavy Duty, Snow Serpent(2nd Edition), Desert Scorpion, BAT 2, Cobra Commander(clear mask), Grunt(2nd Edition), Mercer(2nd Edition) Ninja Force: Slice, Dice, Storm Shadow, Dojo, Nunchuk, T'jbang. StreetFighter2: Ryu, Ken, Guile, Chun Li, Blanka, M.Bison. AirCommandos: Spirit(2nd Edition), ...... Re-Released: Capt Grid Iron, Night Creeper, Rock Viper, Stalker(Tundra Ranger), Laser Viper, MetalHead, Salvo, Static Line(no reference to Sky Patrol though!), Undertow, Bullhorn, Pathfinder, Range-Viper, SAW-Viper Re-released Air Commandos: Cloudburst, Night Vulture. VEHICLES: ********* Earthquake, Badger, Storm Eagle, Battle Wagon, Liquidator, Barracuda, Ice Sabre Re-released: Avalanche(&.....), Hammerhead(& Decimator),Tracker, Battlecopters: Ace,....... HOT ITEMS: Snake-Eyes, Tracker(figure), Streetfighter2, Earthquake, Ninja Force Release of 12inch Joes: Stalker, Duke, Cobra Commander, Snake-Eyes. The 3.75 line is late this year. I do not see any until well into the summer. ________________________________________________________________________ 1994 ^^^^ FIGURES: ******** TBA Mega-Marines: Gung-Ho, Clutch, Mirage, Blast-Off, CyberViper, MegaViper Mega-Monsters: Bio-Viper, Monstro-Viper Star Brigade: Duke, Robo-Joe, Heavy Duty, Rock&Roll, Destro, BAATs Streetfighter2: E,Honda, Sagat, Vega, Balrog, Dhalsim Battle Corps: TBA Ninja Force: TBA Re-released: TBA Ninja Force Re-release: TBA Streetfighter2 re-release: Ken, Ryu, Chun Li, Blanka, Guile, M.Bison VEHICLES ******** MegaMarines: Monster Blaster Battle Corps: Mudbuster, Ice Snake, GhostStriker Star Brigade: Cobra Invader, Star Fighter, Armorbot HOT ITEMS: (at a guess!) Streetfighter2, Armorbot, New Ninja Force 12inch Joes change name & are now marketed as Action Man Figures that never made it to the UK ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Original Interagator, Chuckles, Crystal Ball, Big Ben, Python Patrol. Torch. ======================================================================== GI JOE 3 3/4" TRADING CARDS In 1991 Impel Marketing Inc. released a set of 200 GI Joe 3 3/4" trading cards. Someone at Impel must be a GI Joe fan because this whole set was very well done. The cards picture figures, vehicles, as well as some covers from the GI Joe Special Missions Marvel Comics series. The great thing about this set of cards is that they *ALL* (with the exclusion of the Special Missions group) have original artwork on the front. Also, all have original character bio's or card descriptions and artwork on the back. Everything is consistent with the GI Joe 3 3/4" universe and is even faithful to the comic book series. On the back of several cards are pictured characters created by Larry Hama and the Marvel GI Joe creative team that never became toys. These cards are no longer in stores, but one can still sometimes find them in comic shops, at toy shows, and on the 'net. Anyone interested in obtaining these cards might post their intent to the 'rec.collecting.cards.non-sports' or 'rec.comics.marketplace.misc newsgroups.' To assist anyone who may be looking to complete a set I have reproduced the checklist for the full set below. PATROLS __ 101. Getting There ECO-WARRIORS __ 102. Snowblind __ 1. Cesspool __ 103. The Lower Depths __ 2. Flint __ 104. Decisions __ 3. Toxo-Viper II __ 105. Scoop __ 4. Sludge Viper __ 106. Ladies' Day __ 5. Clean Sweep __ 107. Forced Play __ 6. Septic Tank __ 108. Passing of the Guard __ 7. Ozone __ 109. Mexican Holiday __ 110. Condor RANK & FILE __ 8. Skystriker 1991 RECRUITS __ 9. Rolling Thunder __ 111. Badger __ 10. Tomahawk __ 112. Paralyzer __ 11. Mobil Battle Tank, Mauler __ 113. Attack Cruiser __ 12. Snowcat __ 114. Ice Sabre __ 13. A.W.E. Striker __ 115. Brawler __ 14. Night Raven __ 116. Battle Wagon __ 15. Rattler __ 117. Interrogator __ 16. H.I.S.S. __ 118. Major Altitude __ 17. Cobra Hydrofoil, Moray __ 119. Sky Creeper __ 18. GI Joe Headquarters __ 120. Night Vulture __ 19. Bazooka __ 121. Cloudburst __ 20. Shockwave __ 122. Skymate __ 21. Dusty __ 123. General Hawk __ 22. Duke __ 124. Sci-Fi __ 23. Tripwire __ 125. Heavy Duty __ 24. Alpine __ 126. Crimson Guard Immortal __ 25. Shipwreck __ 127. Incinerator __ 26. Spirit __ 128. Big Ben __ 27. Deep Six __ 129. Red Star __ 28. Storm Shadow __ 130. Desert Scorpion __ 29. Captain Grid-Iron __ 131. Low-Light __ 30. Roadblock __ 132. Dusty __ 31. Gung-Ho __ 133. Cobra Commander __ 32. Cobra Commander __ 134. B.A.T. II __ 33. Tele-Viper __ 135. Snake-Eyes __ 34. Metal-Head __ 136. Tracker __ 35. Snow Serpent __ 137. Grunt __ 36. Baroness __ 138. Mercer __ 37. Dr. Mindbender __ 38. Firefly PATROLS SONIC FIGHTERS ORIGINAL JOE TEAM __ 139. Law __ 39. Zap __ 140. Tunnel Rat __ 40. Breaker __ 141. Dial Tone __ 41. Snake-Eyes __ 142. Dodger __ 42. Scarlett __ 143. Viper __ 43. Grunt __ 144. Lamprey __ 44. Flash __ 45. Rock n' Roll PATROLS __ 46. Short-Fuze SUPER SONIC FIGHTERS __ 47. Stalker __ 145. Major Bludd __ 48. Clutch __ 146. Falcon __ 49. Steeler __ 147. Road Pig __ 50. Grand Slam __ 148. Rock n' Roll __ 51. Viper __ 149. Zap __ 52. Cobra Officer __ 150. Psyche-Out __ 53. Hawk __ 54. Jet Pack, J.U.M.P. FAMOUS BATTLES __ 55. Rapid Fire Motorcyle, __ 151. Assault On Cobra Island R.A.M. __ 152. Battle of Cobra Robot __ 56. Attack Cannon, F.L.A.K. Pit I __ 57. Attack Vehicle, V.A.M.P. __ 153. Operation: Wingfield __ 58. Heavy Artillery Laser, __ 154. Battle on Fifth Avenue H.A.L. __ 155. Battle of Hindu Kush __ 59. Mobil Missile System, __ 156. Code Name: Sea Strike M.M.S. __ 157. 1st Battle of Springfield __ 60. Motorized Battle Tank, __ 158. Alaskan Pipeline Battle M.O.B.A.T. __ 159. 1st Battle of Sierra Gordo __ 160. Battle of Washington, D.C. BATTLE GEAR __ 161. Operation: Scarface __ 61. Wet-Suit __ 162. First Battle of Pit I __ 62. Gung-Ho __ 163. Solo Assault on Destro's __ 63. Payload Citadel __ 64. Deep Six __ 164. Battle of Lucca, Italy __ 65. Light Foot __ 165. Dreadnok's Assault on __ 66. Fast Draw McGuire Air Force Base __ 67. Salvo __ 166. Battle at Snake-Eyes' __ 68. Hardball Cabin __ 69. Outback __ 167. Firefight at Staten Island __ 70. Airtight Mall __ 71. Charbroil __ 168. Air Battle: Skystriker __ 72. Ambush Rattler __ 73. Pathfinder __ 169. Sea Battle: WHALE vs. __ 74. Hit & Run Hydrofoils __ 75. Desert Scorpion __ 170. Firefight at the Carnival __ 76. Techno-Viper __ 171. Raid into Sierra Gordo __ 77. Toxo-Viper I __ 172. Battle of Joe Air-Sea Base __ 78. Hydro-Viper __ 173. First Assault on New __ 79. Range-Viper Cobra Island __ 80. Astro-Viper __ 81. T.A.R.G.A.T. HONOR ROLL __ 82. Night-Viper __ 174. Serpentor __ 175. Zartan SPECIAL MISSIONS __ 176. Dr. Mindbender __ 83. That Sinking Feeling __ 177. Raptor __ 84. Words of Honor __ 178. Golobulus __ 85. Burn-Out __ 179. Nemesis Enforcer __ 86. No Holds Barred __ 180. Royal Guard __ 87. Showdown __ 181. Crystal Ball __ 88. Evasion __ 182. General Flagg __ 89. The Old Switcheroo __ 183. Breaker __ 90. Ambush __ 184. Quick Kick __ 91. Plausible Denial __ 185. Heavy Metal __ 92. Turnabout __ 186. Thunder __ 93. Sheep's Clothing __ 187. Crank Case __ 94. Airshow __ 188. Blocker __ 95. Washout __ 189. Avalanche __ 96. In From the Cold __ 190. Blaster __ 97. And Into the Fire __ 191. Crazy Legs __ 98. Tight Circle __ 192. Maverick __ 99. All in a Night's Work __ 193. Knockdown __ 100. Extraction __ 194. Doc __ 195. Sneak Peek __ 196. Croc Master __ 197. Voltar __ 198. Firefly CHECKLIST __ 199. Checklist Part 1 __ 200. Checklist Part 2 - Corey Stinson ======================================================================== OTHER 3 3/4" NEWS Mortal Kombat movie edition figures have resurfaced at Kay-Bee Toys. The figures that are available are: Scorpion, Rayden, Sonya, Shang- Tsung, Lui Kang, and Sub-Zero. Shang-Tsung is actually a repainted version of Budo from the GI Joe Ninja Commandos line that was never released. It is also reported that the body of Rayden is from another of the Ninja Commando characters. These figure seem to be going fast at Kay-Bee. Check there soon if you want a set! I have heard rumors that Hasbro is planning more Mortal Kombat figures for Christmas/1997. Racing Champions, Inc., makers of those collectible Matchbox-sized racing cars, also got into 3 3/4" figures circa 1991. These are designed and articulated in every way like 3 3/4" GI Joe. The quality of these figures is not quite on par with GI Joe, but they are nevertheless sturdy. Each figure comes with a ball-cap and a racing helmet. There were six figures available, they are: Bill Elliot, Ken Schrader, Sterling Marlin, Bobby Hamilton, Richard Petty, and Derrike Cope. I was able to obtain a complete set of these. They are kind of nifty, even if you aren't a racing fan, and are quite playable with 3 3/4" Joe. Please note that these are no longer available in any stores that I know of. You should keep your eyes peeled for them on the 'net and at toys shows if you are interested in getting a set. I know of a dealer that has a *few* sets of these left, if you are interested in a set you should contact Mark Kirchner, email: , phone: (800) 288-6728 (days M-F). I finally received my set of Bio-Wing Battle Squadron from Lanard Toys. These figures were briefly mentioned and reviewed as part of the Lanard 3 3/4" figures article in Newsletter issue #4. I have since wrote an in-depth review on this set of six 3 3/4" action figures. If you would like a copy of the review and/or instructions on how to get the figures (they aren't currently available in any stores that I know of) please contact me at . These figures are articulted just like 3 3/4" GI Joe and are quite neat! ======================================================================== DEALER SECTION I got most of these off of USENET or the WWW over the past month. Each individual listed below had quite a lot of figures and vehicles for sale. You should write and request their list if interested. Lee Webb David Adams Kyle Don't forget to check the classifieds section of our web page where a lot of buy/sell/trade activity is going on: http://www.ecnet.net/users/mucds/classify.htm standard disclaimer: No one listed above has given any special "kickbacks" or favors to be listed. In some cases they don't even know they're being listed. No dealer will be given a list subscriber's e-mail address. You must contact the dealer on your own behalf. Transactions between you and anyone listed above are in no way the responsiblity of the GI Joe 3 3/4" Newsletter. ======================================================================== SUBSCRIPTION INFO Currently all subscriptions, unsubscriptions, and e-mail address changes are being handled manually. If you require one of the above simply send a message to the list moderator requesting such. Did you miss an issue or did your issue get trashed? Just let the list moderator know and we'll correct the situation immediately! Don't forget - all back issues are archived on the Newsletter web page