When I was a kid I got a 12-inch GI Joe action figure for either Christmas or my birthday. This was during the early 1960s when GI Joe was first introduced.
As the toy grew in popularity various equipment, accessory and weapons packs could be bought. Eventually several types of GI Joes were available.
One of my friends was a huge GI Joe fan and I, along with another friend, would visit him about once a week and bring our GI Joes with us.
My friend who was a big fan had ALL the GI Joe gear, weapons, vehicles and every GI Joe every created along with the GI Joe footlocker for holding all of his stuff. He even saved the packages the merchandise came in.
My other friend and I only had one GI Joe and a couple of other Joe related items each.
We would set up huge battle scenes and spend the entire afternoon engaging in make believe warfare.
Several years ago Chronicle Books published a very special tribute to the original 12-inch GI Joe with its oversize, hardbound book: GI Joe Action Soldier Masterpiece Edition The Ultimate Collectible.
The flip-open panel ‘book’ is actually a large colorful box with a hinged cover that holds two very special items.
On its cover is a huge full-color painting of the original GI Joe with several of the images duplicated on the back.
Flip open the box and there is a capsulized history of GI Joe, a fully articulated 12-inch reproduction of a vintage 1964 GI Joe action figure and a information packed book all about GI Joe.
The 12-inch GI Joe figure comes dressed in khaki military pants, shirt (with buttons), neck and pant snaps, plastic brown boots, a green cap and dog tag.
Joe’s characteristic face scar is present; articulation points are on the wrists, elbows, waist, neck, hips, knees and ankles.
The figure stands easily on its own with no assistance. A small booklet and insignia stickers are also included.
The figure is secured in place in a black, open lid box with plastic straps and comes with a clear cover for viewing.
A clear plastic sheath covers the book perched on its black platform.
The hardbound book with slipcover is filled with archival photos of the various GI Joes, equipment and vehicles.
The book is packed with information about the creation of Joe, his design, various versions, how he was promoted and produced, who created him and much more.
It’s a wonderful nostalgic journey to a time when military toys were all the rage with young boys and it was OK to play soldier and war.
Times certainly have changed.
No comments:
Post a Comment