What To Look For In A G.I. Joe Action Figure?
In 1959 the Barbie doll became known to American girls as well as their adoring parents, and the term “fashion doll” was born. Fashion dolls became a member of the ever-growing species of dolls from rag dolls to china dolls which posessed one common trait – they were meant for girls. Another great alternative is the Gamo Air Rifles.
In 1964, Hasbro introduced a line of military-styled figures meant to be a boy-friendly model of the Barbie doll. The toys were never known as dolls, even in the earliest advertising, simply because they were so undoubtedly created for boys. The expression “action figure” was coined, and from then on a humanoid model which was obviously meant for fighting was advertized as being an action figure.
The initial G.I. Joe action figures were more specifically four distinctive figures outfitted as personnel of the four branches of the department of defense. The term G.I. means Government Issue, which had become a universal nickname for U.S. Soldiers throughout WWII.
Every G.I. Joe was sold with a uniform and helmet for the correct branch of service. All the figures furthermore could use a complete line of tools and weapons specific to their branch of service; for instance, the army man would feature an optional rifle and field pack which were sold either separately or as part of a bigger collection. Each G.I. Joe figure had a World War II theme, although their outfits and weapons were closer in style to the more recent Korean War. Another great product to consider is the Gamo Air Rifles.
The very first G.I. Joes were the identical height as the Barbie dolls at that time; 11 1/2 inches.By the1970s, the G.I. Joes had developed a new hand style that allowed them to grasp their own weapons like rifles and grenades. The G.I.s had also shrunk to 8″ tall to be better aligned with the rest of the action figure market which was at that time heavily populated by the comic book superhero action figures. In an additional acknowledgement of their fresh competition, the toys were now rebranded “Super G.I. Joe”. During the 80s, Joe shrank for a second time, to 3 3/4 inches, and then shot up to 12 inches once more in 1991.
The consequence of all this expanding, shrinking, re-naming and the occasional re-introductions of previous product lines is that you may currently purchase a G.I. Joe action figure in just about any size imaginable. The typical figure is at this point a 6” figure and a good number of characters sell for under $10, while some 12” collector action figures are available, and there is still a 16” Duke figure that comes with an accelerator suit that costs $30.
As expected, the quantity of gadgets and vehicles has multiplied several times, since we currently have close to 50 years of weaponry to draw from in addition to any space age devices that the designers at Hasbro may fantasize about. Lots of younger boys – and some fully grown ones, too – appreciate fighting and winning battles with their G.I. Joe action figures. Just don’t call them dolls. Another nice option is the Gamo Air Rifles.
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