Joe was at first a great commercial success, but sales declined as support for the vietnam war waned. Joe, line of militarythemed dolls and action figures created in 1964 by. How did gi joe become the worlds most successful boys toy. Great deals on gi joe military and adventure action figures. How did gi joe become the worlds most successful boys. Cartoonist dave breger, who was drafted into the army in 1941, is credited with coining the name with his. It was designed and presented to the world for the first time in 1964. Filled with over 100 fullcolor photos of prototypes, early models, blueprints, and sketches, here is a rare, firsthand account of creative genius, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit.
The toy has been featured in several video games, a comic book and his. This is a nice and interesting book about the history of gi joe, though there isnt. The story behind the legend an illustrated history of. Joe book offers the ultimate salute to collecting antique. The story behind the legend an illustrated history of americas greatest fighting man by don levine 1999 hardcover hardcover july 1, 1999. A real american hero toyline, comic books and animated series.
If youre under 30, your most prominent associations with g. Joe extreme featured a comic book, published by dark horse. Joe was 12 inches 30 cm tall, was poseable, and featured interchangeable outfits and accessoriesall traits consistent with mattels popular barbie doll. Joe as a lifelike action soldier, consciously eschewing the word doll despite the fact that the original g. In 1963, hasbro, a toy company from pawtucket, rhode island, was on a mission. Im hoping to pass for one of voschs tween recruits, but i probably look more like gi joe s little sister playing dress up. The book details gi joe maker hasbros debate over and inclusion of a black gi joe in the mid60s 15. Joe was a role model to generations of children and a boon to hasbro, the toy company who produced him. Joe dates back to 1963, when hassenfeld brothers, inc. In the early 1960s, don levine had a vision for a fully poseable action figurea do. The ultimate guide to gi joe 19821994 3rd edition by mark. Gi joe military and adventure action figures for sale ebay. It redesigned the toys and relaunched them in 1970 as adventures of g. Expand your options of fun home activities with the largest online selection at.
We take an in depth look into the history of action figures. The complete story of americas favorite man of action. Gi joe hall of fame era collectible 16 scale action figures. Here you will find the secret origins of gi joes scar, the misplaced thumbnail, the construction of the body, and more.
Joe doll on the left, is a reproduction of the original doll made in 1964. Joe got started, and how the action figure a term coined for. From picking your era to ebay tricks to some dos and donts when looking to start collecting a line as big as gi joe. A real american hero was one of the driving forces in kids entertainment, conquering the worlds of comic books, animated television, and tiny toy. Gi joe 1982 original nine 9back package proof sheet snake eyes more hasbro arah. Joe began life as a nearly 12inch military toy in 1964, creating a whole new category of action figures for boys that rivaled mattels barbie doll in popularity. Joe, americas movable fighting man was introduced to boys in 1964 with four 12inch action figures action soldier, action sailor, action marine, and action pilot and 75 supporting products, such as vehicles and accessories. Get the best deal for 1960 gi joe action figures from the largest online selection at. Coupled with a clever marketing strategy that had hasbro selling the toys. The ultimate guide to gi joe features images of all the figures, accessories, and. In 1969 hasbro responded by reimagining americas movable fighting man as.
Janes were introduced in a series called the classic collection, the first 12inch 30 cm female dolls in the g. Lasseter changed the action figure character into a space hero doll. The complete story of americas favorite man of action tells the tale of the best boys toy ever made, its inside account of hasbros. Hasbro is resurrecting its gi joe action figure line while providing a limited offering of figures and. According to new york toys and hobby world, the 1985 series of g. Gi joe hall of fame era collectible 16 scale action figures safety warning. Joe is a series of action figures manufactured by hasbro, a toy company from united states.