G.I. Joe 1985 Collection.
My 1985 G.I. Joe collection restored.
Image from the Marvel Comics 1986 G.I. Joe Yearbook #2 cover.
Masterpiece by Michael Golden.
I know that for many G.I. Joe fans 1985 was THE year. For me it began with frustration. Not only did the cartoon going on full time attracted more fans, but something was different. For the first time, the new animated mini-series, "The Revenge if Cobra", featured characters that had yet to be released. This made these new characters very popular prior to their arrival in stores. In the spring of 1985 the demand for these already endeared characters was ravenous. There were considerably more kids getting to the brand. This was very frustrating to those of us who’s collections started with straight arm figures. The 1985 line up did have some great figures. Flint, Lady Jaye, Snake Eyes V2, Dusty, Footloose, Heavy Metal, Eels, Snow Serpent, Lamprey, and the Twins are awesome designs but the bullpen had too many goof balls for my liking. That being said I do have many fond memories of hunting for and acquiring the 1985 GI Joe line up, one at a time on many trips to Toys R Us. And to cap it all off the Tactical Battle Platform was waiting for me under the Christmas tree that year.
This album was a long time in the making. I never had the Flagg. My own fault. Acquiring an unfamiliar play set that large with so many fragile pieces is as expensive as it is intimidating. The only thing that would ease my concern would have been a sealed Flagg. That ease would have been at a cost of great anxiety to my wallet. I’d never have the heart to open a sealed 1985 toy. With such a glaring missing piece from this year’s collection I turned my attention to other ventures. One day a unique opportunity presented itself. For half the going rate of a sealed aircraft carrier I found an open one for sale. A complete, mint, never assembled Flagg, with no yellowing and all of the parts bags sealed! The blue prints, unopened Keel Haul, file card, unused decals, and even the insert catalog were all accounted for. The only blemish was that the opened box had a superficial water stain and the megaphone was removed. The child sized accessory wasn’t anything that I felt my collection needed. This was exactly what I was looking for. The vehicle inside was just as good as a sealed one. With the centerpiece of the collection now on the table I dove back into the 1985 line up with renewed vigor! I hope you enjoy the photos within as much as I did restoring them all.
This will be the first of many albums going forward that I cannot claim is complete. The Sears exclusive Cobra CAT, SMS, reissued SNAKE armor in dark blue and Listen 'n Fun Tripwire are notably absent here. I have no recollection of them as a child but can assure you that I would have dismissed the strangely recolored toys. If I didn’t feel that the exclusives were important as a child then I don’t feel that they are important in my collection now. I hope you’ll appreciate the album despite the few missing items.
G.I. Joe 1985 Collection.
My 1985 G.I. Joe collection restored.
Image from the Marvel Comics 1986 G.I. Joe Yearbook #2 cover.
Masterpiece by Michael Golden.
I know that for many G.I. Joe fans 1985 was THE year. For me it began with frustration. Not only did the cartoon going on full time attracted more fans, but something was different. For the first time, the new animated mini-series, "The Revenge if Cobra", featured characters that had yet to be released. This made these new characters very popular prior to their arrival in stores. In the spring of 1985 the demand for these already endeared characters was ravenous. There were considerably more kids getting to the brand. This was very frustrating to those of us who’s collections started with straight arm figures. The 1985 line up did have some great figures. Flint, Lady Jaye, Snake Eyes V2, Dusty, Footloose, Heavy Metal, Eels, Snow Serpent, Lamprey, and the Twins are awesome designs but the bullpen had too many goof balls for my liking. That being said I do have many fond memories of hunting for and acquiring the 1985 GI Joe line up, one at a time on many trips to Toys R Us. And to cap it all off the Tactical Battle Platform was waiting for me under the Christmas tree that year.
This album was a long time in the making. I never had the Flagg. My own fault. Acquiring an unfamiliar play set that large with so many fragile pieces is as expensive as it is intimidating. The only thing that would ease my concern would have been a sealed Flagg. That ease would have been at a cost of great anxiety to my wallet. I’d never have the heart to open a sealed 1985 toy. With such a glaring missing piece from this year’s collection I turned my attention to other ventures. One day a unique opportunity presented itself. For half the going rate of a sealed aircraft carrier I found an open one for sale. A complete, mint, never assembled Flagg, with no yellowing and all of the parts bags sealed! The blue prints, unopened Keel Haul, file card, unused decals, and even the insert catalog were all accounted for. The only blemish was that the opened box had a superficial water stain and the megaphone was removed. The child sized accessory wasn’t anything that I felt my collection needed. This was exactly what I was looking for. The vehicle inside was just as good as a sealed one. With the centerpiece of the collection now on the table I dove back into the 1985 line up with renewed vigor! I hope you enjoy the photos within as much as I did restoring them all.
This will be the first of many albums going forward that I cannot claim is complete. The Sears exclusive Cobra CAT, SMS, reissued SNAKE armor in dark blue and Listen 'n Fun Tripwire are notably absent here. I have no recollection of them as a child but can assure you that I would have dismissed the strangely recolored toys. If I didn’t feel that the exclusives were important as a child then I don’t feel that they are important in my collection now. I hope you’ll appreciate the album despite the few missing items.