GI Joe Price Guide
The Success of G.I. Joe Over the Years
G.I. Joe, introduced by Hasbro in 1964, has enjoyed a long-standing status as one of the most iconic and successful action figure lines in toy history. Originally launched as a 12-inch military-themed figure, G.I. Joe revolutionized the toy industry by offering a poseable, "realistic" soldier experience at a time when the market was dominated by dolls and traditional toy soldiers. This pioneering concept—of a highly articulated and accessorized action figure—captured the imaginations of countless children, offering them a way to enact adventures and scenarios that ranged from historic battles to imagined conflicts.
Over the years, the brand evolved to mirror changes in American culture and interests. In the 1980s, the line was reimagined as "G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero," which incorporated a storyline complete with heroes, villains, and a wide array of fantastical vehicles and playsets. The figures were scaled down to 3.75 inches, but the storytelling and world-building aspects were greatly expanded, partly through a comic book series and animated television show. This multimedia approach propelled G.I. Joe into unprecedented levels of success, making it a cornerstone of 1980s pop culture.
Subsequent iterations and re-releases have continued to engage new generations, while the collector's market for vintage figures remains robust. The brand has also branched out into other forms of media, including movies and video games, maintaining its foothold in the American zeitgeist. In summary, G.I. Joe stands as a testament to the power of innovation and storytelling, retaining its allure and relevance for over half a century.
GI Joe : The Complete Story of America's Favorite Man of Action - More than a toy, GI Joe's fully articulated body and many accessories represented a miniature template for our own developing personalities. GI Joe was a blank slate that needed us to make all of his decisions, from how he dressed on any particular day to what sort of mission he'd embark on. We shaped his personality in the way we expected to turn out as grown-ups: we made our friend courageous, trustworthy, loyal, strong. Certainly the traits of a good Adventurer, but also the qualities of a parent, or neighbor, or co-worker, or any of a dozen roles we fill every day. When adults encounter GI Joe again, they're reminded of that simple vision of their own potential. No little cartoon-based plastic action figure with molded-on clothes and a written-in-stone "backstory" can compare to that sort of relationship. While GI Joe: The Complete Story of America's Favorite Man Of Action tells the tale of the best boy's toy ever made, it's inside account of Hasbro's progress from a seller of textile remnants to an enormous multi-national company provides a capsule view of the history of the entire American toy industry. As one of GI Joe creators said to me, the story of GI Joe's creation and evolution is a virtual business and marketing seminar.The Complete Encyclopedia to G.I. Joe - Get a firm grip on your G.I. Joe collecting. This newly revised and expanded second edition gives complete information, including original and today's pricing for every G.I. Joe, equipment package, vehicle, item and box, and every piece of original paperwork produced from 1964-1995. Plus you'll find full illustrations of the original Action Series heroes, the 1970s Adventure Teams, the 1980s Force figures, and the ultra-modern 1990s Sonic Warriors.
GI Joe : Official Identification and Price Guide 1964-1999