Intro 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993

1994 1995-96 1997 1998 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

COMPLETE GUIDE TO G. I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO

1983 (Series 2)

Overview:

The year 1983 introduced three major innovations to G. I. Joe, aside from the new characters themselves. The first was actual vehicles for Cobra. No longer did the "tanks and planes" mentioned in the previous year's catalog have to be imagined. The second was a break away from the interchangeable parts and drab green color scheme which characterized the vast bulk of the first year's releases and made the few non-green figures (Scarlett and Snake Eyes) look out of place. The third change, the one most heavily advertised, was swivel-arm battle grip. By allowing the arms to swivel, characters could grip their weapons more realistically. Along with slight internal retooling required by the new swivel-arms, the plastic was softened (to prevent thumb breakage common in the straight-arm figures) and the waistpiece was redesigned to allow greater leg movement. The new design actually left the figures looking larger and more muscular. The previous year's figures were all re-released with the new design, and nearly all subsequent figures would be swivel-arms (Deep Six being the only exception for many years).

By 1983, the commercial format was well standardized: Open with animation, usually recycled from the comic book ads, then cut to boys playing with the toys. Close with one of the boys saying, "Way to go, Joe!" This pattern continued throughout the year. September saw the creation of a two-hour (five-part) miniseries titled "A Real American Hero" by Sunbow, bringing the characters to life in a continuity outside that of the comic book. With its sci-fi storyline and its excellent animation, music, voice acting, characterization, humor, and pacing, the cartoon showed itself far beyond normal Saturday cartoon fare. The show featured all the figures in production at that time, except for Grand Slam and Grunt, and gave glimpses of vehicles yet to come, such as the Rattler and the Water Moccasin in their prototype forms.

This year effectively doubled the number of figures and tripled the number of vehicles and accessories in the G. I. Joe toy line. The new carded assortment included six Joes and three Cobras, two of which (Cobra Commander and Major Bludd) had previously been available by mail. Five Joes and two Cobras came with vehicles, and Duke was a late 1983 mail-in offer. The official art for 1983 showed the HAL, VAMP, and FLAK in the foreground, with the RAM, MOBAT, and MMS also visible, as are most of the first year's Joes. A flag is raised near the center of the picture.

Contents:

• Joe and Cobra figures
• Equipment
• Mail Offers
• Sunbow Cartoons
• Marvel Comics

Figures:

Figure minimum price: $2.25

(Prices reflect original store price, not current value. Items are not for sale on this site.)

Airborne	Item # 6411	Regular Carded Assortment
Helicopter Assault Trooper		E-5 (Army sergeant)	SN: RA030446233
File Name: Sgt. Franklin E. Talltree		Primary MOS: Airborne Infantryman
POB: Navaho Reservation, AZ		Secondary MOS: Helicopter Gunship Gunner
Appearance: black hair; tan shirt with red stripes on left shoulder; light blue vest with green straps; tan pants; brown belt and kneepads; grey boots
Cartoon appearance: Usually the same as the figure, but in some appearances (Soundwaves, Mind Menace, Movie) used an alternate model: dark grey helmet and long-sleeved light blue collared shirt with black diagonal chest strap; shirt had centered vertical gold stripe, with gold on shoulders, wristbands, codpiece, and kneepads; plain black belt with round, silver buckle; light blue pants with grey boots
Accessories: light green helmet (new, with goggles); tan backpack (new, with engraved shovel); dark grey assault rifle (new, Car-15 with L-shaped stock)
Filecard Information: Airborne's parents are oil-rich Navahos who indulged their eldest son with sky-diving lessons. Talltree also studied law and passed the Arizona State Bar exams. Joined the army and opted for airborne training, commenting, "I'd rather jump out of airplanes than write legal briefs." Graduated top of class from Airborne School, Fort Benning. Qualified Expert: Hughes Helicopter Chain Gun, M-16, M-60 and M-1911A auto pistol. Airborne jokes around and gets loose, but he's serious too . . . dead serious. You look at him and sometimes he's looking right through you. Must be the Indian in him. The Navahos call it "the far-seeing look." Spooky!
Versions: 1. 1983 2. 2003 (Spy Troops) 3. 2004 (Sky Sweeper)
Variations: None.
Mold: head and waist—UNIQUE! arms—Airborne (83), Scrap-Iron (84) torso and upper legs—Airborne (83), some Steel Brigade (87) lower legs—Airborne (83), Scrap-Iron (84), all Steel Brigade (87)
Toy notes: Featured in the Polar Battle Bear and SkyStriker commercials. His name is beside the co-pilot's seat in the Dragonfly. Slightly recolored versions were released in Argentina and Brazil as Condor. A Python Patrol version was also released in Brazil as Gatilho. Versions from 2003 onward were named "Sergeant Airborne." An unrelated figure named Airborne was released in 1990 as part of the Sky Patrol.
Cartoon notes: Voiced by Peter Cullen (except in The Synthoid Conspiracy II, where we may be hearing Bill Ratner). Spoke 40 lines in 4 episodes. First appeared in ARAH 1; first spoke in ARAH 4. Total appearances: 15. Airborne was seen operating the Dragonfly, Falcon Glider, JUMP, and VAMP Mark II. Airborne had an intuitive sense of danger and could sometimes feel his brother's thoughts, leading some to believe he had ESP.
Prioritized appearance list: Operation Mind Menace, Cobra Soundwaves, A Real American Hero parts 1, 4, and 5, The Synthoid Conspiracy II. Silent: The Phantom Brigade, Twenty Questions, Where the Reptiles Roam, Lasers in the Night, Bazooka Saw a Sea Serpent, Eau de Cobra, The Pit of Vipers, The Movie parts 3 and 5. Airborne is included in the opening sequence of ARAH.
Comic notes: Airborne appeared in 22 issues between 1983 and 1990: #11, 16-18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 31-33, 40, 45, 49, 54, 74, 75, 77, 96, Special Missions #1 and 20, and Yearbook #2.

 

Doc	Item # 6415	Regular Carded Assortment
Medic		O-3 (Army captain)	SN: RA367221097
File Name: Capt. Carl W. Greer		Primary MOS: Medical Doctor
POB: Concord, MA		Secondary MOS: Chaplain's Assistant
Appearance: African-American. Green sunglasses; tan open-collared shirt with rolled-up sleeves and red cross on right shoulder; tan pants with red belt and brown shoes; white undershirt.
Cartoon appearance: belt usually brown instead of red, and without white pouches; often seen without helmet.
Accessories: tan helmet (new, with flares on sides); black flare launcher (new, with sling); dark green stretcher (new).
Filecard Information: Graduated from Harvard Medical School, completed residency at Johns Hopkins. Hoped for a guarantee of a G. I. Joe assignment upon enlistment. Told flatly that the Army made no such deals. Doc enlisted anyway and achieved his goal through ordinary channels. Graduated Airborne School, Mountaineering School, and Desert Training Unit. An avowed pacifist, Doc believes that "the G. I. Joe team is the best we have. We send them into the worst situations imaginable because that's where we need them most. When the going gets rough, they need something more than a pill-roller.I'm their main man!"
Versions: 1. 1983 2. 2008 (Mail)
Variations: In the 1983 catalog, Doc lacks both the cross on his right shoulder and the strap on his flare launcher.
Mold: head, front torso, and legs—UNIQUE! arms and waist—Doc (83), Duke (83) back torso—Doc (83), Duke (83, 88, 97, 04/III, 05/III, 05/IV), some Starduster (87), some Steel Brigade (87), Lonzo Wilkinson (06)
Toy notes: The character "G. I. Joe Doc," released in 2007, is this character's niece. Featured in the Polar Battle Bear commercial. Also available by the mail-in "Original Adventure Team" offer in 1986. A slightly different version was released in Argentina as S.O.S.
Cartoon notes: Voiced by Buster Jones. Spoke 51 lines in 16 episodes. First appeared and spoke in ARAH 2. Total appearances: 24. Doc was seen operating the Killer WHALE and the Sky Hawk, as well as one of TROC's mirror trucks. Despite his filecard, Doc was not identified as a pacifist on the cartoon.
Prioritized appearance list: There's No Place Like Springfield I-II, The Revenge of Cobra parts 2-5, Countdown for Zartan, A Real American Hero parts 2, 3, and 5, Memories of Mara, Arise Serpentor Arise parts 1 and 3, Cobra's Creatures, Lasers in the Night, Worlds Without End II, The Movie Parts 3-5. Silent: The Pyramid of Darkness part 5, The Synthoid Conspiracy II, Twenty Questions, The Traitor II, Last Hour to Doomsday. Doc is not included in any opening sequences.
Comic notes: In the comic, Doc was a pacifist for practical reasons, in accordance with the Geneva Convention guidelines for battlefield medics. He appeared in 31 issues between 1983 and 1994: #11, 13, 14, 17, 19, 28-30, 36, 40-42, 47-50, 52, 56, 67, 74, 75, 77, 81, 82, 95, 96, 100, 108, 109, 144, and Special Missions #24. Doc died in #109 along with Thunder, Crankcase, and Heavy Metal, while being held captive by Cobra.

 

Gung-Ho	Item # 6414	Regular Carded Assortment
Marine		E-7 (Marine gunnery sergeant)	SN: MC56488390
File Name: Sgt. Ettienne R. LaFitte		Primary MOS: Recondo
POB: Fer-de-Lance, LA		Secondary MOS: Jungle Warfare Training Instructor
Appearance: dark green hat; bald with brown moustache; open light blue vest; blue Marine tattoo on chest; green/light blue camouflage pants; grey boots.
Cartoon appearance: cleft chin; darker moustache and hat, with hat's angles more pronounced. Often no detail on vest, and camo spots on pants are a very dark green; brown belt.
Accessories: light blue backpack (new, pouch); black grenade launcher (new, XM-76).
Filecard Information: Born into a large back-swamp Cajun clan. Gung-Ho moved to New Orleans and won a reputation as a bare-knuckle brawler and knife-fighter to be reckoned with. Joined the Marines at 18 and graduated top of class from boot camp at Parris Island. Attended: Airborne School, Recondo School, and Marine Ordnance School. Qualified Expert: All NATO infantry small arms and most Warsaw Pact infantry weapons, XM-76 Grenade Launcher. ZAP says, "All marines are crazy but Gung-Ho is the hairiest, scariest, craziest jarhead that ever scratched, kicked, and bit his way out of that hole-in-the-swamp they call Parris Island!"
Versions: 1. 1983 2. 1987 (Dress Blues) 3. 1992 4. 1993/I (Battle Corps) 5. 1993/II (Mega-Marines) 6. 1997 (Slugger) 7. 2001 (RAH Collection) 8. 2002/I (JvC Wave 1) 9. 2002/II (JvC Wave 1.35) 10. 2002/III (Assault Quad) 11. 2003/I (Built to Rule) 12. 2003/II (JvC Wave 8) 13. 2004/I (Wal-Mart) 14. 2004/II (VvV Wave 4) 15. 2004/III (Night Force) 16. 2004/IV (Desert Patrol) 17. 2005/I (VvV Wave 7) 18. 2005/II (Convention) 19. 2007 (25th Joe set)
Variations: In the commercial, Gung-Ho had a thicker moustache and a more complex camouflage pattern.
Mold: head—Gung-Ho (83, 97) left arm—Gung-Ho (83, 97), Roadblock (84, 88, 04/II, 05/I), Duke (97, 04/III, 05/III, 05/IV), Breaker (97), Double Blast (01, 02), Cobra Squad Leader (05/I, 05/II), Night Trooper (05/I, 05/II), Cobra Trooper (06/II) upper left arm only—Cobra Trooper (04), Zarana (05) lower left arm only—Flint (04/I, 05), CLASSIFIED (06), Lonzo Wilkinson (06) right arm—Gung-Ho (83, 97), Duke (97, 04/III, 05/III, 05/IV), Breaker (97) lower right arm only—CLASSIFIED (06), Lonzo Wilkinson (06) torso and upper legs—Gung-Ho (83, 97) waist—Gung-Ho (83, 97), some Steel Brigade (87), Duke (97, 04/III, 05/III, 05/IV) lower legs—Gung-Ho (83, 97), Duke (83, 88, 97, 04/III, 05/III, 05/IV), Tollbooth (85), Alley Viper (97, 02/I, 02/II, 03, 04), Lance "Clutch" Steinberg (07)
Toy notes: At the time of his release, G. H. was the highest-ranking non-commissioned officer on the team. Featured in the Polar Battle Bear commercial. Recolored versions were released in India and in Europe as Gaucho. Gung-Ho's code name is not hyphenated for the 2001, 2002/III, 2003, 2004/I, 2004/II, 2005, and 2007 versions.
Cartoon notes: Voiced by Christopher Latta. Spoke 345 lines in 40 episodes. 12th most frequent speaker. First appeared in ARAH 1; first spoke in ARAH 4. Total appearances: 60. Gung-Ho was seen operating the Armadillo, AWE Striker, Dragonfly, JUMP, Killer WHALE, Polar Battle Bear, Silver Mirage, Sky Hawk, SkyStriker, Slugger, VAMP, VAMP Mark II, and Whirlwind, as well as an all-terrain transport vehicle and a passenger plane, both cartoon-exclusives.
Prioritized appearance list: Primordial Plot, The Invaders, The Revenge of Cobra parts 1-5, Battle for the Train of Gold, Captives of Cobra I-II, Cobra Soundwaves, The Great Alaskan Land Rush, A Real American Hero parts 1, 2, 4, and 5, Let's Play Soldier, Countdown for Zartan, Twenty Questions, Cobra Quake, The Pyramid of Darkness parts 1 and 5, The Phantom Brigade, The Gamesmaster, The Funhouse, Lasers in the Night, The Viper Is Coming, Memories of Mara, Grey Hairs and Growing Pains, The Movie parts 1-3, Haul Down the Heavens, The Synthoid Conspiracy I-II, The Traitor I-II, Skeletons in the Closet, Arise Serpentor Arise parts 1-3 and 5. One line: The Germ, An Eye for an Eye, Computer Complications. Silent: Lights! Camera! Cobra!, Red Rocket's Glare, Spell of the Siren, Bazooka Saw a Sea Serpent, Eau de Cobra, The Wrong Stuff, The Pit of Vipers, Cold Slither, Sink the Montana, The Million Dollar Medic, Once Upon a Joe, Iceberg Goes South, The Most Dangerous Thing in the World, Sins of Our Fathers, Into Your Tent I Will Silently Creep. Gung-Ho is included in the opening sequences of ARAH, TROC, season 1, season 2, and the Movie.
Comic notes: Gung-Ho appeared in 40 issues between 1983 and 1994: #11-14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22-25, 33, 37-42, 46, 48-50, 52, 53, 62-64, 72-77, 126, 130, 131, 155, Special Missions #27, and Yearbook #2.

 

Snow Job	Item # 6412	Regular Carded Assortment
Arctic Trooper		E-6 (Army staff sergeant)	SN: RA773658456
File Name: Sgt. Harlan W. Moore		Primary MOS: Arctic Ski Patrol
POB: Rutland, VT		Secondary MOS: Rifle Instructor
Appearance: red hair and beard; large black goggles; white hooded snowsuit with gloves and boots; brown backpack straps and belt; black pockets on legs.
Cartoon appearance: similar but with blue-tinted goggles, tan straps and gloves, and a tan or white belt.
Accessories: white backpack (new, white with holes and clips); black laser rifle (new, XMLR-3A with sling); two white skis with black skipoles (new).
Filecard Information: Snow Job was a major Olympic Biathalon [sic] contender. He enlisted initially for the special training and support privileges that the army gives to Olympic champions.However, to the consternation of army PR flacks, Snow Job volunteered and was accepted into the G. I. Joe team! Qualified Expert: all NATO long range sniper rifles, XMLR-3A laser rifle. Submitted by Rock 'n Roll: "You think we call him Snow Job because he does his job on skis? Negative. He's a con artist, pure and simple, except when he picks up his rifle—sure as heck, something's gonna fall down!"
Versions: 1. 1983 2. 1997 (3-Pack) 3. 2008 (25th Wave 5)
Variations: None.
Mold: head—Snow Job (83, 97), Whiteout (01), Frostbite (03/I, 05/II) upper arms—Snow Job (83), Grunt (82, 83, 97), Short-Fuze (82, 97), Snake Eyes (82, 97/I, 97/II, 03/I, 03/II, 04/IV, 05/IV, Stalker (82, 97, 04/II, 05/I), Zap (82, 97, 04), Hawk (82, 04/I), Infantry Division (05/I, 05/II, 05/III, 05/IV, 05/V, 05/VI), Alvin "Breaker" Kibbey (05), Mortal (06) lower arms—Snow Job (83, 97), Whiteout (01), Frostbite (03/I, 05/II), Snake Eyes (04/II), Steeler (04), Sgt. Misha Zubenkov (06), Robert "Grunt" Graves (07) torso—Snow Job (83, 97), Whiteout (01), Frostbite (03/I, 05/II), Snake Eyes (04/II), Robert "Grunt" Graves (07) waist—Snow Job (83, 97), Whiteout (01), Frostbite (03/I, 05/II), Snake Eyes (04/II), Sgt. Misha Zubenkov (06), Robert "Grunt" Graves (07) legs—Snow Job (83, 97), Whiteout (01), Frostbite (03/I, 05/II), Snake Eyes (04/II), Sgt. Misha Zubenkov (06), Robert "Grunt" Graves (07), Rafael "Zap" Melendez (07)
Toy notes: Featured in the Polar Battle Bear commercial. Some time around 1985, sold in a J. C. Penny's exclusive 3-pack with Torpedo and Tripwire. Snow Job was the first of many snow-climate figures.
Cartoon notes: Voiced by Rob Paulsen. Northern accent. Spoke 83 lines in 14 episodes. First appeared and spoke in ARAH 2. Total appearances: 20. Snow Job was seen operating the Devilfish, HAVOC, LCV Recon Sled, Polar Battle Bear, and Snow Cat.
Prioritized appearance list: Haul Down the Heavens, Iceberg Goes South, A Real American Hero part 2, The Revenge of Cobra parts 4 and 5, Arise Serpentor Arise parts 2 and 3, Eau de Cobra, The Movie parts 1-3, The Phantom Brigade, An Eye for an Eye, Operation Mind Menace, Into Your Tent I Will Silently Creep. Silent: The Synthoid Conspiracy II, Spell of the Siren, The Traitor I, Cold Slither, The Most Dangerous Thing in the World. Snow Job is not included in any opening sequences.
Comic notes: Snow Job appeared in 19 issues between 1983 and 1989: #11, 19, 22, 23, 36, 40, 41, 46, 49, 50, 61-63, 66, 67, 78, and Special Missions #2, 6, and 20.

 

Torpedo	Item # 6413	Regular Carded Assortment
SEAL (Sea, Air, and Land)		WO-4 (Navy chief warrant officer)	SN: RN946775409
File Name: Edward W. Leialoha		Primary MOS: Navy SEAL
POB: Aiea, HI		Secondary MOS: Demolitions
Appearance: black diving mask with eyes exposed; black and grey diving suit with grey belt, gloves, and boots
Cartoon appearance: skin-tight blue-black wet suit without the grey trim of the figure; face usually exposed, with white-rimmed, blue-tinted goggles on forehead, and a white vertical stripe on top of hood. When underwater, had light grey airmask with tube connecting to backpack; no gloves. Wore jeans and a T-shirt when on land.
Accessories: two grey flippers (new); grey backpack (new, with orange tanks); black speargun (new).
Filecard Information: Torpedo was a scuba instructor prior to enlistment. Attained black belts in three martial arts by 19 (Wu-Shu, Kenpo, and Go-Ju-Ryu). Proficient with Filipino butterfly knife (Bali-Song). Training records after SEAL school: CLASSIFIED. Qualified Expert: Most NATO small arms, NATO and Warsaw Pact explosive devices. Spends off-duty hours perfecting his fighting skills and marksmanship. Strict vegetarian. Regarded by his teammates as a highly competent professional, but has the personality of a cold fish.
Versions: 1. 1983 2. 1997 (Night Landing) 3. 1998 (3-Pack) 4. 2003 (Spy Troops) 5. 2004/I (VAMP) 6. 2004/II (Built to Rule) 7. 2008 (25th Wave 6)
Variations: None.
Mold: Torpedo (83, 97), Wet Down (01)
Toy notes: Featured in the commercial for the APC. Some time around 1985, sold in a J. C. Penny's exclusive 3-pack with Snow Job and Tripwire. Recolored versions were released in India. Some parts were used to create the India-exclusive figure Superhero. Versions in 2003 and 2004 were named "Chief Torpedo," and the 2008 version is "Lt. Torpedo."
Cartoon notes: Voiced by Michael Yama. Spoke 50 lines in 9 episodes. First appeared and spoke in ARAH 3. Total appearances: 13. Torpedo was once seen operating the SHARC, Portrayed in the cartoon as a jocular type, in contrast to his filecard. He wore Wet-Suit's uniform (sans helmet) in Computer Complications.
Prioritized appearance list: Cobra Stops the World, A Real American Hero parts 3 and 5, The Revenge of Cobra part 3, There's No Place Like Springfield I-II, Cold Slither: Arise Serpentor Arise part 3, Computer Complications, Spell of the Siren. One line: The Synthoid Conspiracy I-II. Silent: Sink the Montana. Torpedo did not appear in any opening sequences.
Comic notes: Torpedo appeared in 23 issues between 1983 and 1992: #13, 16-19, 22, 25-28, 36, 40, 41, 48-50, 75, 76, 129, 131, Special Missions #1, and Yearbooks #2 and 4.

 

Tripwire	Item # 6410	Regular Carded Assortment
Mine Detector		E-4 (Specialist 4)	SN: RA892399255
File Name: Spc. Tormod S. Skoog		Primary MOS: Explosive Ordnance Disposal
POB: Hibbing, MN		Secondary MOS: Demolitions
Appearance: olive green helmet with large black goggles; olive green shirt with red stripes on right shoulder; grey gloves and dark grey padded vest; olive green belt and pants with grey boots and dark grey pockets.
Cartoon appearance: same but with blue-tinted goggles; vest was occasionally light grey.
Accessories: light green backpack (new, with cord hole and mine slot); three light green mines (new); black mine detector (new, with cord).
Filecard Information: Tripwire dropped out of high school at a naval base in Yokosuka, Japan (Father is career navy). Spent two years in a Zen monastery pondering the meaning of life. Expelled for breaking too many dishes and spilling every conceivable liquid. Joined the army at 19 and received spiritual awakening on the grenade range. Proficient with all NATO and Warsaw Pact explosives, detonators, ignition initiators, and blasting machines. Qualified Expert: M-1911A autopistol. Tripwire freaks people out. He's always clumsy, jittery, and dropping things except when he's working with high explosives. Explosives are the only things that calm him down.
Versions: 1. 1983 2. 1985 (Listen & Fun) 3. 1988 (Tiger Force) 4. 2001 (RAH Collection)
Variations: None.
Mold: Tripwire (83, 85, 88, 01)
Toy notes: Featured in the commercial for the APC. Some time around 1985, sold in a J. C. Penny's exclusive 3-pack with Snow Job and Torpedo. A recolored version was released in Europe as Blades.
Cartoon notes: Voiced by Rob Paulsen. Spoke 32 lines in 7 episodes. First appeared in ARAH 1; first spoke in ARAH 2. Total appearances: 20. Tripwire was seen operating the Dragonfly and Polar Battle Bear, as well as a SHARC prototype.
Prioritized appearance list: Captives of Cobra I-II, Cobra CLAWs Are Coming to Town, A Real American Hero parts 1-5, Flint's Vacation, The Revenge of Cobra parts 1-5. Silent: The Pyramid of Darkness part 5, The Synthoid Conspiracy II, Spell of the Siren, The Wrong Stuff, The Movie parts 3 and 5. Tripwire is included in the opening sequence of season 1.
Comic notes: Tripwire appeared in 20 issues between 1983 and 1992: #16, 17, 19, 22, 25-29, 36, 40, 41, 48-50, 52, 56, 74, 75, and 131.

 

Major Bludd	Item # 6426	mail-order, then Regular Carded Assortment
Mercenary		O-4 (Major)
File Name: Maj. Sebastian Bludd		Primary MOS: Terrorist
POB: Sidney, Australia		Secondary MOS: Weapons and Tactics
Appearance: black helmet, eyepatch, and moustache; brown shirt and pants with green pads and stripes on legs; black vest, boots, and bionic right arm; dog tags on chest.
Cartoon appearance: white or light grey chest armor, gloves, and boots; no dog tags; collar and helmet were blue-black. Bludd's armor covered the whole right arm except the elbow; some fans assume the right arm to be mechanical.
Accessories: black backpack (new, with rockets); black pistol (new, rocket launcher).
Filecard Information: Bludd received initial military training in the Australian Special Air Service. Later joined the French Foreign Legion. Worked as military advisor in a number of countries and is currently wanted for crimes in Rhodesia and Libya. Proficient with every form of infantry weapon in current use. Bludd has a tactical mind like a steel trap. Qualified Expert: All NATO and Warsaw Pact small arms. Major Bludd writes poetry . . . badly: When you're feeling low and woozy/Slap a fresh clip in your Uzi!/Assume the proper firing stance/And make the suckers jump and dance! (from The Attica Gazette). Note: A few filecards give a less violent poem, as follows: A mercenary's job is a heartless one/I'm a soldier for hire like a pawn-shop gun/My ruthless tactics keep you on your toes/'Cause I fight 'em all, whether friends or foes!
Versions: 1. 1983 2. 1992 (Super Sonic Fighters) 3. 1994 (Battle Corps) 4. 2001 (RAH Collection) 5. 2003 (Python Patrol) 6. 2005 (DTC) 7. 2006 (Convention)
Variations: None.
Mold: head, arms, torso, waist, and lower legs—UNIQUE! upper legs—Maj. Bludd (83), Duke (83, 88, 97, 04/III, 05/III, 05/IV), Tollbooth (85), Alley Viper (97, 02/I, 02/II, 03, 04), Lance "Clutch" Steinberg (07)
Toy notes: First available through "Free Mercenary" mail-in offer, then carded with the 1983 assortment. Also available through several mail-in offers between 1986 and 1988. Featured in the FANG commercial. Bionic arm does not bend or swivel. Recolored or otherwise different versions were released in India and China.
Cartoon notes: Voiced by Michael Bell. Australian accent. Spoke 111 lines in 22 episodes. First appeared and spoke in ARAH 1. Total appearances: 25. Maj. Bludd was seen operating the CLAW, FANG, Ferret, HISS, Rattler, and Water Moccasin, as well as a Sky Hawk and a Cobra fighter jet and plasma cannon tank, both cartoon exclusives.
Prioritized appearance list: The Revenge of Cobra parts 1 and 3-5, A Real American Hero parts 1-3 and 5, Cobra Stops the World, The Phantom Brigade, Battle for the Train of Gold, The Pyramid of Darkness parts 3-4, The Viper Is Coming, An Eye for an Eye, Spell of the Siren, Excalibur, Cobra CLAWs Are Coming to Town, Hearts and Cannons, Cold Slither, There's No Place Like Springfield I, Cobra Soundwaves. One line: Flint's Vacation. Silent: Cobrathon, The Movie part 1. Maj. Bludd is included in the opening sequences of ARAH, TROC, and the Movie.
Comic notes: Maj. Bludd appeared in 18 issues between 1983 and 1990: #15-17, 19, 22-24, 28, 30, 32, 33, 35, 38, 57, 73, and 104-106.

 

Destro	Item # 6427	Regular Carded Assortment
Enemy Weapons Supplier
File Name: (UNKNOWN)		Primary MOS: Weapons Manufacturer
POB: (UNKNOWN)		Secondary MOS: Terrorist
Appearance: silver mask covering entire head; black jacket with open red-rimmed collar; yellow undershirt with red Cobra pendant; silver and red wrist rockets; black gloves, boots, and pants with red holster.
Cartoon appearance: same but with more pronounced red collar; gloves were entirely silver with (usually) no wrist rockets.
Accessories: black backpack (new, opens like briefcase); black pistol (new, Mauser C96).
Filecard Information: Destro is the faceless power behind MARS (Military Armaments Research System), largest manufacturer of state-of-the-art weaponry. To Destro, war is man's most natural state: the fittest survive and the greatest technological advances are made. He maintains a luxurious lifestyle around the world. Destro provides high-tech arms to any side able to meet his price and will incite war where it does not exist. He dons his silver battle mask (a family tradition) and enters battle himself, either with COBRA Command (Destro is their major weapons supplier) or against them if it's better for business. Destro respects the G. I. Joe team for their combat skills and expertise, but abhors them for wasting such skills to maintain peace. He's totally dedicated to seeing them undermined, subverted, or destroyed!
Versions: 1. 1983 2. 1988 (Iron Grenadiers) 3. 1992 4. 1993 (Cobra-Tech) 5. 1997 (3-Pack) 6. 2001 (RAH Collection) 7. 2002/I (JvC Wave 1) 8. 2002/II (Dominator) 9. 2002/III (JvC Wave 1.35) 10. 2003 (Spy Troops) 11. 2004 (Valor vs. Venom) 12. 2005/I (Comic #25) 13. 2005/II (Convention) 14. 2007/I (Comic Con silver) 15. 2007/II (Comic Con gold) 16. 2007/III (25th Cobra set) 17. 2008/I (25th Wave 5) 18. 2008/II (Comic #14)
Variations: Some figures were produced without a date stamp on the inside leg.
Mold: head—Destro (83, 88); the 1988 version's head is retooled with a ball-joint neck arms, torso, waist, and legs—UNIQUE!
Toy notes: Later filecards list Destro as James McCullen Destro from Callander, Scotland. The first figure to receive his own commerical; also taller than most figures. Recolored versions were released in Argentna as Fuera de la Ley and in Europe as Red Jackal.
Cartoon notes: Voiced by Arthur Burghardt. Spoke 672 lines in 65 episodes. 6th most frequent speaker. First appeared and spoke in ARAH 1. Total appearances: 66. Destro was seen operating the CLAW, FANG, Firebat, HISS, Rattler, Stinger, Trubble Bubble, and Viper Glider, as well as the AWE Striker, Dragonfly, and SkyStriker and several cartoon-exclusive vehicles: a VTOL transport plane, the plasma cannon tank, and an unnamed aircraft in ARAH. The cartoon romantically paired Destro with the Baroness. The episode "Skeletons in the Closet" revealed that Destro is related to Lady Jaye and explained why Destro always wore a mask.
Prioritized appearance list: A Real American Hero parts 1-5, The Revenge of Cobra parts 1-5, Skeletons in the Closet, Arise Serpentor Arise parts 1 and 3-5, The Pyramid of Darkness parts 1-5, Memories of Mara, The Synthoid Conspiracy I-II, Sink the Montana, Hearts and Cannons, Last Hour to Doomsday, Spell of the Siren, The Gamesmaster, The Wrong Stuff, Cobra Soundwaves, The Greenhouse Effect, Worlds Without End I-II, Eau de Cobra, Operation Mind Menace, The Pit of Vipers, The Movie parts 1-5, Primordial Plot, Lights! Camera! Cobra!, Lasers in the Night, Cobrathon, Sins of Our Fathers, Countdown for Zartan, Where the Reptiles Roam, Excalibur, Red Rocket's Glare, Into Your Tent I Will Silently Creep, Haul Down the Heavens, The Viper Is Coming, Cobra CLAWs Are Coming to Town, My Favorite Things, Cobra Stops the World, Cold Slither, Flint's Vacation, There's No Place Like Springfield I-II, Satellite Down, Money to Burn, The Germ, Bazooka Saw a Sea Serpent, Battle for the Train of Gold. Silent: Joe's Night Out. Destro is included in the opening sequences of ARAH, TROC, season 1, season 2, and the Movie.
Comic notes: Destro appeared in 67 issues between 1983 and 1994: #11, 13-19, 21-33, 37-39, 44, 47-50, 52-57, 69-71, 73, 77, 78, 87, 88, 90, 93, 95, 97, 102, 116-118, 120-122, 130, 136-140, 145-149, Special Missions #1, and Yearbook #2.

 

Ace	Item # 6010	boxed with SkyStriker XP-14F
Fighter Pilot		O-3 (Air Force captain)	SN: AF335986725
File Name: Capt. Brad J. Armbruster		Primary MOS: Fixed Wing Pilot, Single and Multiple Engine
POB: Providence, RI		Secondary MOS: Intelligence Operations
Appearance: red hair; white helmet base and segmented flight suit; red pads on shirt and waistpiece; dark grey wristbands,belt, boots, and stripes on legs
Cartoon appearance: black hair; no helmet base, and no helmet except when flying; helmet was white with black airmask and blue goggles; no red trim on uniform; black vest and normal-sized black boots
Accessories: white helmet (new, with clear domed front).
Filecard Information: Ace would rather fly than do anything else. During high school he worked after school and weekends to pay for flying lessons. Spent one year flying pipelines in Alaska and two years stunt flying for movies. Enlisted USAF at age 22. Duty most previous to G. I. Joe assignment: senior instructor USAF Fighter Weapons Squadron "The Aggressors" (pilot combat training school). Qualified Expert: F-5E, F-15, F-16, XP-14/F. Ace has one major character flaw: cutthroat poker. A predilection for gambling would ordinarily disqualify an applicant for the G. I. Joe team but in Armbruster's case you can hardly call it gambling since he NEVER LOSES. That's why we call him Ace!
Versions: 1. 1983 (SkyStriker) 2. 1992 (Battle Copter) 3. 1993 (Ghoststriker) 4. 1997 (A-10 Thunderbolt) 5. 1998 (Conquest) 6. 2004/I (Tigerhawk I) 7. 2004/II (Tigerhawk II) 8. 2008 (Comic #115)
Variations: None.
Mold: Ace (83, 98)
Toy notes: Also available with a vehicle drivers set through several mail-in offers between 1988 and 1990. The 2008 version was named "Capt. Ace."
Cartoon notes: Voiced by Patrick Fraley. Spoke 178 lines in 21 episodes. First appeared and spoke in ARAH 4. Total appearances: 30. Ace was seen operating the SkyStriker (in 18 episodes), as well as the Rattler and a cartoon-exclusive biplane. Ace's outfit was green in the commercial animation.
Prioritized appearance list: Cobra Soundwaves, The Germ, The Wrong Stuff, Money to Burn, Cobra Stops the World, The Synthoid Conspiracy I-II, The Gamesmaster, The Pit of Vipers, A Real American Hero part 4, The Viper Is Coming, Cobra Quake, Battle for the Train of Gold, Twenty Questions, Where the Reptiles Roam, Cold Slither. One line: The Pyramid of Darkness part 5, Lights! Camera! Cobra!, The Funhouse, The Vacation, The Great Alaskan Land Rush. Silent: Spell of the Siren, Lasers in the Night, The Traitor I-II, Arise Serpentor Arise part 1, Sink the Montana, The Most Dangerous Thing in the World, The Movie parts 2 and 5. Ace is included in the opening sequence of season 1.
Comic notes: Ace appeared in 24 issues between 1983 and 1994: #14, 17-19, 24, 30, 31, 34, 40, 41, 45, 47, 49, 54, 115, 132, 152, 154, and Special Missions #3, 5, 12, 16, 27, and 28.

 

Cover Girl	Item # 6048	boxed with Wolverine
Wolverine Driver		E-4 (Army specialist 4)	SN: RA973244860
File Name: Spc. Courtney A. Krieger		Primary MOS: Armor
POB: Peoria, IL		Secondary MOS: AFV Mechanics
Appearance: brownish-red hair; open brown jacket over open-collared yellow shirt; red symbol on left jacket shoulder; brown belt; tan pants; brown/green boots; grey pockets on legs.
Cartoon appearance: similar but with redder hair, brown belt, and black boots; in the Movie her hair was longer; ARAH model had long, blond hair and a green jacket and pants.
Accessories: none.
Filecard Information: Cover Girl was a high fashion model in Chicago and New York prior to enlistment. Grew disillusioned with modeling and enlisted to "put new direction" in her life. Attended Armor School at Fort Knox and related tech schools. Proficient in diesel mechanics, gas turbine technology. Qualified Expert: LAW rocket, Dragon A/T Missile, M-16 and M-1911A auto pistol. Cover Girl finds that she must work against her beauty to prove herself. She's compelled to learn and master decidedly unfeminine disciplines. Her self-assurance and stunning good looks reduce most men to stuttering fools.
Versions: 1. 1983 (Wolverine) 2. 2006 (Comic DD#16)
Variations: None.
Mold: UNIQUE!
Toy notes: The only female vehicle-exclusive figure prior to 1998. The 2006 version was named "Agent Courtney Krieger." Recolored versions were released in Argentina and Brazil as Sparta.
Cartoon notes: Voiced by Liz Aubrey. Spoke 128 lines in 17 episodes. First appeared and spoke in ARAH 2. Total appearances: 37. Cover Girl was seen operating the Armadillo, AWE Striker, Dragonfly, Polar Battle Bear, RAM, Silver Mirage, VAMP, and Wolverine, as well as a Rattler and a Trubble Bubble.
Prioritized appearance list: Cobra CLAWs Are Coming to Town, Lights! Camera! Cobra!, Twenty Questions, The Germ, The Phantom Brigade, Cold Slither, The Synthoid Conspiracy I-II, A Real American Hero parts 2-5, Where the Reptiles Roam, Battle for the Train of Gold, Spell of the Siren, Hearts and Cannons, Glamour Girls. One line: The Million Dollar Medic. Silent: The Revenge of Cobra parts 1, 2, and 5, The Pyramid of Darkness part 5, Cobra's Creatures, The Viper Is Coming, Lasers in the Night, The Traitor I, Cobra Quake, The Wrong Stuff, The Pit of Vipers, Arise Serpentor Arise parts 2-3, Sink the Montana, Once Upon a Joe, Into Your Tent I Will Silently Creep, The Movie parts 4-5. Cover Girl is included in the opening sequence of the Movie.
Comic notes: Cover Girl appeared in 22 issues between 1983 and 1994: #16, 17, 19, 22, 23, 30, 31, 33, 38-40, 49, 50, 52, 68, 79, 82, 90, 149, Special Missions #24 and 27, and Yearbook #2.

 

Grand Slam	Item # 6065	boxed with JUMP
Laser Jet Pack Soldier		E-5 (Army sergeant)	SN: RA379541044
File Name: Sgt. James J. Barney		Primary MOS: Artillery
POB: Chippewa Falls, WI		Secondary MOS: Electronics Engineer
Appearance: brown hair; dark-green shirt with silver padded vest and silver on arms; black gloves; dark green belt and silver-padded pants over black boots
Accessories: dark green helmet (large standard, with visor holes); clear visor (standard). Some collectors may regard the JUMP's jet pack, laser rifle, and cord as Grand Slam accessories.
Filecard Information: Grand Slam received initial training in conventional artillery and served with a 155mm battery. Graduated: Special Weapons School (Top of Class). Specialized Education: Artillery School; Advanced Tech School. Qualified Expert: M-16; M-1911A1; "HAL" Heavy Artillery Laser. "He's soft-spoken and calm—just a bit shy. Intelligent. Loves to read escapist fantasy (science fiction and comic books)."
Versions: 1. 1982 (HAL) 2. 1983 (JUMP) 3. 2006 (DTC) 4. 2007 (Convention)
Variations: None.
Mold: head—Grand Slam (82, 83), Grunt (82, 83, 97), Zap (82, 97) arms—Grand Slam (82, 83), Flash (82), Steel Brigade (87) torso and upper legs—Grand Slam (82, 83), Flash (82), Grand Slam (82, 83) waist—Grand Slam (82, 83), Breaker (82), Flash (82), Grunt (82, 83, 97), Rock 'n Roll (82), Short-Fuze (82, 97, 05/I), Snake Eyes (82), Stalker (82, 97), Zap (82, 97), Clutch (82, 84), Hawk (82), Steeler (82), Lt. Falcon (03) lower legs—Grand Slam (82, 83), Flash (82), Snake Eyes (82, 97/I, 97/II, 03/I, 03/II, 04/IV, 05/IV), Mortal (06)
Toy notes: Considered fairly rare and highly sought after, possibly due to low sales of the JUMP in 1983. (Perhaps most buyers already had the vehicle or the first version of the figure.) Often called "Silver Pads" Grand Slam to distinguish him from the 1982 red-padded version.
Cartoon notes: Never appeared in the cartoon in this uniform. His 1982 uniform is briefly seen in the opening sequence of ARAH.

 

Grunt	Item # 6097-1	boxed with Falcon Glider
Falcon Pilot		E-4 (Army corporal)	SN: RA52779623
File Name: Corp. Robert W. Graves		Primary MOS: Infantry
POB: Columbus, OH		Secondary MOS: Falcon Pilot; Small Arms Armoror [sic]; Artillery Coordinator
Appearance: brown hair, tan shirt with brown straps and light green pockets on shoulders; tan pants with brown boots.
Accessories: tan helmet (large standard). Did not come with a backpack, though BGAP #1's tan 'Grunt' backpack is often given to this figure.
Filecard Information: Familiar with all NATO and Warsaw Pact small arms as well as domestic civilian arms. Graduated: Falcon Glider School. Advanced Infantry Training: Finished in top ten of his class. Qualified Expert: M-14; M-16; M-1911A1 (Auto-Pistol) "Grunt is a highly motivated, systematic individual. He's a stand-up guy who doesn't blow his cool in a fire-fight."
Versions: 1. 1982 2. 1983 (Falcon Glider) 3. 1991 4. 1997 (Stars & Stripes) 5. 2003/I (Battle Blitz I) 6. 2003/II (Spy Troops) 7. 2003/III (Battle Blitz II) 8. 2004/I (Night Force) 9. 2004/II (Comic #4) 10. 2007 (Convention)
Variations: None.
Mold: head—Grunt (82, 83, 97), Grand Slam (82, 83), Zap (82, 97) arms—Grunt (82, 83, 97), Short-Fuze (82, 97), Snake Eyes (82, 97/I, 97/II, 03/I, 03/II, 04/IV, 05/IV), Stalker (82, 97, 04/II, 05/I), Zap (82, 97, 04), Hawk (82, 04/I), Infantry Division (05/I, 05/II, 05/III, 05/IV, 05/V, 05/VI), Alvin "Breaker" Kibbey (05), Mortal (06) torso—Grunt (82, 83, 97), Breaker (82), Snake Eyes (82, 97/I, 97/II, 03/I, 03/II, 04/IV, 05/IV), Stalker (82, 97, 04/II, 05/I), Hawk (82, 04/I), Zap (04), Infantry Division (05/I, 05/II, 05/IV, 05/VI), Mortal (06), Alex "Sparks" Verdi (07) upper arms only—Snow Job (83) waist—Grunt (82, 83, 97), Breaker (82), Flash (82), Rock 'n Roll (82), Short-Fuze (82, 97, 05/I), Snake Eyes (82), Stalker (82, 97), Zap (82, 97), Clutch (82, 84), Grand Slam (82, 83), Hawk (82), Steeler (82), Lt. Falcon (03) legs—Grunt (82, 83), Breaker (82), Rock 'n Roll (82), Short-Fuze (82, 97, 05/I), Stalker (82, 97), Zap (82, 97), Clutch (82, 84), Hawk (82), Steeler (82), Lt. Falcon (03), Infantry Division (05/I, 05/II, 05/III, 05/IV, 05/V, 05/VI)
Toy notes: Due either to low sales of the Falcon Glider or simply to being a lesser-known figure, this "Tan Grunt" is considered valuable to collectors.
Cartoon notes: Never appeared on the cartoon in this uniform, but it was animated for the commercial for Issue #11 of the comic. For cartoon information, see the entry for the 1982 version.

 

Wild Bill	Item # 6025	boxed with Dragonfly
Helicopter Pilot		CW-4 (Army chief warrant officer)	SN: RA056403211
File Name: William S. Hardy		Primary MOS: Helicopter Pilot
POB: Brady, TX		Secondary MOS: Fixed Wing Pilot; Aircraft Armorer
Appearance: red hair and moustache; dark blue cowboy hat; silver sunglasses; olive green open-collared shirt with red-brown open vest and brown holster; olive green pants over brown boots; brown holsters on legs.
Cartoon appearance: light tan hat; black sunglasses; blue shirt with orange closed vest; no gloves; pants were also blue, with brown belt and no leg holsters.
Accessories: none.
Filecard Information: Hardy served as combat infantryman and participated in LRRP (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol) operations during South East Asian debacle. Reenlisted for Flight Warrant Officer School and has since remained in service. Specialized Training: CLASSIFIED. Qualified Expert: M1191A auto pistol (prefers single action .45 long Colt revolvers), XM-16 attack rifle. Amiable and slow talking. Fancies himself a country-western singer. Totally honest in personal dealings, but not beyond spinning a tall tale for the amusement of comrades.
Versions: 1. 1983 (Dragonfly) 2. 1992 3. 1993 (Battle Corps) 4. 2000 (Locust) 5. 2002 (JvC Wave 4) 6. 2003/I (Missile Storm) 7. 2003/II (Tiger Force) 8. 2004/I (Tiger Storm) 9. 2004/II (VvV Wave 3) 10. 2005 (VvV Wave 6)
Variations: None.
Mold: head, torso, waist, and legs—UNIQUE! arms—Wild Bill (83), Steeler (82)
Toy notes: Wild Bill was slated to be part of 1988's Tiger Force but was dropped for unknown reasons; Recondo was assigned pilotry of the Tiger Fly in his place. A recolored version was released in India.
Cartoon notes: Voiced by Frank Welker. Texas accent. Spoke 184 lines in 32 episodes. First appeared in ARAH 1; first spoke in ARAH 4. Total appearances: 43. Wild Bill was seen operating the Dragonfly (in 22 episodes), JUMP, Silver Mirage, SkyStriker, and Tomahawk, as well as a FANG and the cartoon-exclusive cargo helicopter and cargo plane.
Prioritized appearance list: Where the Reptiles Roam, The Phantom Brigade, The Greenhouse Effect, The Synthoid Conspiracy I-II, Cobra Soundwaves, Captives of Cobra I-II, Cobra CLAWs Are Coming to Town, Battle for the Train of Gold, The Wrong Stuff, The Revenge of Cobra parts 1 and 3-5, Jungle Trap, The Viper Is Coming, Cobra's Creatures, Hearts and Cannons, The Pyramid of Darkness parts 1, 3, and 5, Spell of the Siren, Bazooka Saw a Sea Serpent, Last Hour to Doomsday, A Real American Hero parts 1, 4, and 5, Cobra's Candidate, The Funhouse, Excalibur, The Rotten Egg. One line: Haul Down the Heavens, Arise Serpentor Arise parts 1 and 2, The Movie parts 1 and 3. Silent: Twenty Questions, The Germ, The Traitor I-II, Computer Complications, The Most Dangerous Thing in the World. Wild Bill is included in the opening sequences of TROC and the Movie.
Comic notes: Wild Bill appeared in 61 issues between 1983 and 1994: #11, 14, 16-20, 22, 24, 25, 27-31, 33, 37, 39, 40, 45, 47, 49, 51, 52, 54, 63, 64, 68-71, 74, 75, 80, 96, 99, 105, 111, 118, 119, 123, 127, 129, 130, 132, 136, 138, 139, 144, 155, and Special Missions #1, 4, 8, 10, 16, 18-20, 23, 27, and 28.

 

HISS Driver	Item # 6051	boxed with HISS
The Enemy		O-5 (Army lt. colonel equivalent)
File Name: (UNKNOWN)		Primary MOS: HISS Driver
POB: Various Countries		Secondary MOS: Mechanical & Electrical Systems
Appearance: red helmet with crest, silver goggles, and black face mask; red shirt with blue chest panel and white insignia on chest; black wristbands and thigh-high segmented boots; red belt and pants.
Cartoon appearance: less pronounced helmet crest; visor had red outline and was no wider than the face mask; black outline on chest straps; no wristbands.
Accessories: none.
Filecard Information: COBRA HISS drivers are selected from the best and most evil of COBRA Command's thousands of yearly recruits. Each is chosen for his physical strength and total dedication to evil! HISS drivers are graduates of COBRA Battle School, Advanced Weapons Systems Training. Qualified Experts: HISS Vehicle, FANG Copter, knowledge of all NATO and G. I. Joe weapons. COBRA HISS drivers are committed to the destruction of G. I. Joe! This newly developed battle vehicle is a real match for the G. I. Joe team. Beware!
Versions: 1. 1983 (HISS)
Variations: None.
Mold: head, arms, and legs—HISS Driver (83), Rip It (2000, 07) torso—HISS Driver (83), Rip It (00, 07), Infantry Division (05/III, 05/V) waist—HISS Driver (83), Cobra (82, 89), Cobra Officer (82, 89), Viper Pilot (83), Stinger Driver (84), some Steel Brigade (87), Duke (88), Cobra Infantry Trooper (04/I, 04/II, 04/III, 04/IV), Cobra Squad Leader (04/I, 04/II)
Toy notes: Highest-ranking Cobra soldier whose rank is given on filecard (even outranks Cobra Officers and Major Bludd). The chest insignia rubs off easily. Also available with a vehicle drivers set through several mail-in offers in 1987 and 1988, as well as 1992's offer, "Mission Rescue: Code Blue." In these brochures, his name is switched with that of Stinger Driver. This and his appearance in the Stinger in the "G. I. Joe Bugle" brochure suggests Hasbro may have permanently confused these characters for some unknown reason.
Cartoon notes: Never spoke. First appeared in Cobra Stops the World. Total appearances: 3. By chance, their appearance in The Funhouse made it into the first season's closing credits.
Chronological appearance list: Cobra Stops the World, Jungle Trap, The Funhouse. HISS Drivers are not included in any opening sequences.

 

Viper Pilot	Item # 6097-2	boxed with Viper Glider
The Enemy		E-4 (Army corporal equivalent)
File Name: (UNKNOWN)		Primary MOS: Infantry
POB: Various Countries		Secondary MOS: Viper Pilot, Sabotage
Appearance: blue helmet, shirt, gloves, and pants; black face-mask, straps, kneepads, and boots; white Cobra insignia on chest.
Cartoon appearance: white straps and belt.
Accessories: none.
Filecard Information: One of the nameless, faceless legions of COBRA Command. Each COBRA is highly skilled in the use of explosives, all NATO and Warsaw Pact small arms, sabotage, and the martial arts. Qualified expert: Skorpion (VZOR61) Machine Pistol; Dragunov (SVD) Sniper's Rifle; Uzi Submachine Gun; M-16 "COBRAS swear absolute loyalty to their fanatical leader . . . COBRA Commander. Their goal . . . to conquer the world for their own evil purpose!"
Versions: 1. 1983 (Viper Glider)
Variations: None.
Mold: head and upper left leg—Viper Pilot (83), Cobra (82, 04), Python Officer (89), Night Trooper (05/I, 05/II) upper arms—Viper Pilot (83), Cobra (82), Python Officer (89) lower arms—Viper Pilot (83), Cobra (82, 04), Python Officer (89) torso—Viper Pilot (83), Cobra (82, 04), Python Officer (89), Cobra Infantry Trooper (04/I, 04/II, 04/III, 04/IV), Scrap-Iron (04, 05/I), Horror Show (05), Night Trooper (05/I, 05/II) waist—Viper Pilot (83), Cobra (82, 89), Cobra Officer (82, 89), HISS Driver (83), Stinger Driver (84), some Steel Brigade (87), Duke (88), Cobra Infantry Trooper (04/I, 04/II, 04/III, 04/IV), Cobra Squad Leader (04/I, 04/II) upper right leg—Viper Pilot (83), Cobra (82, 04), Python Officer (89), Cobra Infantry Trooper (04/I, 04/II, 04/III, 04/IV), Cobra Squad Leader (04/I, 04/II), Night Trooper (05/I, 05/II), Night Stalker (07/I, 07/II, 07/III), Night Stalker Commander (07) upper left leg— Viper Pilot (83), Cobra (82, 04), Python Officer (89), Night Trooper (05/I, 05/II), Night Stalker (07/I, 07/II, 07/III), Night Stalker Commander (07) lower legs—Viper Pilot (83), Cobra (82, 04), Python Officer (89), Cobra Infantry Trooper (04/I, 04/II, 04/III, 04/IV), Mutt (04/II), Scrap-Iron (04, 05/I), Horror Show (05), Night Trooper (05/I, 05/II), Night Stalker (07/I, 07/II, 07/III), Night Stalker Commander (07)
Toy notes: The chest insignia rubs off easily; a Cobra soldier with missing insignia is probably a Viper Pilot.
Cartoon notes: Never spoke. Total confirmed appearances: 1.
Chronological appearance list: The Revenge of Cobra part 1. Viper Pilots are not included in any opening sequences. They may have been intended in A Real American Hero part 2, but Cobra emblems were indiscriminately colored red throughout ARAH (even for Cobra Officers), making the pilots of the Viper Gliders indistinguishable from ordinary Cobras.

 

Duke	Item # 6422	mail-order; carded in 1984.
First Sergeant		E-8 (Army first sergeant)	SN: RA213757793
File Name: 1SG Conrad S. Hauser		Primary MOS: Airborne Infantryman
POB: St. Louis, MO		Secondary MOS: Artillery, Small-arms armorer
Appearance: yellow hair; tan shirt with rolled-up sleeves; gold eagle on right chest; green diagonal strap; green belt and pants; brown boots.
Cartoon appearance: belts and chest straps brown, meeting in the back in the manner seen on the Cobra figure; slightly brighter pants, and usually black boots. Rarely wore his helmet (but see ARAH 1 and The Invaders).
Accessories: light green helmet (standard; mail version had no visor holes); tan backpack (83 Airborne's); light green submachine gun (82 Stalker's M-32); black binoculars (new, with strap).
Filecard Information: Duke was fluent in French, German, and English when he enlisted in 1967. Graduated top of his class at airborne school, Fort Benning. Opted for U.S. Army Special Language School. Specialized in Han Chinese and South East Asian dialects. Went Special Forces in 1969. Worked with tribesmen in the boonies of South Vietnam. Ran four different Special Forces schools. Turned down a commission in 1971. Commands by winning respect. Current assignment: Acting First Sergeant, G. I. Joe team. Statement after declining commission: "They tell me that an officer's job is to impel others to take the risks—so that the officer survives to take the blame in the event of total catastrophe. With all due respect, sir . . . if that's what an officer does, I don't want any part of it."
Versions: 1. 1983 (Mail)/carded 1984 2. 1988 (Tiger Force) 3. 1992 4. 1993/I (Battle Corps) 5. 1993/II (Armor-Tech) 6. 1994 (Star Brigade) 7. 1997 (Silver Mirage) 8. 2001 (RAH Collection) 9. 2002/I (JvC Wave 1) 10. 2002/II (JvC Wave 1.35) 11. 2002/III (JvC Wave 3) 12. 2003/I (BTR Armadillo) 13. 2003/II (Night Force) 14. 2004/I (Action Attack) 15. 2004/II (Wal-Mart) 16. 2004/III (Anti-Venom) 17. 2004/IV (VvV Wave 4) 18. 2004/V (Single Pack) 19. 2004/VI (Voice FX) 20. 2005/I (Desert Humvee) 21. 2005/II (VvV Wave 7) 22. 2005/III (Comic #24) 23. 2005/IV (Heavy Assault) 24. 2005/V (BTR Outpost) 25. 2007 (25th Joe set) 26. 2008 (Comic #24)
Variations: Early mail-in versions did not have visor-holes in the helmet.
Mold: head—Duke (83, 88, 97, 04/III, 05/IV) arms and waist—Duke (83), Doc (83) front torso—Duke (83, 88, 97, 04/III, 05/III, 05/IV), some Starduster (87), some Steel Brigade (87), Lonzo Wilkinson (06) back torso—Duke (83, 88, 97, 04/III, 05/III, 05/IV), Doc (83), some Starduster (87), some Steel Brigade (87), Lonzo Wilkinson (06) upper legs—Duke (83, 88, 97, 04/III, 05/III, 05/IV), Maj. Bludd (83), Tollbooth (85), Alley Viper (97, 02/I, 02/II, 03, 04), Lance "Clutch" Steinberg (07) lower legs—Duke (83, 88, 97, 04/III, 05/III, 05/IV), Gung-Ho (83, 97), Tollbooth (85), Alley Viper (97, 02/I, 02/II, 03, 04), Lance "Clutch" Steinberg (07)
Toy notes: Available by mail-in offer in 1983 and then carded with the 1984 assortment. Featured in the Sky Hawk commercial. Slightly different versions were released in China and Japan.
Cartoon notes: Voiced by Michael Bell. Spoke 858 lines in 52 episodes. 4th most frequent speaker. First appeared and spoke in ARAH 1. Total appearances: 60. Duke was seen operating the Armadillo, AWE Striker, Conquest, Dragonfly, HAVOC, JUMP, Mauler, RAM, Silver Mirage, Sky Hawk, SkyStriker (in 10 episodes), and Snow Cat, as well as the HISS, Viper Glider, and Water Moccasin and several cartoon exclusives: an all-terrain transport vehicle, a SHARC prototype, and a Cobra fighter jet. In the absence of Colonel Hawk, Duke acted as leader of the Joe team, taking assignments from Colonel Sharp, throughout the first season. The cartoon romantically paired Duke with Scarlett.
Prioritized appearance list: A Real American Hero parts 1-5, The Synthoid Conspiracy I-II, Captives of Cobra I-II, The Invaders, Jungle Trap, The Great Alaskan Land Rush, Cobra Stops the World, The Gods Below, Battle for the Train of Gold, The Movie parts 1-4, Excalibur, The Traitor I-II, Cobra CLAWs Are Coming to Town, The Revenge of Cobra parts 1, 2, 4, and 5, The Phantom Brigade, The Wrong Stuff, Lasers in the Night, Arise Serpentor Arise parts 1-5, Operation Mind Menace, Haul Down the Heavens, The Gamesmaster, Bazooka Saw a Sea Serpent, Cold Slither, Cobrathon, The Million Dollar Medic, Memories of Mara, The Pyramid of Darkness parts 1-3 and 5, Twenty Questions, Last Hour to Doomsday, Computer Complications, Spell of the Siren, Worlds Without End II. One line: Not a Ghost of a Chance. Silent: Lights! Camera! Cobra!, The Viper Is Coming, There's No Place Like Springfield II, Sink the Montana, My Favorite Things, The Most Dangerous Thing in the World, Into Your Tent I Will Silently Creep. Duke is included in the opening sequences of ARAH, TROC, season 1, season 2, and the Movie.
Comic notes: Duke appeared in 46 issues between 1984 and 1994: #22-25, 28, 29, 32, 33, 37-42, 48-50, 55, 68, 74, 75, 80-82, 108-111, 123, 127, 130-134, 136, 145-149, 155, Special Missions #8, 23, and 25, and Yearbook #2.

 

Equipment:

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(Parentheses indicate very brief or obscured appearances.)

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