Hasbro | Vintage Action Figures

Crazylegs from the G.I. Joe - A Real American Hero line

Crazylegs – G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero

Whilst many vintage G.I. Joe action figure collectors concentrate on the original 12 inch figures, there are also armies of equally passionate fans of the 3 ¾ inch G.I.Joe figures which first hit the toy market in 1982. The smaller, relaunched figures were issued with all sorts of gadgets and even a back-story involving the never-ending fight between the G.I. Joe Team (the good guys, obviously) and the Cobra Command (the bad guys). Hasbro eventually developed these figures into the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line.

Hasbro’s William “The Fridge” Perry as G.I. Joe physical training instructor!

As I live in Rome, Italy I couldn’t have been more surprised to find this action figure of American pro football player William Perry aka The Refrigerator the other day. He was right at the bottom of a bargain toy bin in a local second-hand store…but I knew I just had to add him to my collection! The figure has clearly seen some heavy play fighting the evil Cobra baddies, so there is some wear to the number 72 blazoned across his Chicago Bears shirt and the G.I. Joe transfer on his belt buckle is barely visible, but all in all he’s still in good shape. The paint work on the face is nice and clear and the all-important gap in Perry’s front teeth is still there!

Available as a mail order only G.I. Joe action figure as part of the 3 ¾ inch A Real American Hero line by Hasbro in 1987 – the advertising campaign began in 1986 although the date stamped on the figure is 1987 – the figure came originally with a black football accessory attached to a chain which doubled up as a somewhat bizarre weapon, as well as a special file card. In order to get your hands on the figure you were required to collect the coupons found in the packaging of other figures in the line and then call a special number.

Hulk Hogan with Hulkster Slam!

After a great August break we’re back in the saddle here at Vintage Action Figures with a bit of 1990s wrestling nostalgia with this vintage WWF Wrestling Action Figure of Hulk Hogan made by Hasbro under license from Titan Sports.

Hasbro took over production of wrestling figures when toy-makers LJN – responsible for the enormously popular Wrestling Superstars line – folded in 1989.

This particular Hulk Hogan is the fourth of 4 different Hulk Hogan figures that Hasbro made, and as with others in the line, features a trademark action move – the Hulkster Slam! This loose figure was originally sold as part of the Blue Card Series 5 and although the figure is in reasonable shape, it has seen a bit of paint wear, with the yellow Python Power transfer on the red bandanna having suffered the most. In spite of small defects, I was powerless to resist the power of Hulkmania, and snapped this one up at a market stall.