ProductWiki

Storm Shadow

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 16:08:14 -0500

With his original 1984, Storm Shadow arguable became the most popular GI Joe released of all time. His real name is Thomas S. Arashikage (Arashi = "Storm" and kage = "shadow" in Japanese) and he was trained under his uncle in the Arashikage clan (the same clan as Snake Eyes, the red tattoo is the schools symbol). As Snake Eyes began to surpass Storm Shadow in their Ninja Training and was named head of the clan, the two close friends began to feud. This rift was heightened when Storm Shadows uncle was murdered by an assassin, and both of them suspected the other. Storm Shadow eventually joined Cobra as Cobra Commanders main body guard, although his true loyalty remained with no-one but himself. He joined GI Joe, and along with Snake Eyes, he hunted down his uncles true assassin, Zartan, but throughout the years, he would switch several times between Joe and Cobra after being brainwashed by Cobra. Unlike Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow always fights in the traditional ways of the Ninja choosing classic weapons such as swords over guns, and usually wore an all white ninja suit.

The 1984 version of Storm Shadow came with a katana (long sword), a wakizashi (short sword), nunchuks, a bow, and a backpack all in black, which nicely contrasted his all white ninja suit. This release is the most desired GI Joe action figure by collectors. The second version of Storm Shadow was released in 1989, and saw him switch to the Joes team wearing a white camo hooded ninja suit. This figure became a secondary favorite and came with a red sword and backpack, compound bow and a black claw. The third version of Storm Shadow was released in 1992 was similar in appearance to v2 and only came with a white sword and sickle. This version also featured the very limiting "Ninja Action" which made his arms un-posable, and only usefull in "live action battles". The very forgettable fourth version, in 1994, came with "secret inviso-power" and an array of classical ninja weapons, in all blue. 1997's v5 saw the re-realease of the orignal Storm Shadow with a slight uniform change but maintaining all the original weapons as a part of a three pack also featuring Snake Eyes and Lady Jay. There have been 20 versions of Storm Shadow released which are mostly white or red in colour. Version 6, in 2000, was released as a pair witn Snake Eyes and is another notable release with a white hood for the Cobra side, and 2 silver swords. Countless other products such as busts and magazines have been released, most of which are based on the classic 1984 version of this iconic GI Joe character.

Snake Eyes

Fri, 02 Feb 2007 12:35:02 -0500

As a part of the original Joe line up, Snake Eyes is one of the most popular GI Joe characters ever created. Snake Eyes was trained by the same clan as Storm Shadow who became his arch nemesis whenever Storm Shadow decided to side with the Cobras. Unlike Storm Shadow, Snake Eyes was always loyal to the Joes. Snake Eyes had his face disfigured and vocal chords destroyed in a combat-related accident, so he never spoke and always wears a full face shield. His real name remains classified and not much is known of his origins, except that his parents were killed in a car accident, by the brother of the man who would become Cobra Commander. Snake Eyes usually wears an all black military-ninja suit (as a nice contrast to Storm Shadow's all white), with some exceptions in later releases. Trained as a classical Ninja Master, Snake Eyes main weapon is the Ninjato, but is not hesitant to use other weapons, such as machine guns.

The orignal Snake Eyes was release in 1982 (v1) as a Commando, and came with a black uzi and pack of explosives. A similar model was released in 1983 (v1.5) which featured a "swivel arm". The most popular and most recognized Snake Eyes is the 1985(v2) release, which comes with his an uzi, backpack, black sword and his faithful wolf "Timber". This figure, as well as the 1984 Storm Shadow, are arguably the most desired by collectors everywhere. The 1989 (v3) Snake Eyes is also a popular release, which came with a sub-machine gun, long sword, nunchuks, blow gun and black backpack. The 1991 (v4) Snake Eyes wore bright blue and came with 2 bright red swords, submachine gun and grappling hook with a blue back-pack in an attempt make GI Joe less violent, as was the trend at this point in time. This version however was used to make the 12" release in 1991, but this version was given more realistic coloured grey sword, black gun and knife, dog tags and black back pack. All in all, there are 27 versions of the 3.75" Snake Eyes.

GI. Joe Tomahawk Helicopter

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 15:06:32 -0500

Released in 1986, this twin engine, twin rotor GI. Joe helicopter came with pilot Lift Ticket. This GI Joe fan favorite came with 6 free-fall bombs, 2 air to ground missles, 6 barrel 20mm front gun turret, 2 side mounted laser aided 50 caliber machine guns which can be fired by 2 of the 6 passengers, opening rear cargo door, lift winch and sits 2 crew members. It was one of the most used GI Joe vehicles in missions because of its ability to carry men, supplies and equipment into remote areas at a max speed of 175mph.

Cobra Rattler

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 15:47:39 -0500

Introduced in 1984, the iconic Cobra Rattler became the #1 Cobra attack plane as a response to GI Joe's "Skystriker", introduced a year earlier. Based on the A-10 Thunderbolt II, the Rattler modified the design by moving the twin engines to the wings, which were given the ability to pivot giving the plane vertical thrust, adding a 3rd engine in the rear stabilizer and adding a stand-up gun turret in the center of the plane. The Rattler came with pilot Wild Weasel and featured a dorsal mounted double machine gun turret, front mounted anti-tank gatling gun, 4 air-to-air missles, 2 large anti-tank bombs, 2 large anti-tank bombs with removable warheads and two bomb racks with 3 bombs in each making the Rattler a more than adequately armed attack plane. The Rattler also features removable engine covers and replaceable side panels with bullet holes. Much like many other figures, The Rattler is reused and converted to a GI Joe plane in 1988 as the "Tiger Rat" in the GI Joe "Tiger Force".

Cobra Ferret

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 17:56:45 -0500

Released in 1985, the Cobra Ferret is an attack ATV, and much like the Night Landing, came with no driver. Featuring a side mounted 20mm cannon, 2 side missles and a front double barreled machine gun, which would turn with the handlebars and front tires. The Ferret could carry 2 Cobras and was used for its maneuverabilty and speed. The Ferret was re-released in 1988 as the "Tiger Paw" as a part of GI Joe's "Tiger Force".

Moray Hydrofoil

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 16:53:13 -0500

Released in 1985, the Moray Hydrofoil came with driver Lamprey, and featured an intense arsenal. Included in this arsenal is a pop-up hatch under the front of the boat with 4 missles, a massive machine gun on either side, 2 giant torpedoes, a double-barrel gun turret on the top, 2 pairs of depth charges hidden in the back, 4 hand operated machine guns in the rear, 2 air missles, 2 shielded gun bays in the front that fit 1 man each, a spotlight, legs that allow the Hydrofoil to dock in shallow water and a rear-mounted engine is removable.

A.W.E. Striker

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 16:29:38 -0500

Released in 1985, the A.W.E. (All Weather and Environment) Striker was a lightly armoured GI Joe attack jeep, that came with driver Crankcase. Designed to mimic a "dune buggy", the very light A.W.E. was very quick and maneuverable with a modified 7.62mm 6-barrelled Minigun, that is laser-aimed from the jeep's dashboard. The A.W.E. seats 2 (including driver) and has side panels that can fit one standing soldier on each side. The striker has a rear-mounted removable engine.

The Striker mold was reused in 1992 to make the "Eco-Striker", and again in 2001 as a re-release of the A.W.E. Striker. The same mold was also used in 1995 by Stargate to create the "Stargate All-Terrain Cruiser".

Conquest X-30

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 17:24:33 -0500

Introduced in 1986 with pilot Slipstream, the Conquest X-30 was GI Joe's most advanced fighter plane, capable of achieving speeds of mach 2.42. Based on the Grumman X-29, the X-30 was a forward-swept wing jet fighter that featured 4 light sparrow air-to-air missles, 2 drop bombs and twin 25mm guns. The X-30 was re-used as the 1989 "Python Conquest" as a part of Cobra's "Python Patrol".

Cobra Night Landing

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 17:07:09 -0500

Released in 1985, the Cobra Night Landing was a very simple, small and realistic Cobra vehicle. Simply an inflatable raft, the CNL included a motor, oars, machine gun, radio, shovel, knife and front mounted cannon. Designed for stealth missions, the Night Landing would be mainly used for night missions by cobras such as Firefly (shown on the box).

GI Joe Silver Mirage

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 18:14:08 -0500

Released in 1985, the Silver Mirage is an attack motorcycle and sidecar, that came with no driver. The sidecar has a massive gun and 2 missles, and comes with a back shield for the driver. The Silver Mirage was re-released in 1997.