GI Joe Shadowbox

As a kid, I never had the first wave of straight-armed GI Joe action figures from 1982, or the reissued first wave with swivel arm articulation, or for that matter the second wave from 1983, or the third wave...etc. My love of GI Joe didn't start until one fateful summer afternoon in 1986. A friend of mine, who had a massive Star Wars collection I envied, was having a yard sale. I knew he wasn't selling anything from that collection, but I rode my bicycle over to the yard sale anyway. Other than a bedroom full of Star Wars toys, vehicles and play sets he also had a growing collection of GI Joe toys and comics. That collection was displayed on the folding tables arranged on their front lawn and I bought it all. I bought the comics, dozens of action figures, the GI Joe Killer Whale and the Cobra Terror Drome. I made multiple trips I bought so much stuff. After that afternoon, I was hopelessly hooked on The Real American Hero, and I mean a lifelong addiction. I built my respectable collection on that foundation, but I never had the original 1982 line-up, until now.


Almost that is, I acquired the majority of the 1982 line-up of GI Joe action figures and vehicles, in one swoop, just like that afternoon at that yard sale 30 years ago. I met a guy, through a friend at work, who was attempting to sell his meticulously well-kept collection. He had every original straight armed Joe for sale (except Snake Eyes) as well as the straight armed Cobra trooper and the straight armed Cobra Commander originally available by mail-in only. Everything was in impeccable condition; the figures had all their weapons, accessories and file cards, the MOBAT had pristine battery terminals and still worked, the VAMP even had the two gas canisters. The 1982 line up was nearly complete, except the Cobra Officer has swivel arms and Grand Slam has the silver padding, but I preferred the silver padding. I planned to stand them side by side alphabetically in a shadow box which would put Flash and Grand Slam next to one another and the two are identical, apart from their faces.

I created a two piece background with the GI Joe and Cobra logos, cleverly hiding the seam with a collage of panels from the first issue of the comic. The code-names underneath the figures are also printed on two pieces of paper however that seam was impossible to hide and from an angle is very obvious. I filled some of the height with a styrofoam block, wrapped in black fabric. Before I put the figures behind the glass I had to replace their O-rings. This was a relatively easy task until I got to Stalker. While trying to put the Ranger back together the crotch broke on his waste and then to make matters worse the O-Ring constricted and broke the hook off that connects the legs together. When I got to Zap the screw head in his back was stripped and I broke him while trying a remedy I read online. I have since purchased a second Zap off eBay, but I broke him too. Maybe the third time will be the charm for the Bazooka Soldier.

So, now I was down to 10 out of the 13 original Joes. I started to assemble the lineup, spacing them out to correspond with the list of code-names. Then I got to Scarlett who has no peg holes on the bottom of her feet. I never knew that and now I'll have to figure out another way to prop her up in the shadow box. Slowly but surely the project is coming together. Soon I'll have a nice display to pay respect to the origins of the amazing toy-line that has had such an impact on my life.

I may redo the positioning, some figures aren't centered with their code-name.

Here you can see the seam of the over-lapping pieces of paper.