My first encounter with the Real American Hero was an advertisement in Marvel Comics, and astounding as it sounds, my first reaction was, "They've got to be kidding." I had never collected the 12" line, which was now long in the past, and in 1982, with Star Wars as the main action figure line on the shelves, and military toys distinctly out of fashion, I didn't think this stood a chance.
I first saw the figures in a pharmacy. Tucson didn't have a Toys "R" Us or any such thing at that time. I remember being distinctly impressed by the artwork, and I loved the idea of the file cards. And, the figures were clearly more articulated than Star Wars at the time. Show me a toy that has imagination, creativity, and quality to it, and I'll be interested.
I brought home Snake-Eyes and Flash as my first figures. Snake-Eyes because he looked a little different, and Flash because he looked a little different than the others, and I liked the idea of a reasonably plausible Laser Rifle Trooper.
I soon went back for the others, and, having virtually no understanding of how toy marketing worked at that time, I started getting quite anxious to find Scarlett, who had not yet been released. I even wrote Hasbro, and they responded very courteously. Ultimately, of course, Scarlett did turn up, and I added her to the collection. And of course I started reading the comic book.
When the Swivel-Arm Battle Grip was added in 1983, an idea I certainly approved of since it had always been frustrating to me that Clutch couldn't hold the steering wheel of the VAMP with both hands, I quickly replaced all of my first-year Joes, and then did what in retrospect was a pretty boneheaded thing -- I sold them to a second-hand toy store for about ten bucks.
I saw the new characters debut in the comic books, and honestly wondered if Doc, Snow Job, Gung-Ho, and the others would be added to the toys. They clearly didn't fit the existing molds. Little did I know that Hasbro was expanding the line and crafting far more individual molds, since the line had certainly proven its popularity. I ultimately discovered these figures in a Mervyn's, which would become one of my best sources for toys over the next several years.
I discovered the first animated series by accident. I was watching my grandmother's apartment for her, just channel-surfing one afternoon, and all of a sudden -- WHOA! Hey, that looked like Major Bludd, Cobra Commander, and Destro! A G.I.Joe cartoon? COOL!
In 1985, the Aircraft Carrier came on the scene. I actually learned of its existence in an article in, of all places, the Wall Street Journal! My first reaction, as I suspect it was for many people, was "Where the heck am I supposed to put that!?" I certainly wanted it, though. I received it from my parents as a Christmas present, but there was a proviso -- I had to go pick it up myself. This resulted in a very interesting trip to Mervyn's on the day after Thanksgiving -- Black Friday -- of 1985, which I have related before. I had gotten to know a clerk at Mervyn's, and that was her last day on the job, and she was kind enough to transfer a Carrier to that particular store, so I had no real choice in the matter if I wanted it.
By 1987, Tucson had a Toys "R" Us, and that was where I obtained the Defiant Space Shuttle Complex. The process at the time was to take a ticket to the front counter, pay for the item, and then drive around to the back of the store to a pick-up area for large items. The guy that brought my shuttle out to me looked like a professional wrestler in his spare time, and had the shuttle slung over one shoulder. He plopped it down in front of me and said, "All yours!" I am not a particularly muscular individual. I sort of gave him a look. He said, "Hey, would you like some help getting that in your car?" I resisted the urge to say, "Wow, you figured that out so fast you must be a rocket scientist", and managed to choke out, "Yes, thank you..."
Toys "R" Us would prove to be an excellent source for G.I.Joe over the next several years, especially since that store had the habit of leaving shipping boxes sitting in the aisles, which I had few compunctions about opening (in my defense, I was generally nice enough to stock on the shelves whatever I didn't actually purchase). This netted me Tiger Force, Battle Force 2000, and Python Patrol in good order.
1991 was a special year for me, since that FINALLY saw the release of the first Oktober Guard figure, Red Star. I'd been screaming for Oktober Guard figures for years, real-world politics be hanged. I was also pleased to see Big Ben, the British SAS trooper, since by this time I had made a friend in England, initially as a pen-pal, and he had secured for me a number of interesting British exclusive figures. Early on, he had mentioned that England had just gotten Tiger Force, and listed the names. When I saw Outback and Psyche-Out on the list, that was the first time I realized that there were international variants.
This is going to sound strange, especially these days, but even as late as 1991, I sincerely believed that I was one of a VERY small number of adults that collected toys. At least modern toys. Most of the books and price guides I had seen were for antique toys, well prior to when I was born. I didn't think there was a modern toy collecting world.
Then I discovered a book -- "Tomart's Price Guide to Action Figure Collectibles". This book actually covered toys that had been created within my life span! The original G.I. Joe, Captain Action, Major Matt Mason, Big Jim, Mego, the modern G.I. Joe -- stuff I'd actually OWNED! It was a revelation. So was the fact that the price guide mentioned that there were regular publications -- Tomart's, Lee's -- that covered modern toys.
In 1992, I attended my first G.I.Joe Convention. This, too, was a revelation. I had no idea there were that many adult collectors of G.I. Joe. I was no longer quite so hesitant to enter a toy store after that. I would continue to attend G.I. Joe Conventions regularly for quite a few years following.
Attending these Conventions also gave me the opportunity to meet a number of Hasbro's creative personnel, such as Vinnie D'Alleva and Kirk Bozigian. This would be notable for me later on.
Of course, the Real American Hero came to its initial end in 1994, and I was not happy. I remember attending the 1994 Convention in New York City where the announcement was made, along with the unveiling of the Sgt. Savage line. The response to both was -- less than enthusiastic.
That Convention would also lead to one of the strangest incidents, in my opinion, that I've experienced at a Convention. At the time, I was writing for a magazine called "Collectible Toys & Values". I had just completed a very thorough listing of all G.I. Joe products to date, which was turned into a price guide by the magazine (I did not do the actual pricing).
At this Convention, I was hoping to find a 1984 Roadblock. Mine was damaged. I finally had the chance to meet my editor, and we decided to go around to some of the hotel rooms that were open the night before the Convention for early trading and buying. One such room had a huge supply of 3-3/4" figures, including an excellent Roadblock. The room was occupied by a man I estimated to be in his early 40's, and his two young sons. I asked him how much the figure was. He said to his sons, "Boys, where's the Wheeler list?"
Keep in mind, I had not introduced myself.
I said, "The WHAT!?" My editor is starting to crack up behind me. The guy goes on to say, "Oh, yeah, there's this guy named Wheeler out there. Writes to the comic book, writes for this magazine, he compiled this list..."
I said, "I'M Wheeler." I wasn't trying to boast, I was just trying to get the guy to calm down. He gets this astounded look on his face, and said, "No way!" I said, "Seriously, I'm the guy who put that list together." His reaction was not what I expected. He looked at his kids and said, "Boys, shake hands with a legend!"
At this point my editor is on the floor laughing his @$$ off, and I was looking around expecting to see Rod Serling step out from behind the curtain. Was this for real!? It gave me some inkling as to how the Hasbro employees felt at the earliest conventions when suddenly granted a certain celebrity status that they were not at all accustomed to.
The guy flatly refused to let me pay for the Roadblock figure. He was "honored" to give it to me, for "all of my service to the hobby." I still have that Roadblock...
I went back to my hotel room in a state of moderate disbelief.
When Hasbro opted to bring back the Real American Hero for its 15th Anniversary in 1997, a number of notable collectors, myself included, were contacted by Hasbro for a certain amount of input, and to write some of the file cards. I had the distinct honor of writing the file cards for some of the most major players in the concept, including Duke, Destro, Lady Jaye, Baroness, Cobra Commander, Snake-Eyes, and Storm Shadow. Also got my name on the package along with the other collectors. This remains one of my fondest memories of G.I. Joe.
When it was time to plan the 1998 line, Hasbro wanted to add an Oktober Guard three-pack to the series. The only problem was that there were only two Oktober Guard figures in existence -- Big Bear and Red Star. I had won first prize at the 1997 G.I. Joe Convention for my Oktober Guard (and Mortal Kombat) customs, so I was contacted by Hasbro, who wanted to know which Oktober Guard characters could most easily be made from existing parts. I sent them photos of my figures with various instructions and recommendations.
It came down to Daina, using a Lady Jaye body and a newly-sculpted head. I was asked to paint the prototype figure (in astoundingly short time), and later, came up with the name "Lt. Volga", when Daina (I assume) wouldn't quite clear the legal department. Somewhere along the way, the figure was drastically recolored from my original work, which was based on the back cover of G.I.Joe Yearbook #2. However, since we have an official Daina figure these days, I tend to regard Volga as a separate character.
I also came up with the character name and file card for Vypra, as well as several other file cards for 1998, including the Oktober Guard.
I continued to collect the Real American Hero, of course, into the newsculpt era, especially with the traditional-style comic-based sets. I can't say there are any real standout moments, except for having the chance to meet Buzz Aldrin, one of the very small number of people who have walked on the moon, at one of the Conventions.
But there were a few standout moments for me when I attended the 2004 Convention, the last one I've been able to drop in on.
Hey, have a G.I.Joe Convention at my favorite hotel at Walt Disney World and throw in a tour of NASA's Kennedy Space Center and just TRY to keep me away from it. I pretty well ruined my finances to get there and things haven't really been the same since, but I made it.
But there were three high points at that Convention for me. #1 - Meeting Kirk Bozigian for the first time in a number of years, and he REMEMBERED me, which impressed the heck out of me. #2 - Meeting Larry Hama for the first time EVER, after all those letters I wrote to the comic book over the years. #3 - Seeing the prototypes for the OKTOBER GUARD figures, especially Horror-Show, a longtime personal favorite.
I'm still collecting. Looking forward to Big Lob, and I'm keeping an eye especially on some of the upcoming vehicles, in particular. And I've made some friends and gotten to know some cool people from all over the planet thanks to my involvement with G.I. Joe and the action figure world in general. Still having fun, too.
:inferno:
Every time we played we'd start by taking turns picking figures...I don't think my brother ever got to play with his Shipwreck. See, he always called Duke first (until he got Snow Job) and I always called Shipwreck first. 
Never had my own GI Joes growing up. Now I do. 
.