With continued rumors of a retro Joe line coming out it got me to thinking of what my wish list for such a line would be. As cool as it is to see retro Star Wars figures in stores, we all know Kenner Star Wars sucks compared to ARAH Joes. So, what would you want to see in a retro line? I'm thinking of these as straight up recreations of classic figures just like the Star Wars ones.

My wish list:
1982 Cobra Commander
1982 Scarlett
1983 Duke
1984 Baroness
1984 Firefly
1984 Zartan
1985 Crimson Guard
1985 Flint
1985 Snake Eyes
1985 Tomax & Xamot
1986 Beach Head
1986 Hawk
1986 Viper
1986 Roadblock
1987 Cobra Commander
1987 Falcon
1988 Destro

The only difference I would want to see from the original figures would be the softer forearms as was used on the releases post 2000.

Given that it's a "retro" line, I'd be fine with Hasbro re-using any format mold. The NS era as 18 years ago, and even the 25A was 13.

Most collectors are rigid about mixing formats, so it's unlikely that Hasbro would ever do it.

Hasbro made a totally new-from-scratch Grand Moff Tarkin figure for its "retro" collection, so I'm also not opposed to some kind of brand new format that captures the best of all of the eras. The durability of the ARAH figures, the willingness to try new designs from the NS figures, and the enhanced articulation of the 25A figures. Picture an ARAH Stalker figure with hidden elbow and shoulder rivets, plus swivel wrists and ankles, and in a new uniform. That's really what I'd like to see.

The wrists and ankles need range-restricting design, like how the original side-to-side swivel heads couldn't turn around 360 like Linda Blair's in The Exorcist.

My fear is that "retro" will just be rollouts of already overused molds in boring, lifeless color schemes put over milky plastics.

As far as figures, we already know which characters we're stuck with. Snake-Eyes, Storm Shadow, CC, Destro, etc. My wishlist would include ONLY ONE VERSION of each of these characters to keep more space open for less popular characters. Or even characters who never got figures, like General Austin or the White Clown. Won't happen of course, but you did say wishlist!!

Cobra blue shirts.


What's the point of a retro line without the backbone of the Cobra army ? Am I supposed to buy yet another Cobra Commander and Destro?

My wish - that I can find them with minimal pain, that they aren’t overpriced, no shortpacked figures, and only make goofy repaints convention exclusives - not unique characters who then don’t get a mass distribution release.

And, make some classic vehicles/play sets.

You guys make great points, which makes gives me an idea.

What about two packs? Since we're going to get needless versions of the popular characters, what if each set contained a named character and an army builder. That way by the time you've purchased CC, Destro, Major Bludd, and Baroness, you've already got yourself 4 Cobra Soldiers.

Nothing fancy on the army builders, either. Maybe alternate heads or alternate web gear, but the same "base model" included with each named character figure.

For the Joes, I'd stick with two named characters. But I suppose you could make some Greenshirts or DIC Greenshirts or DD Greenshirts.

First, gimme a few Cobra Trooper 4packs. 3 Troopers and an Officer per set.

Second I want a specialty Cobra Troopers set. Anti-armor (Tripwire torso), flamethrower (Flash torso), Weapons Platform (Zap torso blue), Gunner (Zap torso gray).

Third, figures of characters we never got figures for: Doctor Venom, Shooter, etc

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v1 road pig
black helmet big boa
v1 night viper


just weirder ones in general

I'd love a V1 duke with correct arms that's brand-new and durable. '85 Snake Eyes would be great, though Black Major has scratched that itch. IF these are O ring figures, Hasbro should concentrate on versions of figures that have not been rereleased (V1orV2) Cobra Commander, or rereleased incomplete (Falcon).

Honestly though, I'll be happy with anything.

I'd emotionally support any offerings that included troops (that didn't wear gas masks).

The more i think about a GI Joe Retro Line the more i realize that the best retro GI Joe product that can be created (without completely new mold tooling) already has been created. Soft plastic lower arms to avoid thumb breakage? Check. Better head sculpts? Check. The only thing missing was plastic rivets for easier disassembly.

Yeah, the Comic 3-packs are fantastic.
Only problem is that some of the characters have a bit of an orange skin tone like they overused bronzer or something.

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I wish that Duke would come with a green Snow Job rifle to match the card art and offer something a little bit different. Also, include that flag decal.

I wonder if we will hear anything about retro during tomorrow's event

I agree with you, Suntzu, that Hasbro did a great job on the comic pack figures. Some of the colors needed tweaking, but I get that they were going for saturated "comic book" colors.

I'm always curious as to how Hasbro got everything just right in '82, but never quite locked in the overall quality again with the NS or 25A eras.

Original 13

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The only way I'm really going to be interested is if they give us interesting new takes on characters--just in the old o-ring style.
I saw someone on another page mention they wanted a Shawdowtracker in vintage o-ring style...and yeah... I don't care about that character but I'd like to see how they would make one that fit in with 80s figures.

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