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Category: G.I.Joe

G.I.Joe 

Even As A kid, I Knew, #DestroWasRight

Serpentorslair Staff, , 1 Comment

By Destro Designs – Viper Den Studios The problem with villains is that they always lose. Evil hates being a loser, so it creates scapegoats like Cobra Commander to take the fall under the guise of stupidity and cowardice. So Cobra Commander was forever ruining Cobra’s plans for victory endlessly, by many different avenues—impatience, cowardice, greed, stupidity—all hallmarks of the Commander when he is put in the driver’s seat of a Cobra plan on the doorstep of victory. As if this wasn’t hard enough to watch, episode after episode, I…

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G.I.Joe 

1983 G.I. Joe Tossed a Hand Grenade at My Other Childhood Toys

Serpentorslair Staff, , 0 comment

Story by Destro Designs – Viper Den Studios As big of a fan of G.I. Joe as I am, I missed out on the first year of G.I. Joe releases in 1982. I was too young, with minimal exposure—only Breaker and Scarlett—so it slipped by. But when I saw Destro and Snake Eyes, it was on like Donkey Kong. I remember wanting all eight that were displayed, but initially I only walked out with those two. It was an obvious shift, even to my parents. I had He-Man and some…

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G.I.Joe 

7-Year Stretch of Collecting G.I. Joe That Is Still Defining My Life

Serpentorslair Staff, , 0 comment

Destro Designs – Viper Den Studios With many years of producing banger after banger, it’s hard to nail down all the milestones in the original run of the G.I. Joe toy line. We know where it started, and we know where it ended—but what happened in between is always subjective to individual likes and dislikes. To me, it was a constant ascension from day one. Sometimes there were large leaps forward, and other times a steadier climb. I’m going to get into every year of my collecting individually—what figures I…

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G.I.Joe 

The M.A.S.S. Device, Had Me Hook Line and Sinker!

Serpentorslair Staff, , 1 Comment

By Destro Designs – Viper Den Studios Right off the bat, the intro of Episode 1 of the Sunbow cartoon, The M.A.S.S. Device. “The Cobra Strikes” hits Like a sledgehammer to a 6 year old who was craving such a thing, but didn’t even know it.. Being saddled by the far out Fantasy action of He-Man and on other side, the ultra Sci-fi space odyssey of the Star Wars movies, this opening sequence of real world military figures doing fantastical stuff, but yet tuned in just right to seem believable…

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G.I. Joe Classified G.I.Joe 

YO JOE! Pulse Fanstream Drops Heat with Retro, Rattling Rats & Cobra Teases

Serpentorslair Staff, , 1 Comment

If today’s Hasbro Pulse Fanstream proved anything, it’s that the G.I. Joe Classified line is firing on all cylinders in 2026. Between immediate pre-orders, deep-cut character love, and some tantalizing name-only reveals, fans were treated to a well-balanced mix of nostalgia and forward momentum. Let’s start with the headline hitters—the pre-orders that went live today at 1 PM EST. The Retro Wave continues to flex its muscle, offering that classic cardback aesthetic that hits longtime collectors right in the childhood. It’s a smart move by Hasbro, blending modern articulation with…

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G.I.Joe 

Summer of ’87 And The Endless Battles in the Dirt and Grass

Serpentorslair Staff, , 1 Comment

Story By Destro Designs – Viper Den Studios Christmas ’86 was a nuclear explosion of Gi Joe gifts from across my whole family. For years I was totally immersed in the toy line and the obsession as well as my propaganda about needing them like air had finally taken root with everyone. But alas, winters in Upstate New York in the 80’s were brutal. I also was terrified of losing stuff in the snow. And so, the months went buy as I staged ideas and scenarios which I could truly…

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G.I. Joe Classified G.I.Joe 

G.I. Joe Classified 60th Anniversary Legacy Series and The Respect Paid

Serpentorslair Staff, , , 1 Comment

Story by Destro Designs / Viper Den Studios The latest drop from the G.I. Joe Classified Line is the 60th Anniversary Legacy Series, Special Forces Action Soldier. Its a cool figure that’s playing “keeping up with the Jones’s” with offerings from Monster Force and Acid Rain. Lots of gear, tactical chest rig, the whole nine. Even a “Ghost” Mask like the character from Call of Duty. As cool as the figure is, I like it especially because it’s art of an homage from G.I. Joe, to America’s Hero’s via the…

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G.I. Joe Classified G.I.Joe 

Back to the Battlefield: Retro G.I. Joe Drops Bring the Heat (and Then Some)

Serpentorslair Staff, , 0 comment

If you grew up staring at cardbacks in toy aisles, memorizing file cards, and staging full-blown backyard battles, 2026 is about to hit you right in the nostalgia. Because the next wave of G.I. Joe Retro Cardback releases has officially been revealed—and it’s shaping up to be a heavy hitter lineup that feels like it time-traveled straight out of the golden era. Let’s start with the heroes—and one fan-favorite villain—who are making their triumphant return. Leading the charge is William “Wild Bill” Hardy, the smooth-talking, high-flying helicopter ace who always…

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G.I. Joe Classified G.I.Joe 

Major Bludd: From Underused Character to Best G.I. Joe Classified Figure

Serpentorslair Staff, , , 0 comment

Story by Destro Designs / Viper Den Studios Major Bludd: A stunning misuse of an amazing character and how he came to prominence as an all time amazing figure. In the Sunbow Cartoon, Major Bludd was the equivalent of Cobra’s Beachhead. A dude who could have easily moved up in rank and off of the battle field full-time. But a gritty, crazy mercenary who loves the action as much as the money, he stays right in the thick of it. Pointing troopers and HISS Tanks towards the Joes and urging…

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