The POP-EXPOSE ‘GI Joe Replacements’ by Mitchell Smith!
GI Joe replacements
1982-1984 seemed to be creation years for GI Joe characters then in 1985 still a lot of great creation going on but some of the specialties and vehicles started to get replacement characters with upgrades and more modern uniforms, and modern and prototype vehicles, so I was wondering which ones you liked better, here are a few of my comparisons on Joe upgrades in no particular order..
*The first noticeable upgrades in 1985 was Crankcase and the A.W.E Striker although I had the VAMP and AWE Striker my VAMP got destroyed at some point and I liked it so much I traded my buddy my AWE Striker for his VAMP, wouldn’t you know that one got destroyed along the way as well.
*Grunt was the original foot soldier and has had many upgrades over the years, but in 1985 Footloose became the new foot soldier, both who have been great characters over the years but the gear and uniform edges out here and for me one of the first figures I ever bought is Footloose.
*ZAP was the original bazooka soldier, but Bazooka came along and was a great addition to the Joe line up. Although I love Bazooka, ZAP is one of my all time favorites and edges out for the top spot here.
*The Cobra soldier also got an upgrade with the Crimson Guard, both have stayed strong over the years but the elite Crimson Soldier tops out among these 2.
*Flash was the original Laser gunner even though everyone had a laser rifle, but the laser rifle soldier got an upgrade with Sci-Fi in 1986 although I love the Original orange pads, Sci-Fi had a cool green suit and his pack and gun were very cool, so I’m leaning toward him for my top pick.
*In 1985 the beloved MOBAT got an awesome upgrade with the Mauler. Although I never had either one as a kid both are great in their own respect, but who could turn down Heavy Metal sorry Stealer you’re still awesome.
*The 1983 crew also got some counterparts such as Doc when Life-Line came out. Both of these are great characters but I’m going with Doc for my top pick. Although Life-Line had a cool portable life system pack he seemed more of a paramedic, where doc seemed like a character you could go to for advise as much as stitching of your wounds.
*Breaker was the original communication guy, but in 1986 Dial-Tone came into the picture. Breaker was one of the first figures I ever got as a kid but Dial-Tone was a cool upgrade with his uniform and pack, So I love Breaker and he was great for 1982, but Dial-Tone is one of my all time favorites, so he is my top pick.
*Gung Ho was the original old time Marine until Leatherneck another 86 upgrade came along. I love both these guys, both had unique uniforms and cool guns – I have to flip a coin- heads Gung Ho tails Leatherneck – heads it is.
*Short-Fuze was the first mortar soldier and I did get this figure for Christmas back in 82 – I also received his upgrade character for Christmas IN 1998 Downtown. Both are great and I still have my original Downtown, but Short-Fuze is another of my favorites so I’m going with the him.
*I could go on and on but finally I want to compare the 1984 Skystriker a staple jet for GI Joe, then it got a cool upgrade with the Conquest X30. Both had cool figures and both were designed well, but I can’t go against a 2 seater so the original gets my top pick.
What do you guys think – are there any other upgrades that you liked or didn’t like as much?
If you guys like this one I was going to do another down the road on other characters, there are so many, just thought it would be a good way to compare some of the awesome characters over the years. Let us know after the JUMP!
