GI Joe 1982

GI Joe Home Page / 1982 / 1983 / 1984 / 1985 / 1986 / 1987 / 1988 / 1989 / 1990 / 1991 / 1992 / 1993 / 1994 /

GI Joe 1982

The original GI Joe line faded away in 1978, but made a triumphant return in 1982. The size was changed to a more cost friendly 3.75 inch, and each character was assigned a classic Army profession. In addition, each figure included a “File Card” for that extra personalization. A new adversary called “Cobra” was also created for the Joe’s to battle. Hasbro released 11 figures on card and another, Cobra Commander, through mail-order. Also released were several accessories, three vehicles and a playset.

For more information about Hasbro’s GI Joe line from 1982, see bottom of the page for a complete summary. 

GI Joe (1982): Basic Figures

The first series of figures contained 12 in total, with 11 of them being released on cards and Cobra Commander offered as a mail-order promotion. Four additional figures were released with various vehicles and accessories as well.

Breaker:
Communications Officer

Market Value:
Carded $250 – $350
Loose $55 – $80

File Name: Kibbey, Alvin R.
Accessories: Radio, Backpack, Helmet
Years Released: 1982, 1983
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but it’s getting tougher each year
Notes: Like all figures from this wave, Breaker was later released with the new swivel arm action feature. Breaker still had that classic Joe look about him with the beard, short hair and green fatigues.

Cobra:
The Enemy

Market Value:
Carded $450 – $550
Loose $65 – $90

File Name: Unknown
Accessories: Sniper Rifle
Years Released: 1982, 1983
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on the secondary market
Notes: Like all figures from this wave, Cobra Soldier was later released with the new swivel arm action feature. This figure was the basic Cobra grunt soldier, but was released as simply “Cobra”.

Cobra Officer:
The Enemy

Market Value:
Carded $550 – $650
Loose $75 – $100

File Name: Unknown
Accessories: Rifle
Years Released: 1982, 1983
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on the secondary market
Notes: Like all figures from this wave, Cobra Officer was later released with the new swivel arm action feature. You can’t have an army without officers, so here is the Cobra officer figure.

Flash:
Laser Rifle Trooper

Market Value:
Carded $250 – $350
Loose $45 – $70

File Name: Gambello, Anthony S.
Accessories: XMLR-1A Shoulder Fired Laser Rifle, Power Pack, Helmet
Years Released: 1982, 1983
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but it’s getting tougher each year
Notes: Like all figures from this wave, Flash was later released with the new swivel arm action feature. Flash was one of the cooler looking “basic” figures from the first wave with his unique look and accessories.

Grunt:
Infantry Trooper

Market Value:
Carded $275 – $375
Loose $45 – $70

File Name: Graves, Robert W.
Accessories: M-16 Rifle, Combat Pack, Helmet
Years Released: 1982, 1983
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but it’s getting tougher each year
Notes: Like all figures from this wave, Grunt was later released with the new swivel arm action feature. Grunt comes with his classic M-16 rifle and combat pack.

Rock ‘N’ Roll:
Machine Gunner

Market Value:
Carded $250 – $350
Loose $60 – $85

File Name: McConnel, Craig S.
Accessories: Heavy Machine Gun, Helmet
Years Released: 1982, 1983
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but it’s getting tougher each year
Notes: Like all figures from this wave, Rock N Roll was later released with the new swivel arm action feature. Rock ‘N Roll still has that classic Joe look, which was changed in later releases.

Scarlett:
Counter Intelligence

Market Value:
Carded $450 – $550
Loose $90 – $130

File Name: O’Hara, Shana M.
Accessories: XK-1 Power Crossbow
Years Released: 1982, 1983
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on the secondary market
Notes: Like all figures from this wave, Scarlett was later released with the new swivel arm action feature. Scarlett comes with her signature crossbow and is definitely a fan-favorite character.

Short-Fuze:
Mortar Soldier

Market Value:
Carded $275 – $375
Loose $50 – $75

File Name: Freistadt, Eric W.
Accessories: M-1 81mm Medium Mortar, Ammo Pack, Helmet
Years Released: 1982, 1983
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on the secondary market
Notes: Like all figures from this wave, Short Fuze was later released with the new swivel arm action feature. Short-Fuze comes with his 81 mm mortar, ammo pack and helmet.

Snake Eyes:
Commando

Market Value:
Carded $800 – $1000
Loose $100 – $150

File Name: (Classified)
Accessories: Sub Machine Gun, Explosives Pack
Years Released: 1982, 1983
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Like all figures from this wave, Snake Eyes was later released with the new swivel arm action feature. Snake Eyes is without a doubt, one of the most popular characters created for the new Joe line and remains highly sought after by collectors.

Stalker:
Ranger

Market Value:
Carded $450 – $550
Loose $80 – $110

File Name: Wilkinson, Lonzo R.
Accessories: M-32 “Pulverizer”, Sub Machine Gun
Years Released: 1982, 1983
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Like all figures from this wave, Stalker was later released with the new swivel arm action feature. Stalker came with his machine gun and M-32, and was another fan-favorite character for the new Joe line.

Zap:
Bazooka Soldier

Market Value:
Carded $250 – $350
Loose $60 – $85

File Name: Melendez, Rafael J.
Accessories: Bazooka, Ammo Pack, Helmet
Years Released: 1982, 1983
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher each year
Notes: Like all figures from this wave, Zap was later released with the new swivel arm action feature. Zap comes with his signature bazooka, ammo pack and helmet because safety always comes first…….

GI Joe (1982): Exclusive Figures

Cobra Commander Mail-Order Figure

Market Value:
With Packaging $650 – $800
Loose $225 – $325

Cobra Commander: Mail Order Promotion Figure
File Name: Unknown
Accessories: Laser Pistol
Years Released: 1982 (Mail-Away Offer Form)
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on the secondary market
Notes: Cobra Commander was released on a regular card for the 1983 and 1984 lines with the new swivel arm action. Cobra Commander was also available in the Missile Command Headquarters.

GI Joe (1982): Accessories

Hasbro released four brand new accessory packs for the initial wave in 1982, along with a cool looking collector’s case to stash all your Joe’s into.

FLAK

Market Value:
Boxed $70 – $95
Loose $25 – $40

FLAK (Field Light Attack Cannon)
Accessories: Swivel and elevating cannon, Base
Years Released: 1982, 1983
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but it’s getting tougher each year
Notes: There were no major variations to the packaging on the 1983 released version.

HAL
(with Grand Slam)

Market Value:
Boxed $140 – $165
Loose $65 – $90

HAL (Heavy Artillery Laser)
Accessories: Grand Slam Figure, Swivel and elevating Laser, Base
Years Released: 1982, 1983
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but it’s getting tougher each year
Notes: There were no major variations to the packaging on the 1983 released version. Grand Slam was modified with the new swivel arm action in 1983.

JUMP

Market Value:
Boxed $120 – $150
Loose $50 – $75

JUMP (Jet Mobile Propulsion Unit)
Accessories: Launch Pad, Command Console, Pack
Years Released: 1982
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but it’s getting tougher each year
Notes: There were no major variations to the packaging on the 1982 version, but a pilot was included with the updated 1983 release.

MMS
(with Hawk)

Market Value:
Boxed $135 – $160
Loose $50 – $75

MMS (Mobile Missile System)
Accessories: Hawk Figure, Removable Missiles, Missile Base, Control Box
Years Released: 1982, 1983
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but it’s getting tougher each year
Notes: There were no major variations to the packaging on the 1983 released version but the Hawk figure was modified with the new swivel arm action feature.

Official Collector Display Case

Market Value:
With Packaging $200 – $250
Loose $40 – $65

Official Collector Display Case
Accessories: Figure Straps, Card Holder Straps, Decals
Years Released: 1982, 1983, 1984
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found loose, but tough to find with packaging
Notes: There were no major variations to the packaging on the future released versions. The case could hold 12 figures, along with a compartment for their weapons and file cards.

GI Joe (1982): Playsets

Hasbro releases only one playset for the initial Joe re-release wave in 1982 with the new Missile Command Headquarters. This set was mostly cardboard but Hasbro would get MUCH more creative in future playset releases.

Missile Command Headquarters

Market Value:
Boxed $200 – $300
Loose $80 – $110

Missile Command Headquarters (Sears Exclusive)
Accessories: Cobra, Cobra Officer and Cobra Commander Figures, Multiple Cardboard Pieces, Seats, Cruise Missile, Movable Elevator, File Card Holder
Years Released: 1982, 1983
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found, but it’s getting tougher each year
Notes: This was the very first GI Joe playset and it was pretty basic as far as playsets go, since it was completely made of cardboard. The set was a SEARS exclusive and was available for the 1982 and 1983 lines. It included 3 Cobra figures, including Cobra, Cobra Officer and the brand new Cobra Commander. The packaging had no major variations from each wave.

GI Joe (1982): Vehicles

Hasbro released three new vehicles as part of the initial GI Joe re-release in 1982 with the MOBAT, RAM and VAMP.

MOBAT
(with Steeler)

Market Value:
Boxed $135 – $160
Loose $75 – $100

MOBAT (Motorized Battle Tank)
Accessories: Steeler Figure, Rotating Turret, Tow Hook
Years Released: 1982, 1983, 1984
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found, but it’s getting tougher each year
Notes: There were no major variations to the packaging on future released versions but the Steeler figure was modified with the new swivel arm action feature.

RAM

Market Value:
Boxed $135 – $160
Loose $40 – $65

RAM (Rapid Fire Motorcycle)
Accessories: Vulcan Gatling Cannon, Saddle Bags
Years Released: 1982, 1983
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found, but it’s getting tougher each year
Notes: There were no major variations to the packaging on the 1983 released version. The RAM was one of the more basic Joe vehicle releases.

VAMP
(with Clutch)

Market Value:
Boxed $135 – $160
Loose $55 – $80

VAMP (Multi-purpose Attack Vehicle)
Accessories: Clutch Figure, Machine Guns, Gas Cans, Tow Hook
Years Released: 1982, 1983
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found, but it’s getting tougher each year
Notes: There were no major variations to the packaging on the 1983 released version but the Clutch figure was modified with the new swivel arm action feature.

In 1964, Hasbro first released the original GI Joe toy line to capture the male toy market and try to duplicate the massive success of Mattel’s female driven Barbie toy line. This was the first time that any company had issued a wide scale toy line based on one singular theme, which are now, of course, known as action figure lines. The GI Joe line changed through the years to match the times, but eventually faded away in 1978 with the Super Joe series. Hasbro decided to bring back GI Joe in 1982, but made the bold decision to change the scale of the figures from the classic 12 inch to a much more cost friendly 3.75 inch (thanks to the success of another little toy line called Star Wars). Hasbro wanted to re-capture that GI Joe magic by still giving each character a classic Army profession, but now also gave them code names to add depth and personalization. Each figure came with a “File Card” that laid out the entire back story of each character, which really allowed you to get into that character and add that extra playability factor. Hasbro also created a new adversary for the Joe’s called “Cobra”. Cobra would grow and evolve over the years, but would always remain the big bad in the Joe universe.

The smaller sized figures really caught fire with a brand new market audience and sold extremely well. Hasbro had a real hit on their hands and could barely keep up with consumer demand. This first line saw 11 figures released on cards and another, Cobra Commander, released through a mail-order offer. Each of these figures were released with a “straight arm” feature, which is a bit misleading. The figures didn’t actually have straight arms, they absolutely bent at the elbow but had a very limited bending action, thus the “Straight Arm” label. Future lines, beginning in 1983, added a swivel arm action to give the figures more articulation when holding their accessories. These initial straight arm figures are tough to find nowadays and have become highly coveted by collectors.

The GI Joe packaging was simple but very effective with the classic GI Joe red, white and blue logo on top of each character, stepping out of an exploding background. The character pictures were beautifully drawn and I loved the action poses each of them were in. Despite the smaller size, Hasbro still managed to put in a lot of detail with some pretty cool looking accessories. My personal favorite piece from this initial line was without a doubt, the MOBAT tank with Steeler.