There are few toy lines from the 1980s that made as lasting an impression as Hasbro's GI Joe: A Real American Hero . First released in 1982, this new generation of GI Joe figures introduced an entirely different approach to the action figure. Smaller, more affordable, highly articulated, and supported by an expanding fictional universe, the line quickly became a defining part of 1980s popular culture. For this project, I'm taking a look back at the original 1982 release, the creative contributions of Larry Hama, the characters and their famous filecards, and the vehicles that helped establish the GI Joe universe. I'm also showcasing my own collection of 28mm miniatures representing the original Joe team and their vehicles, bringing these classic characters into the world of tabletop miniature wargaming. The Birth of A Real American Hero GI Joe originally appeared in 1964 as a 12-inch military action figure produced by Hasbro. The original concept was revolutionary, establi...