Did you know that the G.i. Joe Action Figures were the very first action figures to be produced and came before the cartoon series?

The GI Joe cartoon series was a timeless classic for those who grew up watching it in the 80's.

The cartoon's popularity rose to a wide following and has spawned a vast array of toys, comic books, video games, clothing apparel and miniature action figures throughout 1980's and up to the 1990's.

But the concept of G.I. Joe was originally thought of in 1963 when toy creator and licensing agent Stan Weston first came up with the plan of a toy soldier/action figure based on the hit TV series "The Lieutenant".

He then brought it up to Don Levine the CEO of toy manufacturer Hasbro Co. at that time Mattell's Barbie doll was dominating the market but this was targeted only for girls.

Since there were no particular dolls made for boys, Levine and Hasbro saw the potential in the idea of one and it was the perfect opportunity to do so.

The development of the GI Joe Figure line led to the coining of the popular and now commonly used term "action figure". In order to make this new toy more appealing and markrtable to their intended market, young boys, they didn't want it getting labelled as a "doll" or "girlies toy" so someone came up with the term "action figure" to use instead and thus in 1964, Hasbro launched the GI Joe Action Figures brand.

The G.I. Joe action figures were military-themed, 12" articulated action figures that featured changeable clothes with various uniforms and accessories to suit different tasks and "adventures".

The initial G.I. Joe Action Figures represented the four branches of the United States Armed Forces such as the following: Action Soldier, Action Sailor, Action Pilot and Action Marine and at this time the GI Joe Figure name didn''t refer to a particular action figure or character but to the brand.

The figures appeal came from its articulation as it could be bent into various poses and that it also came equipped with accessories and outfits which were based on their real-life counterparts allow boys to re-enact the adventures and heroism of the war.

Its popularity was overwhelming and rose overnight in the U.S. much to the chagrin of their rival Mattell which only had Ken to counter with.

Hasbro, in order to create global popularity for the toy figures, licensed the product line to other countries it was met with wild successes around the globe.

In the years that followed, additional characters were added to the product line to satisfy the customers' interest and demand.

Timing was indeed everything.

Then came Star Wars and Hasbro were relegated to second position as the rival toy manufacturing company Kenner were granted the license to manufacture and produce Star Wars action figures.

The next important evolution in the G.I. Joe Action figures history, and in fact the hobby as a whole was the lifting of a federal regulation which prohibited the creation of children's programming based on toys in 1983.

The lifting of this regulation led to a flood of action figure lines based on childrens cartoons and became one of the largest marketing and selling action figures.

Some of the most popular action figures to emerge with this trend were He-Man, Masters of the Universe, GI Joe Figure, Thundercats, The Transformers and The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, to name a few.

Then in 1983 the market further evolved with the introduction of line from Todd McFarlane's "Spawn" action figure line.

These new figures were made with a high degree of attention to detail compared to any of the previous toys and caught the attention of adult action figure collectors as well as the kids.

McFarlane's influence and direct involvement with the design of the action figures based on his comic book has resulted in the high quality details of toy figures today and the huge popularity of the hobby among adults as well as children.

The hobby has now become so popular that action figures are produced of characters in video games, graphic novels, comicbooks, sports personalties and even performers in adult movies!!

And to think this all came about with the introduction of a boys "doll" back in the mid 60's.

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Hasbro G.I. Joe Releases 2009

G.I. JOE MOVIE 3-3/4-INCH MOVIE FIGURES

(Approximate retail price: $7.99: Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2009) The first-ever live-action G.I. JOE movie won?t hit theaters until August 2009, but you don't need to wait until then to see the stars from the movie cast as G.I. JOE characters. G.I. JOE invented the action figure category 45 years ago, and the movie-line 3-3/4-inch action figures continue this great legacy. All figures are sculpted to match their on-screen counterparts, including Sienna Miller as BARONESS, and Channing Tatum as DUKE. Figures come with high-tech gear and projectile launchers, allowing for play among multiple waves that are set to be released in 2009, starting in July.

G.I. JOE MOVIE PIT PLAY SET

(Approximate retail price: $99.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2009) Prepare for battle in the first-ever play set that recreates the fortress headquarters for G.I. JOE. Known throughout the G.I. JOE comics, animated series and now live-action movie as the underground command center of the G.I. JOE team, The Pit serves as the characters? training facility, living quarters and heavy equipment storage facility. The state-of-the-art expandable multi-level play set is equipped with sounds, an elevator and much more. It even includes an exclusive 3-3/4-inch General Hawk figure (not obtainable anywhere else) to begin the recruitment of your very own G.I. JOE team.

G.I. JOE MOVIE VEHICLES CLASS A

(Approximate retail price: $15.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2009) These are the smallest and most covert of the G.I. JOE vehicles made for the 3-3/4-inch movie figures. Outfitted with universal projectiles and launchers and a surprise attack feature, these stealth vehicles also come with a realistic articulated driver that will help guide you through your action-packed adventures.

G.I. JOE MOVIE VEHICLES CLASS B

(Approximate retail price: $24.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2009) This collection recreates the larger vehicles from the upcoming G.I. JOE movie. Each represents the most technologically advanced vehicles in the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA arsenal and is equipped with a hidden reveal weapons system. Designed to traverse a wide range of terrains, each vehicle comes with an action figure to help steer your squadron to victory.

G.I. JOE MOVIE NIGHT RAVEN VEHICLE

(Approximate retail price: $39.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2009) Based on the iconic jet from the 1980s and playing a big role in the upcoming movie, the COBRA NIGHT RAVEN comes fully loaded, with an array of engines, weapons, lights and sounds. The largest vehicle in the entire new G.I. JOE vehicle series, this jet also features a pump action "Lock and Load" system that readies the missiles for attack. Manning the controls in this ultimate G.I. JOE movie vehicle is a 3-3/4-inch Air-Viper figure.

G.I. JOE MOVIE 12-INCH NINJA FIGURES

(Approximate retail price: $22.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2009) With all the stealth of a ninja come the 12-inch versions of SNAKE EYES and STORM SHADOW, two of the most feared and respected characters in the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA saga. The deluxe expressions of these iconic movie figures include weapons, soft goods and battle actions that activate electronic sounds - a must for all ninja warriors in training.

G.I. JOE MOVIE 12-INCH CHARACTER FIGURES

(Approximate retail price: $15.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available Summer 2009) Inspired by the original 12-inch G.I. JOE figures from the 60s and 70s, the 12-inch movie character figures are highly articulated and feature weapons and apparel that match the characters from the film.

G.I. JOE MOVIE ACCELERATOR SUIT DUKE

(Approximate retail price: $69.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Summer 2009) This unique figure captures the spirit of the G.I. JOE team leader and all of the technology needed to fight the COBRA forces. The ACCELERATOR SUIT DUKE figure comes equipped with the armored accelerator suit that DUKE wears during a soon-to-be-classic scene from the upcoming G.I. JOE movie. When activated using an easy hand grip control, DUKE simulates his accelerator running motion, with motorized head, torso and arm movements as well as lights and speech with more than 50 phrases. With the ACCELERATOR SUIT DUKE figure, kids will be able to "run" with DUKE and play out their favorite scenes from the movie or create their own new G.I. JOE missions.

G.I. JOE MOVIE SNAKE EYES ROLE PLAY SET

(Approximate retail price: $24.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Summer 2009) Gear up and get ready to take on the role of everyone?s favorite Ninja from the G.I. JOE team. With the SNAKE EYES katana-style sword, which features special lights, sounds and a secret dart launcher hidden in the handle and SNAKE EYES mask, kids can play the part of their Ninja hero.

G.I. JOE MOVIE TOUGH TROOPERS

(Approximate retail price: $22.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2009) Tough enough for any G.I. JOE in training, the trooper figures are perfect for crash and bash play. Each figure has lights, fighting action sounds, and arm slashing action.

G.I. JOE MOVIE COMBAT HEROES

(Approximate retail price: $6.99; Ages: 3 & up; Available: Summer 2009) The G.I. JOE team continues its COMBAT HEROES action figures in 2009. Featuring cute, cartoonish styling of classic G.I. JOE vs. COBRA characters, these figures are smaller than their traditional counterparts and are perfect for both collectors and young ones new to the G.I. JOE regiment.