I thought I’d take a crack at this week’s League topic (simply: Yo Joe!) since it’s both something I’m interested in (G.I. Joe obviously) and it just so happens that I have something new in my collection that fits in perfectly with the subject. Not that long ago I was happy that I could provide a friend (the ultra rad Sarah Szefer) with a much-needed toy accessory that she’d been missing for awhile, and as an unexpected “thank you” she sent a small care package. Since she lives up in Canada, specifically in Quebec, she thought it would be awesome to gift me some cool 80s era French-Canadian ephemera. One of the bits that caught my eye was this awesome comic book advertisement from 1984-85…
I’ve never personally seen an English version of this ad, so I’m not sure if it was strictly used in foreign markets or if I just missed it. Either way this is a really neat ad that is way more in line with all those cool diorama set-ups you’d see in the old Sears Wishbooks. I always loved the creativity in those since they tended to utilize natural materials mixed with art for the setting like the sand and rocks above. I love the addition of the fake aquarium vegetation and the awesome impressionist forest fire depicted in the background painting. Too cool. I think I also love these types of play set-ups because I spent the majority of my G.I. Joe playtime as a kid setting up battles like this and then never actually acting them out. It was all about setting the stage for me, and these sorts of advertisements (or the wishbook spreads) were sort of like toy porn in my eyes.
So thanks a million for sending me this Sarah, it totally made my week! If you like what you saw here and would like to see more League posts about G.I. Joe, check out these other great sites…
Stacey, Geeky Vixen, is waxing nostalgic about old friends and discovering badass Ladies in G.I. Joe!
Michael, Retromash, takes a look at Joes from the UK perspective with Action Force!
Jathaniel shares some artistic Joe pictures from his instagram account!
Derek, Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks, shares some awesome G.I. Joe kid’s picture books (Earl Norem Art!)
Erik Johnson talks about Joe Gibken from Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger!
Brian, Cool & Collected, talks about his Joe team, those 82-85 characters!
