Snow Your Joe!

The Snow Must Go On: A Chilly Look at GI Joe's Arctic Specialists ❄️ Ever wonder why GI Joe had so many snow troopers when half the world barely even sees frost? As a lifelong fan from the sunny, snowless Philippines, I’ve always had a frosty fascination with the coolest Joes on the team—guys like Snow Job, Iceberg, Frostbite, Blizzard, and Sub-Zero. In this episode, i'll slide into nostalgia and dig through the snowdrifts of toy history to uncover who these winter warriors were, what gear they packed, and how their stories played out across figures, comics, and cartoons. From Olympic biathletes and tundra rangers to machete-wielding ski instructors and snow ninjas (yes, really), these characters prove that cold just means an excuse to look extra badass. So grab your snowshoes and let’s chill with some real American (arctic) heroes!

Alternate Bounty Hunter

The story of the Transformers ultimate hunter, Lockdown! Lockdown isn’t just any shady and creepy character — he’s THE bounty hunter of the Transformers universe, a ruthless tracker with no allegiance except to the highest bidder. From his debut in Transformers Animated to his big-screen showdown in Age of Extinction, Lockdown has cemented himself as one of the most unique and feared characters in the franchise. Whether he’s stealing Ratchet’s EMP, training with Cyber Ninjas, or product placing for Lamborghini, he’s always a step ahead. But is he the ultimate bounty hunter in Transformers history? Let’s break down his legacy and find out!

Can You Smell What The Block Is Cooking?

The Story about ROADBLOCK — The GI Joe Legend with a Machine Gun and a Frying Pan What do Magic Johnson, a tooth fairy, and a giant machine gun have in common? They all somehow connect to Roadblock—the rhyming, righteously cool heavy machine gunner of GI Joe! In this episode of Stories from the Toyshelf, I take a hilariously honest (and slightly awkward) walk down memory lane as I recount how childhood fears and Filipino family quirks somehow made Roadblock one of my all-time favorite Joes. From his animated heroics in The Revenge of Cobra, to comic book patriotism and neon space suits, to that time The Rock tried to ninja-fy him (sigh), we cover it all! Whether you're a vintage toy collector, comic book fan, or just here for a nostalgic ride, this one's packed with rhymes, rifles, and ridiculous 80s action. So hit that like button, subscribe, and let’s fire up the grill—because Roadblock’s serving up some Joe history you won’t want to miss!

Hairy Scary Crazy Jarhead!

The Story about Gung Ho, the swamp-brawling, vest-rocking, chest tattooed Marine! 🐊💪🔫 From the Louisiana swamps to the frontlines of G.I. Joe, Gung Ho has brawled, battled, and bare-chested his way into Joe history! But what’s the deal with his powder blue uniform, mysterious hometown, and ever-changing tattoo? From his famous gumbo in the cartoons to his comic book beatdowns (including a couple of unfortunate run-ins with Storm Shadow’s sword!), we’re breaking down the legend of Ettienne R. LaFitte—aka the hairiest, scariest, and most grenade-launching Marine to ever rock a vest that may or may not be a repurposed tablecloth. Whether you grew up with the ‘83 original or the Mega Marine madness, there's a Gung Ho for every Joe fans! Yo Joe! 🇺🇸🔥

The Great Pretender

The Story of Bludgeon: The Decepticon Samurai Who Conquered Comics and beyond! So let's dive into the twisted, sword-swinging history of Bludgeon, the Decepticon Pretender who went from obscure toy to comic book legend. From his unforgettable samurai skeleton look to his brutal rise to Decepticon leadership under the pen of Simon Furman, Bludgeon’s journey is nothing short of epic! Plus, I’ll go over some of his coolest toys and ecplain why I think that he’s a standout among Decepticons. Grab your Energo-Swords and prepare to unleash the Metalikato madness!

Bat Out Of Hell

The Story about the often most overlooked minion of Soundwave, the Transformers Ratbat He's the most unexpected Decepticon boss you've probably never taken seriously — Ratbat! From his awkward debut as a "rat-looking bat" cassette to his wild ride as a cold and calculating leader and sinister mastermind in the Marvel comics, this little bat sure packed a punch. And that's not it! I'm also taking a look at the different Ratbat toys, including that masterpiece knockoff I ended up getting...shhhhhh. And of course, the animated keytar version—because why not? Join me as we spread our wings and soar through the twisted tale of Ratbat!

Less Is More

The Story about GI Joe covert operations specialist Lady Jaye. Why did Lady Jaye trade bullets for… javelins? And how did she become the Lady of G.I. Joe, standing toe-to-toe with Scarlett, Cover Girl, and even the Baroness? From her cartoon debut in The Revenge of Cobra to her surprising family ties with Destro (yes, that Destro), I'll dive into the full story of Lady Jaye — the covert operations specialist with a mix of military grit and pin-up girl charm. I'll also break down her iconic relationship with Flint, her risqué 80s card art, and every action figure release from the classic 1985 version to the modern Classified Series. Whether you’re a G.I. Joe collector, comic fan, or just here for some nostalgia-packed fun, let's go unzip everything there is to know about Lady Jaye

Ruling Through Wrecking!

The Story about the deadliest, toughest and oftentimes craziest Transformers best known for wrecking and ruling...the Wreckers! The Wreckers—Transformers' ultimate last-resort Autobot strike team—were born from forgotten toy molds and the UK comic pages, but they've since become legends in their own right! From the obscure Deluxe Autobots to the reckless Jumpstarters, the triple-changing warriors, and the unstoppable Springer, this video gets into the history, toys, and evolution of the Wreckers across Transformers media. Whether you're a comic fan, toy collector, or just love a team of hard-hitting bots with an attitude, it's time to gear up and shout Wreck ‘n Rule!

Hello! Ve Are The Vipers

The Story about the different Cobra troopers collectively known as...VIPERS. Cobra may be an evil terrorist organization, but let's be honest—their troopers are some of the coolest action figures ever made! From the classic blue-clad grunts of 1982 to the monstrous Bio-Vipers of the ‘90s, I'm covering every Viper to ever slither into the GI Joe universe. Who were the deadliest? The weirdest? The most bizarrely fashionable? And seriously—what was up with those Hydro-Vipers?!

The King's Knight

The Story about the purple creation of Unicron, the Decepticon Cyclonus. From his epic 1986 Transformers movie debut to his IDW glow-up, Cyclonus has been one of the most visually striking and fiercely loyal Decepticons in Transformers history. But there’s one debate that has raged for decades—was he forged from the remains of Skywarp, Bombshell, or...both?! 🤯 In this story, I'll go over Cyclonus' origins, his knightly devotion to Galvatron, his medieval trio with Scourge, and even his unexpected relationship with the minibot Tailgate. From G1 to IDW, to his blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Transformers Animated cameo, I'm covering everything you need to know about this purple enigma.

Hark The Herald!

The Story about the heralded Decepticon tracker, Scourge. The 1986 Transformers: The Movie introduced us to a wave of new characters, but few stood out quite like Scourge—the master tracker, Unicron’s herald, and low-key the most stylish of Transformers with his vampire-esque design and legendary mustache. But was he really just a mere reformat of Thundercracker? And how did he go from space surfboard to Matrix-wielding menace? In this story, I’ll explore Scourge’s journey from animation to toy shelves, his role in the comics, and his many reincarnations—including an evil truck and a three-headed dragon. If you’re a Scourge fan (or about to be), hit LIKE, leave a comment, and let’s celebrate one of Transformers’ most underrated villains!