Sunday, August 17, 2025

Not Worth A Rat's Ass

The Story of Tunnel Rat: G.I. Joe’s Underground Legend and Larry Hama’s Legacy.

The story of Tunnel Rat is more than just camo paint and a big backpack—it’s the tale of a wisecracking, gum-chewing underdog who crawled his way into our childhood memories and just might be the most personal G.I. Joe of all time. Based on the legendary Larry Hama himself, Tunnel Rat first exploded onto the scene in 1987 and never really left—appearing in cartoons, comics, and toy shelves across decades. From his roots in Vietnam-era tunnel warfare to his unforgettable animated antics (giant worm, anyone?), this deep dive celebrates the Joe who always found another way in… or out.

Sunday, August 10, 2025

A Joe To Call My Own

The Story of the G.I. Joe with a Badge… and His Bomb-Sniffing Best Friend.

This is the story about Law & Order—the Military Police officer and his K9 partner who patrolled both toy aisles and cartoon frames in the late '80s. From being the only Joe named Chris (a personal big deal for me), to letting his dog play fetch with live explosives, to wearing a uniform that looked like it was sponsored by a pack of Crayola markers—this Joe left a mark. We’ll sniff through his comic adventures, his blink-and-you’ll-miss-it animated moments, and all the toy versions that followed—from his oversized Sonic Fighter backpack to the glorious 30th Anniversary figure. Whether you loved the 1987 movie or just wondered what happened to the Joe with the best good boy in the business that wasn't a....mutt—this one’s for you.

Monday, August 4, 2025

Renegade Round Up

The story of Sgt.Slaughter’s Renegades and Marauders is a mix of nostalgia, mayhem, and marketing madness.

Let's take a deep dive into two of G.I. Joe’s wildest sub-teams—Sgt. Slaughter's Renegades and Marauders. One made up of loose cannons and misfits, the other tried and true Joes with a color twist. Were these sub-teams bold new directions that added much-needed flavor to G.I. Joe—or was Hasbro trying a little too hard to keep things fresh? From Red Dog’s big toe blitz to Taurus’s circus spy backstory and Mercer’s "ex-Cobra" redemption arc, Sgt. Slaughter's Renegades were pure wild card energy. Meanwhile, the Slaughter's Marauders brought color coded classics to the battlefield. But were either team really that successful? Or were they all just weird experiments that ultimately went nowhere? What's your take on the Slaughter's Renegades and Marauders?