The real American hero

A diorama created with Yatin Sharma’s

It's ironic that a line of products that is almost completely based on traditionally male archetypes such as guns and violence was originally conceived as 'dolls for boys'. Of course, at the time that GI Joes were conceived in the early 1960s, no one associated with their development was allowed to refer to them as such. Instead, the more masculine 'action figure' term was coined to appeal to the sensibilities of young boys and their discerning parents.

GI Joe collectibles

This was how Hasbro-produced prototypes named Rocky (a marine), Skip (a sailor) and Ace (a pilot) were introduced to the world, before the universal name GI Joe was coined, explains Navi Mumbai-based Yatin Sharma, a graphic designer and an avid collector of action figures.

"Growing up in the 1980s, the world of GI Joes gave children like me an escape from the mundane. They are my most prized possessions and I have since amassed a sizeable collection," he says, pointing out that the art of collecting is both nuanced and expensive - figures that are now out of production, and are hence prized by collectors, sell for more than Rs 5,000 a piece. Collectors scour online stores and communities, or swap or buy from other collectors from across the world.

Watch
Eighties kids will have a nostalgic fondness for the original '80s animated series, GI. Joe: A Real American Hero, which can be streamed for free. The episodes comprise three story arcs from the classic series, including The Revenge of Cobra.
Log on to: youtube.com

Collect
Authenticity is a major challenge for new collectors, especially for relatively niche collectibles. This online store lists a selection of original action figures.
Log on to: www.superherotoystore.com

Read
This collection comprises classic GI Joe issues #1 to 10. Written by Larry Hama, the man who is synonymous with GI Joe, this 240-page book has been praised by fans for its action-heavy format and interesting story arcs.
Log on to: amazon.in

Play
GI Joe: War on Cobra was developed in partnership with Hasbro. It contains new missions as well as a number of fan favourite heroes from the animated series. Players can choose their sides and engage in strategic battles.
Log on to: Google Playstore