Next year, Hasbro‘s groundbreaking G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (ARAH) toy line turns 40, and the company is celebrating in a big way.
At Hasbro Pulse Con 2021, the G.I. Joe brand team dropped the curtain on the first-ever G.I. Joe HasLab project: the G.I. Joe Skystriker. Created to celebrate the 40th anniversary of ARAH — the 1982 line that reinvented G.I. Joe in the popular 3.75-inch scale — the G.I. Joe Skystriker is a modern reimagining of the famed F-14 Tomcat-inspired jet. The jet will be packed with features for play and display and will ship with several accessories.
This project also marks the return of the fan-favorite “O-ring” style action figures of the 1980s. As many collectors of vintage toys know, the rubber O-rings used to assemble the original ARAH action figures were never meant to last, and eventually broke down and disintegrated, creating a cottage industry for replacement parts and restoration. The relaunched O-ring line uses food-grade silicone that is expected to far outlast the life of the originals. Each figure comes with cloth parachutes.
The Skystriker comes packed with O-ring figures of Ace and Wayne Ruthel, and includes a re-fueler tank and ammo cart; a variety of blast effects pieces and missiles; a ladder and fuel tanks; and an articulated stand for the jet. Additionally, the Skystriker includes all-new engineering, with a movable joystick in the cockpit; functioning landing levers; swappable black tail fins; and more. Finally, it comes with different sets of decals so that fans can decorate their Skystriker to resemble the original model from the 1980s or like an authentic F-14 Tomcat.
This HasLab project is also unique in that, for the first time ever, Hasbro revealed what additional accessories can be unlocked immediately upon launch. A minimum of 10,000 backers are required to send the Skystriker into production at $229.99. The unlocks are as follows:
- 13,000 backers: Scarlett O-Ring Action Figure in Flight Suit
- 16,000 backers: Rip Cord O-Ring Action Figure in Night Force Colors
- 18,000 backers: Two Pit Crew O-Ring Action Figures & Cloth Parachutes
As of this writing, the Skystriker has nearly 4,000 backers with 43 days to go. The funding period ends on December 7, 2021. Should the Skystriker move into production, Hasbro expects delivery to take place in the Spring of 2023.
Additionally, Hasbro Pulse launched preorders for an O-ring action figure two-pack featuring Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow.
Last year, Hasbro relaunched the G.I. Joe brand with the 6-inch scale G.I. Joe Classified Series and a 3.75-inch G.I. Joe Retro Collection of non-O-ring figures. This fall, Super7 launched a collection of Ultimates! Action Figures alongside a range of 3.75-inch G.I. Joe ReAction Figures that are presented as a “What If?” scenario as if the original ARAH-era figures had been produced with just 5 points of articulation in a vintage, Kenner Star Wars style. Despite many options for collectors, calls to “Bring back the O-rings!” have been answered. Now, it’s up to fans to back it.
For more Hasbro Pulse Con 2021 reveals, including new toys and collectibles from Power Rangers, Ghostbusters, Marvel Legends, Fortnite, Star Wars, NERF, and more, visit our sister publication, the Pop Insider.
