1994 Action Soldier

One of the 3 3/4" GI Joe action figures I had on my wish list was the 1994 Commemorative Action Soldier.  I was able to add a couple of them to my collection.  One I am keeping in the box, and the second one I was able to get I removed from the box so I could display it.  

I like the look of the figure as they tried to recreate the 12" figure into the 3 3/4" size.  They do a pretty good job, even including the iconic GI Joe scar on the right cheek.  The only complaint that I have is that the helmet is not removable, but that's just my personal preference.

Here's a look at the packaging of the Action Soldier.

Box front

Back of box

Trading card

Inside box flap

Here are a few shots of the action figure:

You can see the scar on Joe's right cheek!

These action figures were "individually numbered for collectibility" and you can find the number number on the bottom of the left boot.

On a side note, one of the Joe's I purchased had a very strong smoke odor that I noticed when I got it in the mail.  Unfortunately, I have bad allergies and wasn't sure how to get rid of the odor.  I did some research and experimented by placing the action figure and accessories into a zip lock back along with an open box of baking soda.  (I used the Arm & Hammer Fridge-n-Freezer odor absorber so it wouldn't spill in case it got knocked over!)  After about a week, the odor was gone!  Since then, I've learned to ask sellers if there are any odors on the action figures before I purchase them.  

This 1994 Action Soldier is a great collectible.  It commemorates the original 1964 GI Joe Action Soldier 12" figure in a shrunk down version but faithfully includes the iconic cheek scar.  If you ever get a chance to add one to your collection, I highly recommend that you do!!!

My Mike Power Project #1

A while ago I purchased a Mike Power Atomic Man vintage head and wanted to use it in a project.  I had also ordered a cybernetic body from Cotswold, so I decided for my first Mike Power project I would put the vintage head on the Cotswold body and create my own updated version of Mike Power Atomic Man!

Let me give you a little background on why this was a project for me.  First, I collected the 12" GI Joes when I was a kid in the late '60s and early '70s.  I remember going to the store and seeing Mike Power and Bullet Man action figures!  (I never had either one, but I do remember having a Six Million Dollar Man action figure.)  In September of 2019 I got back into collecting GI Joes (both 12" and 3 3/4") and wanted to make Mike Power a part of my collection.  I really liked his back story and the look of the original action figure.  But since most of the vintage figures are not in mint condition, I thought I could get a vintage head and put it on a newer Cotswold body.

I started researching how to repair and restore vintage Joes, and came across several videos that were really helpful.  I never knew that Joe's legs and head were attached by elastic!  Since the Cotswold body is a vintage Joe body, complete with the elastic attaching the head to the legs, I thought if I got a vintage Mike Power head, I could just simply swap out the head.  I was pretty nervous about that, worrying I might snap the elastic or somehow damage it.

Cotswold cybernetic body

My vintage Mike Power head came with the neck post, so all I needed to do was pull up on the neck post on the Cotswold figure and then put a pencil between the elastic to keep it from falling back into the body while I switched out the heads.  It took a little pulling and maneuvering, but I was able to get the neck post off the Cotswold body off and the vintage Mike Power head attached.  

Vintage Mike Power head with neck post

One thing I made sure of was that the Mike Power vintage head had the atomic eye complete and in working condition.  I've purchased a few other Mike Power figures and on one of them they eye lense is missing.  In some cases I've heard of the entire atomic eye apparatus missing.

Here's a look at my finished Mike Power project!  Like the original action figure, Mike has an atomic right arm.  However, unlike the original, he has two atomic legs.

Atomic eye activated!

A vintage Mike Power figure on the
left and my Mike Power special
project figure on the right

I was able to find a vintage Mike Power outfit and just need to wash it and put it on my newly created action figure.  I really like the look of how it turned out and had a lot of fun researching and working on this project.  It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be!

Major Mike Power - The Atomic Man!

NOTE:  Major Mike Power, the Atomic Man,  was introduced as an action figure in 1975.  Here's his biography and how he became a member of the GI Joe Adventure Team!  

In a clandestine meeting at a secret GI Joe Adventure Team outpost, the GI Joe Adventure Team Commander meets with Mike Power.  Power has requested the meeting as he wants to join the Adventure Team.  The Commander shares that it will be difficult.  Mike Power then reveals his atomic eye and limbs, astonishing the GI Joe Commander!  Power tells him that he was born with disabled limbs and dedicated his life to creating new atomic parts for his body.  He successfully created his atomic right eye, right arm and left leg, making him Mike Power, the Atomic Man!

GI Joe Commander is impressed, but still insists Mike Power put himself to the test to earn his spot on the Adventure Team.  Mike Power demonstrates his atomic power by running 200 miles per hour and lifting 10,000 pounds!  To top it off, his atomic eye looks through 6 feet of solid steel.  

The computer readout announces Mike Power has been accepted into the Adventure Team and he is immediately congratulated by the Commander.  The Commander tells him, "Welcome to the Adventure Team, Major Mike Power!!  Major Mike Power, the Atomic Man, the Adventure Team will be stronger and the world will be safer because of you!"

That is the biography of Major Mike Power and the highly classified story of how he came to be a member of the GI Joe Adventure Team!

I like the way Hasbro introduced Mike Power.  I know he's not as famous or popular as other GI Joes, but he is one of my all-time favorites and I will be writing more about him over time.