Collectibles

G.I. Jack

by Chris Wright

G.I. Joe's seen a lot of action since he and his 21 moving parts hit the retail-toy market back in 1964. There was the introduction of "flocked" hair in 1967, the "Kung Fu" grip in 1974, "bionic" strength in 1975, and movable "eagle" eyes in 1976. In recent years, more politically correct fighters have joined the ranks -- a G.I. Jane in 1997, followed a year later by a Japanese-American soldier.

This week, Hasbro introduced the latest innovation in small plastic soldiers: the "much-anticipated" John F. Kennedy G.I. Joereg. action figure. On Wednesday, in one of the weirder ceremonies to be held at the JFK Library, Hasbro CEO Alan Hassenfeld presented a 12-inch JFK G.I. Joe doll to the Kennedy Library Foundation. "It is a somewhat unprecedented event at the library," admits spokesman Tom McNaught. "It's, um, a G.I. Joe action figure."

The figure, which depicts the future president as a young Navy lieutenant, "has some resemblance to Kennedy," says McNaught. "Except it doesn't have the teeth."

Kennedy is not the only figure to be immortalized in plastic. Over the years, Colin Powell, George Washington, and William "The Refrigerator" Perry have all become part of the G.I. Joe family -- and all have gone on to become hot collectors' items. "Many people just leave them in the box," says Brian Savage of the G.I. Joe Collectors Club. According to Savage, a rare G.I. Joe can fetch up to $3000. JFK will retail for around $30.

"I recommend people run down to their local stores immediately," Savage says. "This figure appeals to more than your G.I. Joe collector." And yet the Kennedy figure leaves Savage feeling a little uneasy. "JFK is a specific hero," he says. "G.I. Joe represents the grunt, an Everyman who saved the world one back yard at a time."

Hasbro, however, is confident Kennedy will be a hit, and plans to introduce various accessories in the future. No word yet on whether these will include a Marilyn Monroe companion doll.