In May and June of 1981, Ron Rudat was sketching up a storm.
Category Archives: G.I. Joe Behind the Scenes
Cesspool by Groen
Cesspool started out pitched as a similarly eco-themed “Oil Baron.” I’m not sure if that was a codename (probably not) or a title, but the figure and his ilk evolved and we got Cesspool. Along the way, Cesspool dropped his earlier name, “The CEO,” and Eco-Warriors dropped its earlier monicker, “Eco-Force.” We met the Oil Baron here several years ago at A Real American Book!, in fact, another Kurt Groen drawing.
Filed under G.I. Joe Behind the Scenes, Toys and Toy Art
Wetsuit original sculpt by Merklein
The “Cobra Assassin” post from earlier today had some factual errors, so I’ve taken that down and am putting up this one it its place!
Bill Merklein sculpted around 65 G.I. Joe action figures in the 1980s.
Filed under G.I. Joe Behind the Scenes, Toys and Toy Art
Remembering Robert J. Walsh
Robert J. Walsh died last month. This is sad news.
I had the pleasure of meeting Rob for lunch in Los Angeles three years ago, and I’m going to jump to the middle of the story here for some levity and type three important words: Guitar-shaped pool.
But let’s start at the beginning.
Remembering Russ Heath
Filed under Animation, Comic Books, G.I. Joe Behind the Scenes
B.A.T. Concepts (#3) by Ron Rudat
From 1981 to about 1987, Ron Rudat was Hasbro’s G.I. Joe figure designer. This drawing likely dates to 1984 or 1985. As with the last two we’ve examined here at A Real American Book!, it’s Rudat figuring out the look of Cobra’s Battle Android Trooper. Here’s a production B.A.T. that I purchased in 1986:
Filed under G.I. Joe Behind the Scenes, Toys and Toy Art
A Real American Book! 
