Creator Profiles and Creator Commentary are integral to 3DJoes!

Over the course of the next decade we hope to interview any willing participants that were key architects of the G.I.JOE brand during the A Real American Hero era. If you worked on G.I. Joe from 1982-1994 and want to participate in the 3DJoes oral history project, please contact us through Facebook or Twitter and we will make it happen!

From these interviews we will create in depth "Creator Profiles" with extensive audio interviews. In addition to showcasing these interviews, the Creator Profiles will consolidate old magazine articles, TV interviews and additional media from around the web.

We will also add "Creator Commentary" audio clips to individual preproduction figure or vehicle pages.

Finally, we will gladly promote other fans' efforts to acknowledge the creators behind our favorite brand and link to their content (with their permission). If you have creator focused content and would like for us to include it here on 3DJoes, then please contact us through Facebook or Twitter. We would love to team up to make this resource as comprehensive as it can be!
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FEATURED CREATORS:

MARKETING:

Kirk Bozigian

​Kirk Bozigian was arguably the most influential contributor to G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. He worked on the brand since before the big launch in 1982 and served on and off through 1994, the last year A Real American Hero was on shelves. 
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​Vinnie D'Alleva​

​1990-1994 G.I.JOE: A Real American Hero Brand Manager

PRODUCT DESIGN: FIGURES

Ron Rudat

Ron Rudat was the figure designer behind G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. From the rebirth of G.I. Joe in 1982 until he moved off of the brand in 1986, every figure sprung from his mind onto the page. He also designed vehicles and decals, books, and the Cobra logo!

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​Mark Pennington

​Mark Pennington worked at Hasbro on G.I.Joe as the second full-time figure designer from December 31st, 1985 to August 1988. In that time he helped develop over 75 figures. Having scratched the G.I.Joe itch, Mark decided to leave Hasbro in August of 1988 to pursue a career in illustration. Mark "wanted to do comics, and illustration and fantasy art." Mark quickly found success in comics, earning an Eisner Award nomination for best inker in 1993. Read on to learn more about this incredibly productive artist! ​

PRODUCT DESIGN: VEHICLES + PLAYSETS

Guy Cassaday

​Guy Cassaday was one of Hasbro's most productive vehicle designers. He worked on G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero's from 1985-1990. The 1986 Conquest X-30 was his first vehicle, and he soon went on to be labeled "The King of the big vehicles" after designing the 1987 Mobile Command Center. This name stuck, and he went on to design the 1988 Rolling Thunder, the 1990 Hammerhead, and the 1990 The General. He didn't just design big vehicles though, he also designed Serpentor's Air Chariot, the Dreadnok Swampfire, the Coastal Defender, the Persuader, the Skystorm, all four 1989 Battlefield Robots, and more. Some of his canceled designs have also generated tremendous buzz in the community, such as the Cobra Sub and the Cobra Island playset. Read on to learn about his impressive contributions to the brand. 
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Ron Rudat

Although Ron was primarily utilized for figure design, he was occasionally able to sneak a vehicle design into presentation meetings. Over the years he worked on several vehicles including: 1983 Cobra F.A.N.G. and Cobra S.N.A.K.E., 1984 VAMP Mark II (the roof, doors, and decals), 1985 Cobra Hydrofoil (Moray) and Cobra Flight Pod, 1986 Cobra Air Chariot, Dreadnok Thunder Machine and Triple T, 1987 Cobra Pogo and Dreadnok Cycle. He also created the decal sheets and logos for the 1983 Skystriker and Dragonfly and the 1985 Cobra Hydrofoil, among others. 
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​​Steve Reiss

​​Steve Reiss is a designer and illustrator. From 1984-1988 he worked as Designer Director and Sr. Design Director of Boys Toys at Hasbro. During his time at Hasbro, he worked on Air Raiders, Transformers, and G.I.JOE: A Real American Hero.

WRITING

Larry Hama

Author and artist, Larry Hama wrote the lion's share of the file cards and comic books for G.I.JOE: A Real American Hero, effectively turning plastic into people, and giving us kids a whole world to explore and enjoy.

SCULPTURE:

Bill Merklein

​Bill Merklein was perhaps the most prolific figure sculptor behind the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero brand. He worked for Hasbro as a freelance sculptor from 1983 to 1989 and during that time he sculpted over 70 G.I.Joe figures.  Mr. Merklein's career went beyond the G.I. Joe brand.  He also sculpted toys and statues for Air Raiders, Alien 3, COPS, Dungeons & Dragons, Mighty Max, Star Wars, The Crow, Visionaries, X-Men and more. Bill's passions go beyond toys, he is a prolific painter and military miniature sculptor.

Paul Sorton

Paul sculpted for many toy lines, including G.I.JOE. His contributions to our favorite brand include: 1991 Cobra B.A.T. v2, 1992 Destro v3 (Paul sculpted the arms, Charles Bozzo sculpted the rest), ​1992 Eels v2, 1992 Headman (D.E.F.) (with some help on the face from Charles Bozzo), 1992 Toxo-Zombie (Eco-Warriors), 1992 Slice (Ninja Force), 1993 Beach-Head v2 (top half), and 1994 Ice Cream Soldier.

BRANDING / PACKAGE DESIGN:

Ed Morrill

​Ed Morrill partnered with Hasbro to help develop and evolve G.I.Joe branding and packaging for 20 years, from 1969 to 1989. Read on to learn more about this incredibly productive designer and entrepreneur! 

PACKAGE ART:

Doug Hart

Doug Hart worked at Hasbro from 1984-1999 and contributed countless artworks to the G.I.JOE: A Real American Hero line from 1987-1994, as well as many other brands. 

CREATOR INTERVIEWS: 

Over the course of a few years, we filmed ~50 hours with several key architects of the G.I.JOE: A Real American Hero brand. These interviews were transcribed and worked into The Art of G.I.JOE: A Real American Hero Omnibus Hardcover, and then they were edited down to ~10 hours of content and rolled out as The Art of G.I.JOE: A Real American Hero Blu-ray Digipack. Now they are presented here for free and in perpetuity for your viewing pleasure. If you'd like to support 3DJOES, please consider picking up the Digipack here.