These G.I. Joes WERE NEVER PRODUCED! And I have them!

These G.I. Joes WERE NEVER PRODUCED! And I have them!
www.valaverse.com
Unproduced G.I. Joe action figures represent one of the most fascinating "what-if" aspects of toy collecting. Throughout the long history of the G.I. Joe franchise, many action figures were conceptualized and designed but never made it to store shelves for various reasons, including changes in marketing strategy, low sales projections, or the evolving direction of the toy line.
1980s: A Real American Hero Era
During the height of the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line in the 1980s, several figures reached the prototype stage but were ultimately canceled. One of the most well-known examples is the Cobra "Pythona" figure, based on the character from G.I. Joe: The Movie (1987). Despite her key role as a villainous femme fatale in the movie, she wasn’t produced as an action figure at the time, much to the dismay of fans. Pythona wouldn't get a figure until a limited release by the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club in 2016.
Another famous unproduced figure is "Rocky Balboa," based on the Sylvester Stallone character from the Rocky movies. Early promotional materials hinted at the inclusion of Rocky as a member of the Joe team, possibly as a boxer-turned-soldier, but this figure was scrapped when Stallone committed to the rival Rambo toy line. There were even prototypes of a character named "Sabertooth," who was designed as Rocky's enemy in the proposed storylines.
1990s: The Battle Corps and Ninja Force Era
In the early 1990s, G.I. Joe action figures became increasingly wild and colorful, with sub-lines like Battle Corps and Ninja Force. Among the canceled figures from this period was a series of new characters planned for the Star Brigade sub-line, which pushed G.I. Joe into space. Figures like "Predacon" and "Bio-Viper" were designed to expand the conflict beyond Earth, but they were never fully produced due to the fading popularity of the line.
Another unproduced figure from this era is "Manimal Vortex." The Manimals were a line of alien figures with transforming features, meant to capitalize on the popularity of transforming toys at the time. However, the entire sub-line was canceled before it hit retail shelves, though some prototypes and test shots have surfaced among collectors.
Modern Era and the 25th Anniversary Line
In more recent times, Hasbro has re-imagined many classic characters, but not all ideas have made it into production. The "Unproduced Desert Scorpion" from the canceled second wave of the 2011 G.I. Joe: Pursuit of Cobra line is an example. This highly detailed figure, based on a 1991 original, was never released to retail, although images of the figure surfaced online, creating buzz among fans.
Another notable figure that never saw the light of day was an updated version of "Kwinn," a fan-favorite mercenary from the G.I. Joe comics. Kwinn had several figures planned, including a version for the 25th anniversary, but they were repeatedly delayed or canceled. Fans did finally receive a figure of Kwinn in 2013, albeit with different design elements than originally planned.
The Fascination with Unproduced Figures
Unproduced G.I. Joe figures have become legendary among collectors, with prototypes, test shots, and concept art often becoming highly prized items in the collector community. Some figures, like Pythona and Kwinn, were eventually produced in later years, but others remain only in the realm of speculation and mystery. The allure of what could have been continues to fuel interest in G.I. Joe's rich history, as these unproduced figures offer a glimpse into the evolving world of toy design and storytelling.
For many collectors, tracking down the few remaining prototypes or discovering lost design documents has become the ultimate quest in G.I. Joe collecting. Unproduced figures represent a fascinating intersection of creativity, commerce, and the challenges of navigating the ever-changing toy industry.

[@Valaverse]

Would you have bought these?

[@Boromir9]

Absolutely 💯 ..... so when are Mech suits coming to the Action Force line !??!

[@Valaverse]

You guys really want some Action Force Mech Suits huh?

[@jonmorgan7621]

1000%

[@Boromir9]

@@Valaverse mayyyybee 😂

[@ck3073]

you should do mechs for your line.

[@buckieharrison7176]

Thanks for letting us Old Joe's see these lol. I still remember some of the battles my Joe"s went through. Unfortunately as i got older my Joe's was lost or i would give them to younger kids to enjoy and save the world with. I have thought about going back to my grandpa's old homeplace and metal detect and just see what all old coins, hot wheels or action figures i could find.

[@jdmusprime]

Pursuit of Cobra is arguably the peak of modern GIJoe design and world building. Almost entirely modern interpretations, creative environmental versions of characters, tons of accessories. I miss that time when companies would bust out amazing concepts. I still have a bunch of carded POC figures including lowlight and I’ll never sell em. Maybe one day I’ll attempt to recollect the line. Fantastic video as always!

[@jimmybacas8003]

POC Shadow Tracker is a must have figure🤘

[@ToyAttics]

Who thinks Action Force should have mech suits!?

[@loganpark2530]

💯This would tip me over into getting some.

[@ToyAttics]

@@loganpark2530 you don’t have any action force now?

[@nickdunlop07]

Absolutely you read my mind👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@hammertronactionfigures2426]

It would certainly be cool, but it might change the character of Action Force too much. Maybe a few mech suits like the COBRA S.N.A.K.E. Armor would be sufficiently near future sci-fi while maintaining the real world military look of the line would work best. Valaverse could make a whole new line dedicated to mechs.

[@MaximumWarp2099]

Yes

[@0Norck0]

The Pursuit of Cobra line is my favorite GI Joe line ever! That Dusty, beachhead, duke, Alley Viper… the paint deco was amazing and I remember they came with a ton of stuff

[@Its.Chad.]

Rad video! Always love the items that never made it out.

[@TheGeekViper]

That's crazy that a few years later the Collector's Club would use almost that exact same formula to make Desert Scorpion. I wonder if they saw what you did and tried to replicate it, or if they just had parallel lines of thought 🤔.

[@manofaction1807]

Those mechs were for sale for a year or two a couple of years ago. Someone was making them second hand in garage style development during the "Pursuit of Cobra" days.

[@seandavidr]

I always thought those volcano vipers were tests for what became the hazard vipers. But, now looks like those volcano vipers inspired the hazard vipers.

[@JamesLucas73]

Thanks for pulling back the curtain for us. Those are really cool. I definitely would have been interested in the Alpine figure. Both actually. I always wondered what happens with unproduced and/or canceled items...if they allow designers to keep their work or not? Thanks for these videos, Bobby.

[@stinny72]

I love stuff like this, and it’s cool to see the early days of your toy designing career. I will make one suggestion on videos like this in the future. Can you please do B Roll footage with close ups of the items your talking about so we can actually see them? The live cut in if the top down angle isn’t cutting it, and the whole vid I just wanted to SEE the figures and items you were actually talking about. Thanks!

[@victorgomez1703]

Hasbro has definitely been sleeping on Desert Scorpion, the guy is so iconic he deserves his own new mold. You would have figured we would have seen various iterations of him by now. As far as the volcano viper goes, I'm wondering how hard Hasbro is on guys like that for doing such. Or do they just kind of laugh it off and turn a blind eye? Absolutely love your design approach in terms of fire and ice, it sounded a little cliche at first but you really tied the idea together with alpine and desert viper. It was a really good/strong and simple design process you used. Kudos, would have bought!

[@humble1ne]

Dope video - I love seeing prototype and unreleased toys, especially those from my favorite toyline of all time, GI Joe. I'm an o-ring guy so the OG Joes of the 80s and 90s were my thing, but I do have a good amount of the "modern" 25th anniversary and movie figs tbat came out around the time you were interning.. I used to play with my kids with them and we had a blast. Those mech suits would've been cool to have. Thanks for the great content as always, BV!

[@Taikuken]

I wish you could have shown a close up view of desert scorpion. He was a favorite of mine growing up.

[@raffamang]

I remember delivering at Hasbro at the loading dock years ago before Hasbro Pulse was around...to the left of the dock was a huge hallway with a ton of diorama and toys piled on these industrial shelves....and at the end was a huge shred machine lol...this was easily 15 years ago

[@robertsinfiniterealms1308]

Oh wow. I remember when POC shifted to retaliation and we saw leaks of what was going to be in POC and I saw the pics of desert scorpion (might’ve even been Joecon) and getting so mad that DS never got released. The Has-bros hammered me for daring to be upset lol. 😂

[@ktg8030]

Thanks for the nice close ups of the figures so we could get a good look at them. Oh wait…

[@Valaverse]

Thanks for watching!

[@jonmorgan7621]

Im curious as to how we got toys like this way back when with all the paint, I mean the frosted windows chef's kiss, and cool accessories etc for such great prices? I figured as technology improved things would become more economically feasible to produce but instead a 6 inch figure is $25-45 now. Why?

[@brentbanks8021]

Economies of scale. An entire Joe/Star Wars figures production in 2024 likely equals a 1980 production run for 2 or 3 figures. Also, labor costs in Asia have skyrocketed since 1978. And figures were simpler and accessories were few.

[@jonmorgan7621]

@@brentbanks8021 True thank you for the insight labor I had not even considered I sorta figured it was all based on the cost of plastic or rather the price of fuel or gas leading to higher production costs. Lots of factors for sure.

[@NerdRahtio]

Always loved Desert Scorpion too, and Alpine in a big winter coat makes a ton of sense

[@LeonardoTDragon]

Bobby Vala: Crushing Volcano Viper dreams since 2024... Great vid as always. It's nice to get these peeks "behind the curtain"...

[@bsimon9427]

i need a part 2 video showing the drivers in the mech's

[@JAbell1966]

Blowtorch was the first thought when you pulled out that "Volcano Viper"

[@Ultramentsh]

Bob. Thank you for the inspiration. Because of this post. Today I'm kit-bashing GIJC desert commando Snake Eyes and Dusty into desert scorpion.

[@sharkMac]

Suite reminds me of Exosquad. From early 90s. Learning the history is still nice. Great review.

[@SoldadoColeccionista8927]

Cool story and great video!!

[@Valaverse]

Thanks for watching

[@skunkworksstudios]

Cool video I remember one of the last GIJCC conventions Daryl Depriest had a presentation on the “never produced” Adventure Team toys. It seemed like some of those designs inspired later early RAH vehicles. I love the un produced concept art stuff.

[@PCFDPGrey]

When I was a kid, my dad collected antique Heisey Glassware. One year we took a trip to Ohio and visited the museum where I learned that at the end of the day, the workers were allowed to "play" with the leftover glass and make their own items with the excess materials. I have thought that it would be fun if toy companies did something similar for their employees. Pick a day or a week where production parts are brought in, and the employees are allowed to create their own characters. It would be a unique perk for the employees, and for the powers-that-be, it could be a unique opportunity to showcase the imagination and talent of employees who might not otherwise get the opportunity to be recognized. Maybe hold an annual competition where the winng submission actually gets a production run. Maybe a similar competition among collectors. Offer a selection of parts, and the winner gets a production run. It would be a unique opportunity to receive input from both colleagues and collectors to receive recognition, and you never know, as the big boss, you might find someone that you want to add to your team.

[@DavidJones-zd9et]

Love the work you do

[@CB-ke7eq]

Would have been nice if you featured more close-up footage of the actual toys while you're talking.

[@TheBane2890]

Forgot it was Saturday, then I saw a new @valaverse video was posted! I was never into mech suits so I would’ve skipped those had they been released, but I do love seeing these behind the scenes/peeks into what the design process was behind figures!

[@ryantorney5581]

I love vids like this . Educate me , Valaman!

[@Valaverse]

Ha! Thanks for watching!

[@G7M9W]

The Joe Mechs from that era were so cool. Of these two, I like the Minotaur more, but that frost on the glass effect looks so cool. Might have to do that to a W.O.L.F. ...

[@level7toys763]

Awesome.. it is cool to see your excitement about the stuff you help make! Love to see a list of hasbro stuff you made

[@AFAFsamedwards]

This is a great video. Thanks for sharing Bobby and have a good day sir.

[@thephotoviper]

I have the red cobra mech, but I repainted it cobra blue, and swapped the arms with a rise of cobra hisstank gattling gun arms. Its one of my favorite vehicles...😊

[@podcastfromthepit3132]

Great video 👍

[@Silverbackcustomz]

Really like these peek behind the veil tales

[@robertott9083]

I remember seeing those somewhere. Cool job Bobby

[@Valaverse]

Thanks for watching!

[@manofaction1807]

I've always said that Battleforce:2000 was the R and D arm behind the Joe's wonderful toys. We played through several storylines where both Joes and Cobra were into espionage and technology theft, stealing each others equipment and tech. I had the mech suits, and was all in for the JoyToy style larger mechs, because THIS was the natural project evolution of the mech development.

[@GumbosGhost]

I was disappointed that Alpine was never release, he look awesome

[@JLSComics]

Great stuff, I love the unproduced stuff! Bravo Zulu, Bravo Victor 🤘

[@Micanick78]

Very nice Bobby thank for all you do for us..

[@ShhhUGARNINJA]

The genius behind Sand Scorpion calls him Desert Scorpion!! Thanks for this fun video

[@thephotoviper]

My volcano vipers are silver. They came with the mole pod variant with the red cockpit glass. I've also got a whole team of hazard vipers in orange, from the roc line. Both are great with toxo vipers, and zombies...😊

[@eddiemalhadeiro2252]

Loved those mech suits! Regret not getting a set at the time on eBay. Good video!

[@ktg8030]

I’ve got the Arctic Duke he is taking about. I took off Tatum’s head and put POC’s Duke on instead and it is one hell of a figure. Comes with a snow board.

[@hammertronactionfigures2426]

Maybe Hasbro will decide to make an actual Volcano Viper action figure and add it to the GI Joe Classified line.

[@ljkelty1766]

First, Pursuit of Cobra was peak modern GI Joe, hands down. Second, I would have loved a POC Desert Scorpion. I may be biased, being an 88-94 fan, but the 89-91 troopers will always be my favorite Cobra Characters. Interesting to hear that the Volcano was a fake. I remember people on that chat board named after a Cobra vehicle would become insane and abusive if you event suggested that it was a fake.

[@andersondealmeidatruta2641]

Bobby, your toys are amazing. Please send them to Brasil we need real military soldiers on our shelves.

[@CutThroatComics]

These videos Bobby are so cool, I get excited when you put out these videos. I think that is cool that volcano viper was just two factory workers playing around. Have other fakes ever hit the secondary market that you know of Bobby?

[@CowleyStudentJ]

Hasbro will now make a volcano viper.

[@manofaction1807]

"Steel Command", and Desert Snakes was the next Joe Sub teams that would have benefited from your mechs and characters, with whole new replacements for the Joes and Cobra.

[@V1C10US]

Please make a video on the processes of manufacturing in Asia. A lot of toy companies shy away from talking about it, and I don't know if it's because there are ethical concerns about using cheap labor, or they just don't want trade secrets out there, but I've always been very curious about the manufacturing phases post design.

[@robbieracer3294]

I always hoped that show How its Made would've shown action figures being made, but nope...they never did

[@KaeCommoner]

These are so cool Bobby! Nice job. Would LOVE some current mech suits too, just saying…

[@Rodimusprimerib]

We need some action force battletech style mech suits!

[@murraycorrigan5324]

So, what was the "Volcano Viper" made from? Also, my son would have loved the Mechs! Great topic! Thanks.

[@doro626]

Is it an insult or commendation to a line, that factory workers can just grab a few parts, paint them differently and make an unintended figure that looks pretty cool. I thought you were going to say it was barbeque or something, but cobra troopers with flame throwers is pretty cool. In ARAH CC uses a flame Thrower to save Serpentor from the Joes in Washington DC ,if I remember correctly.

[@mwg500]

Lots of people would have gone crazy to get new Desert Scorpions, though probably would have been irritated having to get new mechs with them. Alpine maybe could have been Iceberg instead? As for Volcano Viper, I remember lots of people wanting that to become a new version of Toxo-viper and we eventually saw something along those lines? And the version that came with the drill tank was found in Canada, and maybe Ross stores?

[@azurewyrm66]

Are those Sky Hawk canopies?

[@Valaverse]

maybe...

[@stinny72]

The biggest “unreleased” figure I remember from that era was the POC Ripcord with the Jetpack. I wonder if he was a kitbashed factory figure, or a legit, unproduced Hasbro design. I’m sure you’d know, Bobby!

[@airbornescustoms]

He’s a legit unproduced Rise of Cobra figure just like the unproduced Arctic Duke that Bobby is talking about in the video.

[@MrSp3c]

Microsoft should let you get the license to Halo. I feel like you’d knock it out of the park. Action Force is a masterpiece and the Swarm are my favorite faction

[@brianrowland8043]

Would love to see close up shots (articulated ninja style) of the figures during the video. The top down view is a little awkward.

[@Valaverse]

Next time!

[@Fore-Four-Dee-Too]

Cool figs. Great story.

[@yellowmartian]

Bobby, we need an Exo-Squad revival.

[@AllBreaksLoose]

Interesting ideas with those mechs. As an anime mecha can I can see the kid in me going nuts with those. I remember seeing Halo toys at target that were mechs. A six inch scale of those would be neat though....

[@Abbotttdesign]

@Valaverse but hey, talking about that Volcano Viper, you stated that factory workers got away with those parts from Hasbro. So then, it IS real; not fake. If they are real Hasbro parts, its real. The fact that the executives didn't sign off on the design doesn't mean they don't exist. They are 'real' guerilla action figures. If they are fake, we must then say that Alpine and Desert Scorpion Mech drivers are fake. Or in essence they are all real because they came from Hasbro.

[@dubyusmc]

Any update on Exo-Squad?

[@TheMajorBlazer]

I'd recommend redoing the video but have someone zoom in on the figures/vehicles when you're describing their features. Then I will give it a like

[@figure6pack]

Volcano Viper: similar to Midnight Chinese deco, and Profit Director Destro. (Pimp Dadday form) 😁😂👍

[@uniballoutlaw]

I do love mechs, besides G.I. Joe, Transformers, I was also a Robotech kid

[@OnionSavoya]

Gi joe classifieds are cool but prices are astronomical. Especially for vehicles. I think a return to RAH scale is a must

[@Valaverse]

Did you watch Toy Attics video this morning?

[@OnionSavoya]

@@Valaverse No did you?

[@Valaverse]

I’m in it talking about this

[@OnionSavoya]

@@Valaverse They need to do a 'next generation ' type fantasy line Where brand new characters take up the war with Cobra. That way they can acknowledge the past while building a new future. Also give fans a new comic series that ties into the toyline.

[@holonet1]

​@@OnionSavoyaLike the Star Wars sequel trilogy?!! Lol j/k

[@RogueKT21]

That volcano viper kind of looks like it inspired the classified mole rat albeit different colours.

[@doro626]

Hey Bobby. I know that old figures in a line become more valuable, but do toy companies care about lowering the "value" of first in line releases? If they dont, then why dont more companies go back and release the old stuff? I remember seeing the he-man documentary and they mentioned that new fans couldnt find OG heman in stores ( I was one of them), but the solution wasnt to release more OG he-man, it was to make thunder punch or the battle damage one.

[@sonofacrayonslayer]

why doesn't the wishlist on the website work?

[@abhishekdas8026]

The volcano viper being a fake is a shame! Looks 100 times better than Barbecue as a firefighter.

[@ryuhoshu3303]

Imagine scalping these to the guy that actually designed them!!! That’s nuts!!!!

[@valley559]

🔥🔥🔥

[@loganpark2530]

When you picked up these production proofs off eBay, were they in a lot together or completely loose / distinct?

[@Valaverse]

Don’t remember

[@danielmelendez9943]

I was a real G.I. joe fanatic from day one. I had the comic books and the figures uo until the prices got a bit expensive and i couldn’t afford them anymore. However. Why do the original toys when they cane out in the early 1989, specifically the tanks, airplanes and all terrain vehicles. They felt like someone at Hasbro had a military connection to the guys actually designing the real gear? Was that the reason the toys were so successful? IMO, i feel the toys, were based on real military gear, of course not the actual but close enough that you can now see it years after the fact. That part of the success was the design factor.

[@frankyv4570]

Alright Bobby why you tease us with mech suits? Now we need action force mechs

[@dracula1980]

Thanks for showing zero zooms of figures.

[@diggdirkler9445]

Crimson Shadows mech (or larger robot) named minotaur??

[@CHAINSAWLOVE77]

COOOBBBRRRAAAAA!!!!!!!!!🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍

[@torpedo8384]

So close to the Exo Squad dream!

[@weasel1btr]

Just ran his mouth.. Show the suits mannnnn..

[@impossiblepie]

Bobby, forget the exo squad license , yeah create your own mech suits for action force.

[@allenrichard8795]

Damn those would've been bd a$$. Have a hint off the RoboCop ED-209 to me. 🎉

[@kenprime221]

Love what you did and wish they were made, think you might have a connection in a toy company to get them made wink wink. Think thery would make A great part of Exo Squad as well.

[@machineman6498]

Factory Workers are doing the best work. Oh… ah, yeah. Thank you for making this.

[@Valaverse]

You bet!

[@Logan-bd6fq]

love prototypes, I have two prototypes from necas tf2 line in unreleased colors. I don’t know the story behind them other than maybe canceled con prototypes

[@dzsquad1965]

Are them the joes mech bots,i got them at a discount store for 2.99 each and a few waves full waves of them last jie movies

[@zetaTF]

You call these GI Joe figures. I call these potential Action Force releases/inspiration.

[@xXTheAlleviatorXx]

🔥

[@eddyspurlock1299]

Can i get a job at Valaverse? I have a degree in art and drew for both Marvel and DC Comics as well as Mirage studios. I also sold toys at TRU, Wal-Mart and Target for over 25 years.

[@GreyHulk2156]

Surely Volcano Viper is as genuine a fake as you can get, as it were. I'm so confused! Haha! :S ;P

[@travisbrown1893]

This is cool. Should cut to some old pics or show some video of the toys posed up while you’re telling your story. Just you talking is kinda boring. I want action!

[@TheHairyGorilla]

Good topic but not for me as a Joe fan, The Mechwarrior fans would love them imo.

[@abhishekdas8026]

I don’t get why it should surprise anyone that Bobby is a lifelong Joe fan. ARAH was THE definitive military action figure line of the 80s and 90s, not to mention the most advanced mass-produced action figures of the time. One doesn’t simply wake up one day and decide to start a military action figure company from the ground up without being a Joe fan!

[@darkestcloister]

Get this; action force mech suit that transform?

[@alexherrera9305]

I only own 3 Mezco One:12 figures, the 3 versions of Conan they've released so far, overall nice figures but I think should've been taller. I've missed the chance to get other figures I was interested on like Frazetta's Death Dealer, John Wick and the TMNT set. I've also let figures like Solomon Kane and the Crow pass because I don't like the pleather soft goods. Regarding the 1:12 scale figures from chinese companies, both official and unlicensed, I've been getting some as of late, some look goofy and are cheaply made, some others look better than some Mezco's figures, better headsculpts and body proportions.