In 1982, following a six year hiatus, Hasbro revived the G.I. Joe toy-line with 3.75-inch action figures, branding it: A Real American Hero.  The relaunch was wildly successful becoming what many consider the most iconic toy-line of the 1980’s.  Thoroughly embedded in popular culture, the ARAH brand and it’s characters remain popular to this day.

To collectors, there is no carded figure more coveted than the ever elusive Cobra Commander.  The anticipation for the release of the Cobra Commander figure dates back to 1982 when Hasbro affixed his likeness on the face of all nine original carded G.I. Joe figures offering him only as a mail-away loose figure.  It would not be until the following year that the carded version of Cobra Commander was released at retail.  Quickly selling out of stores across America, kids ripped open the carded package so that they could play with their favorite villain. 

Top collectors know that locating a 1983 “explosion back” version of any carded character is exciting enough, but to discover the Cobra Commander version is almost unimaginable.  Hasbro released the “explosion back” cards in extremely limited quantity.  These cardbacks featured “coming soon” images of several characters.  The “explosion back” cards were quickly replaced by the standard 20-back card that displayed all twenty characters, eliminating the “coming soon” images.  Very few unopened “explosion backs” have survived.

Presented is an “unpunched” version of the first release Cobra Commander carded action figure.  It’s rarity is unquestioned: only nine “explosion back” examples exist in the AFA Population report as of August 2016.  Condition here is remarkably fine, with vibrant colors and a gloss to both the card and figure that supplies a factory fresh sheen to the aesthetics.  The figure stands perfectly upright and it’s legs are tight and without movement.  The piece was graded only a few years ago by AFA utilizing their current grading system that includes subgrades: it earned an outstanding overall 85 grade including an 85 assigned to each of the three subgrades.  Its provenance is remarkable, tracing back to a former Hasbro employee who received it as a final engineering pilot prior to the retail release.  Following the collectibles formula that states desirability times scarcity equals value, one can certainly understand why records may fall when this treasured piece hits the auction block.  Encapsulated by AFA (85, 85-85-85), #4085375