Focus On: Scoop

1989: The original GI Joe era from 1982-1986 had just ended, and we were in the middle of what I like to call the "second era" of the line, the years of 1986 to 1991. Between these years we had new characters that were replacements (and in some cases, supplements) to original characters, a few new molds and new looks for older characters, and some characters that were so bizarre that their origin and place would forever be cemented in the late 1980's.

1989 was toward the end of this era, and proved to be an interesting one to say the least. The previous year had introduced the first-ever sub themes: Tiger Force and Night Force. Color-coordinated repaints and releases of older favorites became immensely popular among collectors (Night Force Muskrat being a personal favorite). In 1989 Hasbro came back out with two new collections, the Python Patrol (which is possibly the most popular) and Slaughter's Marauders (which is probably the worst, considering the figures were prone to constant crotch and finger breakage). Future favorites Night Viper, Alley Viper, and another Snake Eyes came out in this year as well. Today, I'd like to profile a severely forgotten figure that came out this year: Scoop.




Ask most collectors about Scoop and you'll most likely get puzzled faces. The reason for this? Scoop was only released for one year, was never remade, and his parts were never used again. His specialty would also play into this: Scoop was essentially a journalist/field reporter.



Although his filecard claimed he had (some) military background, I never really saw him as being in any hands-on combat situations, and how he is used in the community concurs with me. As a child, I had disgarded all of his accessories (and gave them to another, perhaps boring figure) and left him with his helmet, using him primarily as a vehicle gunner. Scoop's file card art is a bit silly, if you really analyze it. A man wearing about 60 pounds of television/radio equipment, into combat, and he's only arrmed with a small pistol? A little bit unrealistic if you ask me. However, there was no harm done when it came to Scoop. I have no disdain for the character at all, and view him (at least) as an intresting addition to the Joe line-up.

Unfortunately, I have to take a cynical turn now.

Looking upon the character today, I highly doubt that someone similar today could be added to the "GI Joe" of today. My main reasoning? The bulk of the community that follows the current product hates the media. Period. If a character like this would be relased in this day and age 2007, claims of being part of the biased "liberal-run media" would be slung left and right. Gone now are the days where journalists are viewed as independents, wherenow people judge them to have a bias even before one word comes out of their mouths. (To be fair to the neckbeards, both conservatives and liberals are guilty of doing this.) And a character like this would simply be too controversial in this day and age. It would be like bringing out a doctor and have one fan mention the word "abortion", to the same effect of throwing gas on a fire. Today's world simply cannot handle something too controversial such as a "combat journalist" and its a real shame.

Perhaps, Scoop was just right for his time.

- Tom Jacks, Esq.