The epic battles of G.I. Joe vs. Cobra continue at Jay's CD & Hobby! We have figures, vehicles and playsets from the 80's to present! We're frequently getting in new items. Stop on in and see the latest!

Looking to thin out or sell your collection? Give us a call: 515-287-4578 Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Mark your calendars! More details coming VERY soon! Stop back in a few days!!!

Iowa G.I. Joe Collectors Meet-Up
Join Us at Jay's Sunday, November 13, 2011

Loved G.I. Joes as a kid? Miss the days of battling Cobra, a ruthless terrorist organization trying to rule the world? Looking to score some missing pieces to your current Joe Collection? Hoping to meet-up with some friends who share your passion?

Jay's CD & Hobby is hosting the first All Iowa G.I. Joe Collectors Meet-up this November 13th, 2011. Catch some nostalgia, maybe a missing piece or two & meet fellow collectors from across the state. But most importantly, you'll have to chance to reconnect with action figure you loved as a kid!

There's a little bit for everyone. Check out all that's going on Sunday!

Custom Contest
There will be two different categories: 3 & 3/4 figures and 3 &3/4 Vehicle/Playset. Each must use at least 50% existing Joe parts. Entries will be limited to 2 customs per person. Entries must be submitted prior to 12:00 pm on the day of the meet-up. The winner will be announced at 4pm that day by our special guest judge. Must be present to win.

Prizes will be awarded to 1st place in both categories.

Kids Coloring Contest
Using coloring books from the 1980's ARAH series, our coloring contest will be something your kids are going to love! Children ages 4 to 12 are eligible. Prizes will be awarded to both 1st and 2nd place.

Buy/Sell/Trade Tables
We are opening up several tables for buying, selling and trading. Tables are being made available for purchase at $25 each, limit 2 per person/household. A number of tables have been purchased already and a limited number are still available. For more information, contact the club at IowaJoeCollectors@gmail.com ...subject "Tables".

Give Away Raffle
Sign up for the Iowa G.I. Joe Collectors' email list and be entered in a drawing for some excellent G.I. Joe stuff! Prizes include an assortment of Rise of Cobra/Pursuit of Cobra/25th & 30th Anniversary figures, vehicles and playsets. In addition we'll also be giving away some grand prizes like a SDCC Zarana (Cold Slither Variant), SDCC TTT Sgt. Slaughter & a 30th Anniversary Skystriker!

Sign up required for raffle entry. Limit one ticket per person. Drawing will be at the end of the meet-up. Must be present to win.

Special Guests
Ron Wagner - We are very pleased to announce that accomplished Marvel/IDW comic artist/Illustrator Ron Wagner will be joining us. Ron has been making his living as an artist for over twenty years. He is a graduate of The Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art in Dover, New Jersey. He has worked for major comic book companies such as Marvel Comics, D.C. Comics, Dark Horse and Image. He has drawn titles that include Batman, Superman, G.I. Joe, Punisher, Daredevil, and The Flash. Ron will be signing and doing sketches through out the meet-up.

Gary "Gyre-Viper" Head - We are also very excited to have an up & coming presence in the Joe collector community in the person of Gary Head. Gary has an extensive knowledge of Joe history as well as a wonderful collection of preproduction figures. Gary will be sharing a little bit of everything with us and giving us a glimpse of some rare Joe finds!

Doors open at 9:00am! See you then!

World of Small Joes
A Quick Introduction to 3 3/4" G.I. Joes

The pint-sized G.I. Joes have evolved quite a bit over their nearly 30 years of existance. While introduced in 1982, "A Real American Hero" was actually a re-boot of the brand first introduced in 1964. Unlike the generic every-man of the previous 12" line, these figures had their own identies. Also new was the creation of Cobra, G.I. Joe's arch enemy.  The first series had 11 carded figures and 7 vehicles. There were also a few exclusives and mail-aways. More characters and vehicles were added between 1982-1994.

The toy line disappeared for a few years but showed up for a while in the late 90s as Toys R Us exclusives. The majority of the figures and vehicles were repaints. It wasn't until 2002 that a new line was launched. "G.I. Joe vs Cobra" was not only a new banner, but completly new style of figures. While still the same size, the figures featured a 'beefier' look as well as new gimicks. New characters were introduced and some familiar ones got a little face-lift. This line continued until around 2007.

2007 marked the 25th Anniversary and a brand new style of figures. Hasbro took the original figures and enhanced them with more articulation, accessories with a little updates here and there. But with these changes, they managed to keep the flavor of their original counterparts. Original vehicles were re-released almost exactly the same. In some case, new molds were created to better accomodate the new body style but like the figures, kept the same flavor.

There's a lot more to the history of this great toy line. There are a number of very good books and websites for a more in-depth information for the history and collecting of G.I. Joe. We will be posting little fact-oids from time to time for this toy line as well as others.

Keep visiting this page or our Facebook page for the latest info!

Your Ship Just Came In
U.S.S. Flagg Arrives at Jay's

Here's a blast from the past! We just built up a super nice G.I. Joe U.S.S. Flagg! This MASSIVE playset is in great shape and is currently only missing six items (Tow vehicle tow hook and engine cover, railing end piece, purge valve, Keel Haul, and the super structure pins).  You can bring this fantastic playset home today for only $799.99.  Stop on in today to see it yourself!