G.I. Joe Lifeline (1986)
By Karl Stern (@dragonkingkarl, @wiwcool, karl@dragonkingkarl.com)
G.I. Joe 1986 Lifeline
I'm not sure why the G.I. Joe toy line replaced the original medic Doc with Lifeline. Doc was a perfectly great character but for some reason in 1986 Hasbro replaced him as the team medic with Lifeline. Now, don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with Lifeline. He is a good looking action figure in bright red accented with white. He comes with a cool oxygen pump and face mask and is a fine representation of a medic. He even has "RESCUE" down his pant leg in big letters. Still, there was absolutely nothing wrong with Doc.
Side view with oxygen tank back pack opened up to show detail inside.
In the Marvel G.I. Joe comic book Lifeline was represented as a strict pacifist yet the action figure comes with a pistol. In fact, in an issue of G.I. Joe: Secret Missions, he is show proficient in Akido because the martial art has only defensive moves.
The face mask plugs into the oxygen tank which is a nice little feature. Lifeline also sports what, appears to be, some type of futuristic communications backpack.
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