​BACK THE OPERATION: RECALL TEAM TODAY!

MISSION BRIEF

Operation: Recall's roots date back to 1989, when a naive but ambitious ten year old set out to design his very own action figure.  
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MISSION BRIEF

In 1989, the Toy Wars were in full force. On the battle lines were the likes of Kirk Bozigian, Ron Rudat, Larry Hama, Ed Morrill, Doug Hart, and Bill Merklein. These intrepid toy warriors produced countless action figures which are still celebrated today. 

As the decades wore on, and the Toy Wars cooled, they each received an Honorable Discharge – having performed their duties well and having faithfully executed the mission: to entertain a generation

MISSION BRIEF

Decades later, in an era of action figure stagnation and replication, that still naive but ambitious 40-something decided to do something –recall these legendary veterans to active duty for one more tour in the Toy Wars! Together, they will create exciting all new action figures to reignite the Toy Wars. Will you join them on this mission? Enlist today!

MEET THE OPERATION: RECALL TEAM!

RON RUDAT / O:R designer

Ron Rudat served as the G.I. Joe figure designer from the launch of A Real American Hero in 1982 until he moved off of the brand in 1986. Ron also designed several vehicles, decals sheets, and the timeless Cobra logo!

MARK PENNINGTON / O:R designer

Mark Pennington served as the second full-time G.I.JOE: A Real American Hero figure designer from December 31st, 1985 to August 1988. In that time he helped develop over 75 figures. Mark left Hasbro in August of 1988 to pursue a career in illustration.

KIRK BOZIGIAN / O:R DESIGN DIRECTOR

Kirk Bozigian was called to spearhead the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero launch in 1982. Kirk worked with Ron Rudat to refine each figure design, and continued to serve the brand as Brand Manager and Vice President of Boys Toys through 1994.

LARRY HAMA / O:R AUTHOR

Larry Hama joined the team in advance of the 1982 A Real American Hero launch. His imagination transformed action figures into a universe of entertainment as he authored hundreds of G.I. Joe comics and file cards.

BILL MERKLEIN​​​ / O:R SCULPTOR

 Bill Merklein was perhaps the most prolific figure sculptor behind the G.I.JOE: A Real American Hero brand. He worked for Hasbro as a freelance sculptor from 1983 to 1989 and during that time he sculpted over 70 G.I.JOE figures.

MIKE GOOD ​/ O:R SCULPTOR

Once Bill Merklein was knee deep in sculpt work for Hasbro in the mid-1980s, he called in a couple recruits - friends of his from the military miniatures field. Mike Good came on board and sculpted many a G.I.JOE back in the late-1980s.

ED MORRILL / O:R BRAND+PACKAGING

Ed Morrill, a package design and brand identity executive, was called to serve G.I. Joe in 1969. His first assignment was the 1970 Adventure Team rebranding. Morrill served for 20 years, overseeing packaging design and illustration.

DOUG HART / O:R PACKAGE ART

Doug Hart joined Hasbro in 1984 as an illustrator – initially working on My Little Pony. He was called to serve the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero brand in 1987 and painted beautiful figure and box art until then end of the line in 1994.

MISSION OBJECTIVES

Together, we will create all new action figure concepts. We will document the techniques and processes of these legendary creators. And we will produce exciting new action figures ready to join your armies.

MEET THE OPERATION: RECALL TEAM!

​​​Together, we will create all new action figure concepts. We will document the techniques and processes of these legendary creators. And we will produce exciting all-new action figures ready to join your armies. Back Operation: Recall today, ​and help these legendary creators do what they do best, create timeless action figures!

​BACK THE OPERATION: RECALL TEAM TODAY!
​BACKERKIT CLOSES JULY 4th, 2025. 

THERE'S MORE TO THE STORY:

FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION –

WE'VE DOCUMENTED EVERY STEP OF THE JOURNEY

LEARN MORE