The front cover of G.I. Joe Order of Battle #2

Over the years, Hasbro has released several special or limited edition G.I. Joe figures based on well-known personalities. Both in the original 12" form and the smaller figures, we've see everything from great historical figures like Teddy Roosevelt, George Washington and Robert E. Lee to pop culture icons like wrestler Sgt. Slaughter and football player William "Refrigerator" Perry. But did you know that Rocky Balboa, one of actor Sylvester Stallone's alter egos, was supposed to be a member of the G.I. Joe team?

In 1985 Sgt. Slaughter was the first celebrity to be featured as one of the long-lived line of action figures. He was also featured on the cartoon, as well as in a promotion for the cartoon and toy line. Shortly after that, "The Fridge" joined the team as well. Both were issued as mail-order action figures.

A short while later, another of Stallone's popular film series, Rambo, made the transition to action figures. In 1986 Coleco issues Rambo, Colonel Trautman, and several other figures.

Then in 1987 there was the proposed addition of Rocky Balboa to the G.I. Joe team. Unfortunately, this deal fell through and was never completed, but it did not disappear without a trace.

Rocky, in fact, did appear in promotional images on several G.I. Joe packages and was also featured on the cover of G.I. Joe Order Of Battle #2, a Who's Who sort of publication published by Marvel Comics in 1987. This issue featured art by Herb Trimpe, who portrayed Rocky Balboa, (code name "Rocky" -- clever, huh?) as a covert Personal Combat Instructor. He was clad in red, white and blue sweat pants and white boxing gloves.

He was heavily promoted in the G.I Joe issue and the characters likeness is seen on the back cover next to many of the classic characters. The very next issue of G.I. Joe Order Of Battle, though, featured a full-page retraction on the last page stating that Rocky Balboa is not and had never been a member of G.I. Joe.

Rumors of several prototypes of the proposed Rocky Balboa action figure, though, still abound.

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The front cover of G.I. Joe Order of Battle #2		Back cover of G.I. Joe Order of Battle #2 features Rocky next to many of the classic G.I. Joe characters		Interior page of Rocky with details of his membership with the Joe team
Retraction page from G.I. Joe Order of Battle #3