[Rangeviper88]

Zartan controversy, read below...


Zartan (G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Hasbro, 1984)


Inanimate Life

What’s that? Fan-favorite*G.I. Joe*villain Zartan was once controversial? Yes. Just a little. Back in 1984 when Zartan’s action figure debuted as part of Hasbro’s 3 ?”*G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero*toyline, each character’s packaging featured a “bio card” describing that character. This was a fairly new practice at the time, and in Zartan’s case, it caused a little controversy.

Zartan was a master of disguise. This was somewhat ham-handedly linked to a note in his “psychological profile” on his bio card, which stated, “Extreme paranoid schizophrenic. Grows into various multiple personalities to such an extent that the original personality becomes buried and forgotten.”

According to a December 1984 article from Canada’s*Globe and Mail, the Canadian Mental Health Association took exception to Zartan’s characterization as a paranoid schizophrenic. CMHA president Robert Martin stated, “For years, we have been trying to fight against the stigmatization and ostracization of the mentally ill. And now this company creates the notion that the mentally ill are alien and enemy creatures, rather than people who need our help and understanding.”

The article states that “embarrassed Hasbro officials […] apologized for using the phrase ‘paranoid schizophrenic.'” The “psychological profile” section was removed entirely from the bio in later production runs.

[sbartek1974]

Hence the birth of future butt-hurt generations. Way to go Hasblow!!!

I guess it never occurs to some people that, even though there are hurting people out there that do suffer from mental illnesses, there are few that don't want help and will flat out refuse help and lash out in a negative way and admit to getting some sort of satisfaction out of it. That's the type of person Zartan is, in my opinion. Sure he may have experienced some type trauma as a child. But he probably turned down any type of help folks were willing to give him. So he found refuge in a terrorist organization like many others have done. I don't want to downsize the challenges that the mentally ill faces. I think it puts a stamp on proper decision making and the type of legacy you want to leave behind...even if we are talking about a person who doesn't exist.

[Rangeviper88]

Dont know why, but after reading that I kind of want that file card now.

[sbartek1974]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rangeviper88

Dont know why, but after reading that I kind of want that file card now.

I had to go to yojoe.com to read it.

[Magick]

I just sold my Zartan with that filecard. Not too many exist as far as I know.

[sbartek1974]

The 2001 version mentions extremely paranoid. And that he experiences multiple personality disorder.

[Stalker]

My mom didn't like it because she didn't want me pretending I was a paranoid schizophrenic.

[Indiana Joe]

I have the original filecard box and the later edit of the filecard cut.



Zartan was one of the few vintage Items I really wanted to get complete with box and everything.
(I also have the funskool carded Zartan)

[Sean_C]

I think I first heard about this in the late 90's.

IIRC, it's the edit that's the scarcer of the two.

The controversy is also why Hama talked Hasbro out of making Dr. Mindbender an outright torturer, saying that groups like Amnesty International would protest. Mindy still came with that cattle prod, though.

[Rangeviper88]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean_C

I think I first heard about this in the late 90's.

IIRC, it's the edit that's the scarcer of the two.

The controversy is also why Hama talked Hasbro out of making Dr. Mindbender an outright torturer, saying that groups like Amnesty International would protest. Mindy still came with that cattle prod, though.

So they switched Dr. Mindbender from torturer to a nutritionist making sure everybody eats their synthetic protein...