G.I. Joe has been around for decades, a staple in most childhoods since the mid-60s. Back then, it was the perfect way for toy companies to expand the 'doll market' and offer something marketed to boys. Dolls for girls had been around forever and Hasbro was one of the first companies to really increase their target market by creating G.I. Joe.
Original G.I. Joe action figures are not cheap these days. In fact, some are ridiculously expensive, so it has become a serious collectors' game. Destro ($500), Short-Fuze ($600), Storm Shadow ($600), Scarlett ($650), Firefly ($650), and Duke ($700) will all net you a pretty penny. The most valuable are Cobra Commander ($900), Snake Eyes V2 ($1,000), and finally, Snake Eyes First Series at a whopping $1,300. Of course, the value increases if they're in mint condition inside their original packaging.