FORT WORTH, TX, January 16, 2006 � The Celebration of GI Joe's 40th Anniversary continues as the official G.I. Joe Collectors' Club takes over the acclaimed series of commemorative reissues of the preeminent action figure GI Joe. The first two Club releases: set #23, the Combat Action Soldier, and set #25, the Dress Pilot have arrived at the GIJCC Headquarters and are NOW shipping!

These have been available as pre-order items for a few months, but now, the next two GI Joe 40th Anniversary sets are IN STOCK and can be ordered directly from the G.I. Joe Collectors' Club!

The Combat Action Soldier (set #23) comes with 4-field equipment accessory cards. This set gives you all you need to make a complete soldier dressed for the battlefield! This is one of the sets previously cancelled and it will never be available at retail. Now, you can have it for your own collection through this Club Exclusive offer!

The Action Pilot with Dress Uniform (set #25). This is one of the most desired sets planned for the 40th line! It WAS cancelled, but now you can add this sought after set (that will never be available at retail) to your own collection through this Club Exclusive offer!

Originally, Hasbro had planned to release 30 commemorative sets, with each featuring an authentic recreation of a GI Joe action figure, exactly as he was in 1964, along with a uniform or accessory card, all housed in faithfully-recreated reproductions of the original 1964 GI Joe packaging. This series, though highly-praised by collectors, was cut short when Hasbro decided to "retire" the 12" GI Joe in 2005 to make way for the launch of the new SIGMA SIX line. Only 22 of the planned 30 sets were released at retail before the series was cancelled. ! By special arrangement with Hasbro, the G.I. Joe Collectors' Club has arranged for a very limited number of new GI Joe 40th Anniversary sets to be produced.

These two sets have been produced by the GI Joe Collectors' Club as a limited edition of 4,000, each. Once these are sold, there will be no more. Call today to order yours! For members of the G.I. Joe Collectors' Club, the price is $42 each plus shipping. For non-members the price will be $56 each plus shipping. You can place your order now at 800-772-6673 or by visiting gijoeclub.com/shop on the internet.