When G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero debuted in 1982, it introduced a world of hypermasculine commandos and colorful villains, but tucked between the biceps and bullets were a handful of fierce, intelligent, and deeply capable women.

Though their numbers were few, the female figures in the line up to 1989 were anything but background characters—they were trailblazers who broke molds in toy aisles and narrative arcs alike.

This is a look back at the women of G.I. Joe—the action figures released from 1982 to 1989—who stood shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts and brought something essential to the battlefield: complexity, strength, and style.

Scarlett (1982): The First Lady of G.I. Joe

The very first woman in the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line, Scarlett (code name: Shana O’Hara) debuted in 1982 and remains one of the most iconic female characters in the franchise. With her crossbow, martial arts expertise, and intelligence-gathering skills, Scarlett shattered expectations. She wasn’t there to serve as eye candy—she was an elite operative, field-ready and fearsome.

Scarlett’s original file card, written by Larry Hama, made clear that she was highly trained in hand-to-hand combat and had a background in counterintelligence. She wasn’t defined by romance or support roles—though later storylines would flirt with relationships, her primary identity was always as a warrior. As the lone woman on the original 1982 team, Scarlett signaled a shift: girls could be Joes too.

Baroness (1984): Cobra’s Queen of Chaos

It took until 1984 for Cobra to get a major female figure, but when the Baroness arrived, she did so in full black-leather espionage splendor. With her glasses, long black hair, and Eastern European backstory, she oozed danger and sophistication.

The Baroness was the anti-Scarlett: a brilliant, manipulative intelligence officer, fiercely loyal to Cobra Commander but with her own ambitions—especially when paired with Destro. She brought brains and politics to the Cobra ranks, proving villainy could be intellectual as well as explosive. In toy form, she also introduced a more gothic, sleek design aesthetic that stood out among the otherwise military drab.

Cover Girl (1983): The Model Turned Mechanic

Often overlooked, Cover Girl (Courtney Krieger) was introduced as the driver of the Wolverine missile tank. What made her unique wasn’t just her role as a vehicle operator—it was her backstory. A former fashion model turned grease-stained tank technician, Cover Girl disrupted the binary between beauty and brawn.

Her action figure was subtle, but the file card told the real story: she wasn’t a decoration; she was the muscle behind the machinery. In the comics, she’d get more development, but even in plastic form, she represented something bold: the refusal to be boxed into one identity.

Lady Jaye (1985): The Spear-Throwing Linguist

Lady Jaye (Alison Hart-Burnett) was released in 1985 and quickly became a fan favorite. With her javelin launchers, green fatigues, and short hair, Lady Jaye was all field agent—less glam than Scarlett and more grounded than the Baroness. Her file card highlighted her intelligence and fluency in multiple languages, making her both tactically sharp and narratively flexible.

Often paired with Flint in the cartoon and comics, Lady Jaye was more than a love interest—she was a tactical equal. Her action figure may have had a simple mold, but the character’s presence in media gave her significant depth and charisma.

Jinx (1987): The Secretive Ninja

With her all-red ninja uniform and blindfold-ready stealth, Jinx was one of the more visually striking women in the line. A cousin of Storm Shadow (in some continuities), Jinx added another layer to the growing martial arts mythology of G.I. Joe. Her release came during the franchise’s peak fascination with ninjas, and she fit right in—deadly, mysterious, and disciplined.

Though her original figure lacked a visible face—rare for a female figure—Jinx’s identity as a covert operative turned that absence into an asset. She was a warrior first, not a pin-up.

Zarana (1986): Punk Rock Saboteur

Zarana, the sister of Dreadnok leader Zartan, was loud, aggressive, and unapologetically punk. With her magenta hair and buzzcut, she screamed rebellion. Her figure featured a color-changing skin feature, echoing her brother’s chameleon powers, and her file card marked her as a master of disguise and sabotage.

Zarana wasn’t refined like the Baroness or tactical like Lady Jaye—she was wild, chaotic, and effective. She brought a different kind of femininity to the line: brutal, brash, and completely uninterested in traditional gender roles.

Additional Notables Through 1989

By the end of the 1980s, female figures were still rare, but a few more made it into the lineup:

Tundra Ranger Jaye (1989): A new version of Lady Jaye, geared for cold-weather missions, signaling Hasbro’s willingness to update its female operatives with more tactical realism.
Gnawgahyde’s Companion (1989): While not a standalone figure, this accessory-type female character came with the Dreadnok poacher Gnawgahyde and was notable for how not empowered she was—more a reminder of how far the line still had to go.

The women of G.I. Joe between 1982 and 1989 were few in number, but monumental in presence. They weren’t just token additions—they were specialists, fighters, and leaders. They challenged the assumption that military action figures were for boys only and paved the way for a more inclusive version of heroism.

In a toyline dominated by testosterone, the women of G.I. Joe proved that power comes in many forms—and sometimes it wears green fatigues, slings a crossbow, or wields a javelin with deadly precision.

Yo Joe! And Yo Jane too.

The Women of G.I. Joe: Warriors, Spies, and Trailblazers (1982–1989)