Stephen King’s Son Inspired G.I. Joe’s Mind-Manipulating Mystic Figure

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Hasbro is delving into the ’80s with their Richard “Crystal Ball” King Cobra figure, a character who possesses Rasputin-like mystical powers over minds. Whether you’re a G.I. Joe enthusiast or not, it’s hard to deny that this new G.I. Joe Classified Series action figure is cool and boasts an intriguing background story.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve always been captivated by the intricate backstory of Richard “Crystal Ball” King. This enigmatic character was born from the creative minds of Stephen King and his son Owen, who shared a passion for G.I. Joe figures. They envisioned having a magician as part of the team, and thus, Crystal Ball was brought to life.

Interestingly, this mystical figure is said to be the seventh son of a seventh son – a title that also happens to be the name of an Iron Maiden album released in 1988, which coincidentally was the same period when the character was conceived.

Lastly, if you’ve ever noticed the striking resemblance between Crystal Ball and Vincent Price, there’s a reason for that. It wasn’t a mere coincidence; the creators deliberately designed the character with such a likeness in mind.

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2017, while discussing their joint work on Sleeping Beauties, Stephen and Owen King revealed details about the G.I. Joe story, specifically discussing the evolution of the Crystal Ball character. They shared insights into how this character was developed.

Owen concedes, sounding somewhat sheepish, and passes the accolades (or criticisms) to his father. He suggests that his dad would be a better explainer since, in his opinion, he contributed less creatively to the project, mainly offering encouragement such as, “Yeah, Dad, that sounds great.

Oh, I’m saying that’s complete nonsense,” Stephen King clarifies. “That concept originated from him. He owned all the action figures and we used to watch the show on television, and read the comics.

As a die-hard fan of the G.I. Joe franchise, I’ve always been hesitant to delve too deeply into discussions about a particular character, fearing that fans might not be fond of him. However, let me tell you, this figure from the G.I. Joe Classified series is nothing short of spectacular – hands down one of the coolest additions yet! If you’re on board with my enthusiasm, here’s your chance to get your hands on one.





Starting March 13 at 10AM ET, exclusively at Walmart, I’m excited to join the G.I. Joe Classified Series family as Richard “Crystal Ball” King! This action figure offers a wide range of poses and comes equipped with 8 accessories inspired by the character, such as an alternate hand, D.I.R.E Tech-projected monster mask, hypnotic shield with fear manifestation attachments, spectral sword, a crystal ball with ghostly tendrils, and a weapon accessory. Don’t miss out on checking out the full lineup for Walmart Collector con right here!

Although the importance of the Crystal Ball figure might not be widely recognized yet, since it’s a limited edition available only at Walmart Collector Con, we anticipate that it will sell out rapidly. Be prepared and secure yours before the release date on March 13th to avoid disappointment.

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2025-03-12 19:15