G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (DiC series)

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DIC G.I. Joe — season 1 & 2 title screen.
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DIC G.I. Joe — season 1 & 2 title screen.

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is a half-hour American animated television series based on the successful toyline from Hasbro and the comic book series from Marvel Comics.

The cartoon had its beginnings with animated series produced by Sunbow which began with two 5-part mini-series, then became a regular series that ran in syndication from 1985 to 1986. A second series ran from 1989 to 1991 (the toyline for the DIC series lasted well into 1993), this page is about that second series. A third series was created in 1995 G.I. Joe Extreme but it is largely discarded as unrelated to many G.I. Joe fans.

In 1989, DIC Entertainment produced the second G.I. Joe series, starting with a 5-part mini-series titled Operation: Dragonfire. Despite mixed reaction from fans, a regular series was broadcast in 1990, also lasting for two seasons to yield 44 episodes. This series is often criticized for bad writing and low budget animation in comparison to the earlier Sunbow/Toei episodes.

Contents

[edit] Cast

This is a list of voice actors who provided character voices for the DICG.I. Joe series:

 A c t o r     R o l e
Michael Benyaer     Scoop
Don Brown    
Jim Byrnes     Alley Viper
Gary Chalk     Metal-Head, Pathfinder, BIOK
Brent Chapman    
Christopher Collins     Cobra Commander
Morgan Lofting     Baroness
Lisa Corps     Zarana
Kevin Conway    
Ian Corlett     Rampart, Bullhorn
Suzanne Errett-Balcom     Lady Jaye
Ed Gilbert     General Hawk
Ted Harrison     Duke
Phil Hayes    
Jerry Houser     Sci-Fi
Terry Klassen    
Andrew Koening     Night Creeper Leader
Maurice La Marche     Copperhead, Low-Light, Spirit, Serpentor, Destro
Scott McNeil     Headman, Storm Shadow, Freefall
Rick Poltaruk    
Alvin Sanders     Stretcher
William Taylor    
David Wills    
Dale Wilson     Capt. Grid-Iron
Robert Remus     Sgt.Slaughter

[edit] DiC Series

In order to cut production costs for the animated series, Hasbro dropped Sunbow and contracted DiC (the producers of the C.O.P.S. cartoon) to continue the cartoons. The DiC series is a continuation of the Sunbow show but is generally regarded as the weakest link in the mythos. It has been criticized for its subpar animation, poor voice acting, reliance on slapstick humor and weaker plots when compared to the Sunbow series. However the series was successful enough to spawn two seasons and 3 waves of toys which remain popular with collectors (Sky Patrol, etc).

[edit] The Mini-Series

G.I. Joe: Operation Dragonfire

In 1989, DiC first produced its first G.I. Joe cartoon as a 5-part mini-series entitled Operation Dragonfire. The story picks up on events from G.I. Joe: The Movie, putting Cobra Commander back in charge after a coup, having reverted to his human form with the help of an ancient power. G.I. Joe fans who followed the DiC series regard this mini-series as the closest in nature to the Sunbow episodes that preceeded it.

  • Day 1: Serpentor seizes control of the Dragonfire
  • Day 2: Cobra Commander is returned to Human form by Baroness
  • Day 3: Cobra Commander find the Dragonfire energy and Scoop finds out Cobra lied to him!
  • Day 4: Cobra Commander regains control of Cobra in a coup (by Lowlight) over Serpentor
  • Day 5: The final battle between GI Joe and Cobra

[edit] The Series

The DiC stories due to budgetary issues chose to focus primarily on new characters of the period (no doubt to sell toys for Hasbro). Hawk was retained as G.I. Joe commander and at times shared his duties with Sgt. Slaughter as head of G.I. Joe. Captain Grid-Iron was given field commander duties in Season One, with Duke regaining his old postition in Season Two.

The first season centered almost exclusively on the 1990 Joes; meanwhile, Cobra, having a less extensive cast, was augmented by select characters from 1989 and the yet-to-be-released 1991 figures. This new ensemble had a much wider variety of Cobra Officers as we were introduced to the Night Creeper and his warriors, and many different forms of VIPERS. It has been criticized that the DIC version of Cobra was completely loyal to Cobra Commander, however it has been noted by DIC fans that the Sunbow version of Cobra was much the same. It must be remembered that even though Cobra failed they did not attempt to replace Cobra Commander till the 2nd season.

The 1st season of the DIC series was mainly standalone episodes that focused on establishing new team members and plots. The 2nd season of the DIC show lowered the animation budget but began a series of 2 part episodes which often told a deeper story involving more dramatic life and death situtations for the Joes.


[edit] Episode List

See List of G.I. Joe episodes

[edit] VHS Releases - All releases done by DIC

  • El Dorado the Lost City of Gold
  • Revenge of the Pharoah
  • Chunnel
  • Infested Island
  • The Sludge Factor I & II
  • Long Live Rock N Roll I & II

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

G.I. Joe
v • d • e
Toy Line G.I. Joe | G.I. Joe Adventure Team | G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero | Action Force | Sgt. Savage and the Screaming Eagles | G.I. Joe Extreme | Hall of Fame | Masterpiece Edition | Timeless Collection | Classic Collection | G.I. Joe: Sigma 6
Comics List of G.I. Joe comics
Animated Series Sunbow series | DiC series | G.I. Joe Extreme | Sigma 6
G.I. Joe Characters Duke | Snake-Eyes | Scarlett | Stalker | Hawk | Flint | Lady Jaye | Roadblock | Shipwreck | Cover Girl | List of G.I. Joe ARAH characters
G.I. Joe Villains Cobra Commander | Destro | Baroness | Zartan | Storm Shadow | Dr. Mindbender | Serpentor | Firefly | Overkill
Movies G.I. Joe: The Movie (1987) | Spy Troops (2003) | Valor vs. Venom (2004)
Factions G.I. Joe | Cobra | Dreadnoks | Oktober Guard | Iron Grenadiers | Cobra-La | Arashikage | Phoenix Guard
Video Games G.I. Joe | The Atlantis Factor
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