G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (DiC series)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero | |
|---|---|
 season 1 & 2 title screen. |
|
| Genre | Animated television series |
| Country of origin |  United States |
| No. of episodes | 44 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 min. |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Syndicated |
| Original run | September 2, 1989 – January 20, 1992 |
| Links | |
| IMDb profile | |
| TV.com summary | |
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 most unusual aspect of the DiC series was that Storm Shadow defected from Cobra to join G.I. Joe.
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
[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
- G.I. Joe
- G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
- G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (TV series)
- G.I. Joe (comic)
- G.I. Joe Extreme
- G.I. Joe casualties
 |
This section is a stub. You can help by expanding it. |
[edit] External links
- DIC G.I.Joe Information Archive - Episode Reviews, Character Profiles, All DIC G.I. Joe Info
- DIC G.I.Joe Youtube site - Video clips of DIC GI Joe!
- The Freighter - Reference Site
- The Complete Guide to G.I. Joe - Reference Site
- Official website
- Yo Joe! The 3 3/4" G.I. Joe Collector's Site
