| Battleforce 2000 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Action Figures |
| Company | Hasbro |
| Country | United States |
| Availability | 1987–1989 |
Battleforce 2000 is a fictional sub-team from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline and comic books. First released in late 1987 (with a final vehicle and member released in 1989), they represent a hi-tech unit of the Joes using experimental weaponry under battlefield conditions.
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The toy line was made up of 7 action figures, with the 6 from 1987 being packaged in both single and 2-packs. All but one of the characters was assigned as the primary driver of a hi-tech vehicle, which was sold separately.[1] Dodger was repainted and released as part of the Sonic Fighters line in 1990.[2]
A part of 6 of the vehicles can combine together to form into a small hi-tech fortress called the Future Fortress,[3] which consisted of secondary parts that merely rested next ot one another, with no interlocking pieces.[4] Most of the vehicles have a white, silver, grey and dark blue color scheme. An exception to this is the Pulverizer, the 1989 addition to the series, which does not have a piece that can combine with the fortress.[5]
First released in 1987, each of these highly-advanced attack units was meant to be driven/piloted by a member of Battleforce 2000 (sold separately), and the first six vehicles combined to form "the most indestructible stronghold in the entire G.I. Joe arsenal...the BF 2000 Future Fortress!"[6]
Battleforce 2000 first appeared in G.I. Joe #68, as a testing and research unit assigned in the fictional country of Frusenland. A team of Joes, which included Duke, Iceberg, Cover Girl and Back-Stop are dropped in to provide security for the team. However, Battleforce 2000 is the one that saves the other Joes from certain death. This comes after the team discovers the local Terrordromes are emitting anger inducing rays; all were destroyed by the Battleforce team.[8] The group would continue to operate together and separately.
Maverick gets some time away from the team one issue later. He is teamed with Wild Bill and Crazylegs during a mission in Rio Vista, the capital of war-torn Sierra Gordo, yet another fictional country. Several Dreadnoks appear, and Monkeywrench, Zarana and Thrasher take many civilians hostage, in order to ensure the help of Maverick and the other joes in escaping. In the end, though, the two groups teamed up, rescuing each other and helping the civilians reach safety.[9]
Maverick also appears in G.I. Joe Special Missions #16. After playing ping pong with Wild Bill, they and the other Joe pilots scramble for a recon mission over Cobra Island. The pilots engage several Cobra aircraft in a dogfight and win handily.[10] Avalanche is featured four issues later, he works with Frostbite, Snow Job and the Oktober Guard to destroy Cobra influence in the Bering Strait.[11]
Later, Battleforce 2000 is a minor part of the invading force assisting Serpentor during the Cobra Civil War.[12] They team up with Mutt to spy on the town of Broca Beach, suspected of being a Cobra stronghold. The group comes into conflict with the Dreadnoks.[13]
When Hasbro gave permission to writer Larry Hama to kill off Joes no longer circulated in the toylines, Battleforce 2000 was chosen, along with other Joes. It finally happened in G.I. Joe #113, during a major battle in the war of liberating another fictional country, Benzheen, which was occupied by Cobra. The country's emir was more concerned of his oil stocks, he negotiated with Cobra Commander not to shell artillery on Battleforce 2000, who were reinforcing Joes trapped in another battle. Cobra Commander immediately reneges on the agreement and orders shelling on Battleforce 2000. As explained later, the Emir simply had not offered Cobra Commander enough money.
Dee-Jay first appeared here and dies; artistically, his body is shown untouched from the chest up. Dodger is the only survivor of the incident. He shows up to continue the Battleforce's mission, to rescue other Joes that had been pinned by Cobra fire. Dodger works with other teams and successfully kills the Cobra soldiers that had been threatening the initial team.[14]
The rest of the team is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, along with other Joe members who perished in Benzheen and all other Joes who have perished over the years, such as Mangler and General Flagg.
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