Warning: The following may contain spoilers!
The new episodes of G.I. Joe actually started up in 1989 after the G.I. Joe movie. The company DIC took over from Sunbow as the Company. Sunbow was used in all previous episodes of G. I. Joe. You could tell from the new episodes there were many changes. Many character changes. Some characters added. Some old characters did not return. Some characters returned but with new personalities. (example: General Hawk.) The animation seemed to be downsized a bit from the late 80's style. The stories became more fantasy and less Government involved. Voice Actors also were different for most of the returning characters. In fact one of the only Voice Actors that stayed the same was Chris Latta. (Cobra Commander) Destro had a new voice, General Hawk had a new voice, Storm Shadow, and such.
DIC began the new series with a five part mini series called G.I.Joe: Operation Dragonfire. The theme song was the same except for using "A real American Hero", they switched it to "International Hero." More old characters were used in this 5 part mini series such as Low Light, Stalker, and Serpentor. They were very much different than the characters they used to be. The creators of the series decided to give Serpentor the axe in order to reintroduce Cobra Commander. The way it happened was very odd considering Serpentor's past role in the show. There were many different minor characters and vehicles introduced into the show. This was also mainly to sell toy merchandise.
After that there were 39 episodes created which went for about 2 seasons. After Operation Dragonfire even more original characters were dropped and new ones added such as Metalhead, Gridiron, Ambush, Night Creeper, and such. This was done once again to sell new merchandise. The theme song changed completely. From International Hero to a whole new theme, "Got to get tough! Yo Joe!" Which then went on into an upbeat song. There was a large addition of ninja warriors on both sides. Episodes consisted of Ninjas, new B.A.T.S., the environment, and such. The show was very much intended for a younger audience. There was even a couple episodes were G.I. Joe and Cobra team up to take down a Drug Lord who has taken a loved one from both sides. I remember Falcon from G.I. Joe the movie being in those episodes and a Crimson Guard being a main character.
The series had it's highs and lows. Basically a few more years to see great Cobra characters in action such as the Cobra Commander, Destro, Baroness and such. I enjoyed it as a kid. Not as much as the old episodes though. As Rhino has now begun releasing G.I. Joe seasons in DVD Boxsets I hope that the early 90's episodes will be released as well. It's been a long time since many of us have seen them. I'm confident that they will be on DVD soon.
YO JOE!
The new episodes of G.I. Joe actually started up in 1989 after the G.I. Joe movie. The company DIC took over from Sunbow as the Company. Sunbow was used in all previous episodes of G. I. Joe. You could tell from the new episodes there were many changes. Many character changes. Some characters added. Some old characters did not return. Some characters returned but with new personalities. (example: General Hawk.) The animation seemed to be downsized a bit from the late 80's style. The stories became more fantasy and less Government involved. Voice Actors also were different for most of the returning characters. In fact one of the only Voice Actors that stayed the same was Chris Latta. (Cobra Commander) Destro had a new voice, General Hawk had a new voice, Storm Shadow, and such.
DIC began the new series with a five part mini series called G.I.Joe: Operation Dragonfire. The theme song was the same except for using "A real American Hero", they switched it to "International Hero." More old characters were used in this 5 part mini series such as Low Light, Stalker, and Serpentor. They were very much different than the characters they used to be. The creators of the series decided to give Serpentor the axe in order to reintroduce Cobra Commander. The way it happened was very odd considering Serpentor's past role in the show. There were many different minor characters and vehicles introduced into the show. This was also mainly to sell toy merchandise.
After that there were 39 episodes created which went for about 2 seasons. After Operation Dragonfire even more original characters were dropped and new ones added such as Metalhead, Gridiron, Ambush, Night Creeper, and such. This was done once again to sell new merchandise. The theme song changed completely. From International Hero to a whole new theme, "Got to get tough! Yo Joe!" Which then went on into an upbeat song. There was a large addition of ninja warriors on both sides. Episodes consisted of Ninjas, new B.A.T.S., the environment, and such. The show was very much intended for a younger audience. There was even a couple episodes were G.I. Joe and Cobra team up to take down a Drug Lord who has taken a loved one from both sides. I remember Falcon from G.I. Joe the movie being in those episodes and a Crimson Guard being a main character.
The series had it's highs and lows. Basically a few more years to see great Cobra characters in action such as the Cobra Commander, Destro, Baroness and such. I enjoyed it as a kid. Not as much as the old episodes though. As Rhino has now begun releasing G.I. Joe seasons in DVD Boxsets I hope that the early 90's episodes will be released as well. It's been a long time since many of us have seen them. I'm confident that they will be on DVD soon.
YO JOE!