“G.I. Joe - A Proper American Hero” is literally the classic racy series that became an iconic series for thousands of fans who loyally composed the many awesome merchandise from Hasbro and continues to be a approved toy line today.
Buy,Download, Or Stream G.I. Joe A Real American Hero: Season 1.1! Click Here
Although, the series was released in 1984, the series has spawned several of inviting series and CG films. In 2008, the 3 3/4 action figures and vehicle line renowned its 25th Anniversary and in 2009, earlier in the year, fans were treated with a more darker and more violent racy series with “G.I. Joe Resolute” and by the Summer of 2009, would be treated with the live action film and a release of a G.I. Joe video game.
So, what better time than now but to bask in the classic 1985 inviting series through Sob FACTORY’s “G.I. JOE - A True AMERICAN HERO - SEASON 1.1″ on DVD.
Buy,Download, Or Stream G.I. Joe A Real American Hero: Season 1.1! Click Here
The DVD release is the second release of the well-liked moving series (the first was released through RHINO, note: RHINO only released season 1 and the first half of season 2) and both releases has its key differences which I will discuss further in my review. It’s primary to also sign that some of the episodes for the first season were featured on DVD’s that were included with various Hasbro toy box sets released in early 2009.
For starters, the series is not based on the modern GI Joe toys that were released in the 1960’s but is based on the Hasbro toyline which started in 1982 and the laughable book series from Marvel Comics. The series was created by Ron Friedman and the first season on this DVD place comprised of three mini-series that aired in 2004-2005. The mini-series which consisted of “The M.A.S.S. Procedure”, “The Revenge of Cobra”, “The Pyramid of Darkness” and five separate episodes.
Here is a brief synopsis (no spoilers) for each episode:
DISC 1: THE M.A.S.S. DEVICE
* EPISODE 1 - The Cobra Strikes - Cobra has developed the ultimate weapon known as the M.A.S.S. Plan. and attempt to buy a military satellite. Duke is captured.
* EPISODE 2 - Slaves of the Cobra Master - G.I. Joe tries to counter Cobra’s M.A.S.S. Plot with their gain.
* EPISODE 3 - The Worms of Death - GI Joe takes the battle against Cobra undersea. Meanwhile, Snake Eyes goes to the arctic to gather a radioactive crystal element.
* EPISODE 4 - Duel In The Devil’s Cauldron - Cobra and G.I. Joe try to fetch the final element to activate their gain M.A.S.S. Plan.
* EPISODE 5 - A Stake In the Serpent’s Heart - Destro takes Scarlett as a prisoner and the action-packed finale of the first G.I. Joe mini-series.
DISC 2: THE REVENGE OF COBRA
* EPISODE 6 - In the Cobra’s Pit - Cobra attacks a G.I. Joe convoy and steals a high-powered experimental laser.
* EPISODE 7 - The Vines of Tainted - Flint, Mutt, Junkyard and Roadblock are caught by vines in the Cobra’s Pit of Chaos.
* EPISODE 8 - The Palace of Doom - G.I. Joe sends various teams to different regions around the globe to gather the three fragments of the Weather Dominator before Destro and Cobra procure to it.
* EPISODE 9 - Battle On the Roof of the World - Cutter, Wild Bill and Spirit battle the Baroness and Cobra on the Island of No Return.
* EPISODE 10 - Amusement Park of Dread - Storm Shadow infiltrates Joe headquarters. Meanwhile the battle in the Arctic continues.
DISC 3: THE PYRAMID OF DARKNESS
* EPISODE 11 - The Further Adventures of G.I. Joe - Tomax and Xamot rob control of G.I. Joe’s Moon Star station shuttle.
* EPISODE 12 - Rendezvous in the City of the Uninteresting - Shipwreck and Snake Eyes try to evade occupy from Cobra.
* EPISODE 13 - Three Cubes to Darkness - G.I. Joe captures Tomax and Xamot plans to rescue him.
* EPISODE 14 - Chaos in the Sea of Lost Souls - Alpine and bazooka are joined by Fast Kick. Meanwhile, Cobra Commander activates the Pyramid of Darkness.
* Episode 15 - Knotting Cobra’s Coils - G.I. launches a full-scale assault on the Cobra Temple.
DISC 4:
* EPISODE 16 - Countdown for Zartan - Zartan infiltrates the Worldwide Defense Center and tries to waste it.
* EPISODE 17 - Red Rocket’s Glare - Cobra uses Tomax and Xamot’s company Extensive Enterprises to catch the Red Rocket food chain and exhaust its situation for secret missile launching bases.
* EPISODE 18 - Satellite Down - Cobra knocks a secret military satellite out of orbit and G.I. Joe races to its space before Cobra gets to it.
* EPISODE 19 - Cobra Stops the World - Cobra plans to select control of the world’s fuel supplies.
* EPISODE 20 - Jungle Trap - Cobra kidnaps Dr. Shakur and plans to attack cities using the trudge of lava.
* EPISODE 21 - Cobra’s Creatures - Cobra plans to utilize the animals of the world against humanity.
* EPISODE 22 - The Funhouse - Flint, Bazooka and others hve to fight their draw through the deadly Cobra Temple.
“G.I. Joe - A Staunch American Hero” will be released on July 14th but the 17-disc, 95 episode complete series will be shipping on June 22nd and will be bundled with many special features including a USB “Dog Ticket” 1GB flash drive, collectible booklet and more..
VIDEO & AUDIO:
“G.I. Joe - A Staunch American Hero” is in elephantine color and presented in Dolby Digital. I have been asked by many G.I. Joe fans how Wail FACTORY’s DVD’s compare to the unique RHINO DVD’s.
In terms of video quality, there is a cramped (very cramped) dissimilarity between Scream FACTORY’s characterize quality and RHINO’s represent quality. Wail FACTORY features a cramped less compression it would seem. I was comparing the scenes and it’s very miniature. In fact, Bellow FACTORY’s version seems a wee bit brighter.
But I wanted to compare a scene in the first episode where Cobra Commander and Destro were overlooking a computer after they were looking at crystals for the M.A.S.S. method. The reason I chose that scene is because it exhibits a lot of dust and scratches, compression and wanted to behold if it was cleaned up. One thing I sight that both detached had similar issues but a main key disagreement was that the size of the dust in the RHINO version were clumpier. Granted, its there if you stay and behold at a frame but for most people, they are not going to view this. But there was no digitally remastering for those who were fervent in bright. The dust and scratches peaceful exist and are piece of the master.
I was also asked if the errors from the modern series such as two Timbers in a scene or Scarlett sporting a mind control diagram (when she wasn’t supposed to wear one, among a few errors from the unusual animation were fixed in this modern release. These errors were piece of the unusual master and is on the final slice. So, I doubt there will be any measures to apt those errors and that it’s more than likely these will permanent errors that are piece of the unique animation.
I was also asked if the opening themes were the ones featured on the new broadcast. And the opening theme for all episodes on Season 1.1 is the version with Flint pointing as starting off with his wail of “Yo Joe!” and ending with a big Cobra spaceship crashing into the ground.
As for audio quality, this is where the RHINO and Bellow FACTORY versions are quite different. The RHINO version features a Dolby Digital 5.1 audio which utilizes the surround channels and the LFE of your subwoofer and shows up on my receiver as Dolby Digital 5.1. Vocal tracks were featured on the center channel, music on the surrounds (and were louder than the dialogue track) and utilizing front channel and the subwoofer for the booms.
For the Scream FACTORY version, the audio is featured in Dolby Digital but does not seize advantage of surround channels or LFE. In fact, the setting I ended up choosing on my receiver was “All Channels on Stereo”.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“G.I. JOE - A Valid American Hero - Season 1.1 comes with a friendly number of special features. Included are:
DISC 1:
* Looking Help with Writer Ron Friedman, Share One - (7:03) Ron Friedman talks about why he had a recount over on opening theme of what G.I. Joe and Cobra is. Also, discussion of how he learned to write for children and how to catch them to assume the merchandise and how he was interested with test groups for the toys.
DISC 2:
* Looking Wait On with Writer Ron Friedman, Piece Two - (7:03) Ron Friedman talks about how he was hired from Hasbro and how notable it was for him to form the characters and collect kids to relish the characters and hold the merchandise. And how he would earn episodes focusing on a vital group of characters and swing characters and how he came up with the style of voices for the characters.
DISC 3:
* Looking Succor with Writer Ron Friedman, Section Three - (4:44) Ron Friedman talks about how he teaches a class in screenwriting at USC and Chapman University and how he asked by his students about his work on G.I. Joe and is asked to price autographs and how he loves the G.I. Joe fandom.
DISC 4:
The fourth disc contains quite a number of special features. Bare in mind that these commercials are ancient and are not in the greatest of quality but nevertheless, was broad to recognize included in this Season 1.1 area.
* Intelligent is Half the Battle PSA’s - (3:42) A total of seven PSA’s that can be played separately or to play all. PSA’s featured:
— Alpine - What to Do When You’re Lost
— Barbeque - What to Do If Your House is On Fire
— Deep Six - Don’t Swim When It’s Storming
— Mutt - Don’t Pet Unique Dogs
— Rapid Kick - Hold Your Time When Building Your Tree House
— Spirit - What To Do If You Gain On Fire
— Torpedo - How To Tread Water
* G.I. Joe’s Unusual 1963 Toy Delicate Presentation - (9:06) Hasbro’s promotional for the unique GI Joe toy and its capabilities.
* Printable “Jungle Trap” Script- - If you have a DVD drive on your PC, you can access the PDF of the “Jungle Trap” script which can be printed.
* Archival Hasbro Toy Commercials - (1:31) “Collection” (introduction of toys for Command, Zap, Short Fuse, Flash, Stalker, Breaker, Rock n’ Roll, Scarlett and Snake Eyes), “Breaker & The Expeditiously Fire Motorcycle” (focusing on Breaker with RAM taking on a Cobra soldier who captured the FLAK) and “Polar Battle Occupy” (Snow Job, Gung Ho, Airborne and Doc on the Polar Battle Maintain taking on Cobra) .
There are also a few GI Joe extras included inside the slipcase box. Included are:
* Season episode summary booklet
* Flier for the GI Joe action figures (Scarlet, Snake Eyes, Baroness and Storm Shadow), Comical Books, Books, GI Joe Video game
* Tattoos -2×2 crawl Cobra and Arashikage tattoo and a 3.5×1 meander G.I. Joe tattoo.
* A section for the GI Joe Collector’s Club
It’s very considerable to notice that in the soon-to-be-released “G.I. Joe - The Complete Series” contains a total of eight retrospective featurettes, a content cast reunion, 25 archival Hasbro toy commercials, more GI Joe PSA’s and the live action fan film “Battle of the Serpent Stone”, plus a 1 GB “Dog-Tag” flash drive, a collectible book, two G.I. Joe Still comics and more.
JUDGMENT CALL:
Needless to say that I am quite biased when it comes to “G.I. Joe - A Right American Hero”. As a child who detached the comics and toys, as an adult, I level-headed fill many of the figures, vehicles and and box sets released from 1982 through the indicate. So, personally, the inspiring series will always be end to my heart as it was very distinguished an famous fragment of my childhood.
Like many people who grew up during the early 80’s, “G.I. Joe - A True American Hero” was an lively series that grabbed our attention because of its many characters and the personality of those characters.
Each character looked different, had different skills, various weaponry and attitude and Hasbro was quite innovative with the release of the toys. The animation encouraged us to indulge in them even further by establishing storylines that we could try to recreate. The series was the classic well-behaved vs. unsuitable storyline and it’s one thing to have these various members of G.I. Joe but the whole recognize of Cobra was honest too frigid to ignore.
Needless to say, fraction of the success and why parents loved about “G.I. Joe” was the fact that the action figures were significantly cheaper than other toy lines (with the exception of a few vehicles or play sets such as the USS Flag which were quite expensive) and they were easily accessible at your local mom and pop drug store or grocery store.
Children would know that if you bought a character, chances are that you would behold this character in action on an episode of “G.I. Joe - A Trusty American Hero” unlike other toylines at the time which unfortunately, you would glimpse only once in an though-provoking series and never contemplate again.
As for the animation and its re-release, with the release of the RHINO DVD’s over five years ago, it was a bit sad that the company didn’t effect the series when it was released. This left a lot of G.I. Joe fans frustrated and upset.
To add to the frustration, the box sets became out of print so like a flash that fans only chance of obtaining the series was through eBay and paying nearly double or triple of what the new mini-series and the individual season box sets cost. Needless to say, the RHINO releases were fair too difficult for fans to earn a gain of and priced too high for any casual fan or newbie fans to want to pay and seize for it.
But in 2009, Bawl FACTORY has done a large service for G.I. Joe fans. Fans can come by the first 22 episodes with “G.I. JOE - A Dependable AMERICAN HERO - SEASON 1.1 and the complete series for a aesthetic brand.
For those who are wondering if the series is worth the double dip, my retort is that if you want the complete series, you’re going to have to anyway (since RHINO never released the second half of Season Two) . I do miss the Dolby Digital 5.1 audio from the recent from the RHINO release but overall, there is nothing I can complain about with Yell FACTORY’s Season 1.1 release. There are enough bells and whistles included on a thin pack and really, for the ticket these will be sold for, compared to the experience that fans had to go through years ago, this is a occupy!
G.I. Joe or Cobra the enemy fans, this is one release that you won’t want to miss. “G.I. JOE - A Right AMERICAN HERO - SEASON 1.1″ is highly recommended!
A team of militant heroes codenamed “G.I. Joe” lead by the couragous Duke struggle to fight for the freedom of America and the world from the threat of the manicial terrorist organization known as COBRA lead by the detestable Cobra Commander and steel-faced fiend Destro.
This exhibit became one of the most iconic enchanting shows of the 80’s besides Transformers, Valid Ghostbusters and He-Man and is one of the best cartoons ever. The note is based on Hasbro’s action figure series worthy like “Transformers” was in 1984 but in 1983 Sunbow/Marvel animation made three annual mini-series based on the figure series which came in 1983, 1984 and finally 1985 where it lead to a successful TV intriguing series that earned high ratings among people of all ages. I adore how the reveal has shimmering writing including tons of action and ample characters from sexy Baroness, shapely Scarlett, lovable sailor Shipwreck, hard cooking and hardcore fighter Roadblock, and more which helped made this a current among all ages even in the 80’s.
This DVD has the first three Miniseries which started with 1983’s “An American Hero: The M.A.S.S. Procedure” has the debut of Destro who joins with Cobra Commander’s COBRA team as they develope a remarkable weapon called the M.A.S.S. Map which can beam and transport objects, buildings and even people to their dwelling, when Cobra decides to spend the thing to grasp a military satellite, the JOE team is on the rescue to extinguish the draw. Next “The Revenge of Cobra” has the COBRAs attacking G.I. Joe as they hatch up another defective procedure called The Weather Dominator which is a weapon that can change the worlds’s climates as now Duke, Flnt, Mutt, Roadblock, quiet but deadly Snake-Eyes and of the rest of the JOEs must disconnect the weapon from harming the Earth and finally “Pyramid of Darkness” has deadly twins Tomax and Xamot with Cobra Commander, Destro, Baroness and the COBRAs has taken over a G.I. Joe Spaceship as they consume their sattelite to effect a pyramid-like zone around the world of energy to seize electricity off the Earth and wants the world to be completly unlit unlessJoe can do something about it. Now to the right meat where the demonstrate begins starting with “Countdown For Zartan” has master of disguise Cobra member Zartan who disguises himself as a French researcher and implants a bomb within the Worldwide Defense Center building for time is ticking for the bomb as the Joes must accumulate it or else it would go into smithereens. “Red Rocket’s Glare” has the Cobra twins Tomax and Xamot who secretly occupy a company has purchased the Red Rocket food chain leaving people almost out of business but using the company secretly for a missle launching spoiled, Roadblock’s uncle and aunt are in pains of losing their business unless Roadblock can straighten things out with the conspiracy the twins are scheming. “Satellite Down” has a secrety military satellite blown out from position until a jungle by Cobra, the Joe team with Cobra have competetion to retreive it as they meet an unsusal tribe of ape-like people that also seeks the blueprint as well, “Cobra Stops the World” has Cobra Commander who has a heinous view of control the oil supplies of the world as he detonates oil tankers and supplies with a simple remote, G.I. Joe member Sparks finds out the curious frequence Cobra is using to atomize the tankers as the Joe team spend technology against technology. “Jungle Trap” has Cobra wanting to ruin all cities with hot lava from volcanic activity as a professor named Dr. Shakur has been kidnapped by Cobra Commandor as he’s forced to exercise his technology to come by to the Earth’s core to create volcanic erruptions, the Joe must go into the jungle immoral of Cobra to ruin the newest weapon and set aside the scientist. “Cobra’s Creatures” has a unique member of Cobra named High Ferq who uses a way that controls all the animals of the world to go against humans including the G.I. Joe dog Junkyard who goes bannanas, now its up to the Joes to raze the plan and even return the dog succor to it’s regular self. And finally “The Funhouse” has Flint with Bazooka, and other Joe members who are in a trap made by Cobra in a temple as they must solve a labyrinth of death and fight Cobra.
All episodes including the mini-series are digitally remastered with sizable narrate and sound with grand extras like a three fragment interview with one of the writers, Vivid is Half the Battle PSAs, G.I. Joe recent 1963 Toy Handsome presentation, printable Jungle Trap script and G.I. Joe Toy Commercials.