G.I. Joe Extreme

Last updated
G.I. Joe Extreme
GIJ Extreme.jpg
Type Action Figures
Company Kenner
CountryUnited States
Availability1995–1997
Slogan"Extreme times call for extreme heroes!"

G.I. Joe Extreme is a line of military-themed toys that was sold in retail from 1995 to 1997. The toys were produced by Kenner following their acquisition by former competitor Hasbro and was intended to succeed the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line, which was discontinued the previous year. It was supported by a syndicated animated series that ran for two seasons and a series of comics.

Contents

The line features a storyline quite similar to the A Real American Hero line. In a "near-future" continuity, a new G.I. Joe Team fights to stop a rising terrorist organization called S.K.A.R. (short for Soldiers of Khaos, Anarchy and Ruin) and their leader, a mysterious, shrewd, and incredibly powerful military leader only known as Iron Klaw.

Toyline

The title logo was reminiscent of the original G.I. Joe logo from the 1960s and 1970s. The 3.75" scale was discarded in favor of a new 5" scale, which allowed a greater level of detail especially in the facial and muscular features.

Carded figures were released in two varieties, basic figures and deluxe figures. The deluxe versions of the figures, which were advertised as featuring "Ultra SLAM Firepower", came packaged with a backpack accessory connected to a missile launcher via a tube. The launcher shoots its missiles by lowering the plunger on the backpack. A single two-pack was also released. The vehicles and playsets were also advertised with "Ultra SLAM Firepower".

The Extreme line never approached the success of the Real American Hero line and was canceled after its first wave. [1] A second wave of figures and playsets was showcased in Toy Fair '96, but only two figures (Black Dragon and Harpoon) were given full releases. The rest, which included Mayday (the sole female Joe in the Extreme lineup), were shelved.

Carded figures

Vehicles and playsets

Other toys

Unreleased products

Animated series

G.I. Joe Extreme
Developed byMichael Edens (season 1)
Roger Slifer (season 2)
ComposersPaul Weinberg
Rusty Andrews
Lee Curreri
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes26
Production
Executive producersJoe Bacall
Tom Griffin C.J. Kettler
Running time30 min.
Production companies Sunbow Entertainment
Gunther-Wahl Productions
Graz Entertainment
Original release
Network First-run syndication
ReleaseSeptember 24, 1995 (1995-09-24) 
February 21, 1997 (1997-02-21)

The G.I. Joe Extreme series was produced by Sunbow Entertainment (who co-produced the first G.I. Joe TV series), Graz Entertainment and Gunther-Wahl Productions and distributed by Claster Television. [2] The program was part of a checkerboard series of cartoons Claster sold to stations under the umbrella title of The Power Block.

Set in the (at the time) "near future" of 2006, the show's main threat is a new, emerging terrorist organization called S.K.A.R. led by Iron Klaw, disguised as the former count of an eastern European country, whose identity he took over after kidnapping him. [3]

According to the one-minute intro (which resembles a news flash), a "former super-power" has collapsed with several factions vying for control against a new global terrorist organization "known only as S.K.A.R." whose goal is nothing less than total world domination. Iron Klaw claims: "We will be VICTORIOUS!" to which Lt. Stone replies "Not on MY watch!" followed by an introduction to the new Joe roster.

The opening concludes with a news reporter giving odds of survival as "a million to 1" and Stone yelling: "...and that's the way we LIKE it!" Season 1 with a one-minute intro with all of the live-action segments during the beginning of all the episodes, Season 2 with a thirty-second intro during Friday's The Power Block.

The new Joe team operates in a post-Cold War world wracked by chaos and carnage, and battling against both SKAR and independent mercenaries, who seek to further destabilize an already unstable world. [4] Unlike the previous series, the cartoon featured a pre-credits teaser featuring a mixture of both live actors with the voices dubbed over and CGI. However, as with the previous series, the end of the episode featured new public service announcements in the same vein as the popular "Knowing is Half the Battle" PSAs. [5]

Episodes

Season 1 (1995–1996)

#TitleDirectorWriterOriginal airdateProduction Code
01"A Summoning of Heroes"Unknown Buzz Dixon September 24, 1995 (1995-09-24)TBA
With the mysterious organization SKAR (Soldiers of Kaos, Anarchy, and Ruin) poised to assault Europe, a new team of Joes must be formed to deal with the threats faced in this brave new world.
02"Serious Leg Work"UnknownJulia Jane LewaldOctober 1, 1995 (1995-10-01)TBA
Mayday is injured and is forced to stay behind to "guard" the Joe's base while the rest of the team is out on a new mission. Iron Klaw sees this as the perfect opportunity to assault the base, dispatching Inferno and a squadron of Skyreens to do just that.
03"Point of Honor"UnknownRick MerwinOctober 8, 1995 (1995-10-08)TBA
The Joes are dispatched to claim an old missile silo before SKAR can get there. Lt. Stone opts to send Ballistic, Mayday (who is still injured from the last episode), and the mercenary Quick Stryke on this mission, but just who is Quick Stryke really working for?
04"Chips and a Cold, Cold Drink"UnknownRichard MuellerOctober 15, 1995 (1995-10-15)TBA
Black Dragon and Metal Head launch a daring strike against SKAR in an attempt to steal a valuable piece of technology. They have to deal with a very upset Rampage who intends to utilize this technology himself in his bid to overthrow Iron Klaw.
05"To Catch a Klaw"UnknownMark EdensOctober 22, 1995 (1995-10-22)TBA
After Ballistic, Mayday, and Lt. Stone walk into a trap set by SKAR, the team begins to suspect that Count von Rani may be working for SKAR. Although Clancey, the team's contact, dismisses this immediately, Lt. Stone decides to infiltrate von Rani's castle while Sgt. Savage launches an attack against SKAR forces in order to gauge the Count's reaction.
06"Relics"UnknownMatthew EdensNovember 5, 1995 (1995-11-05)TBA
When Iron Klaw busts an old Iron Army cryogenics expert out of prison, Sgt. Savage takes it upon himself to see that he is recaptured. Along the way we learn a little about the team's "oldest" member.
07"Dawn's Oily Light"Unknown Steve Cuden November 19, 1995 (1995-11-19)TBA
When SKAR seeks to disrupt the world's oil supply by seizing oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, Harpoon, Metal Head, and Black Dragon move to stop them. But when Rampage captures Metal Head and Black Dragon, Harpoon must rely on his Navy SEALs training to rescue his comrades and foil SKAR's latest scheme.
08"Crawling from the Wreckage"Unknown Len Wein December 3, 1995 (1995-12-03)TBA
After a new weapons satellite is downed, it's a race against time for the Joes to beat both Inferno and the super-soldier Wreckage to the scene of the crash.
09"Extend a Helping Klaw"UnknownRichard MuellerDecember 10, 1995 (1995-12-10)TBA
Rampage creates a new weapon that turns living beings into walking time bombs. When Stone is hit by the weapon defending Count von Rani, help in dispatching Rampage comes from an unlikely source...
10"Now Hear This"UnknownLarry ParrDecember 17, 1995 (1995-12-17)TBA
When Inferno steals a device that projects subliminal messages called the Mesmerizer, his real aims in life become apparent, as does his life story.
11"Winner Take All"Unknown Katherine Lawrence January 7, 1996 (1996-01-07)TBA
After Metalhead is critically wounded, Freight leaves the Joes and returns to his career in football. Iron Klaw is in the market for a new super soldier.
12"Coup of the Klaw"UnknownMatthew EdensJanuary 14, 1996 (1996-01-14)TBA
Iron Klaw seizes control of the United States and orders the Army to hunt down and eliminate the Joes still on the loose. Despite the fact that the situation seems hopeless, the Joes continue to fight even as the country they knew seems to collapse around them.
13"Rebellion"UnknownMark EdensJanuary 21, 1996 (1996-01-21)TBA
The Joes continue their efforts to dislodge SKAR from American soil.

Season 2 (1996–1997)

#TitleDirectorWriterOriginal airdateProduction Code
01"SKAR Under Siege"Unknown Roger Slifer September 20, 1996 (1996-09-20)TBA
With Iron Klaw's apparent defeat, SKAR begins to fall to ruin as the Joes try and discover what really happened in Count von Rani's castle the night before.
02"Operation: Underground"Unknown Marv Wolfman September 27, 1996 (1996-09-27)TBA
SKAR recruiting efforts, a mad bomber, and an attempt to get the team disbanded plague the Joes on a very bad day indeed.
03"A Traitor Among Us"UnknownRoger SliferOctober 4, 1996 (1996-10-04)TBA
The situation comes to a head when Sgt. Savage accuses Metalhead of treason when the latest in a string of missing security briefings points directly to the computer hacker.
04"Iron Klaw Unmasked"Unknown David Anthony Kraft October 11, 1996 (1996-10-11)TBA
The source of Clancy's erratic behavior is discovered, but is it too late?
05"The Search for Clancy"UnknownDavid Anthony KraftOctober 18, 1996 (1996-10-18)TBA
Now that "Clancy" has been revealed to be Iron Klaw, the search for the real Clancy begins. But what exactly did happen to the team's contact after the failed SKAR invasion of the United States?
06"Sabotage in the Sky"Unknown George Bloom October 25, 1996 (1996-10-25)TBA
A raid on a SKAR research facility reveals links to a large aviation corporation. Stone orders Mayday and Harpoon to infiltrate the company and discover what is going on.
07"The Silencer"UnknownJay Bacal and Lloyd GoldfineDecember 20, 1996 (1996-12-20)TBA
The assassin known as The Silencer lures Eagle Eye to his island hideaway to settle an old score. Soon after, Eagle Eye's shooting hand is injured and his vision is impaired by The Silencer as the two men began a nightlong game of cat and mouse.
08"Rampage for President"UnknownDavid Anthony KraftDecember 27, 1996 (1996-12-27)TBA
The leaders of SKAR free Rampage from prison and set him on the path to election as President of the African nation of Comchaka. The Joes become involved and realize that Rampage isn't about to leave the outcome to the electorate.
09"Hard Road Home"Unknown Roy Thomas January 3, 1997 (1997-01-03)TBA
Rogue General Leon Bosch takes an Inter-Alliance peacekeeping effort hostage in a bid to fully seize control of his country. The Joes are dispatched to rescue the team and end the General's reign of terror.
10"Wreckage: Revenge!"Unknown Steve Englehart January 10, 1997 (1997-01-10)TBA
Rampage has organized a gun-running deal, but needs a little muscle in case things get rough. He convinces Wreckage to provide that muscle, promising to reveal Wreckage's origin to him. When things don't turn out as planned, Wreckage ends up on a journey with Freight. Together they discover Wreckage's true origins, helping to free the man who has become a monster.
11"Fear at Fifty Fathoms"UnknownDavid Anthony KraftFebruary 7, 1997 (1997-02-07)TBA
After an Air Force fighter squadron disappears in the Bermuda Triangle, Clancy sends the Joes in to find the missing airmen.
12"Metalhead goes A.W.O.L."UnknownRoger SliferFebruary 14, 1997 (1997-02-14)TBA
Tired of Savage's constant suspicion, Metalhead leaves the Joe Team and goes AWOL.
13"Betrayal"UnknownRoger SliferFebruary 21, 1997 (1997-02-21)TBA
Metalhead and Iron Klaw plot to further weaken the Joes and the Inter-Alliance by staging a rally for the entire world to see. Matters get worse when Black Dragon is captured and his execution becomes the cornerstone of the event.

Comics

G.I. Joe
DHGIJoeExtreme1.jpg
Cover to G.I. Joe #1. Art by Frank Miller.
Publication information
Publisher Dark Horse Comics
First appearance G.I. Joe #1, Dec. 1995
Created byMike W. Barr, Hasbro
In-story information
Type of organizationMilitary unit
Base(s)G.I. Joe Headquarters
Roster
See: List of G.I. Joe Extreme characters

Dark Horse Comics acquired the G.I. Joe comic license in 1996. The initial four issue mini-series, simply titled G.I. Joe (which featured the tagline "extreme times call for extreme heroes!" on the cover of each issue), was written by Mike W. Barr, with art by Tatsuya Ishida and Scott Reed. The cover to the first issue (The Hour of the Iron Claw) was done by Frank Miller, the second issue (Pawn of the Iron Klaw) by Norm Breyfogle, and issues three (The Gang's All Here) and four (The Ultimate Price) by Walter Simonson. The plot of the mini-series revealed events that occurred after the ones depicted in the television series, but also contradict them on several points, notably in that Iron Klaw is, at the very beginning, the second-in-command of the military wing of S.K.A.R. The original leader was a woman named The Duchess of M'Klavia, who wanted her royal line to regain control of her country’s government through whatever means necessary. She was assassinated by Iron Klaw, when he became more ambitious and craved for world domination. At this point, the new Joe Team included two new members, Short Fuze (unrelated to the character of the same codename from the A Real American Hero series) and Tall Sally.

The mini-series led to an ongoing series following the same continuity, and beginning with a three-part story: (Red Scream: Hunted, Red Scream: Shakes Hands with Satan, Red Scream: Island Assault). The plot featured an anti-globalist group led by a woman called Red Scream, who sought to discredit (and eventually destroy) the Inter-Alliance, by using Joe impostors to commit acts of terrorism. The storyline concluded with both Red Scream's and Iron Klaw's capture. A fourth issue (All This and World War II and The Last Wild Heart: The Fourth Man) began a new story following the still-active remnants of the I.R.O.N. Army, but the comic was put on an indefinite "hiatus", and publication never resumed.

Characters

G.I. Joe Team

S.K.A.R.

Non-aligned villains

Voices

Additional voices

Crew

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References

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  5. "G.I.Joe Extreme Episode Guide". Yojoe.Com. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 TV.com. "G.I. Joe Extreme".
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "G.I. Joe Extreme (1995, Animated Series) Voice Cast".
  8. G.I. Joe Extreme. Give my love to Daddy,
    and keep A lot for
    yourself
    love,
    your Salindra