Battleforce 2000
Encyclopedia
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.
A part of 6 of the vehicles can combine together to form into a small hi-tech fortress called the Future Fortress, which consisted of secondary parts that merely rested next ot one another, with no interlocking pieces. 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.
, 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 Terrordrome
s are emitting anger inducing rays; all were destroyed by the Battleforce team. 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.
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. Avalanche is featured four issues later, he works with Frostbite
, Snow Job
and the Oktober Guard to destroy Cobra influence in the Bering Strait
.
Later, Battleforce 2000 is a minor part of the invading force assisting Serpentor
during the Cobra Civil War. 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.
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.
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
.
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is a military-themed line of action figures and toys in Hasbro's G.I. Joe franchise. The toyline lasted from 1982 to 1994, producing well over 500 figures and 250 vehicles and playsets. The line reappeared in 1997 and has continued in one form or another to the...
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.
Toys
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. Dodger was repainted and released as part of the Sonic Fighters line in 1990.A part of 6 of the vehicles can combine together to form into a small hi-tech fortress called the Future Fortress, which consisted of secondary parts that merely rested next ot one another, with no interlocking pieces. 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.
Characters
- Avalanche - Sgt. Ian M. Costello is the G.I. Joe team's cold weather specialist who drives the "Dominator" vehicle. It's said that he was a poacher when young. He is KIA in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #113 while maneuvering through an oil field, when it is bombed by Cobra Commander.
- Blaster - Sgt. Brian R. Davis is the G.I. Joe team's ground effect vehicle operator who operates the "Vindicator" hovercraft. He loves to design hovercrafts, and is a fan of loud rock and roll music. He is KIA in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #113 while maneuvering through an oil field, when it is bombed by Cobra Commander.
- Blocker - Sgt. David B. McCarthy is the G.I. Joe team's driver of the "Eliminator" vehicle. He grew tired of being a cab driver, and so joined the army, saying it was "safer". He is KIA in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #113 while maneuvering through an oil field, when it is bombed by Cobra Commander.
- Dodger - Sgt. 1st. class Richard Renwick is the G.I. Joe team's maintenance expert, and operator of the "Marauder" vehicle. Known to cook for the team, and for having a knack for holographic systems, Dodger is the only survivor of the incident that killed the other members of Battleforce 2000. He is now a transportation specialist and member of the Sonic Fighters.
- Knockdown - Sgt. Blain M. Gonsalves is the G.I. Joe team's electronic detection systems expert. He is the operator of the "Sky-Sweeper" vehicle, and radar-tracking systems master repairman. He is KIA in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #113 while maneuvering through an oil field, when it is bombed by Cobra Commander.
- Maverick - U.S.A.F. Capt. Thomas P. Kiley is the G.I. Joe team's pilot of the "Vector" aircraft. He graduated top of his class, just because he volunteered himself in every experimental aircraft project he could. He is KIA in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #113 while maneuvering through an oil field, when it is bombed by Cobra Commander.
- Dee-Jay - Spc. Thomas R. Rossi III is the G.I. Joe team's communications expert. He is a former Disk Jockey (hence his code name), and the only member without an assigned vehicle. Dee-Jay is a late addition to the team when KIA in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #113, he dies while maneuvering through an oil field, when it is bombed by Cobra Commander.
Vehicles
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!"- Dominator - A tank that was specially designed for use in freezing weather conditions. Driven by Avalanche.
- Eliminator - A 4WD jeep-like assault vehicle. Driven by Blocker.
- Marauder - A hi-tech battle cycle and tank. Driven by Dodger.
- Sky-Sweeper - A mobile anti-aircraft platform. Driven by Knockdown.
- Vector - A VTOLVTOLA vertical take-off and landing aircraft is one that can hover, take off and land vertically. This classification includes fixed-wing aircraft as well as helicopters and other aircraft with powered rotors, such as cyclogyros/cyclocopters and tiltrotors...
jet fighter. The Vector was once stolen by Cobra forces, but retrieved with civilian help. Piloted by Maverick. - Vindicator - An advanced hovercraft. Piloted by Blaster.
- Pulverizer - A mobile laser cannon platform, first released in 1989. It is the only vehicle with no primary designated operator, though it is implied Dee-Jay is the operator.
Comics
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 DukeDuke (G.I. Joe)
Duke is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero and G.I. Joe: Sigma 6 lines of military-themed toys. The character is featured in both the animated series and comic books. Duke is portrayed by actor Channing Tatum in the 2009 live-action film, G.I. Joe: The Rise of...
, Iceberg
Iceberg (G.I. Joe)
Iceberg is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series. He is the G.I. Joe Team's snow trooper and debuted in 1986.-Profile:His real name is Clifton L. Nash, and his rank is that of sergeant E-5...
, Cover Girl
Cover Girl (G.I. Joe)
Cover Girl is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline comic books and cartoon series. She is a tank jockey, specializing in the Wolverine missile tank, and debuted in 1983.-Profile:...
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 Terrordrome
Terrordrome
The Cobra Terrordrome is a playset from Hasbro's G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toy line.-Toys:The playset was first released in 1986, and is basically the prefabricated easily set up fortress/headquarters for Cobra. Each playset comes with a vehicle service and refueling bay, munitions depot, a...
s are emitting anger inducing rays; all were destroyed by the Battleforce team. 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
Wild Bill (G.I. Joe)
Wild Bill is a character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series of the 1980s.-Profile:According to Wild Bill's original file card, his real name is William S. Hardy, and his rank is that of army chief warrant officer CW-4...
and Crazylegs
Crazylegs (G.I. Joe)
Crazylegs is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series. He is the G.I. Joe Team's assault trooper and debuted in 1987.-Profile:His real name is David O. Thomas, and his rank is that of corporal E-4...
during a mission in Rio Vista, the capital of war-torn Sierra Gordo, yet another fictional country. Several Dreadnoks
Dreadnoks
The Dreadnoks are a fictional biker gang who act as villains in the G.I. Joe saga, which have been represented in several types of media, including toylines , comic books series , and television cartoons .All Dreadnoks are uncouth and violent, and usually engage their enemies with...
appear, and Monkeywrench
Monkeywrench (G.I. Joe)
Monkeywrench is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series of the 1980s. He is affiliated with Cobra as one of the Dreadnoks and debuted in 1986.-Profile:His real name is Bill Winkie...
, Zarana
Zarana
Zarana is the sister of Zartan and Zandar in the fiction setting of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. She has short naturally auburn hair that has been dyed pink and is usually depicted with a tattered hot pink T-shirt and blue pants. Zarana is a master of disguise who can fool even the best...
and Thrasher
Thrasher (G.I. Joe)
Thrasher is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series of the 1980s. He is affiliated with Cobra as the Dreadnoks' Thunder Machine driver and debuted in 1986.-Profile:...
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.
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. Avalanche is featured four issues later, he works with Frostbite
Frostbite (G.I. Joe)
Frostbite is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series. He is the G.I. Joe Team's Snow Cat driver and debuted in 1985.-Profile:His real name is Farley S. Seward, and his rank is that of corporal E-4...
, Snow Job
Snow Job (G.I. Joe)
Snow Job is a character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series of the 1980s. He is the G.I. Joe team's original arctic trooper and debuted in 1983.-Bio:...
and the Oktober Guard to destroy Cobra influence in the Bering Strait
Bering Strait
The Bering Strait , known to natives as Imakpik, is a sea strait between Cape Dezhnev, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia, the easternmost point of the Asian continent and Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska, USA, the westernmost point of the North American continent, with latitude of about 65°40'N,...
.
Later, Battleforce 2000 is a minor part of the invading force assisting Serpentor
Serpentor
Serpentor is a fictional character from G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, a line of military-themed toys created by Hasbro. The character was introduced in 1986 as a toy with an air chariot and included in the animated series that same year.-Toys:...
during the Cobra Civil War. They team up with Mutt
Mutt (G.I. Joe)
Mutt is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series. He is the G.I. Joe Team's dog handler , and debuted in 1984.-Profile:...
to spy on the town of Broca Beach, suspected of being a Cobra stronghold. The group comes into conflict with the Dreadnoks.
When Hasbro gave permission to writer Larry Hama
Larry Hama
Larry Hama is an American comic book writer, artist, actor and musician who has worked in the fields of entertainment and publishing since the 1960s....
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
Cobra Commander
Cobra Commander is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe franchise. He appears in the toyline, animated series , comic books, video games, and movie as the usual principal antagonist. He is the supreme leader of the terrorist organization Cobra, and archnemesis of the Joes...
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.
The rest of the team is buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
, 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
General Flagg
General Flagg is the code name as well as the rank and surname of two fictional characters from the toyline, cartoon and comic series, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero....
.
External links
- Battle Force 2000 at JMM's G.I. Joe Comics Home Page
- Battleforce 2000 at YOJOE.com