G.I. Joe Extreme
Encyclopedia
G.I. Joe Extreme is the name of a short-lived line of military-themed toys by Hasbro
, a two-season cartoon show by Sunbow Productions
, and two 4-issue comic mini-series by Dark Horse Comics
. It is a sequel of sorts to the previous G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
TV series, with a one-shot pack-in video called Sgt. Savage and his Screaming Eagles bridging the two series. However, the only character carried over from the video was Sgt. Savage himself. As a result, many collectors consider the Screaming Eagles toys to be part of the G.I. Joe Extreme toyline.
The new line features a storyline quite similar to the original. In a "near-future" continuity, a new G.I. Joe Team
fights to stop a rising terrorist organization called "SKAR" (Soldiers of Khaos, Anarchy and Ruin) and their leader, a mysterious, shrewd, and incredibly powerful military leader only known as "Iron Klaw".
However, even with (or perhaps because of) a larger scale, the line never approached the success of the RAH line and was canceled after its second wave.
, a motorcycle
and an all-terrain vehicle
for the Joe team, and an armored tank
, a jet
and a battering platform for SKAR.
) and distributed by Claster Television. Set in the (at the time) "near-future 2006", the show's main threat is a new, emerging terrorist organization called SKAR led by Iron Klaw, the former count of an eastern European country.
According to the 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 SKAR" whose goal is nothing less but 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!"
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. Unlike the previous series, the cartoon featured a pre-credits teaser featuring a mixture of both live actors 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.
, 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 events depicted in the television series, but also contradicts it on several points, notably in that Iron Klaw is, at the very beginning, the second-in-command of the military wing of SKAR. 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 (not related with the original one
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 a fickle comic market coupled with the poor performance of the toy line led to the series going on indefinite "hiatus", and ultimately led to its cancellation.
Hasbro
Hasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
, a two-season cartoon show by Sunbow Productions
Sunbow Productions
Sunbow Entertainment was an animation studio, founded in 1980 and owned up until 1998 by Griffin-Bacal Advertising in New York. The first animation efforts by Griffin-Bacal were producing the animated commercials for Hasbro's G.I...
, and two 4-issue comic mini-series by Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
. It is a sequel of sorts to the previous G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
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...
TV series, with a one-shot pack-in video called Sgt. Savage and his Screaming Eagles bridging the two series. However, the only character carried over from the video was Sgt. Savage himself. As a result, many collectors consider the Screaming Eagles toys to be part of the G.I. Joe Extreme toyline.
The new line features a storyline quite similar to the original. In a "near-future" continuity, a new G.I. Joe Team
G.I. Joe Team
G.I. Joe is the code name of an elite covert special forces unit operating under the control of the United States Military in the fictional G.I. Joe universe....
fights to stop a rising terrorist organization called "SKAR" (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 70s. 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. However, the line was criticized by collectors for replacing articulation with "special feature" gimmicks compared to the Real American Hero line.However, even with (or perhaps because of) a larger scale, the line never approached the success of the RAH line and was canceled after its second wave.
Action Figures
Seventeen figures were produced: 3 of Lt. Stone, 3 of Iron Klaw, 2 of Sgt. Savage, 2 of Metalhead, 2 of Ballistic, 2 of Inferno, 1 of Black Dragon, 1 of Freight and 1 of Harpoon. Mayday, the team's only female, was never released.Vehicles
Six vehicles / playsets were produced: A combat cannonCannon
A cannon is any piece of artillery that uses gunpowder or other usually explosive-based propellents to launch a projectile. Cannon vary in caliber, range, mobility, rate of fire, angle of fire, and firepower; different forms of cannon combine and balance these attributes in varying degrees,...
, a motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
and an all-terrain vehicle
All-terrain vehicle
An all-terrain vehicle , also known as a quad, quad bike, three wheeler, or four wheeler, is defined by the American National Standards Institute as a vehicle that travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the operator, along with handlebars for steering control...
for the Joe team, and an armored tank
Tank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
, a jet
Jet aircraft
A jet aircraft is an aircraft propelled by jet engines. Jet aircraft generally fly much faster than propeller-powered aircraft and at higher altitudes – as high as . At these altitudes, jet engines achieve maximum efficiency over long distances. The engines in propeller-powered aircraft...
and a battering platform for SKAR.
Cartoon
As with the original cartoon, the new series was produced by Sunbow / Gunther-Wahl Productions (later co-founded by animation producer Lee GuntherLee Gunther
Lee Gunther was a film editor on more than 85 animated shorts in all.-Career:...
) and distributed by Claster Television. Set in the (at the time) "near-future 2006", the show's main threat is a new, emerging terrorist organization called SKAR led by Iron Klaw, the former count of an eastern European country.
According to the intro (which resembles a news flash
News broadcasting
News broadcasting is the broadcasting of various news events and other information via television, radio or internet in the field of broadcast journalism. The content is usually either produced locally in a radio studio or television studio newsroom, or by a broadcast network...
), a "former super-power" has collapsed with several factions vying for control against a new global terrorist organization "known only as SKAR" whose goal is nothing less but total world domination
Hegemony
Hegemony is an indirect form of imperial dominance in which the hegemon rules sub-ordinate states by the implied means of power rather than direct military force. In Ancient Greece , hegemony denoted the politico–military dominance of a city-state over other city-states...
. 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!"
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. Unlike the previous series, the cartoon featured a pre-credits teaser featuring a mixture of both live actors 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.
Comics
Dark Horse acquired the rights to publish the G.I. Joe Extreme comics in 1996. The four issue mini-series was written by Mike W. BarrMike W. Barr
Mike W. Barr is an American writer of comic books, and mystery, and science fiction novels.-Biography:Barr's debut as a comics professional came in DC Comics' Detective Comics #444 , for which he wrote an 8-page back-up mystery feature starring the Elongated Man...
, with art by Tatsuya Ishida and Scott Reed
Scott Reed (comics)
Scott Reeds earliest comic work as a writer and inker appeared in Silverwolf Comics' Eradicators in 1990. In 1993, he worked on-staff as an inker for Malibu Comics until 1996, when he was hired by Dark Horse Comics to provide inks for Godzilla and G.I. Joe Extreme comic book mini-series...
. The cover to the first issue (The Hour of the Iron Claw) was done by Frank Miller
Frank Miller (comics)
Frank Miller is an American comic book artist, writer and film director best known for his dark, film noir-style comic book stories and graphic novels Ronin, Daredevil: Born Again, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City and 300...
, the second issue (Pawn of the Iron Klaw) by Norm Breyfogle
Norm Breyfogle
Norman Keith "Norm" Breyfogle is an American comic book artist, fine artist, illustrator, and writer. He was involved with the character of Batman consistently from 1987-1995. Breyfogle has worked on many different characters for most comic book publishers at one time or another...
, 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 events depicted in the television series, but also contradicts it on several points, notably in that Iron Klaw is, at the very beginning, the second-in-command of the military wing of SKAR. 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 (not related with the original one
Short-Fuze (G.I. Joe)
Short-Fuze 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 mortar soldier and debuted in 1982.-Profile:...
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 a fickle comic market coupled with the poor performance of the toy line led to the series going on indefinite "hiatus", and ultimately led to its cancellation.
G.I. Joe Team
- Mr. Clancy - He is the Joe Team's presidential liaison and the true team leader, very much like General FlaggGeneral FlaggGeneral 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....
in the original series. He dresses in a black suit and is always wearing sunglasses, resembling the men in blackMen in BlackMen in Black , in American popular culture and in UFO conspiracy theories, are men dressed in black suits who claim to be government agents who harass or threaten UFO witnesses to keep them quiet about what they have seen. It is sometimes implied that they may be aliens themselves...
. - Lt. StoneStone (G.I. Joe)Stone is the name of three different fictional characters from G.I. Joe, the line of military-themed toys by Hasbro. Two Lieutenants and a Sargeant, each one is featured in a different continuity, G.I. Joe Extreme, G.I. Joe: Sigma 6, and the live-action movie.- Cartoon :A Marine field commander,...
- Field commander. After foiling an attempted kidnapping by SKAR soldiers, both he and Sgt. Savage were approached by Mr. Clancy to form a new G.I. Joe Team. - Sgt. Savage - Master SergeantMaster SergeantA master sergeant is the military rank for a senior non-commissioned officer in some armed forces.-Israel Defense Forces:Rav samal rishoninsignia IDF...
Robert Stephen Savage. He was frozen alive during World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
before being discovered by HawkHawk (G.I. Joe)Hawk is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line of military-themed toys. He appears in the animated series, comic books, toyline, and movie.-Profile:...
, DocDoc (G.I. Joe)Doc is the code name of two fictional characters from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic book and cartoon series....
and Lady JayeLady Jaye (G.I. Joe)Lady Jaye is a fictional character in the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series. She was originally created as a character for the Sunbow cartoon series in 1984, and later produced as an action figure, and finally introduced into the comic book in 1985. Lady Jaye is...
between the original animated series and G.I. Joe Extreme. Savage is the "oldest" member of the team; he once had a wife and child. - Ballistic/Eagle Eye - Albert Salviatti (renamed Eagle Eye in the second season) is the team's sharp shooter. He has a strong rivalry with his former comrade-in-arms, the Silencer.
- Black Dragon - Kang Chi Lee is the Joe Team's resident ninjaNinjaA or was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations...
and martial artist. He is from Hong KongHong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, (The Search for Clancy) and has a history with a crime family from that area. - Freight - Omar Diesel is a former professional footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player and the team's demolitions expert. Freight served in the U.S. Army before becoming a football player. He left football when he heard about the reformation of the Joe Team (Crawling from the Wreckage, Winner Take All). - Harpoon - Jose Montalvo is a former Navy SEAL and the team's nautical expert (Dawn's Oily Light). He provides comic relief for the G.I. Joe team.
- Mayday - Mayday is the lone female of the reformed Joe Team. She is an aggressive and determined skilled fighter and pilot.
- Metalhead - Matthew Hurley is the team's communications and computer expert and hackerHacker (computer security)In computer security and everyday language, a hacker is someone who breaks into computers and computer networks. Hackers may be motivated by a multitude of reasons, including profit, protest, or because of the challenge...
. He was the first person recruited to join the new Joe Team (Summoning of Heroes). - Quick Stryke - A former SKAR operative who defected to the Joe Team after the death of his brother, Jonathan (Point of Honor).
- Red Mcknox - A scientistScientistA scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
of ScottishScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
descent who designed most of the equipment used by the Joe Team. - Tracker - Tracker, along with his trained wolf Dakota, is an expert tracker recruited by Stone, in order to find Clancy. Tracker possesses extra-sensory perceptionExtra-sensory perceptionExtrasensory perception involves reception of information not gained through the recognized physical senses but sensed with the mind. The term was coined by Frederic Myers, and adopted by Duke University psychologist J. B. Rhine to denote psychic abilities such as telepathy, clairaudience, and...
(The Search for Clancy). - Short-Fuze - A member of the Joe Team, appearing only in the comic series. He is an expert in demolitions, not related with the original oneShort-Fuze (G.I. Joe)Short-Fuze 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 mortar soldier and debuted in 1982.-Profile:...
from A real American Hero series. - Tall Sally - A second female character appearing only in the comic series.
SKAR (Soldiers of Khaos, Anarchy, and Ruin)
- Iron Klaw - The leader of the military wing of SKAR. He has a fascination and deep respect for Genghis KhanGenghis KhanGenghis Khan , born Temujin and occasionally known by his temple name Taizu , was the founder and Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history after his death....
(Relics, Rebellion, The Search for Clancy). Iron Klaw operates under the aliasPseudonymA pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
of Count von Rani, the ruler of a small Eastern European nation called Kalistan. - Duchess of Mklavia - The former leader of the military wing of SKAR, the Duchess appears only in the first comic series. Iron Klaw assassinated her to replace her as head of both Kalistan and SKAR.
- Steel Raven - Iron Klaw's right-hand woman, Steel Raven becomes the main instrument of his will by the second season of the TV show.
- Inferno - Kidwell Pyre served Iron Klaw throughout the first season of the television series. Inferno grew up as the son of a poor single mother who worked as a maid. Refers to arms as his "Toys", and talks with a hissing voice.
- Wreckage - A soldier who fought alongside Freight in the American military. Wreckage was experimented upon in an early attempt by Iron Klaw to create a super soldier when he was captured during a major military conflict (Crawling from the Wreckage). The experiments made Wreckage extremely strong and resilient, but prone to fits of rage.
- Rampage - Rampage is an arms manufacturerArms industryThe arms industry is a global industry and business which manufactures and sells weapons and military technology and equipment. It comprises government and commercial industry involved in research, development, production, and service of military material, equipment and facilities...
who operates legitimate business fronts and black market deals. Rampage is SKAR's primary weapon supplier. However, he seeks to eliminate Iron Klaw and seize control of the organization. He possesses the ability to transform into a grotesque devilish green skinned creature (Crawling from the Wreckage, Extend a Helping Klaw).
Non-Aligned characters
- The Silencer - Although not technically a member of SKAR, the Silencer is often found in their employ. He is a freelance mercenaryMercenaryA mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
known for his marksmanship. The Silencer used to be a member of the U.S. Special Forces, serving with Ballistic (Eagle Eye). However, he was court-martialed and thrown out of the military. - Red Scream - Appearing only in the comic series, Red Scream is an anti-globalist terrorist who sought to destroy the Inter-Alliance by discrediting the Joe Team through the use of imposters. Her identity was later revealed to be Commander Roston, an American military officer with access to the Joe Team's files.
External links
- G.I. Joe Extreme at Dark Horse Comics
- G.I. Joe Extreme at YOJOE.com