G.I. Joe vs. Cobra
Encyclopedia
G.I. Joe vs. Cobra is the G.I. Joe
toy line series that ran from 2002 to 2005. The toy line was produced by Hasbro
.
. Story and theme-wise, it was a continuation of the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
series. G.I. Joe vs. Cobra was preceded by a limited run Toys R Us exclusive line that made use of previous molds for production of G.I. Joe action figures in 1997 and 1998, as well as the 2000-2001 "Real American Hero Collection" 2-packs, which were available at mass retail.
Despite having no major G.I. Joe toy releases, Devil’s Due Publishing managed to acquire the license to produce new G.I. Joe comic books. The new comics’ success and the media attention it spawned fueled renewed interest in G.I. Joe, and led to the production of a new line of toys featuring both old and new characters. New sculptures and body architecture were utilized for the line. Collectors/fans do not usually refer to new-sculpt figures as "Real American Hero" or "RAH" figures, in order to differentiate them from the older method of construction used during the 1980s and 90s.
While Hasbro was able to reclaim the copyright to many of the classic characters, many had to be renamed because of failure to renew copyright claim, or the name had become too common for many characters; e.g. Hawk
became General Tomahawk/Abernathy, Clutch
was renamed Double Clutch, and Scarlett
was modified to Agent Scarlett.
The G.I. Joe vs. Cobra line ran for three years, before being phased out and replaced with the successor line G.I. Joe: Sigma 6
. In that time, it was supported by the new comic series and two direct-to-video
CGI
animated movies. It was also supplemented by several Toys R Us and convention exclusives. Each year of the line’s release centered on a different theme on the G.I. Joe
/Cobra conflict.
and Cobra. The action figures were sold in two-packs carrying a G.I. Joe and a Cobra character. The file cards that came with them explained how their rivalry with each other began. The first wave of figures utilize the Star Wars T crotch tooling, but the next wave brought back the classic O ring to new molds. The Cobra Commander figure from the first wave and black repaint, was retooled to accommodate the O ring.
There was a direct-to-video
computer-animated movie, G.I. Joe: Spy Troops
released towards the end of the line. The line began to incorporate some of the characters from the comics, such as Kamakura and Crosshair.
Again, like Spy Troops, it was supported by a direct-to-video film, G.I. Joe: Valor vs. Venom
. Some figures from this series were also available in single packs. The line was geared more towards children, by featuring the return of "Action Attack". This, along with repaints and remolds of previously released characters appearing every wave, did not make the line popular with collectors.
Figures from this series were initially only available from Hasbro.Com or other online toy shops. Because of this and to differentiate this series from the original Real American Hero line from the 80s and 90s fans dubbed it "Direct To Consumer" or "DTC". Later this series was also made available as a Toys "R" Us exclusive. The figures in this series were made from the same construction as the previous G.I. JOE vs Cobra/Valor vs Venom series and as such are seen as the most recent GI Joe vs. Cobra Line and a continuation of the G.I. JOE vs Cobra line, as fans expecting a new GI Joe vs. Cobra Line of Figures with a sequel to Valor vs Venom.
. The comics’ creative team did not have the same pressure from Hasbro in tying up the comics with the toy line. However, several characters and designs did manage to be incorporated into the comics.
G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe is a line of action figures produced by the toy company Hasbro. The initial product offering represented four of the branches of the U.S. armed forces with the Action Soldier , Action Sailor , Action Pilot , Action Marine and later on, the Action Nurse...
toy line series that ran from 2002 to 2005. The toy line was produced by Hasbro
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...
.
Overview
The series represented the first major relaunch of the G.I. Joe franchise since 1996’s G.I. Joe ExtremeG.I. Joe Extreme
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...
. Story and theme-wise, it was a continuation of the 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...
series. G.I. Joe vs. Cobra was preceded by a limited run Toys R Us exclusive line that made use of previous molds for production of G.I. Joe action figures in 1997 and 1998, as well as the 2000-2001 "Real American Hero Collection" 2-packs, which were available at mass retail.
Despite having no major G.I. Joe toy releases, Devil’s Due Publishing managed to acquire the license to produce new G.I. Joe comic books. The new comics’ success and the media attention it spawned fueled renewed interest in G.I. Joe, and led to the production of a new line of toys featuring both old and new characters. New sculptures and body architecture were utilized for the line. Collectors/fans do not usually refer to new-sculpt figures as "Real American Hero" or "RAH" figures, in order to differentiate them from the older method of construction used during the 1980s and 90s.
While Hasbro was able to reclaim the copyright to many of the classic characters, many had to be renamed because of failure to renew copyright claim, or the name had become too common for many characters; e.g. Hawk
Hawk (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:...
became General Tomahawk/Abernathy, Clutch
Clutch (G.I. Joe)
Clutch is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series. He is one of the G.I. Joe Team's motor vehicle drivers and debuted in 1982.-Profile:...
was renamed Double Clutch, and Scarlett
Scarlett (G.I. Joe)
Scarlett is a fictional character from G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, a line of military-themed toys created by Hasbro. The character is one of the original members of the fictional team and toy line. She is a major character of the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic book series and the...
was modified to Agent Scarlett.
The G.I. Joe vs. Cobra line ran for three years, before being phased out and replaced with the successor line G.I. Joe: Sigma 6
G.I. Joe: Sigma 6
G.I. Joe: Sigma 6 is a line of military-themed action figures and toys produced by Hasbro, re-imagining the characters of the 1980s toyline, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero.The Sigma 6 toy line served several purposes for Hasbro...
. In that time, it was supported by the new comic series and two direct-to-video
Direct-to-video
Direct-to-video is a term used to describe a film that has been released to the public on home video formats without being released in film theaters or broadcast on television...
CGI
Computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery is the application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media...
animated movies. It was also supplemented by several Toys R Us and convention exclusives. Each year of the line’s release centered on a different theme on the G.I. Joe
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....
/Cobra conflict.
G.I. Joe vs. Cobra
Released in 2002, G.I. Joe vs. Cobra was borne out of the success of Devil’s Due’s G.I. Joe comics. The series brought back classic characters, as well as introduced new ones. For the first time, there was a theme to the toy line, this one focusing on the rivalries between members of the G.I. Joe TeamG.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....
and Cobra. The action figures were sold in two-packs carrying a G.I. Joe and a Cobra character. The file cards that came with them explained how their rivalry with each other began. The first wave of figures utilize the Star Wars T crotch tooling, but the next wave brought back the classic O ring to new molds. The Cobra Commander figure from the first wave and black repaint, was retooled to accommodate the O ring.
G.I. Joe: Spy Troops
The toyline was re-titled as G.I. Joe vs. Cobra: Spy Troops for the second year. The plot involved G.I. Joe and Cobra in espionage against each other via various disguises. Each two-pack featured either Joe with a Cobra disguise or a Cobra with a Joe disguise, or one figure with a camouflage coat to blend into the background. On the back of the box was the mission relating to the two characters.There was a direct-to-video
Direct-to-video
Direct-to-video is a term used to describe a film that has been released to the public on home video formats without being released in film theaters or broadcast on television...
computer-animated movie, G.I. Joe: Spy Troops
G.I. Joe: Spy Troops
G.I. Joe: Spy Troops is a 2003 direct-to-video CGI animated movie produced by Reel FX Creative Studios. Spy Troops is the first G.I. Joe movie to be released by Reel FX....
released towards the end of the line. The line began to incorporate some of the characters from the comics, such as Kamakura and Crosshair.
G.I. Joe: Valor vs. Venom
Valor vs. Venom was the third and final series in the G.I. Joe vs. Cobra line. It was the only one with a storyline attached to it. The central plot involved Cobra creating animal/human hybrid soldiers dubbed Venom Troopers (or V-Troops) via a mutagenic chemical known as Venom. G.I. Joe counters with advanced technology.Again, like Spy Troops, it was supported by a direct-to-video film, G.I. Joe: Valor vs. Venom
G.I. Joe: Valor vs. Venom
G.I. Joe: Valor vs. Venom is a direct-to-video CGI animated movie and sequel to G.I. Joe: Spy Troops. It was released in 2004 by Reel FX Creative Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures. Like Spy Troops, the film was written around the theme of the toys released that year. In this case, it...
. Some figures from this series were also available in single packs. The line was geared more towards children, by featuring the return of "Action Attack". This, along with repaints and remolds of previously released characters appearing every wave, did not make the line popular with collectors.
G.I. Joe Direct To Consumer/Toys "R" Us Exclusive line
With the cancellation of the Valor vs Venom series Hasbro released a new series simply titled "G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero". Unlike the most of the previous G.I. JOE vs Cobra/Valor vs Venom series, these figures were released alone on a single card. Each wave of figures had three Joe agents, one named Cobra agent and two Cobra troops. and these Toys can only purchased from online retailers,and not from any retailers such as Toys"R"Us as of 2007Figures from this series were initially only available from Hasbro.Com or other online toy shops. Because of this and to differentiate this series from the original Real American Hero line from the 80s and 90s fans dubbed it "Direct To Consumer" or "DTC". Later this series was also made available as a Toys "R" Us exclusive. The figures in this series were made from the same construction as the previous G.I. JOE vs Cobra/Valor vs Venom series and as such are seen as the most recent GI Joe vs. Cobra Line and a continuation of the G.I. JOE vs Cobra line, as fans expecting a new GI Joe vs. Cobra Line of Figures with a sequel to Valor vs Venom.
Comics
The G.I. Joe vs. Cobra line did not have a comic book series that directly supports it. The series as published by Devil’s Due was meant to be a continuation of the story published by Marvel ComicsMarvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. The comics’ creative team did not have the same pressure from Hasbro in tying up the comics with the toy line. However, several characters and designs did manage to be incorporated into the comics.