The DiC episodes of GI Joe started in 1989 with the opening mini-series Operation: Dragonfire. The cartoon series ran for two seasons starting in 1990. Hasbro apparently got such a good deal on the price of animation from DiC that they dropped Sunbow, the company that had done the original GI Joe series (known in the fandom as the "good" series). Apparently, DiC more or less paid Hasbro for the privilege of doing the animation and Hasbro jumped at the chance. The DiC episodes are characterized among Joe fans at large by allegedly shoddier animation, the appearance of new characters (basically, those characters whose toys were coming out in the early 90s, along with reissues of older characters), crackheaded plots and cartoonish sound effects. Allegedly, the DiC episodes were aimed at a younger audience, which was used to justify some of the 'dumbing down' of the stories and characterization.
In my opinion, a large part of this reputation is undeserved. While the DIC series didn't have the same budget or cast as the Sunbow series, by and large the writers and cast they did have produced a series that was an enjoyable way to kill an afternoon. Several episodes are easily the equal of Sunbow in terms of writing and characterization.
The DiC episodes are widely reviled among Joe fans and yet, despite that, they are still a part of Joe cartoon history. It is for that reason, and to satisfy a pact made with the dark masters who control my Internet connection, that I have decided to compile summaries of these episodes.
Don’t thank me (no, really, don’t thank me. I have unleashed an evil on the world). I do this to save others from the hardship of actually watching these episodes themselves. And to kill some time and waste some space on my website. And because, god help me, I actually like the series. And so do a lot of you out there! I'm looking at you! In the back row! ADMIT IT! Wave that freak flag high!!
Please note, while every attempt is being made to give an accurate summary of what's happened in a particular episode, both summaries and commentaries will be liberally sprinkled with asides and commentary by yours truly. My biases will show, my preferences will be laid bare to the world and my obsession will be made manifest.
(Hey, it's cheaper than therapy....)
So, in the words of Dr. Clayton Forrester: “Enjoy!”
--Kathy
Operation: Dragonfire (1989)-- Original five part episode that set the stage for the DiC series, in the same way that the original five part series set the stage for the Sunbow episodes. Concerns the efforts of Cobra to find the mystical Dragonfire energy.
Season One -- 1990:
An Officer and a Viperman -- For the want of a cookie, the battle was lost...
BIOK -- Murderous AI tries to take over the world, take #2,345,678!
Cold Shoulder Satelites and Polar Bears.
D-Day at Alcatraz (two parter) -- Cobra allows themselves to be captured in order to steal weapons being kept near Alcatraz. See Cobra Commander cook! Also, learn the secret of the ghost of Alcatraz.
General Confusion -- Budget cuts hit the Joes hard.
Granny Dearest -- Metal-Head's grandmother comes to visit her grandson, leader of Cobra.
I Found You Evy Screw Classmates.com, if you're looking for folks you used to know, check Cobra's recruitment files!
Injustice and the Cobra Way
Night of the Creepers -- Mummy Vipers and Low Light's secret fear.
Pigskin Commandos -- Cobra vs. GI Joe in a football match where Sgt. Slaughter is the ball
Revenge of the Pharohs - Night Creeper Leader discovers a secret about his past.
Stuck on You -- Jungle Love, DIC style.
That's Entertainment We're in a Road Movie to Berlin...well, no, more like to Colossal Studios.
The Mind Mangler
The Nozone Conspiracy -- Cobra attempts to destroy the ozone layer in an effort to sell more suntan lotion.
United We Stand -- Pathfinder and Ambush learn the importance of teamwork.
Victory at Volcania (two parter) -- This is why Joes never go on vacation.
Season Two:
A is for Android Like the Synthoid Conspiracy only not.
Basic Training Got to get tough...
Chunnel See Scarlett Shop! Oh yeah, and Cobra tries to steal the Crown Jewels.
Cobra World Cobra Commander tries to replace Walt Disney as world's most evil amusement park owner.
El Dorado -- The Lost City of Gold -- Think "Indiana Jones" only with Grunt and without the whip.
Infested Island -- Big Bugs!
Keyboard Warriors Wargames DIC style.
Kindergarten Commandos -- Cobra vs. Elementary school students. No. Really.
Long Live Rock & Roll (two parter) -- Cobra attempts to use rock and roll to destroy New York City. Features the song stylings of Billy Blaster.
Message from the Deep -- An underwater city reveals a hidden secret.
Metal-Head's Reunion -- Metal-Head goes to his high school reunion in an effort to get a secret armor formula for Cobra. Featuring the return of Metal-Head’s Grandma!
Shadow of a Doubt -- NEW Storm Shadow gets an offer from Cobra. Can he refuse it?
The Eliminator - Overkill gets an upgrade!
The Greatest Evil (two parter) -- Cobra and GI Joe fight the evils of drugs. The episode that made me feel sorry for Falcon. Bastards!
The Legend of Metal Head -- Metal-Head breaks the Fourth Wall and shares his greatness with the kids. Note: This episode more properly belongs in the second season, since it was the last episode of the DIC series to air.
The Sludge Factor (two parter) Introducing Cesspool and the Joe Eco-Warriors. The kind of thing that makes one long for the days of the Cold War…
The Sword -- The struggle for the Sword of Density...err..Destiny. Featuring more ninjas than the law will allow!
Copyright Notice/Disclaimer: The Freighter is unauthorized (and some would say ill-advised). The original contents of these pages (reviews, articles and other materials) are copyrighted to Kathy Pulver. Materials from other sources have been noted as such when applicable. The contents of the episodes are copyrighted to DIC and Hasbro who own them. All other images/artwork are copyrighted to their original owners and are used with permission.