G.I. Joe: Season 1, Part 2 (DVD)

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The war cry of "Yo, Joe" should be familiar to any child of the 80's. However, G.I. Joe took a long journey before that famous catchphrase was born. In 1963, Hasbro created a line of 12inch poseable soldiers widely considered to be the first "action figure." Even though the idea was born as a boy's version of Barbie, don't ever call them dolls. The original Joes came with various outfits, accessories, and vehicles. The martial arts craze of the 1970's gave Joe his infamous "kung fu grip." Time passed and the toy industry (along with the rest of the world) was forever changed by a motion picture phenomenon called, "Star Wars."

Kenner made their Star Wars figures at 3 3/4 inches, a smaller size than their competitors. Supply couldn't meet demand and the toys flew off the shelves. Kenner's success forced other toy companies to follow suit. While this was happening, the FCC under the Reagan Administration made several policy changes to the television industry. They lowered the maximum amount of educational programs that networks were required to provide and opened the way for a slew of toy-based cartoons.

Hasbro created a brand new version of G.I. Joe to go along with its smaller size. G.I. Joe was now a specialized branch of the military dedicated to defending the world against a terrorist organization known as Cobra. Along with the cartoon, Marvel published a comic book series which was far more grittier and realistic. The entire run of the comic was written by Larry Hama, who also wrote all the filecards on the back of the action figure packages. In fact, comic book fans should pay attention to the writers' credits as they will find many recognizable names such as: Gerry Conway (wrote "Amazing Spider-Man" and created The Punisher) and Steve Gerber (wrote "Man-Thing" and created Howard the Duck).

Make no mistake "G.I. Joe" wasn't just a commercial for the toys, there's a slew of interesting characters and the shows are packed with action and humor. This four-disc set contains the second half of the first season. The episodes are as follows:

-Disc 1-

"The Germ"
A Crimson Guardsman pilfers Bacteria X and brings it to Destro's lab where it's accidentally combined with an experimental growth serum. Now a giant germ threatens to absorb everything in its path ala "The Blob." A cool episode featuring one of their more interesting and underutilized characters, Airtight (voiced by Matt Frewer, most well-known as Max Headroom).

"The Viper is Coming"
Barbecue gets a series of mysterious phone calls from an individual known as The Viper. The Viper leaves the Joes clues that lead to Cobra such as, a recreational base and a scheme to attack West Point. The Joes and Cobra try to figure out who The Viper is and what he's after.

"Spell of the Siren"
The Joe women take the spotlight for this episode. The Baroness gets her hands on a mystical conch shell that can enthrall any man that hears its sound. She uses it to take over Cobra and enslave all the male Joes. It's up to Scarlett, Lady Jaye, and Cover Girl to stop her.

"Cobra Quake"
The Joes head to Tokyo to guard a meeting of world leaders, but Cobra threatens the proceedings by planting explosives throughout the city in order to trigger a massive earthquake. The Joes split up to foil Cobra's plans, while Bazooka coordinates the disarmament of the bombs.

"Captives of Cobra, Parts 1 & 2"
After a lab accident destroys a Cobra base, leaving behind powerful and volatile crystals. Desperate to get their hands on it, Cobra steals secret files containing the Joes' personal information. The Baroness uses this data to kidnap the family members of Barbecue, Quick Kick, Scarlet, Shipwreck, Spirit, and Thunder. How can the Joes fight their own loved ones?

"Bazooka Saw a Sea Serpent"
While investigating the disappearances of numerous sea vessels, Bazooka claims to have seen a sea serpent. His monster turns out to be a highly sophisticated submarine, which Cobra Commander uses to plunder the oceans.

-Disc 2-

"Excalibur"
During a dogfight with the Joes, Storm Shadow is shot down and makes a watery crash. There, he discovers the Lady in the Lake and King Arthur's mystical sword, Excalibur. The Joes must return the sword to its proper place before terrible weather conditions destroy the British Isles.

"Worlds Without End, Parts 1 & 2"
An accident involving Destro's matter transmuter ray sends Flint, Lady Jaye, Steeler, Clutch, and Grunt to an alternate universe. There, they discover Cobra defeated G.I. Joe years ago and have taken over the world. Steeler also discovers The Baroness of this world is one of the good guys and his lover. One of the best stories of the series.

"Eau de Cobra"
Using a Babylonian manuscript, Cobra creates a perfume that can enthrall any man that smells it. The Baroness plans on using it to manipulate a rich tycoon and steal his money for Cobra. Only Flint, Lady Jaye, and a jealous Destro stand in her way.

"Cobra Claws Are Coming to Town"
Cobra's latest plot...ruin Christmas. A shrink ray allows Cobra to infiltrate Joe headquarters and take them prisoner. Cobra plans to use Joe equipment to attack the nearby town and frame G.I. Joe.

"An Eye for an Eye"
What happens when an ordinary guy gets drawn into the battle against Cobra? During a battle, an errant fighter jet crashes into the house of Charlie Fairmont. With his home destroyed and his family in the hospital, Charlie plans to take down Cobra at any cost.

"The Gods Below"
On the trail of Cobra Commander and The Baroness; Duke, Alpine, Bazooka, Barbecue, and Lady Jaye are trapped inside the Tomb of Osiris. They are flung into the world of Egyptian Gods and must make their way back to the realm of the living.