Media Monday.

This week we are looking at "G.I.Joe The Revenge of Cobra" the second G.I.Joe miniseries. It debuted in 1984 and like the first mini-series was written by Ron Friedman. It saw the return of all of the previous characters and a number of new ones.

G.I Joe
Mini Series 2
The Revenge of Cobra

Episode 1
In the Cobra's Pit

The Mini Series starts out with the Joes transporting a huge laser cannon. They are worried about Cobra trying to steal the laser core which powers the cannon. Right on cue Cobra appears and the battle begins. Cobra Commander leads his troops but is caught during the battle. As the Cobra forces capture the laser core Duke and Snake Eyes interfere. Unfortunately, they are captured along with the core. With their goal achieved Cobra retreats leaving Cobra Commander in the hands of Gung Ho.

Flint orders Gung Ho to take Cobra Commander to Black Water prison while he and a few other Joes chase down the escaping Cobra Forces. Unbeknownst to the Joes, Zartan has captured a high ranking Officer, who was on his way to Black Water prison, and is impersonating him. When Gung Ho arrives with Cobra Commander he is met by the prison's warden and the Baroness in disguise. The Baroness is already laying the ground work for Cobra Commander's escape to a disgusted Gung Ho. Before Gung Ho can say any more Zartan, disguised as the Officer, appears and sends him away. Zartan and the Baroness quickly escape with Cobra Commander. As Gung Ho and the Joes are leaving they see the real Officer and race back to the prison. This leads to a chase through the swamp. Zartan and the others are able to evade the Joes and escape.

Meanwhile Flint and his men are caught in a storm created by Destro's new weather machine, the Weather Dominator, and end up in a place called the Pit of Chaos. We soon learn that the Pit of Chaos has been filled with specially modified seeds. The seeds rapidly grow into vines that wrap themselves around people and crush them. The episode ends with Cobra Commander demanding the world surrender or he will throw the world into chaos with very bad weather. This is a good start to the mini-series. The new characters have been introduced well and the action is fast paced. Once again the animation good and the voice work is top notch.

Quote of the Episode.

From Flint to Duke.

"Remember a cobra is a snake and snake is sneak spelled sideways"

Awesome Moment of the Episode.

In this episode we get an awesome chase scene between the Joes and the Dreadnoks. The chase takes place in a swamp and has the Dreadnoks on Jet Skis with the Joes in armored Jet Boats. Definitely a fun scene.

The "Wait. What?" moment of the Episode.

Destro has created a weather machine, which means that he has officially gone from being a weapons dealer to a full on mad scientist.

Episode 2
The Vine of Evil.

The episode begins with Flint, at the bottom of the Pit of Chaos, being attacked by the Cobra vines. He quickly finds Roadblock and the two of them fight their way through the vines. They see that there is an area where the vines are dying and make their way there. They find Mutt and his dog Junkyard. Mutt is using the engine of his downed jet to kill off some of the vines.

As that is happening we see that Destro is using mind control devices to force Duke and Snake Eyes to fight each other in gladiatorial combat. They have been placed into an arena that creates virtual weapons and more. While fighting they are able to overcome the devices and contact the other Joes. Duke and Snake Eyes inform the rest of the team that Cobra Commander is going to target Washington DC. It turns out that Doc has come up with a way to protect Washington DC from the Weather Dominator. He has created a device that can reflect and redirect energy. With that they make their way to the capital.

From there we return to Flint, Mutt, and Roadblock who have made a makeshift helicopter. They complete the vehicle as the jet uses the last of the gas that had not been siphoned from engines. As the jet dies the helicopter begins to lift off. Unfortunately the vines are able to get a hold of Roadblock and he has to be left behind. Flint, Mutt and Mutt's dog Junkyard make it out of the Pit of Chaos but crash a few moments later. In doing so they alert a pair of Cobra soldiers to their whereabouts. Flint and Mutt disarm the soldiers and take their clothes and vehicle.

Meanwhile Cobra Commander and Destro are arguing about how they are going to attack Washington DC. Destro is worried about using too much energy. As they talk the Weather Dominator is aimed at it's new target. Which causes the vines in the Pit of Chaos to die. This means Roadblock is free to escape from the pit.

Cobra soon begins it's attack. The Joes make it just in time to use their device. They are able to redirect the energy back to it's source. In doing so they send the Weather Dominator into orbit where it breaks into three pieces and crashes back down to earth in separate locations. The destruction of the Weather Dominator also causes normal weather systems to go haywire.

Flint and Mutt, who are continuing their escape, wander into a desert saloon where a fight quickly breaks out. Flint and Mutt take care of business and meet a new friend. The man turns out to be Shipwreck. He offers to ferry the two Joes out of the desert. They agree and end up in a wind powered sand boat. All is well until a giant sand storm hits them. Mutt fall out of the boat and is in danger of being buried. The episode ends with the Joes and Cobra making arrangement to locate the pieces of the Weather Dominator.

It is at this point that I have to point out that this plot is identical to the one from the previous mini series. In both shows we have Cobra stealing a device from the Joes that they need to make a weapon work. In doing so they kidnap Duke. Something goes wrong with the device and the rest of the show is a race between the Joes and Cobra. It is stunningly similar.

Quote of the Episode.

From Road Block to Flint.

"Man am I glad to find a friendly face in this homicidal salad bow!"

Awesome moment of the Episode.

During a barroom brawl Mutt's dog Junkyard is about to be attacked by another dog until Mutt scares the dog off by growling at him. Which just goes to show that you do not FUCK with a G.I.Joe’s dog.

The "Wait. What?" moment of the Episode.

While trying to find a way out of the desert Flint and Mutt come across a bar called the "Cobra Cafe". I don't know what desert they where in but it apparently has an old fashioned saloon complete with a piano player.

Episode 3
The Palace of Doom.

This episode was mainly about the Joe's and Cobras fighting over two of the three pieces of the Weather Dominator. One piece fell on an island called the Island of no Return the other landed in the Palace of Doom. The third piece, which is at a place called The Roof of the World, is left for last. At the beginning of the episode we see Flint save Mutt from the sand storm. Shipwreck, Flint, Mutt, and Junkyard take shelter under the sand boat’s sail until the storm blows over. When it does they use the boat's thrusters and make it back to Joe headquarters. When they arrive they quickly leave again with Shipwreck joining them.

Meanwhile Roadblock, who has escaped the Pit of Chaos, ends up in the back of a truck which is part of a convoy. He believes them to be Cobra trucks until he finds a woman tied up in the back. He frees her and learns that she owns the trucks, which are full of food, and that Cobra has hijacked them.

As that happens the battle rages on the Island of No Return and at the Palace of doom. On the Island of No Return, Spirit is able to find one of the  pieces but is confronted by Storm Shadow. During the fight they fall down a waterfall.

At the Palace of Doom, Shipwreck, Lady Jaye, and Gung Ho also retrieve a  piece of the Weather Dominator but set off a giant ancient rock robot. The robot tries to destroy them until Major Bludd sends in a giant Cobra robot to battle it. In the middle of the battle an earthquake occurs that makes an opening in the palace for the three Joes to escape. The escape does not go well. Not only does Major Bludd get the component but Ship Wreck and Gung Ho fall down a newly formed crevice. We end with the image of Ship Wreck and Gung Ho falling to their apparent death.

Quote of the Episode.

We have are first double entry for this Mini-Series.

From Shadow.

"Possibility and Impossibility are states of mind. In my mind there is only the possible."

And from Baroness to Zartan.

"I order you to respond to my orders!"

Awesome Moment of the Episode.

Freedom, Spirits eagle partner, catches a shuriken thrown by Storm shadow in his beak.

The "Wait. What?" moment of the Episode.

I am torn for this one. I should probably give this to the giant ancient rock robot fighting a giant Cobra robot in an ancient Mayan like temple, but I can't. As awesomely ridiculous as that was there was something else that just made me ask "Wait. What?". We see the Joe forces traveling to an island. The majority of them are riding in boats and hover crafts. Except for a few of them who, for some reason, are on windsurf boards. Why would G.I. Joe send soldiers out to combat on fucking surf boards. It's just so weird.

Episode 4
Roof of the World.

The episode picks up right where the last left off. Lady Jaye uses one of her javelins to save Shipwreck and Gung Ho. With them safe we move back to the Island of no Return. G.I. Joe and Cobra are in a heated battle. The Joes learn that the earth's crust has cracked and that magma is seeping up from the sea bed. This is causing the water temperature to rise dramatically.

From there we move to Spirit and Storm Shadow who  have been dragged into an underwater cave. They begin to fight again but realize that they have very little oxygen left and call a truce. With the water quickly rising Spirit hypothesizes that there must be a way for the air to get out. Maybe a blow hole. He suggests that they use the air trapped under the component to breath as the water overcomes them. Storm Shadow agrees and they make it out. Once safe Storm Shadow thanks Spirit for saving his life and tells him the component is his. The other members of Cobra have different ideas and attack Spirit. But there is little time left. Spirit and the other Joes are able to escape with the fragment just as the island is destroyed.

During the battle Road Block and Honda Lou (What kind of name is that anyway?) have arrived at Cobra head quarters. Road Block tries to grab Cobra Commander but ends up having to use him as a weapon to escape. A group of Cobra soldiers gang up on him and he is captured. He and Honda Lou are thrown into the arena with Duke and Snake Eyes. Cobra Commander orders a technician to begin the “End Game” program. This causes the arena to create huge snake like beings to kill the imprisoned Joes and Honda Lou.

As that is happening the Joes, Cobra, and the Dreadnoks are at the Roof of the World looking for the laser core. The Dreadnoks are secretly hoping to get it first so that they can auction it off to the highest bidder. They do arrive first but the Joes and Cobra are right behind them. The Dreadnoks hide while the battle ensues. During the fight Storm Shadow saves Spirit's life thereby making them even. Which means that the next time they meet it will be as enemies. Zartan is able to retrieve the laser core and tells the Joes and Cobra that he will sell it to the highest bidder. He ends his announcement by causing an avalanche to cover his escape. The episode ends with Flint, Snow Job, Gung Ho, Ship Wreck, and Spirit about to be crushed by a wall of ice and snow.

Quote of the Episode.

From Road Block.

"Oh he'll fight for freedom wherever there is trouble G.I. Joe is here." That's right Road Block sings part of the theme song during the episode.

Awesome moment of the Episode.

Spirit and Storm Shadow fight over the fragment in a hidden under water cave. They battle to a standstill and show their mutual respect.

The "Wait. What?" Moment of the Episode.

The race for the last fragment ends with G.I. Joe and Cobra in a head to head battle. A battle fought on ice-skates. They end up in a weird mix of combat, hockey, and air hockey.

Episode 5
Amusement Park of Terror.

The episode begins with Flint, Snow Job, Gung Ho, Ship Wreck, and Spirit firing their laser rifles into the air and melting the incoming avalanche. From there we go to an abandoned amusement park that Zartan is using as a secret base. He broadcasts a message to Cobra and the Joes. The message is tracked and the two forces are on their way.

Meanwhile Duke, Snake Eyes, Roadblock, and Honda Lee are able to stop the "End Game" program. With no one watching them they escape from the arena.

Back at the amusement park Zartan is using hidden weapons to hold off Cobra. The main Joe force is held up by weather leaving only Rip Cord and Breaker. They parachute into the park and knock out the power. This allows the Cobra forces to get the upper hand and forces Zartan to call for an escape. He and the Dreadnoks head for their vehicles. Zartan is captured and hands over the laser core. Cobra now has two of the three pieces. With the third one in their sights.

Storm Shadow had been sent to get the third piece from Joe HQ. He succeeds and Cobra is once again in possession of a working Weather Dominator.

The episode comes to a head as the Joe forces attack Cobra HQ. They are easily fended off by the Weather Dominator. Things look bad  but Duke, Snake Eyes, Roadblock, and Honda Lee are still loose. They have  yet to escape, due to the complicated nature of the Cobra HQ, and have found the vines from earlier in the series. Knowing what they can do Roadblock makes his way to the command center and unleashes them. The vines grab Cobra Commander and pulls Destro from the Weather Dominator. The vines turn the device off in process.

With out the advantage of the Weather Dominator the Cobra forces have to retreat. Cobra HQ begins to descend under the sand but Flint is able to fly into it and destroy the lowering mechanism. During the fight the Baroness and Major Bludd are captured. Inside Cobra HQ Cobra Commander is caught in the vines and the Joes are victorious. Only Destro and Zartan are able to escape.

Now that the fight is over, all that's left is for the Joes to fix the mixed up weather patterns. In a scene that is almost identical the end of the first mini-series things don't quite work out. The weather around the world goes back to normal except right over the Joe HQ where a snow storm breaks out.

Quote of the Episode.

From Destro.

"No force on Earth is a match for nature gone mad!"

Awesome Moment of the Episode.

Flint flies a planed into Cobra Headquarters as it is being lowered into the sand. When inside he blows up the lowering mechanism allowing the Joes to enter.

The "Wait. What?" moment of the Episode.

The Dreadnoks use remote controlled bumper cars fitted with lasers to fight the Destro led Cobra forces.

This mini series was near identical to the first. It had a similar plot, identical plot points, and even ended with the same joke. Even with that it was a fun watch. I enjoyed just as much as the first series.

Know Your Joe.

Like Duke in the first mini-series Flint is our lead. While he doesn't end up with women draped over him he does have an obvious affection for Lady Jaye. As far as the Sunbow cartoons were concerned Flint and Duke were pretty much interchangeable. The comics however treated the characters with a bit more respect. As you can see from the File Card Flint was more of an intellectual than Duke. Flint would go on to have a more distinct personality in the DiC series. To date 18 versions of Flint have been made in toy form. He has been voiced by Bill Ratner, Brian Dobson, Charlie Adler, and most recently Johnny Messner. The character of Flint is set to appear in the second live action G.I.Joe movie "G.I. Joe Retaliation". He will be portrayed by D.J. Cotrona.

Cobra's Most Wanted.

While Destro stole the spotlight from Cobra Commander in the first mini-series, Zartan took the spotlight this time. Zartan is a master of disguise and the leader of the Dreadnoks. His unique look, distorted voice, and changing loyalties made him stand out. The character has had 20 figures, some of which came with color changing effects. He has been voiced by Zack Hoffman, Marc Thompson, Steven Blum, and Brian Bloom. The character was played by Arnold Vosloo in "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" and will appear in the sequel played by the same actor.

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