For decades, the G.I. Joe brand has gone through many iterations as it adapted to the ever-changing world around it. Initially, the brand began as a series of 12-inch dolls that depicted various members of the armed forces and their different roles. However, as the ’80s began to venture more into science-fiction, the real American heroes adapted with the times.
Some of the world’s most iconic cartoons were made in the ’80s, including shows like Transformers, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Thundercats and My Little Pony. What made these shows stand out was a massive merchandising boom tied to the brand. For the first time, kids could bring the adventures of their favorite cartoon heroes home. However, as superheroes have saturated the market, these brands began to take a back seat, especially G.I. Joe. But that needs to change, and the world needs the Joes now more than ever.
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The G.I. Joe toyline is making a quiet return thanks to Hasbro, which now features six-inch figures that add to the lore of the universe. Much like He-Man and Transformers, their returning toylines have sparked a resurgence in interest that has even spawned brand-new animated shows. Thankfully, the Joes have been thriving through comic books, which takes the characters much more seriously. The same should be done with a new animated series.
When bringing back a classic franchise, it can sometimes be hard to find inspiration or a new thread to pull. However, with the G.I. Joe comics still being published, we already have a great template that the show can adapt. The series can tell its own narrative while borrowing some of the book’s most iconic storylines, like the Snake Eyes silent issue. Considering how the world has changed since their last animated series, it could grow with its audience and discuss the dangerous world of international politics and how things aren’t always black and white.
International issues would also make for a great opportunity to have the team travel the globe. This would help the audience learn about the different cultures and the team members that represent them. New Joes could also be included along with long-forgotten members that will help diversify the cast even more than it already is.
A new animated series is also a great way to reintroduce the terrorist organization COBRA. Through violent acts of domestic terrorism, COBRA could create situations that shake the people’s trust in the Joes, as modern political thrillers often do Plus, it could lead to some intense character-driven moments that would appeal to the more mature viewers. Thankfully, streaming services like Netflix are already handling these revamped ’80s classics, so there is a potential avenue to go down, should a show be greenlit.
Sadly, the only new content confirmed for the franchise is a new Snake Eyes film that is set to release sometime this year. Not much is known about the film, but it is sure to reimagine classic G.I. Joe lore surrounding the character. Hopefully, the movie’s hype will force the creators to revisit America’s covert special mission force and reintroduce their characters to a whole new audience.
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