The G.I. Joe franchise is
steeped in history, with references to World War II.
G.I. Joe comic books started long before the 1980’s, but
in 1982, Marvel Comics began producing the G.I. Joe: A
Real American Hero comic book series. In addition,
Hasbro released a very successful line of G.I. Joe toys,
and an animated series was quickly born. The G.I. Joe A
Real American Hero cartoon began in 1983 after the
release of a mini-series, and then the regular cartoon
ran from 1985 to 1986. The show’s run was capped of in
1986 with the release of G.I. Joe: The Movie.
The cartoon was basically about the G.I. Joe force
battling the terrorist group called Cobra, and each
episode focused on one character or another, with the
goal of Hasbro to sell the toys. Fans of the cartoon
will remember that each episode began with the following
"G.I. Joe is the code name for America's daring,
highly-trained, Special Mission force. Its purpose: To
defend human freedom against Cobra, a ruthless terrorist
organization determined to rule the world".