G.I.Joe DIC episodes - question and missing episodes.

[Robowang]

Okay, so I know there's a huge chunk of you who absolutley hate the DIC cartoon, and that's perfectly fine. But there are a few of us who don't (it's hilarious! CHEFSTRO!). Various torrents and privately sold DVDs have MOST of this series, but in every instance I've found, this "complete set" is missing four episodes. I have found a person with two of the episodes who may be willing, if he can figure out how, to convert them to electronic format, but we still need to locate copies of two more episodes. If anyone has a copy of "A is for Android" and/or "The Eliminator" in any quality, please let me know. Even if you hate this show, there are those who grew up with this as their Joe fiction, and they have fond memories of it. Great torrents of the Sunbow cartoon are everywhere, but the DIC series remains unfinished. If you can help get this out there, please let me know!

Thanks!

Robowang

[Shogi]

Just a heads up here. It's ok to discuss the DiC episodes and everything, but don't openly ask for or post links to illegal copies of the cartoons. Since these haven't been officially released on DVD, pretty much anyone selling them are selling illegal copies. This includes torrents

[tkprime]

Robowang,

The DIC series had it's moments, I have a coplete run on VHS (I've had these since the local station ran them). Shogi's right though, don't ask for links for illegal copies, hisstank is a great place to find stuff though, you just have to know where to look and everyone gets along.

[82joe]

I'm gonna ask a stupid question...what are the DIC cartoons? I watched GI Joe cartoons when I was young but don't remember these. When did they air and why are they so bad? All I recall is the mini series and then the single episodes (the ones with the "and knowing is half the battle" PSA at the end of every episode)......is DIC something different?

[The Commander]

I'm gonna ask a stupid question...what are the DIC cartoons? I watched GI Joe cartoons when I was young but don't remember these. When did they air and why are they so bad? All I recall is the mini series and then the single episodes (the ones with the "and knowing is half the battle" PSA at the end of every episode)......is DIC something different?

The DiC series was in the early nineties, had the 'newer' joes like Scoop, Grand Slam, etc. The episodes were not terribly entertaining, and sometimes downright stupid.

My suggestion is to watch the first mini-series, 'Operation Dragonfire'. This shows the return of Cobra Commander from his previous snake form back to walking on two legs (and wearing battle armor).

[SmokedPorter]

After finally watching Operation Dragonfire, I don't know if I'll purchase the DiC series. Nothing like the old Sunbow shows. (Sergeant Slaughter in charge of the Joes? Gimme a break).

Maybe, just for the sake of having what I watched as a kid.

[Robowang]

I'm gonna ask a stupid question...what are the DIC cartoons? I watched GI Joe cartoons when I was young but don't remember these. When did they air and why are they so bad? All I recall is the mini series and then the single episodes (the ones with the "and knowing is half the battle" PSA at the end of every episode)......is DIC something different?

"DiC" is the company that took over the animation after the "Sunbow" company was finished with their GIJoe cartoon. Sunbow is basically the 80s cartoon, and DiC is basically the 90s cartoon, minus some technicalities. DiC ran from 1989 to 1991 or 1992, depending on who you ask. Either way, it was one miniseries in 1989, a season one in 1990 (presumably running until 1991) and a season two running in 1991(presumably running until 1992). It was interesting because they tried to continue from where GIJoe: The Movie left off while still focusing on Hasbro's current GIJoe toys. The first miniseries features Slaughter's Marauders, Python Patrol, and a scattered few old characters to tie it all together. Cobra Commander was in his 1987 battle armor(a little late to help sell that toy...) and Destro was his Iron Grenadier's version, which may have still had a few toys on the shelves in some areas. Lady Jaye and Baroness were randomly but welcomely present, as was Zarana. Serpentor still lead Cobra until Cobra Commander took over again. The 2 actual seasons following this focused on the 1990-1991 toys, a few appearances from some 1989ers, some as yet unreleased 1991 guys, and still featured battle armor CC and gold head Destro. I think they did a nice job attempting to keep some old characters around while shoehorning in all of these new ones. The stories could be better if the humor element wasn't overdone, but some of it is hilarious. Cobra Commander and Destro making soup in aprons and chef hats is the best thing ever. Season 2 is pretty abysmal, but maintains that so-ridiculous-it's-funny aspect. And CC uses his talking battle commanders outfit(minus giant backpack) while Destro is back to his silver mask. I remember those figures coming out in 1992, but Yojoe.com lists them as 1991, so that messes things up a bit in my head.

Anyway, that's DIC in a nutshell. Well worth a watch at the very least. The miniseries, Operation Dragonfire, is actually pretty good. Maybe even less ridiculous than some of the Sunbow stuff managed to be, or at least on par with it. The rest is mostly subpar, but it still holds entertainment value!

Robowang

[Robowang]

After finally watching Operation Dragonfire, I don't know if I'll purchase the DiC series. Nothing like the old Sunbow shows. (Sergeant Slaughter in charge of the Joes? Gimme a break).

Maybe, just for the sake of having what I watched as a kid.

The Sarge was in charge (awesome) for Op: Drag, but there are a lot of other Joes missing here. Plus, it mostly takes part in what seems like foreign countries, so it could be that this is a just certain squad (hey, Slaughter's Marauders! coupled with a few other guys) participating in this mission while everyone else is back in America or elsewhere. Heck, the comics did that all the time. It's never stated (I don't think, anyway) that the Sarge is the head honcho of GIJoe. And when season one starts, Duke makes a few random appearances, and Hawk is shown to be the leader. He even kept his old voice actor unlike a lot of returning characters. Like I said in my other post, DiC did make a decent attempt at continuity even if it wasn't perfect.

[Robowang]

Just a heads up here. It's ok to discuss the DiC episodes and everything, but don't openly ask for or post links to illegal copies of the cartoons. Since these haven't been officially released on DVD, pretty much anyone selling them are selling illegal copies. This includes torrents

Sorry, I didn't realize the free copies were illegal since it was never released on DVD. Guess I'm not up to speed on all that. I apologize for breaking the rule.

Robowang

[sgt.bludhound]

oh man I used to love the DIC series as a Kid, but recently I watched them on (blahblahblah).com and watching them was unbearable.

[Zefram]

Even back in the day I thought it sucked. If you compare it side by side, the animation quality took a HUGE downturn, and a lot of the subtle characterization the old series had was lost.

[UTK007]

Who owns the rights to the DIC joe toons? I would like an Operation Dragonfire DVD battle pack. The rest of the DIC cartoons can be burned.

[gdztoyz]

Operation Dragonfire wasn't great by any stretch, but compared to the rest of the series, it was okay. I remember watching it as a kid and wondering, "Why the hell do all the voices, and colors, and style look funny?". "And why does Sgt. Slaughter have SO much damn screen time!?"

Man, I think what's even more tragic is that the ONLY GI Joe Arcade game EVER...something that I dreamed about since I was a kid...was based on the Dic version..."Got to get tough, Go/Yo Joe..." looping throughout...I hate that cartoon...

The episode where GI Joe and Cobra team up against The Headman and his drug cartel STILL has me rolling. Falcon becomes a tweaker, lol!

[Imperial_Serpentor]

The episode where GI Joe and Cobra team up against The Headman and his drug cartel STILL has me rolling. Falcon becomes a tweaker, lol!

That and the episode where Night Creeper leader thinks he's a reincarnated pharaoh are the only episodes I saw of Dic when I was a kid... so yeah I saw some of the better ones.

[butter_the_pure]

DIC was nuts!

[Headman]

The DIC Series reigns supreme! Not really, but I'm still a fan.

[SnAkEyEz]

DIC was a complete travesty to the GI Joe legacy.. what a lame peice of crap cartoon they turn it into... & those ridiculous sound effects they used..SMH

[SnAkEyEz]

Even back in the day I thought it sucked. If you compare it side by side, the animation quality took a HUGE downturn, and a lot of the subtle characterization the old series had was lost.

yup.. when I 1st seen there was a new GI Joe series coming.. I was soo happy.. I thought it was over after I seen the movie.. Within the 1st 10 secs of the new intro I knew something was wrong.. I couldnt even get past the 1st mini series.. even as a kid.. I hated it.. I only wish that 3rd season from sunbow manifested .. man.. the possibilities :(

[Sgt. Kayfabe]

Just a heads up here. It's ok to discuss the DiC episodes and everything, but don't openly ask for or post links to illegal copies of the cartoons. Since these haven't been officially released on DVD, pretty much anyone selling them are selling illegal copies. This includes torrents
Not to argue with a staff member, but it is legal to sell or trade these episodes if they are the episodes that aired and recorded from national tv. That is how so many tape traders are able to sell and trade them at shows and on the internet. However, it is considered piracy to sell copies of vhs or dvds, obviously(I know everyone knows this already). Just though I would clear that up.

[Robowang]

That's what I thought too, but I'm not about to argue over something I got help with anyway. And if it's their website policy, I can respect that :)

Robowang

[jjk1120]

I think of the DIC episodes like the Star Wars Holiday special.

You have to see them, at least once.

I think it's the sound effects and voices that do it in for me. The voice acting was just awful.

[JR0d28]

This show was by far rehashed and overrated never holds a candle to the Sunbow Brand show.

[GenHawk]

I would enjoy the DIC stuff. I just like seeing the different characters and vehicles. It might be lame, but it's still fun.

[BHiga6181]

I would just like a Operation Dragonfire DVD Box set with all 6 original and CORRECTLY painted 25th Annv. Python Patrol members.

[FirstOne]

Some episodes aren't that bad. I like Operation Dragonfire Pt 1-5, I Found You Evy, The Sludge Factor Pt 1 & 2, Infested Island, The Eliminator, The Greatest Evil Pt 1 & 2, and The Mind Mangler.

It was nice to see some new characters, like Cesspool and the Headman.

But, yes, there is a ton of crap episodes too...

[mandingo_rex]

As a kid, I really would get irritated when I saw the OLD shows, mainly because I was a Joe-hungry kid, and wanted NEW Joe episodes...

Whenever an episode came on that I hadn't seen before, I just ate it up. I was sad that there wasn't anymore episodes when the DIC series finally ended, actually.

Sometimes they would intersperse old Sunbow with new DIC episodes, and I'd be upset when the Sunbow ones would come on, but wondered why the old shows had better animation and coloring, etc.

Now, I appreciate the quality of the old shows. Granted, they're still not "amazing" writing, but much better than the DIC crap. I honestly haven't seen a DIC episode since they stopped airing, but I'd like to see Operation: Dragonfire again, and perhaps a few shows.

But everyone seems to agree, it paled in comparison to the Sunbow show in every aspect.

[Lantern_Lad]

The only episodes I enjoyed were the ones with the Headman...

Remember kids:

DRUGS KILL!

[optimusred6]

I Hope they Make a Special DVD Pack the frist one is Operation Dragon Fire action figure that they must put are: Cobra Commander who have a snake face, Gnawgahyde, Sgt Slaughter & Low Light . The Second DVD Pack is fan is episode Like: Injustice and the cobra way, Pigskin Commandos, The Mind Mangler, That's Entertainment, The The Greatest Evil Parts 1-2 action figure that they must put are Captain Gridiron, Ambush, Metal Head & Range Viper.

[BIG BOSS]

i have the whole collection on dvds,the sunbow and dic series. i got them at the con. thats the best way to get them. it is very hard to watch the dic continuously. that series sucks.the colors scheme is terrible.the added humor sucked. i saw duke was still alive after the movie.he's the episode"The Mind Mangler",which sucked too.his color matched the wv1 cp.

[GenHawk]

I would definitely like to see Operation: Dragonfire come out on DVD. It seems a lot of you would. Now only if Hasbro is listening.

[Novacaine]

try this....
SurfTheChannel - G.I. Joe (1990) (http://www.surfthechannel.com/show/cartoons/G.I._Joe_1990.html)
everything is posted there you can also watch the 1985 series...

[DrKain]

I need to ask, as earlier in the year I was trying to watch them on Youtube, but the episode titles never matched what was listed on Yojoe. For example, they have some 2 parter listed as like eps 27 and 28 (I think, could be wrong), but on Youtube, they were listed as eps 32 and 33.

As for it not being released on DVD, as far as I'm concerned, its all fair game if he wants to ask about illegal copies until they are officially released.

[oliverbox]

It would be great if they did a DVD pack with Operation: Dragonfire and updated versions of Slaughter's Marauders. I always thought that was a great sub-team... sort of a special operations armor unit. Great vehicles in that unit.

Operation: Dragonfire was pretty good. I mean, I was a kid, but I remember thinking that it held up pretty well against the other miniseries.

The rest of the DiC series was... a very dark time for G.I. Joe

[butter_the_pure]

dark time indeed.
It would be a nice box set though with the Marauders and The Operation Dragonfire episodes. Maybe they could slip us a Lowlight in Marauder gear so we all buy him up then customize him to look like he was in his original colors only to have Hasbro release him that way a few waves later.

[optimusred6]

I Love all the Sunbow Series episodes & the Dic Series I like these operation dragon fire, the first season & the second season well some episodes: The Greatest Evil part I & II, Shadow of a Doubt, El Dorado: The Lost City of Gold, Chunnel, Long Live Rock N Roll Part I & II, The Sword, Metal Heads Reunion.

[BILL219]

Well, I finally tracked down a complete set to watch for my 5 year old and I to watch. Someone just put up a complete set in a torrent and after a week...I finally have a set for my JOE collection.

Not that I am condoning that sort of behavior or anything

After watching the set, my son said that he did not like them at all. He was of course brought up on Sunbow, so he was really upset about the different voices.

His exact words to describe the Dic series was "too silly"

He really did not like that one episode where a Gorilla fell in love with Cobra Commander

As for Myself, after watching these episodes...I can't believe that I hunted around so long for a set of these.

[JohnnyRebel]

The DIC is so horrible it's unwatchable.

[DarthBrett]

DiC ran from 1989 to 1991 or 1992, depending on who you ask. Either way, it was one miniseries in 1989, a season one in 1990 (presumably running until 1991) and a season two running in 1991(presumably running until 1992). Robowang

The Operation: Dragonfire mini-series (5 parts) originally aired from 9/4/89 - 9/8/89, season 1 of the DiC series aired from 10/1/90 through 2/15/91 and season 2 aired from 9/23/91 through 1/17/92.

[DrKain]

Aren't the DIC episodes the ones that aired on USA instead of Fox?

[Lantern_Lad]

The DIC is so horrible it's unwatchable.

I agree, I've had it on DVD since Comic-Con (in July)... I've only been able to make it through the first disc (it's a 2 disc set). Everytime I put it in, I can only stomach one episode at a time.

When I saw General Hawk and Sgt. Slaughter playing patty-cake to stop Cobra commander from killing their favorite actor, I just shut it off and said "F**k this crap, I'm done!"

[DarthBrett]

Aren't the DIC episodes the ones that aired on USA instead of Fox?

That all depended on where you lived. GI Joe was a syndicated show, so it would have been on a lot of different channels in different cities around the U.S.

[DrKain]

Where is this torrent you spoke of BILL219?

[Robowang]

For the record, those 2-disc sets people are buying are usually incomplete. In my long-time quest to obtain these, I've only come across two different sets from numerous people. One set is two discs and is missing four episodes - Chunnel, El Dorado: The Lost City of Gold, A is for Android, and The Eliminator. The other set is eight discs, slightly higher quality for some episodes, and actually has the four episodes that are missing from the other set. The menus on this second set are nicer, and there is a disclaimer at the beginning asking owners of the set NOT to sell it for profit.

Just a warning for some of you getting unwittingly hosed by pirated DVD dealers.

Robowang

[Cavbeast]

The only episodes I remember is Hawk saving the day at a Joe Picnic; Scarlet/SS and SE teaming up; and then Metalhead making several appearances saying "BANG, BANG.. .BANG"

Which begs the question that we need at least two Dragonfire battle packs. A Bad guys (Zarana, Baroness w/Antlers, Metalhead, Gnawghyde sp?, PP Officer, and PP Televiper) and a Good Guys assortment (Slaughter, Scoop, Salvo, Ambush, Grid Iron?).

[paraviper]

The only episodes I remember is Hawk saving the day at a Joe Picnic; Scarlet/SS and SE teaming up; and then Metalhead making several appearances saying "BANG, BANG.. .BANG"

Which begs the question that we need at least two Dragonfire battle packs. A Bad guys (Zarana, Baroness w/Antlers, Metalhead, Gnawghyde sp?, PP Officer, and PP Televiper) and a Good Guys assortment (Slaughter, Scoop, Salvo, Ambush, Grid Iron?).

i'd buy it

[Gothiczartan]

can we see all DIC episodes on DVDs sometime soon?

[boff123]

The only episodes I remember is Hawk saving the day at a Joe Picnic; Scarlet/SS and SE teaming up; and then Metalhead making several appearances saying "BANG, BANG.. .BANG"

Which begs the question that we need at least two Dragonfire battle packs. A Bad guys (Zarana, Baroness w/Antlers, Metalhead, Gnawghyde sp?, PP Officer, and PP Televiper) and a Good Guys assortment (Slaughter, Scoop, Salvo, Ambush, Grid Iron?).


that is a great idea, i just rewatched those episodes last week. serpentor sounds wierd. why is slaughter the boss? anyway, that would be great idea for a pack.

[Robowang]

The latter three Joes you mentioned, Ambush, Salvo, and Captain Gridiron, weren't in Operation Dragonfire. They didn't show up until the actual first season started a year later. It'd have to be something like Scoop, Sgt. Slaughter, Low Light, and Stalker (or another Slaughter's Marauders figure).

Robowang

[Robowang]

can we see all DIC episodes on DVDs sometime soon?

I wish. It'd be sweet if Hasbro just put out all 4 seasons with all the miniseries in one big set.

[Tolan]

great toons

[pageiv]

I just "found" the DiC episodes, and prior to that I couldn't remember why I didn't watch them, since I watched the Sunbow since ep. 1. Well after a couple episodes I can see why.

Perhaps it's because the quality is soooooo poor (think it's VHS copy), however, even the overall quality is "eh". The sound effects added a very juvenile aspect to it. CC was turned into a bafoon for every episode. I didn't mind the new Joes but missed the old ones. Sunbow could bring in new ones and keep the old ones as well. Here all this time I thought I didn't watch the show was because I was just, well 13 when they came out. Nope that wasn't it.

All of that said, I would still buy it on DVD, the episodes are still entertaining, Metal Head's granny? Com'on I know you loved it! I'll give these discs to my nephews when I'm done watching them, but would enjoy completing the DVD collection if they are released.

[pageiv]

The show is soooooo off. One episode they had a female president that looked just like Hillary, like that could happen.

[Barefoot Jedi]

The show is soooooo off. One episode they had a female president that looked just like Hillary, like that could happen.

Yeah, like in 2009 we'll have a President whose middle name is Hussein and whose last name rhymes with "Osama." Very unrealistic.

Ah...DiC. Did you know that stands for "Do it cheaply?"

Did the Joe cartoons have the child voice saying "dick" at the end of the credits like other DiC cartoons?

Actually the DiC cartoons could, in most cases, be re-edited and redubbed with new scripts to make them more palatable. That would be a good fanboy project.

[boff123]

Yeah, like in 2009 we'll have a President whose middle name is Hussein and whose last name rhymes with "Osama." Very unrealistic.

Ah...DiC. Did you know that stands for "Do it cheaply?"

Did the Joe cartoons have the child voice saying "dick" at the end of the credits like other DiC cartoons?

Actually the DiC cartoons could, in most cases, be re-edited and redubbed with new scripts to make them more palatable. That would be a good fanboy project.

true, for me the whole thing is thrown off by serpentor & destro voices. i was so used to the other voices, they fit much better than the dic voices. its like the dic guys weren't even trying.

[pageiv]

I never thought I'd say the voice actors were bad for a cartoon, but here is case in point.

I did love LT Falcon getting stoned before the mission.

[Gothiczartan]

let's make a poll on all dic episodes of gijoe must have complete on dvd sets!

[bikerdude2k4]

Just out of curiosity, what are the titles of the missing episodes?

[Shin-Gouki]

If I remember right "Operation Dragonfire" is based on an unused rough draft from a writer working on the 3rd season of the Sunbow cartoon.

In any case I would love to have them all for the sake of having all the cartoons.

[Robowang]

If I remember right "Operation Dragonfire" is based on an unused rough draft from a writer working on the 3rd season of the Sunbow cartoon.

In any case I would love to have them all for the sake of having all the cartoons.

Ditto that. I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Last I heard, Hasbro owned the rights and the masters to this series.

Robowang