****** GI JOE 3 3/4" NEWSLETTER ****** Issue #10 October 2, 1997 http://webusers.anet-stl.com/~stinson/joehq Editor: Corey Stinson Contributing editor: Ben Thomas Contributing editor: John Kukman Contributing editor: Rod Hannah Webmaster: Corey Stinson Hi all! It's that time again, yup, time for another newsletter. We've got quite a bit of interesting stuff packed into this issue. Hope you enjoy! Rod Hannah joins us for the first time this issue. Time permitting, he'll present us with a review of a GI Joe 3 3/4" internet resource (ie web page) each issue. Since Rod probably won't end up reviewing his own page I've done that review this issue. Check it out! A little bit of humor to start us off: "We had just moved to an Army post from an Air Force base and my young son, an avid fan of GI Joe toys, was excited to see the troops marching in cadence. An even bigger thrill came when he passed the motor pool with its tanks, jeeps, and trucks. "Look!" he squealed with delight. "They have the whole collection!" - contributed by Jeremy Thornton to Reader's Digest (Humor In Uniform) Table of contents: ------------------------------------------------------------- 1. GI Joe 3 3/4" Re-introduction (and words on scalping) 2. News Bits 3. Custom Filecards by Simon Hurley 4. Majic Promotions to Have 3 3/4" Exclusive? 5. Cobra Organization Fanzine Available! 6. GI Joe Newsletter HQ Survey Results 7. Original GI Joe Fan Fiction by Ben Thomas 8. Web Site Review With Zartan a.k.a. Rod Hannah 9. GI Joe "Action Force" Comic Contest Results 10. Zartan's Domain - Rod Hannah's GI Joe Web Page 11. GI Joe Chat On IRC (Internet Relay Chat) 12. Other 3 3/4" News 13. Subscription Info ======================================================================== GI JOE 3 3/4" RE-INTRODUCTION (AND WORDS ON SCALPING) It's now officially autumn and the GI Joe re-introduction releases are not far away. According to Lee's Action Figure News & Toy Review we might even see the first of the re-introduction line in October. Certainly, that's optimistic but Hasbro continues to assure that everything will be out _before_ Christmas. Recently toy publications have been showing pictures of the re- introduction items. Notably, the Cobra Command 3-figure set was left out of recent showings. This is probably because there was some confusion as to just what would be in the Cobra Command set. It seems that it is now finalized and the Cobra Command set should contain Cobra Commander (the 1987 battle armor version), Destro (the 1992 version), and the Baroness as was shown in June at the San Jose, CA Joe convention. While we're on the subject of the Cobra Command set I'd like to echo some sentiments recently put forth by another Joe collector. It's quite possible that some of the items selected by Hasbro for this re- introduction assortment are not what you, the collector, would have preferred. However, please keep in mind that this GI Joe 3 3/4" re- introduction is still very much "testing the waters" of kids' and collectors' interest. If we all put up a good showing of support we'll being saying to Hasbro- "yeah, we want 3 3/4" GI Joe!" Rumors are floating around indicating that Hasbro is already tossing around ideas for a second assortment of Joes - all assuming this first assortment does well. Several people have asked how much the re-intro Joe items are expected to cost. The following price list was supposedly obtained from Toys R Us computers last summer. Cobra Range Figure Pack $19.99 Three Figure Pack $9.99 Jeep With Figure Pack $14.99 Tank With Figure Pack $24.99 Stars And Stripes Figure Pack $29.99 Remember, this information is rumored and not fact. The final prices may well be higher or lower. As you can see some of the items listed have been changed from original proposals (i.e. Gung-Ho is to come with Slugger and not AWE Striker Jeep, the Tank With Figure was originally going to be the Mauler tank with figures and has since been changed to the A-10, etc.) There has been some concern voiced about scalping of the Joe re-intro items when they hit TRU shelves this fall. On that subject, I have the following bit of editorial. You may agree or disagree. I was at a toy show this last weekend of September and I watched in disgust as collectors paid hard-earned cash ($8, $10, $20, and more...) for Star Wars POTF2 items that still had fresh Wal-Mart price tags stuck on them. And why...? Not because the items are rare. Not because they're actually worth that much. Not even because they're limited editions. The reason is that people just _have_ to have the new stuff immediately. They can't wait for the initial rush of interest in new assorments of figures to die down so they're willing to pay dealers 3 and 4 times retail prices for figures. It's toy hysteria. A lot of people are quick to jump on the soapbox and say that "hoarders are the problem, scalpers are the problem!". Let's face it- scalpers are the effect not the cause. The cause is collectors in such a rush to get new items that they're willing to pay very high prices to attain the items they want for their collection. Is it a prestige thing? Is it just relief from the worry that "I might never get that figure?" I'm not sure, but it is definitely a problem. Scalpers, being the opportunists that they are, see this as a big opportunity to relieve collectors of their money. I was appalled that more than TWO THIRDS of the dealer tables at the recent toy show I attended were busily selling new Star Wars toys (and not just the figures) at 50% to 75% mark-up... and there were no lack of buyers. Essentially I paid $12 to attend a toy show that was largely a Star Wars POTF2 scalp-fest. I met a GI Joe 3 3/4" collector who confessed he had lots of figures and vehicles at home that he was always willing to sell or trade to further his personal Joe collection. But what was he doing at the show? Scalping Star Wars figures. Anyone see a dangerous trend? I'll end this long diatribe and get to the point. We as GI Joe 3 3/4" collectors have a responsibility to not let this happen within our hobby. When you attend toy shows this November/December, visit comic shops, etc. you _will_ see the GI Joe re-introduction items being scalped. It's not much of a stretch of the imagination for scalpers to look at Star Wars then GI Joe 3 3/4" and say "Hmm, similar format, similar style, and a store exclusive! Wonder how much I can make with THESE on the secondary market." How much they are scalped will largely depend on _you_. You have the responsibility to send a message to dealers and shop owners. Resist the urge to buy these new Joe items on the secondary market. By resisting you will send a message to scalpers that says "I can't make a quick buck off of these GI Joe collectors". This fall, do yourself and the GI Joe hobby a favor and don't allow scalpers to come between you and your favorite toy! On a lighter note, pictures of the re-introduction Joe items and information which post-dates the pictures is now posted at the Newsletter HQ. You can go there directly with the following URL: . ======================================================================== NEWS BITS The URL to the Newsletter HQ WWW page was given incorrectly (in several places) in the last issue of the Newsletter. The correct URL is: . Sorry 'bout that! A couple of new 3 3/4" Joe-related web pages have appeared in recent months, they are: - Zartan's Domain by Rod Hannah (reviewed this issue by the way!) - Dr. Mindbender's Scullery by Ree-Yees Looking for accessories to complete your Brazil Missions set of figures? Not something your average dealer has for sale, but Pat Vandemeer does. Pat doesn't have the figures (that I know of) but does have factory sealed bags of the accessory sets for each character. A rare opportunity to complete your Brazil Missions figures. You can contact Pat at Memory Lane Toys via email at or or by phone at (503) 255-6281. The Filecard Gallery at the Newsletter HQ has undergone a facelift. Also, a section in the gallery has been opened for custom and foreign filecards. Check out what is currently posted! Simon Hurley has contributed some fantastic custom filecards of comic and cartoon characters that never made it to toy form. See the next article for more information on that. Keep watching the Filecard Gallery for new additions to the custom and foreign sections, as well as an eventual completion of years 1992 - 1994. Wouldn't it be great if I actually got that done _before_ the '97 re-introduction Joes come out?? :) I would like to personally warn everyone about the following UK collector Jason Stead , a.k.a. "clair marsh" (the name on his email address). I sent this individual more than $40 worth of GI Joe Collectors' Guides as part of a trade. I never saw my end of the trade in return and Mr. Stead has never responded to any of my emails since. Other people have told me they had problems with him as well. Buyer/trader beware! ======================================================================== CUSTOM FILE CARDS BY SIMON HURLEY Having been a GIJoe fan since the inception of the 3 3/4" line, I was extremely disapointed when the line was cancelled, replaced by Sgt. Savage, and worse yet, by GIJoe Extreme. Part of what disappointed me was not just that there would be no more toys on the shelves, but also because of all the characters which had never had their own figures. Whether you watched GIJoe on TV or read the comic, or both, there were a number of "un-toyed" individuals which would pop up and play significant roles in the storyline. After discovering the vast resources of the World Wide Web last year, I found that a number of people had attempted to remedy this (quite successfully, in many cases) by making their own figures. Usually these were made out of parts of others which were taken apart, re-painted, then put together in new configurations. However... When I first saw the original 9 GIJoes in a Sears toy section, years ago, the thing which amazed me the most was that each had its own specialty, its own unique place on the team. What inspired our imaginations as children was that each figure had a personality, and it was the file card on the back of each package which gave us a chance to get to know each figure personally. What the child saw as a window into imagination, I now realize was a stroke of genius by the marketing team at Hasbro and was one of the contributing factors to the success of the GIJoe toy line. Star wars had three movies to let you get to know its figures, but GIJoe was not based upon anything else. Most of the custom figures which have been made by fans and collectors are based upon characters from the comics, and it occured to me that the file cards are just as important as the figures are. The cards I have created (and am in the process of creating, since there are several more to come) are all based upon characters from the GIJoe comic or figures which did not have file cards (the "create-your-own" mail-in ones), along with Pythona, who I thought would make a good card and who was an important character form the GIJoe Movie. I started by scanning in images from a number of sources, including the pages of the comics, the backs of packages, collector's magazine pages, and the back of the GIJoe movie case. I scanned in a couple of cards, from different eras in the GIJoe line (the tan cards, the grey cards, and the newer ones without the tab at the top). Working with Windows(R) Paint, an admitedly limited program, I erased all the text, cleaned up the image, and whited-out the photo on each one. I then sized the scans for the cards (having to re-scan a couple at various sizes), and pasted the card over the scan, with the window for the picture centered over it. I tried to match up the figure's first appearance with the right type of card, except for the Oktober Guard, for which the grey card looked much better, and they lasted into the "grey card" phase anyway. To come up with the text for the cards, I re-read most of my file cards, along with about half my comic collection, centering around the issues in which these particular characters played roles. I tried to stay as true as I could to how Larry Hama wrote the cards and the Joe storyline. I generated the text for their characters, along with the personal data which seemed the most appropriate, and the "wrote" it on the cards. I had to make a number of changes, since usually the text I had written was too long or too short, and unfortunately the Paint text editor does not have a justification function so I couldn't line up the text on both sides of the card. However, I think they still came out pretty well. I then converted them to jpeg format, and later mailed them to Corey for his page. I am offering, to anyone who wants them, a limited number of actual cards, printed on cardboard stock in color, just like the real ones. I am not making any profit, just asking for the costs of printing and mailing the cards. Also, the cards are generated from the original bitmaps, so they are higher quality images than the jpegs on Corey's page. Anyone who is interested, e-mail me for details at: ****By the way, for the Oktober Guard cards I chose their names very carefully from a particular GIJoe-related source. I will send a free copy of the 3 card sets I have made so far to anyone who emails me with the the source of the names, along with what this source's connection is to GIJoe. The names for Mangler and Cool Breeze are also chosen from this source. The Winner will be announced to everyone who sends me an email, along with the answer. ;) Also, anyone who wants help making cards for their new custom figures (ones they have made-up), email me and I will send you the blank images which I wrote them on. Special thanks to Corey Stinson, who not only wanted to post my cards on his web site, and was kind enough to ask me to do an article for his newsletter, but also who provided several of the pictures for my custom cards. We have yet to meet, but I consider him a friend and fellow collector. Thanks, buddy!!! CUSTOM CARD SETS (sets 1, 2, and 3 are done, 4-9 are in the works). Set 1 Gen. Flagg Mangler (GIJoe) Rocky Cool-Breeze Steel Brigade 1 Steel Brigade 2 Set 2 Dr. Venom Pythona (Cobra) Scar-Face Medi-Viper Kwinn Cobra Cadet Set 3 Brekov Stormavik (Oktober Guard) Horror-Show Schrage Daina Dragonsky Set 4 Cobra Commander(armor) DeSade (The Pain Brothers) (Cobra) Billy 2(Cobra) Torquemada <---| Baroness (old) Crispo <-------| Set 5 Hard Master Billy (Ninja Clan) Soft Master Tyrone Blind Master ??? Set 6 Fred I Prof. Jones (Cobra) Fred II Bongo Fred VII Capt. Mihn Set 7 Snake-Eyes Wade (LRRP Unit) Stalker Dickie Tommy Ramone Set 8 Swordsmith Snake-Eyes (Ninja Clan) Faceless Master Storm Shadow Red Ninja Jinx Set 9 Gorky Outback (Eco-Warriors) (GIJoe) Misha Snow Storm (Eco-Warriors) Super Trooper 2 Gen. Hollingsworth * By the way, I know that Kwinn was not, in the end, a Cobra, and Gorky and Misha are not in GIJoe, etc., but they fit best into those categories. What do you guys think about cards for the Battle Corps Rangers, the Ninja Commandos, and the alien Replicators? Email me and let me know! CUSTOM BLUEPRINTS/MAPS - (These I will be working on for next year!) ---------------------- Pit I GIJoe Train Pit II Rolling Thunder II Pit III Rescue Hammer Stealth Base Stealth Jet Cobra Island Anti-Aircraft Hammer Cobra Consulate G.I.Jane Freighter Castle Destro Future Fortress (BF2000) Silent Castle Cobra Submarine Springfield Cobra Shuttle Broca Beach Cobra Booster Millville Arbco Valdez Darklonia Cobra Transport Helicopter Punta de Mesca Destro's Cruise ship Borovia Destro's Scorpion Helicopter I hope you enjoy them all! - Simon Hurley ======================================================================== MAJIC PRODUCTIONS TO HAVE 3 3/4" EXCLUSIVES? Majic Productions will be holding a large GI Joe Convention this year on October 4th/5th in Philadelphia, PA at the Fort Washington Expo Center. Since this particular announcement is arriving in your mailbox a bit to late to make plans to attend I won't go on about show details, however, you can call (407) 260-8869 for more information. Majic is apparently to have a 3 3/4" show exclusive package. The following information is based on a phone conversation with a Majic representative. Majic has arranged for 1000 3 3/4" Joe show packages. They couldn't tell me exactly what would be in the packages. Each package is essentially a pre-order for some or all of the fall re- introduction Joe items. You pay for the premium for the package and it will be shipped to you later, supposedly before the re-introduction Joes hit Toys R Us shelves. The representative didn't seem to think there would be anything different about these particular items versus the ones Toys R Us is to receive. Collectors who bought the $285 Officer's Club Convention package (attending or non-attending) got "first dibs" on the 1000 3 3/4" packages via a call-in on September 20, 1997. According to the Majic representative all items left after the 9/20 call-in will be sold to collectors attending the show. I was to receive more detailed information from Majic Productions via mail however the information I ended up receiving told me less than the phone conversation. I apologize in advance if any of the details concerning these exclusive(?) items end up being incorrect! ======================================================================== COBRA ORGANIZATION FANZINE NOW AVAILABLE! The NEW COBRA TIMES Newsmagazine is ready to go. 28 pages of general mayhem as only COBRA could produce. Also included is a color (copy) photo of Cobra Commander, an eight-page supplement titled "The Lunartix Invader", printed in both English and Lunartix, and a special offer for an 11x17 poster of COLD SLITHER, Cobra's rock band. The fanzine costs $7.00. Email Thomas Wheeler for information on how to receive your copy. A high-quality professionally produced fanzine that no GI Joe collector should be without. See back issues of the Newsletter for information on Thomas' other fanzines! ======================================================================== GI JOE 3 3/4" NEWSLETTER HQ SURVEY RESULTS This is it! The information you've been waiting for- the results of the 3 3/4" GI Joe survey that ran on the Newsletter HQ web page. Your opinions about major issues surrounding the GI Joe 3 3/4" line, its past, and how you felt about its future. I would like to thank everyone who took time to fill out the survey to make your opinion known. I would also like to thank Josh Zyber for his assistance in writing the survey and Thomas Wheeler for his advice on presenting the results. -Basic Survey Results 503 surveys were submitted between approximately September 1996 and April 1997. All survey respondents were Internet users who visited the GI Joe 3 3/4" Newsletter HQ during the period the survey was present on the page. -How To Read This Survey The survey is split into three sections. "The Past" encapsulates questions about toys released and decisions made in the past concerning GI Joe: A Real American Hero. "The Recent Past" focuses on what collectors were doing after GI Joe's cancellation (time period late 1994 to mid-1995) and their opinions on follow-up product lines released shortly thereafter. "The Future" asks collectors what they'd like to see in future GI Joe: A Real American Hero products. Three types of question were asked on this survey: 1) "Check one" - for this question type one or none of the available choices could be selected. The accumulated percentage values for choices on questions of this type will never exceed 100%. 2) "Check all that apply" - for this question type any, all, or none of the available choices could be selected. The accumulated percentage values for choices on questions of this type may exceed 100%. 3) "Write-in" - for this type of question a free-form response was allowed. These types of responses produce no tally-able results therefore no results are shown. The results of these questions may be found in the individual survey forms. When possible I have attempted to summarize responses given to the write-in questions. For the tallies on each survey question choice an age-group percentage is given. This percentage represents the number of people who selected a given choice versus the total number of people in their respective age group. The idea is to determine if certain age groups have different preferences than others, or if GI Joe 3 3/4" collectors as a whole have similar opinions about what they like. The end result shows that either may be true depending on the question asked. At the end of each question I've included some comments which may help to clarify the reasoning behind asking a particular question. Below that some conclusions which can be reached from the question responses are given. For most survey questions multiple statements could be made about the resulting statistics. -Age Distribution The survey asked each respondent to optionally specify their age. 88.9% or 447 out of 503 respondents gave their age. The ages were then grouped and the following distribution resulted: ages 5-12: 4.3% or 19 out of 447 ages 13-17: 26.6% or 119 out of 447 ages 18-22: 47.4% or 212 out of 447 ages 23-27: 17.4% or 78 out of 447 ages 28+: 4.3% or 19 out of 447 These results are probably a representative sampling of GI Joe 3 3/4" collectors with those age 13-22 being the largest group. And now, the survey questions followed by the results. Overall percentage is listed first followed by percentage breakdown by age category. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE PAST 1. Which of the following non-traditional military themes do you think were appropriate for the 3 3/4" Joe line? (Check all that apply) Zartan/The Dreadnoks 87.7% or 441 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 68.4% or 13 out of 19 ages 13-17: 83.2% or 99 out of 119 ages 18-22: 90.6% or 192 out of 212 ages 23-27: 92.3% or 72 out of 78 ages 28+: 68.4% or 13 out of 19 Celebrities, ie. The Fridge, Sgt. Slaughter, etc. 44.3% or 223 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 57.9% or 11 out of 19 ages 13-17: 63.9% or 76 out of 119 ages 18-22: 40.6% or 86 out of 212 ages 23-27: 23.1% or 18 out of 78 ages 28+: 68.4% or 13 out of 19 Battle Force 2000 42.7% or 215 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 31.6% or 6 out of 19 ages 13-17: 47.1% or 56 out of 119 ages 18-22: 41.5% or 88 out of 212 ages 23-27: 41.0% or 32 out of 78 ages 28+: 52.6% or 10 out of 19 Mega-Marines 26.0% or 121 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 42.1% or 8 out of 19 ages 13-17: 28.6% or 34 out of 119 ages 18-22: 17.0% or 36 out of 212 ages 23-27: 23.1% or 18 out of 78 ages 28+: 63.2% or 12 out of 19 Mega-Marines Monster-Viper/Bio-Viper 13.3% or 68 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 36.8% or 7 out of 19 ages 13-17: 13.4% or 16 out of 119 ages 18-22: 10.8% or 23 out of 212 ages 23-27: 12.8% or 10 out of 78 ages 28+: 26.3% or 5 out of 19 Star Brigade 28.8% or 145 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 52.6% or 10 out of 19 ages 13-17: 28.6% or 34 out of 119 ages 18-22: 19.3% or 41 out of 212 ages 23-27: 38.5% or 30 out of 78 ages 28+: 63.2% or 12 out of 19 Star Brigade Lunartix Aliens 12.7% or 64 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 26.3% or 5 out of 19 ages 13-17: 14.3% or 17 out of 119 ages 18-22: 7.0% or 15 out of 212 ages 23-27: 16.7% or 13 out of 78 ages 28+: 36.8% or 7 out of 19 Street Fighter II 10.9% or 55 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 26.3% or 5 out of 19 ages 13-17: 7.6% or 9 out of 119 ages 18-22: 6.6% or 14 out of 212 ages 23-27: 20.5% or 16 out of 78 ages 28+: 21.1% or 4 out of 19 Comments: As the GI Joe 3 3/4" toy line moved forward various unmilitaristic concepts were introduced. The selections for this survey question listed some of the more significant ones in an attempt to determine collectors' approval of them. Conclusions: Zartan and the Dreadnoks garnered a high percentage of approval overall. Mega Marines Mega-Monsters figures and Street Fighter II rated low overall. It seems that less militaristic concepts within GI Joe are somewhat acceptable to collectors, depending on the concept. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 2. Which of the following products that deviated from the standard 3 3/4" format do you think were appropriate for the Joe line? (Check all that apply) Street Fighter II Edmond Honda 19.9% or 100 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 31.6% or 6 out of 19 ages 13-17: 19.3% or 23 out of 119 ages 18-22: 16.5% or 35 out of 212 ages 23-27: 28.2% or 22 out of 78 ages 28+: 21.1% or 4 out of 19 Star Brigade Armor-Tech 32.0% or 161 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 42.1% or 8 out of 19 ages 13-17: 34.5% or 41 out of 119 ages 18-22: 21.7% or 46 out of 212 ages 23-27: 34.6% or 27 out of 78 ages 28+: 63.2% or 12 out of 19 Star Brigade Lunartix Aliens 19.3% or 97 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 31.6% or 6 out of 19 ages 13-17: 23.5% or 28 out of 119 ages 18-22: 11.8% or 25 out of 212 ages 23-27: 26.9% or 21 out of 78 ages 28+: 36.8% or 7 out of 19 Comments: GI Joe: A Real American Hero strayed little from the standard 3 3/4" articulation/construction format. This survey question attempts to determine collectors' approval of some items that did and, in turn, might indicate the success of future products that vary from the standard GI Joe 3 3/4" figure format. Conclusion: Overall, collectors appear to have limited interest in items that stray from the standard 3 3/4" figure production format. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 3. How do you feel the repainting of 3 3/4" Joe figures, especially between the years 1990-1994, affected the popularity of the line? (Check one) Had no significant effect 11.9% or 60 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 31.6% or 6 out of 19 ages 13-17: 9.2% or 11 out of 119 ages 18-22: 11.8% or 25 out of 212 ages 23-27: 11.5% or 9 out of 78 ages 28+: 5.3% or 1 out of 19 Had a positive effect 9.7% or 49 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 15.8% or 3 out of 19 ages 13-17: 8.4% or 10 out of 119 ages 18-22: 11.3% or 24 out of 212 ages 23-27: 5.1% or 4 or out of 78 ages 28+: 26.3% or 5 out of 19 Had a negative effect 36.0% or 181 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 10.5% or 2 out of 19 ages 13-17: 37.8% or 45 out of 119 ages 18-22: 35.8% or 76 out of 212 ages 23-27: 44.9% or 35 out of 78 ages 28+: 36.8% or 7 out of 19 Had a significant negative effect 27.6% or 139 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 10.5% or 2 out of 19 ages 13-17: 24.4% or 29 out of 119 ages 18-22: 31.6% or 67 out of 212 ages 23-27: 25.6% or 20 out of 78 ages 28+: 26.3% or 5 out of 19 Don't know 14.7% or 74 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 31.6% or 6 out of 19 ages 13-17: 20.2% or 24 out of 119 ages 18-22: 9.4% or 20 out of 212 ages 23-27: 12.8% or 10 out of 78 ages 28+: 5.3% or 1 out of 19 Comments: The re-use of tooling or "repainting" of previously released items is always a touchy issue among collectors. This question attempts to determine if collectors felt the repainting of figures was a serious factor in the decline in popularity and ultimate cancellation of GI Joe: A Real American Hero. Conclusion: Slightly over 60% of collectors saw "repainted" figures in a negative light. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 4. How do you feel that the transition from individualized accessories to generic accessories (ie sprues), the loss of backpacks, and the inclusion of "shooting" weapons affected the popularity of the Joe line? (Check one) Had no significant effect 5.4% or 27 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 5.3% or 1 out of 19 ages 13-17: 5.0% or 6 out of 119 ages 18-22: 4.2% or 9 out of 212 ages 23-27: 5.1% or 4 out of 78 ages 28+: 5.3% or 1 out of 19 Had a positive effect 6.0% or 30 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 21.1% or 4 out of 19 ages 13-17: 4.2% or 5 out of 119 ages 18-22: 5.7% or 12 out of 212 ages 23-27: 3.8% or 3 out of 78 ages 28+: 10.5% or 2 out of 19 Had a negative effect 40.6% or 204 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 31.6% or 6 out of 19 ages 13-17: 37.0% or 44 out of 119 ages 18-22: 41.5% or 88 out of 212 ages 23-27: 37.2% or 29 out of 78 ages 28+: 63.2% or 12 out of 19 Had a significant negative effect 44.1% or 222 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 15.8% or 3 out of 19 ages 13-17: 49.6% or 59 out of 119 ages 18-22: 46.7% or 99 out of 212 ages 23-27: 50.0% or 39 out of 78 ages 28+: 15.8% or 3 out of 19 Don't know 3.8% or 19 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 26.3% or 5 out of 19 ages 13-17: 4.2% or 5 out of 119 ages 18-22: 1.4% or 3 out of 212 ages 23-27: 3.8% or 3 out of 78 ages 28+: 5.3% or 1 out of 19 Comments: As a kid collecting GI Joe 3 3/4" I always thought clever accessories were an important aspect of each figure. They were almost always detailed and well thought out... until about 1991. With this question I wanted to determine how important other collectors thought the GI Joe 3 3/4" figure accessories were. Conclusion: Over 80% of survey respondents thought that the cheaper, non-individualized, and unrealistic accessories given to later GI Joe figures was a cause for concern. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 5. How do you feel that the format change of filecards affected the popularity of the Joe line? (Check one) Had no significant effect 31.0% or 156 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 84.2% or 16 out of 19 ages 13-17: 37.0% or 44 out of 119 ages 18-22: 24.5% or 52 out of 212 ages 23-27: 32.1% or 25 out of 78 ages 28+: 15.8% or 3 out of 19 Had a positive effect 5.0% or 25 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 10.5% or 2 out of 19 ages 13-17: 9.2% or 11 out of 119 ages 18-22: 3.8% or 8 out of 212 ages 23-27: 0.0% or 0 out of 78 ages 28+: 10.5% or 2 out of 19 Had a negative effect 33.4% or 168 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 5.3% or 1 out of 19 ages 13-17: 26.9% or 32 out of 119 ages 18-22: 41.0% or 87 out of 212 ages 23-27: 34.6% or 27 out of 78 ages 28+: 15.8% or 3 out of 19 Had a significant negative effect 13.5% or 68 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 5.3% or 1 out of 19 ages 13-17: 9.2% or 11 out of 119 ages 18-22: 13.2% or 28 out of 212 ages 23-27: 19.2% or 15 out of 78 ages 28+: 10.5% or 2 out of 19 Don't know 16.5% or 83 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 21.0% or 4 out of 19 ages 13-17: 17.6% or 21 out of 119 ages 18-22: 16.0% or 34 out of 212 ages 23-27: 14.1% or 11 out of 78 ages 28+: 47.4% or 9 out of 19 Comments: The filecards made available with GI Joe 3 3/4" figures told a story about that character. They stimulated the imagination and made each character seem very real and important. When the attention to detail for filecards waned in the latter years of GI Joe's run I felt something important had been lost. With this survey question I wanted to see if collectors agreed. Conclusion: The format of the filecards does not appear to be as serious an issue as repainted figures or generic accessories. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 6. In your own words, what drew you to 3 3/4" GI Joe in the first place? Conclusion: Some of the most passionate statements about GI Joe: A Real American Hero were made by collectors for this write-in question. Some collectors wrote several pages describing the fond memories they had of GI Joe 3 3/4" from the past, their desire to see new figures that brought back those same feelings, their disappointment with the line's cancellation, etc. Others listed the things they liked and remembered best about the GI Joe 3 3/4" line. Almost everyone related their experiences in some way on this question. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 7. In your own words, when and for what reasons do you think that general public interest in 3 3/4" GI Joe began to decline? (Leave this blank if you feel interest in 3 3/4" Joe never declined.) As with question #6 there was a wide variety of opinions expressed. Some collectors brought up issues covered in this survey (repaints, generic accessories, filecards, etc.). Some collectors felt that influences from other toy lines and the political correctness that pervaded the line in the early '90s caused a decline in quality. Other collectors felt that interest in GI Joe 3 3/4" never declined. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE RECENT PAST 8. In the absence of GI Joe in the 3 3/4"-format have you become interested in/begun collecting other 3 3/4"-format toys lines? Answer no if you were collecting other 3 3/4" lines when GI Joe was still in stores. (Check one) Yes 30.8% or 155 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 36.8% or 7 out of 19 ages 13-17: 29.4% or 35 out of 119 ages 18-22: 27.8% or 59 out of 212 ages 23-27: 34.6% or 27 out of 78 ages 28+: 26.3% or 5 out of 19 No 68.0% or 342 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 57.9% or 11 out of 19 ages 13-17: 68.9% or 82 out of 119 ages 18-22: 71.7% or 152 out of 212 ages 23-27: 62.8% or 49 out of 78 ages 28+: 73.7% or 14 out of 19 Comments: At one time some toy "critics" claimed that the 3 3/4" action figure format had run its course. I wanted to see if the cancellation of GI Joe 3 3/4" prompted collectors to look to other sources for similar toys. (I think the success of Star Wars POTF2 shows, among other things, that the 3 3/4" action figure is still a very viable toy format.) Conclusion: Most collectors were either already collecting other 3 3/4" action figure lines or were not inclined to seek other sources for these items when GI Joe was cancelled. A third selection for this question such as "Was already collecting 3 3/4 figures" would have yielded more accurate information. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 9. Which of the following toy lines do you collect? (Check all that apply) 12" GI Joe/Action Man 23.9% or 120 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 31.6% or 6 out of 19 ages 13-17: 26.9% or 32 out of 119 ages 18-22: 15.1% or 32 out of 212 ages 23-27: 37.2% or 29 out of 78 ages 28+: 52.6% or 10 out of 19 Mortal Kombat and/or Street Fighter II 12.3% or 62 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 42.1% or 8 out of 19 ages 13-17: 14.3% or 17 out of 119 ages 18-22: 4.7% or 10 out of 212 ages 23-27: 21.8% or 17 out of 78 ages 28+: 26.3% or 5 out of 19 The Street Fighter II Guile-series only 7.4% or 37 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 26.3% or 5 out of 19 ages 13-17: 6.7% or 8 out of 119 ages 18-22: 2.8% or 6 out of 212 ages 23-27: 11.5% or 9 out of 78 ages 28+: 31.6% or 6 out of 19 Johnny Quest 2.8% or 14 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 5.3% or 1 out of 19 ages 13-17: 1.7% or 2 out of 119 ages 18-22: 1.4% or 3 out of 212 ages 23-27: 6.4% or 5 out of 78 ages 28+: 5.3% or 1 out of 19 Lanard's Corps!/Lazer Force/Bio-Wing Battle Squadron 4.6% or 23 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 5.3% or 1 out of 19 ages 13-17: 2.5% or 3 out of 119 ages 18-22: 0.0% or 1 out of 212 ages 23-27: 11.5% or 9 out of 78 ages 28+: 26.3% or 5 out of 19 Star Wars Power Of The Force II/Shadows Of The Empire 49.1% or 247 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 57.9% or 11 out of 19 ages 13-17: 50.4% or 60 out of 119 ages 18-22: 47.6% or 101 out of 212 ages 23-27: 51.3% or 40 out of 78 ages 28+: 47.4% or 9 out of 19 Comments: An extension of survey question #9. With collectors left without new GI Joe 3 3/4" in stores I wanted to see what else they were interested in. The above items were chosen for the question because of similarities in concept and/or size and/or articulation. Conclusion: Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter II-related items struck out as did Jonny Quest. Lanard put in a respectable showing (especially among older collectors) given general lack of exposure and the exclusive and often limited distribution of their toy lines. 12" GI Joe and Star Wars POTF2 seem reasonably popular among GI Joe 3 3/4" collectors. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 10. The Sgt. Savage line was short-lived. What did you think of it? (Check one) A bad idea 52.7% or 265 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 63.2% or 12 out of 19 ages 13-17: 50.4% or 60 out of 119 ages 18-22: 54.7% or 116 out of 212 ages 23-27: 17.9% or 14 out of 78 ages 28+: 36.8% or 7 out of 19 A good idea that was poorly executed 36.7% or 184 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 26.3% or 5 out of 19 ages 13-17: 40.3% or 48 out of 119 ages 18-22: 33.5% or 71 out of 212 ages 23-27: 34.6% or 27 out of 78 ages 28+: 42.1% or 8 out of 19 Other: This part of the question had a write-in answer. Collectors entered a variety of comments here, everything from "It sucked." to "Why the size change?", etc. Comments: Sgt. Savage was already in clearance aisles when this survey was written hence the wording of the "A good idea..." choice for this survey question. Although I already had a pretty good idea about other collectors' opinions of this line I wanted to get some numbers. Conclusion: Overall, GI Joe collectors didn't seem to care much for the concept of Sgt. Savage. Younger collectors particularly disliked the line while older collectors seemed somewhat more game for it. There was some speculation that Sgt. Savage would have done better in the standard 3 3/4" format. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 11. What are your comments on the GI Joe Extreme line? This write-in question elicited a virtually unanimous negative response. Many collectors didn't even grace this question with constructive criticism. Responses to this question seemed consistent with the response to GI Joe Extreme on store shelves. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 12. Do you think Star Wars POTF2 had anything to do with the Joe's format change away from 3 3/4"? Yes 11.1% or 56 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 15.8% or 3 out of 19 ages 13-17: 12.6% or 15 out of 119 ages 18-22: 7.1% or 15 out of 212 ages 23-27: 12.8% or 10 out of 78 ages 28+: 5.3% or 1 out of 19 No 21.7% or 109 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 15.8% or 3 out of 19 ages 13-17: 16.0% or 19 out of 119 ages 18-22: 20.6% or 44 out of 212 ages 23-27: 34.6% or 27 out of 78 ages 28+: 26.3% or 5 out of 19 May have contributed but was not a significant factor 33.0% or 166 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 31.6% or 6 out of 19 ages 13-17: 31.1% or 37 out of 119 ages 18-22: 37.3% or 79 out of 212 ages 23-27: 25.6% or 20 out of 78 ages 28+: 31.6% or 6 out of 19 Don't know 25.8% or 130 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 63.2% or 12 out of 19 ages 13-17: 31.9% or 38 out of 119 ages 18-22: 24.5% or 52 out of 212 ages 23-27: 19.2% or 15 out of 78 ages 28+: 31.6% or 6 out of 19 Comments: I had a pet theory that someone might have considered GI Joe 3 3/4" to be an obstacle to the success of the (at the time) upcoming Star Wars POTF2 line and that this played a part in GI Joe: A Real American Hero's cancellation. Out of curiosity more than anything I wanted to see if other collectors thought the same thing. Conclusion: My fellow collectors did not agree with me, did not really think it was an issue, or just didn't know. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE FUTURE 13. Hasbro may be considering 3 3/4" Joe again for 1997. Should they, at least initially, market Joe toward... (Check one) Collectors 12.1% or 61 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 0.0% or 0 out of 19 ages 13-17: 6.7% or 8 out of 119 ages 18-22: 16.0% or 34 out of 212 ages 23-27: 16.7% or 13 out of 78 ages 28+: 10.5% or 2 out of 19 Kids 12.7% or 64 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 36.8% or 7 out of 19 ages 13-17: 10.1% or 12 out of 119 ages 18-22: 13.7% or 29 out of 212 ages 23-27: 9.0% or 7 out of 78 ages 28+: 0.0% or 0 out of 19 Both 74.2% or 373 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 63.1% or 12 out of 19 ages 13-17: 81.5% or 97 out of 119 ages 18-22: 69.3% or 147 out of 212 ages 23-27: 73.1% or 57 out of 78 ages 28+: 89.5% or 17 out of 19 Don't know 1.0% or 4 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 0.0% or 0 out of 19 ages 13-17: 1.7% or 2 out of 119 ages 18-22: 0.0% or 1 out of 212 ages 23-27: 1.3% or 1 out of 78 ages 28+: 0.0% or 0 out of 19 Comments: With this survey question I wanted to see how GI Joe 3 3/4" collectors felt they could be best served by Hasbro marketing approaches. Conclusion: The results seem clear. Respondents want GI Joe 3 3/4" that is directed to both kids and collectors. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 14. Would you be willing to accept new 3 3/4" GI Joe figures even if they continued to stray from the military theme, or is that going too far? (Check one) Would be willing to accept 12.1% or 61 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 31.6% or 6 out of 19 ages 13-17: 16.8% or 20 out of 119 ages 18-22: 7.5% or 16 out of 212 ages 23-27: 10.3% or 8 out of 78 ages 28+: 26.3% or 5 out of 19 Depends on the concept 54.5% or 274 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 47.4% or 9 out of 19 ages 13-17: 56.3% or 67 out of 119 ages 18-22: 51.9% or 110 out of 212 ages 23-27: 62.8% or 49 out of 78 ages 28+: 63.2% or 12 out of 19 That's going too far 33.2% or 167 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 21.1% or 4 out of 19 ages 13-17: 26.9% or 32 out of 119 ages 18-22: 40.1% or 85 out of 212 ages 23-27: 26.9% or 21 out of 78 ages 28+: 10.5% or 2 out of 19 Conclusions: The results of this question indicate where GI Joe 3 3/4" collectors stand on the issue of realism. Overall, respondents displayed a cautious interest in less realistic themes in potential future GI Joe 3 3/4" products. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 15. Should GI Joe resurrect the original 3 3/4" characters, should they start fresh with new characters, or should they abandon the characters entirely and create smaller versions of the 12" figures which are increasing in popularity? (Check all that apply) "Resurrect" all the old characters 87.9% or 442 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 89.5% or 17 out of 19 ages 13-17: 72.3% or 86 out of 119 ages 18-22: 86.3% or 183 out of 212 ages 23-27: 85.9% or 67 out of 78 ages 28+: 68.4% or 13 out of 19 Start fresh with new characters 41.0% or 206 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 47.4% or 9 out of 19 ages 13-17: 38.7% or 46 out of 119 ages 18-22: 40.6% or 86 out of 212 ages 23-27: 38.5% or 30 out of 78 ages 28+: 63.2% or 12 out of 19 Do 3 3/4" versions of 12" figures 24.5% or 123 out of 503 surveys ages 5-12: 31.6% or 6 out of 19 ages 13-17: 21.8% or 26 out of 119 ages 18-22: 16.0% or 34 out of 212 ages 23-27: 44.9% or 35 out of 78 ages 28+: 42.1% or 8 out of 19 Comments: The key word in selection one for this question is "characters" i.e. personalities, not "figures/molds/tooling" although this could have been worded more clearly. Conclusions: As the results of question #3 indicate, the majority of collectors are not interested in straight repaints of figures. However, the old characters/personalities, many of which were popularized by the cartoon and comic book, are clearly still important in the minds of collectors. Collectors across all age groups are most interested in seeing the old personalities return. These results, in conjunction with those of survey question #3, seem to indicate that collectors want to see old faces in new ways, that is to say, new toy figures of old personalities. It could be inferred from these results that the Joe vs. Cobra concept, being key to the personality of the 3 3/4" line, is also very important to collectors. Collectors were not without interest in both new faces and 3 3/4" renditions of 12" Joes. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 16. If you could pick three aspects of past 3 3/4" Joe that would be included as part of future 3 3/4" Joe products, what would they be? Conclusion: Most collectors who answered this write-in question indicated concepts that made the GI Joe 3 3/4" line popular in its heyday, such as realism, attention to detail in figures, vehicles, accessories, filecards, etc. In many cases collectors combined question #16 and #17 into one big answer. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 17. If you could pick three aspects of past 3 3/4" Joe that would *NOT* be included as part of future 3 3/4" Joe products, what would they be? Conclusion: In the majority of responses collectors brought up neon- colors, less realistic themes, repaints, and less attention to detail as problems they had with 3 3/4" Joe line in later years. A surprising number of people mentioned being tired of seeing ninjas. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 18. List any other ideas, comments, and opinions you have for Hasbro concerning future 3 3/4" GI Joe products. Conclusion: Virtually all collectors who answered this write-in question reiterated things they stated in question #7, question #16, or question #17 or put into words the opinions they expressed in other parts of the survey. Some left this question blank perhaps thinking they had already indicated their answer to this question on other parts of the survey. Other collectors had interesting suggestions for products and themes and gave them here. END OF SURVEY ======================================================================== ORIGINAL FAN FICTION BY BEN THOMAS G.I. Joe, A Real American Hero Installment Four--Chaos Along the Coast (Part One of Two) Ben Thomas finished 9/26/97 "Do I need to repeat myself again?!" Major Earl Morris angrily questioned. "We've already promised you protection from the Mafia and transferral to one of those fat-cat prisons upstate!" The man seated across from the Major contrasted in style heavily. He was a low-level drug dealer with astronomical aspirations by the name of Carlos Esteban, and he was reclining casually despite the comfort limitations of his broken wooden chair. Under his nickname of the Headman, Esteban ran the organization known as the Headhunters. Though the group's New Jersey efforts hardly distinguished them from any other drug rings in the Northeast, they made a name for themselves by angering Cobra Commander enough to exact spectacular revenge measures. Morris knew beforehand that his task qualified as impossible. Waves of interrogators sought to extract vital information regarding operations, hideouts, members, and other useful information pertaining to the Mafia. To this point, neither threats nor offers of reward could open Esteban's vaults. "I'm quite aware of your 'protection,' Narc pig," Esteban finally replied. The dealer's defiance still amazed Morris. "Obviously, if you weren't protecting me, I wouldn't be enjoying the pleasures of cellblock restraint." "So it is," Morris agreed. "I'm sure you would love to get a shortened sentence, but I don't have control over that matter." Esteban laughed at his questioner's foolishness. "They certainly didn't send you because of your brains!" he mocked, adjusting his seat. "Why would I want to leave this upscale condominium complex when everyone on the outside has a score to settle with me? I still owe Uncle Louie a lump sum for that failed freighter run, in case you've failed to read your paperwork or forgotten that night." Morris could only smile himself. Esteban's defiance could easily withstand the plea-bargaining temptations; after all, the man essentially had lived in confinement most of his life, so his current condition hardly inconvenienced him. Morris had one option left, the only one he had truly considered before accepting the task. He had to speak to the Headman in terms he would understand: threats. "I thought I could break the ice between us with a little inspirational video," Morris continued, at the same time gesturing to the men observing the session from behind the glass. The door opened shortly after, and two security officers wheeled in a combination TV/VCR on a metal cart. "Let me guess," Esteban interrupted. "Faces of Death 10? The last Ultimate Fighting Championship pay-per-view? Fifteen Ways to Identify Drunk Drivers?" "It's better than all of those combined. Just watch!" One of the uniformed officers pressed the "play" button on the bottom of the unit, and a image very familiar to the Headman appeared on the screen. Once again, he was in the pharmaceutical shop in Broca Beach, the location of his last drug operation with the Headhunters. Broca Beach had provided the perfect cover for his operation, as the port allowed for massive drug shipments, and the local residents could only watch lest they reveal themselves as Cobras. The perspective of the video suggested that it was recorded from a security camera; Esteban had ordered the Headhunters to thoroughly search the premises for any such devices, but at least one had avoided their notice. The time of the video's recording quickly became apparent with the forced entry of Fred Broca IV. Fred IV, one of the oldest remaining Crimson Guardsmen at the time, was the first Cobra to refuse to allow the Headhunters to blackmail Cobra any longer. The man also had greater justification, though, as the Headhunters had manipulated his son into a life of drugs. Fred decided to use his anger instead of his Siegie training in handling the dealers, lunging for the Headman immediately. Five Headhunters could barely pull Fred off of their boss, and two more stepped in to restrain him then. The Headman then got up and motioned for his underlings to hold Fred against the wall. He proceeded to pull a 9mm pistol from his jacket and ended Fred's vengeance attempt. Esteban then knew that he was doomed. The calm demeanor was replaced with a pale look of absolute horror. "How did you find this??!!" "We found it in the mail, actually," Morris answered. "Now, we have no hard evidence as to the senders of the video, but I think you and I both have a pretty good idea of the likely suspects." He was playing the dealer's game now, and he was enjoying every minute of it! "I-I can't believe this! You can't do this! This is blackmail!" "If anyone knows blackmail, it would be you, Esteban." Morris turned to the security officers and asked, "Is this blackmail?" "I see no evidence of blackmail here," the first officer replied, suppressing a laugh. "Nothing in my sights, either," the second officer agreed. "I suppose we can throw that idea out, then!" Morris proclaimed. Returning his sights to the prisoner, Morris began again. "Now, you were going to tell us . . ." ###### Several hours later, Morris returned to the USDEF headquarters with a large notebook full of the wealth of Esteban's inside knowledge. If even a small percentage of the information proved true, then he and his team could seriously disrupt all major drug activity in the Northeast. Perhaps the method used to convince Esteban to "cooperate" did not exactly meet ethical standards, but Morris never concerned himself with criminal rights anyway. Preparing to cross from the "real" world back to the DEF world, Morris once more assumed his more familiar moniker of Bullet-Proof. Before him lay the gate of transition, which would appear as a metal detector to the casual observer. Three uniformed military guards watched the inner entrance, one with an M-16 standing on each side of a central desk, and the third seated at the desk. "May I see your identification, sir?" the seated guard asked with little hint of emotion in his tone. No trio of soldiers ever received USDEF guard duty for more than a week at a time, and none of the soldiers were notified of their selection until they were in transit to duty. This measure was theoretically the safest security action, as the drug organizations could not easily plant their own agents with the random selection, and the constant changing of the guard placed more emphasis on procedure as opposed to familiarity in allowing access to the building. Bullet-Proof's ID card registered positive on the scanner; to follow up, the guard handed him a wired laptop computer. "Please type the current week's password," he quietly requested. Within a few seconds, he officially entered USDEF Headquarters, there meeting the second welcome committee. He knew this group better than the first, though. Seated in the waiting room were Christopher Lavigne and Tom Mangiaratti, respectively known as Law and Long Arm. Both men jumped out of their seats upon sighting. "Bossman!" Long Arm exclaimed. "Did you kick some sense into that scumlord? Did you pick his brain?" Bullet-Proof laughed at the younger member's enthusiasm. "Let's just say that I got what I wanted, and the Headman won't be sleeping soundly for months to come." He waved the notebook in their faces as proof of victory. "I'll take that notebook, sir," Law requested. "That's okay, Law, but I think I can handle the paperwork myself," Bullet-Proof responded. "You've probably got a good deal of work already with the closing of the Atlantic City operation." Law gave his commander a strange look. "I think your guests will require your full attention." "Guests? I haven't been expecting anyone." "The guards must not have told you, then, not that they're a talkative lot." As the threesome arrived at the door to Bullet- Proof's office, Law directed his arms to the door. "Apparently, we are the subject of a surprise investigation." A growing frown quickly replaced the ego-boosted smile on Bullet- Proof's face. He knew that should have ordered the lab rats to clean up their mess in Forensics. "Long Arm, take this to Chuckles," he told the first strike specialist, holding out the notebook for him to take. "Law, let's take what's coming to us." "Are you sure they need my assistance?" the MP asked. As if a silent alarm triggered, the two DEF HQ irregulars appeared at the open doorway. Both men, one Caucasian and one African- American, made a strong visual impression with their expensive suits. The Caucasian quickly extended his right hand to shake. "Greetings, Major Morris," he opened. "I am General Lawrence Flagg the Third, and my associate is Colonel Cliff Mewett." The Colonel also extended his hand, but a sternness not seen in the General's face did not change with the conciliatory gesture. "Pardon me, but I was not aware that inspectors ranked General or Colonel, nor did I know that they were given large clothing allowances," Bullet-Proof responded as he clasped the "General's" hand. "General Flagg . . . I've heard that name many times before," Law added, scratching his chin. "But, I'm thinking of a dead man." Bullet-Proof pointed to the chairs surrounding his desk. "Why don't we sit down first? We apparently have a lot to discuss." The four men agreed to the suggestion, with Bullet-Proof and Law sitting behind the desk and the other two men sitting on the other side. General Flagg quickly continued the conversation. "As Sergeant Lavigne already knows, my father, General Lawrence Flagg the Second, was the original commander-in-chief of the "G. I. Joe" Delta Squad. No, we are not inspectors; we are men with a special offer for your team." Colonel Mewitt picked up the discussion there. "We understand that you had a conversation with one Carlos Esteban, and in that conversation you extracted a great deal of information from him." "Yes sir, that is correct," Morris acknowledged. "We understand that he ran his operation for a short time in Broca Beach," Mewitt continued. Bullet-Proof did not need any more hints to determine the direction of the questioning. These men apparently had not researched the situation before their arrival. "He basically told me what we already knew: Broca Beach was a Cobra front back in the group's later days. My men conducted a through search of the entire town in conjunction with the Army, but we could find no trace of Cobra presence upon our second visit. The place was completely deserted!" "What more do you want to know about Broca Beach?" Law added. "It's been closed for over a year." General Flagg reached inside his blazer and pulled out a notebook- size envelope. "I believe these will answer most of your questions." Bullet-Proof took the envelope from the General's hands and carefully opened it. Inside he found a set of five photographs, each picture obviously taken at the location of interest. Neither Bullet- Proof nor Law could believe the scenes depicted on the film: Cobra HISS tanks, Maggots, FANGs, Stingers, Detonators all on the move! "This make so little sense!" Law exclaimed. "Why would Cobra expose themselves like this after a year-plus of inactivity? Cobra Commander may not have always used his better judgement, but he was too smart to blow his cover without a major re-introduction." "We are not certain that Cobra is even indirectly involved in this operation," General Flagg rebuked. Rising from his seat, he walked to the office door and looked through the window. Satisfied by his findings, he restarted his statement. "We do know, however, that we sent in several weapons teams to neutralize the possible threat, and none of the teams could penetrate the town limits. The defenses are too strong!" Bullet-Proof shook his head. "So, why not just call an air strike on the town? This is not a civilian situation." "Furthermore," Law declared with hesitancy, "this matter does not fall under our jurisdiction. There is no evidence of drug activity in the town." This time, it was Colonel Mewitt's turn to pull an envelope from under his blazer. "This matter is your jurisdiction as of now." The officers both proceeded to the door without giving the DEF commanders a chance to respond. "I want to see all of you bright and early tomorrow," General Flagg added as he shut the door. Law and Bullet-Proof looked at each other warily. "Flagg wouldn't even tell us why they wouldn't call the air strike . . ." Law angrily voiced. The new envelope contained orders directly from the President. The DEF was going to spearhead an infiltration attempt into the heart of Broca Beach; the primary purpose was to determine the identity of the new residents, but the team was given the authority to eliminate the possible threat should the chance be presented. "It's times like this that I hate being affiliated with the military!" Law cursed. "This Flagg character doesn't want to waste his own men, so we get to slog through whatever firepower Cobra has waiting for unwanted guests!" "I totally agree, but that's not our concern now." Bullet-Proof opened the intercom line and announced, "All DEF field team members report to my office immediately!" ###### Long Arm could no longer perceive the bustle of DEF headquarters around him. He had one purpose, and that purpose was to find all information related to Broca Beach within the notebook. So far, his search had revealed little useful information; drug records, though they could prove profitable later, meant nothing compared to the millions he would make from the current operation. "Garbage . . ." he muttered under his breath. At the same moment, his absent-mindedness allowed him to nearly steamroll Mainframe, who was coming around the corner. Both men hit the floor with a loud thud, and the force distributed the pages of the notebook in all directions. Mainframe gave his teammate a disappointed look. "I know you should always be prepared to charge into a drug hideout, but you don't need to practice on me!" "I'm sorry about that," Long Arm apologized sheepishly. "I guess I just got engrossed in these notes I was reading," he added, pointing to the newly paper-tiled floor. "What notes are those?" Mainframe inquired. "These are the notes that Bullet-Proof took during his little 'conference' with the Headman. They contain a wealth of information about all of the major drug operations in the Northeast and some other information about the smaller operations. I was headed to return them just now." "You really were engrossed in that reading, rookie," Mainframe agreed, chuckling a bit. "I think you're headed in the wrong direction! Besides, I would have thought that Bullet-Proof's announcement would have awakened you." Long Arm tilted his eyebrows in a quizzical manner. "Announcement?" "Don't tell me a young stallion like yourself with perfect hearing missed the order to meet in Bullet-Proof's office on the double!" Long Arm shook his head. "I must have missed it. That's not good . . ." His eyes shifted nervously for several seconds, but then he regained his composure. "Okay, here's the deal. Why don't you take these notes I still have in my hand to BP, and I'll pick these up off the floor and meet you guys as soon as I can." He gave the notes to Mainframe and dove for the floor, picking up the remaining notes as quickly as the laws of physics would allow. "In that case, I'm off," Mainframe remarked. "I'll tell BP that you'll be a little late." From there, Mainframe ran to the meeting as fast as his forty-plus legs would take him. He arrived in record time, but he was still the last person. To his astonishment, even Long Arm was in attendance. "Long Arm, exactly how did you pull that off? I know I'm not that slow!" Long Arm turned around and gave the computer specialist a confused look. "What did I pull off?" "You know! The notes, getting here before me . . ." The first strike specialist threw his arms in the air and shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know anything about any notes, old man!" "But I gave you the notes, Long Arm . . ." Bullet-Proof declared, his confusion level quickly rising as well. "Oh, no!" Mainframe angrily shouted, pounding his fists against the wall. ###### [The next morning] The sun had yet to rise above the horizon; out at sea, the liquid landscape was disappearing ahead. Foaming crests spread out in all directions in the wake of two white bullets crossing the surface. Even casual observers would realize that the vehicles shared few similarities with the boats and yachts that populated the waters in past times. But, if the plans of the passengers unfolded as hoped, no observer, casual or otherwise, would notice their approach. The internal progress report indicated that the destination rapidly approached. The chance to turn back had just disappeared, and the real mission was ready to begin. Bullet-Proof adjusted the radio link in his helmet and called to the partner craft. "Cutter, we're in range! Cut the engines and guide us in!" "We've got a slight problem, BP," the garbled response came over the receiver. The waves crashing against the side of the craft only worsened Bullet-Proof's ability to hear. But, he did not survive countless drug setups and other related attacks on his person with a lack of hearing. "A Cobra Moray just launched from the harbor!" If the team had already been detected approaching the site, the entire mission would have to be aborted. "Has it seen us yet?" "I'm not sure how it could miss us, but it doesn't appear to be changing course to intercept us." Not on an intercept course? "I can't get a clear visual from here even with the binoculars, but it looks like it's pulling a barge!" Bullet-Proof ran several scenarios quickly in his mind, but no rational explanation presented itself in the short time frame. For now, he could only choose to continue the mission. "Everybody cross their fingers! Look for the signal from our contacts at the entrance!" The persistent waves prodded the Shark-DF1s toward a shaded cove directly west of the town. Free from worry of unfriendly spying eyes, the passengers disembarked onto the rocky shore. These men had not journeyed for a vacation; they were prepared for battle. "Roll call!" Bullet-Proof shouted. "Law present!" "Muskrat present!" "Long Arm present!" "Barricade present!" "Chuckles present!" "Shockwave present!" "Mutt present!" "Mainframe present!" "Cutter present!" "Junkyard and Order also present!" Law added. The various team members took in the contrasting scenery. The natural barriers surrounding them on all sides, except for the rear, were smothered by thick growth closely resembling vines and weeds. The only method of progress appeared to involve scaling the cliff. "So, boss, just where are our buddies from the General?" Barricade asked with a slight twinge of sarcasm. "It would be so selfish of us to not share this beautiful view!" As he finished, a rustle from the left side of the growth startled everyone. Despite the deficiency in suitable cover, the DEF assumed alert positions and readied all firearms. "No shots until we see who's behind there!" Bullet-Proof whispered. "The last thing we need right now is for the heavy hardware in the town coming to check us out!" The members of the DEF, all highly-trained professionals even if a few members lacked veteran experience, knew the exact procedure. However, the figures mysteriously and quickly rising from the amber water followed a completely different set of rules. Their sudden appearance did not proceed unnoticed. Shockwave, startled by the noise of the disturbed water particles, swung around to greet them. "Behind us!" he cried. His warning came too late; the attackers unleashed a silent fury upon their target. Fortunately, the recepients did not include the DEF. From the rotting growth of weeds fell two lifeless BAT bodies. Bullet-Proof barely had enough time to acknowledge the identities of the forward attackers before confronting the rear surprise. "Give us two good reasons why we shouldn't take you gentlemen down right now!" he threatened, not chancing another sneak attack. Both of the mystery men raised their arms slowly, though they did not relinquish their hold on their firearms. "I can give you two easily," the bearded man responded. "Operatives Outlaw and Hailstorm reporting for combined Army\DEF invasion team!" "Besides, if you want to jump us," the other man picked up, pointing to the top of the cliff with his nose, "our guys up there are really cranky after the 0200 wakeup call!" True to the man's word, two other men, one a large African-American and the other a Caucasian with sunglasses and a receding hairline, stood tall atop the cliff. While the Caucasian looked less than fearsome, the larger man toted an enormous .50 caliber machine gun rivaling that once carried by Roadblock. "You two on the hill, who are you?" Bullet-Proof demanded. The larger man replied first. "They call me Foreman, and the little man beside me goes by the name of Spider. At least, I think that's his name; he doesn't talk to us that much." "Hold on, BP," Chuckles requested, retrieving a mass of papers from within his jacket. He leafed through the sheets and pulled out four pages. Examining them individually, he switched each page with an acknowledging nod. "What are you looking at?" Mutt asked, not turning his eyes or moving his AR-15. "These guys are legit," Chuckles finally answered. "Come on down from there and let's compare notes!" ###### In a containment cell not far away, Carlos Esteban sat on his bunk listlessly. He had read the current issue of Reader's Digest five times, and he could probably recite entire articles word-for-word should anyone ask. Overwhelming boredom threatened to tear him apart; he could not get back to sleep, and breakfast would not be served for three hours yet. As the Headman, Esteban controlled his own destiny for the most part. Though he still presented himself as the defiant drug dealer undeterred by the prison system's attempts to break his spirit, the true man held an outlook far less optimistic. How could anyone know that the latest incarceration would have a different effect than the previous terms? Perhaps the main difference could be explained by the circumstances. Before, Esteban was always convicted on relatively minor charges. He knew that he would return to the streets before he could blink his eyes, ready to return to his gang role again. However, his last violation brought the wrath of several major organizations upon him, among them the Mafia, the U.S. Army, and Cobra. Cobra seemed to be the least of his current worries; they apparently were content with ruining his drug operation as retaliation. The U.S. Army considered Esteban a dangerous criminal because of his association with Cobra (even though he never allied himself with them or vice versa), and the D.E.F. members had pushed to keep him locked away for life. But, the Mafia worried him more than the others. For that reason alone, he was extremely grateful for the restrictive conditions of his imprisonment. Being held in an extra-maximum-security prison with two officers standing guard at all times gave him a fair sense of security, and to the present day no Mafia attempts to extract revenge for unpaid debts had succeeded. Still, twenty million dollars leaves a large impression in memory, and the loan sharks would not likely forget Esteban's financial transgressions. He had personally witnessed three of the "torture sessions," and the memories haunted him several nights a week. Last night the nocturnal visions had returned, hence his lack of sleep. Esteban stared aimlessly at the outer wall of the cell. The lack of sleep really started to affect his perception of reality: he thought he saw a hole eating away a chunk of the wall! The hole quickly expanded to reveal the dawning morning blocked by a large, shadowy figure. "I must be getting X-ray vision now, too!" Esteban cackled, still believing himself naturally intoxicated. The force of his powerful laughter pushed him painfully to the hard, cold cement floor. "Get up!" an unfamiliar voice commanded as a pair of hands grabbed him by the uniform and hoisted him in the air. "Your presence is requested by the Board of Directors!" "This is new," Esteban mumbled, his eyes finally adjusting enough to see the intruder. "My own psychedelic man carrying me from my troubled situation!" "This is unacceptable!" the intruder called outside. "The profit margin of this operation dwindles to nothing because of this raving lunatic!" "That is not our problem!" an electronic voice replied emphatically. "He says that he wants the Headman, so we will deliver him as ordered!" "What the hell is going on in there?!" a guard called from outside the cell. "Take this blue-collar trash from my sight!" the intruder demanded, handing the shocked quarry to his companion. With the primary objective achieved, one minor distraction remained. "It appears the situation calls for a little right-sizing!" he continued, turning to the cell door. He calmly grasped the cannon from his backpack and aimed it towards the door. With a single pull of the trigger, a stream of super-corrosive acid instantly dissolved a large chunk of the barricade and a larger chunk of the guards. ###### The tunnel system heading to Broca Beach may have been an unsolvable labyrinth from the worst nightmares. Total blackness surrounded the infiltration team's position, following them regardless of their progress. The panning flashlight beams revealed different details at the various points, yet the goal appeared no closer to attainment. With no map to guide their steps, the team had no choice but to search every corridor. Bullet-Proof had obtained one from Esteban, but it had already changed possession, along with most other information about Broca Beach, to a mysterious intruder posing as Long Arm. "Are we there yet?" Barricade asked mockingly in a small child's voice. "I really have to go bad!" If the humor specialist of the D.E.F. could not ease the tension, no one could. Most of the rest of the team let out a much-needed chuckle. Bullet- Proof, though amused himself, kept his focus on the mission. "I can only guarantee that I wil recognize the point if we can just reach it!" "This whole mess bugs me!" Law commented. "Everything has been too easy!" "Easy?" Long Arm asked in response. "You call running around in the dark hitting dead ends left and right easy? I'd hate to see what you call hard!" Law shook his head. "I meant that we haven't encountered any kind of traps or resistance, except for those BATs at the entrance. Surely we would have found some nasty surprise by now!" "No need to get nervous," Outlaw replied from the back. "We've probably found thirty traps already, but Spider never misses the details. Am I right or am I right, Spider?" To his shock, Spider shook his head. "What do you mean, no?" Outlaw asked his partner. "Do you mean 'No, you haven't found any traps' or 'No, you missed the details'?" In another shock, Spider opened his mouth for the first time on the mission. "No traps," was his quiet answer. Outlaw frowned and gave Spider a ominous stare. "In that case, maybe we do need to be worried . . ." "We simply need to maintain alertness, and that alertness starts with volume control!" Bullet-Proof suggested strongly. The path winded for a short time following, but the maze then straightened into a single direction. Within minutes, the team finally reached the end of the tunnel, where the exit opened into a massive structure almost resembling an underground city. Enormous piles of rubble littered the ground and the walls as far as the eye could see. None of the team members could believe the sight before them. "Will you look at that?!" Foreman exclaimed. "This place is bigger than my neighborhood in my hometown!" "I never would have expected Cobra to pull off such an ambitious operation like this," Muskrat declared. "They really wanted to make this place an assault base for major strikes!" "Makes you wonder even more why they had to abandon it so quickly," Shockwave added. Bullet-Proof was the only person looking at the surroundings with a large smile plastered on his face. Finally, reward for all their troubles! "Gentlemen, I know where to lead us from here!" "So do we!" an unknown voice echoed a response through the clearing. The familiar sound of releasing safeties immediately followed. "All trespassers will be prosecuted!" another voice in the distance yelled. Without further warning, the ground ahead exploded in a magnificent blaze! END PART ONE #### BEGIN NOTES #### Look for the conclusion of the 1995 Broca Beach saga in two months, and then . . . the return of G.I. Joe! Please note the new email address. If you want to contact me, I ask that you use it, as I check it the most. The bithomas@eos.ncsu.edu address is still valid, but I don't check it nearly as much. As always, I would appreciate any comments you have, positive or negative. List of new characters and figure equivalents: Colonel Mewitt -- Colonel Courage (but I refuse to call him by that lame name) Outlaw -- "Adventure Team" figure (I may be the only person who owns this figure) Spider -- another "Adventure Team" figure (I think I sent one to Corey) Hailstorm -- The character is Snow Storm without the armor. I don't even have a figure made for him yet myself. Foreman -- The Fridge!! Chuckles -- I use the Mace figure for him. Mace always seemed redundant to me anyway! Can anyone guess where I got the names for Outlaw and Spider? HINT: certain Joe literature . . . I plan to add pictures of some of my custom figures to Corey's page soon, but I have not taken clear pictures yet. Sadly, simple photography seems too advanced for me. I will try again when I go home on October 10, so keep looking! Anyone interested in seeing Armada will get your chance! Thanks for reading! #### END NOTES #### ======================================================================== WEB SITE REVIEW WITH ZARTAN AKA ROD HANNAH This issue's review: The G.I. JOE Command Center Created by: Conor Malone Since it is listed as *the* new site on Yahoo, I thought I'd start off my reviewing of web sites with this page. My first impressions of the page were that it is professionally done and to the point. It offers a brief introduction explaining what its all about followed quickly further down the page with the actual goodies. It is organised in the form of the GI Joe base, the P.I.T, with four levels, each covering something different. We start with level 1 - The G.I. Joe Comic Book Archive. Here we have a nice little local form where we can select the different Joe comic series to go to the related page. Including G.I. Joe, Action force, Special Missions and others. You enter the issue number, of the comic you wish to view in the little box, and away you go. The main title, G.I. Joe, only goes up to issue 60 as of this point, hopefully we will see more soon. For each issue there is various info which has yet to be filled in. Short summaries, notes of interest, major players, and the creative team. This would all be really handy info, but it has not yet been added which is a little annoying, but hopefully on the way. Level 2 is the G.I. Joe 3 3/4" Mailing list. Must be a small list. Sorry, couldn't resist. This is just basic information on how to sign up, so I wont dwell here any longer. Scrolling down to level 3, and going passed the guards I have made it to the Multimedia Archive. And this is a treasure trove of great and unique resources. A Windows Icon Pack, Desktop theme, GI Joe and Cobra Collage of filecard pics, and more. Best of all, there are great pieces of artwork by some Leonardo Da Vinci person called Simona. Two battle scenes and one very cool picture of all the GI Joe girls in swimsuits. Very nice. I can hardly tear myself away to go to the next level. Level 4 is the last level. Which is a shame really, because that means my trip through the site is almost over. This is simply a collection of links to the most important and general G.I. Joe sites. Thats the page for ya. So how do I rate it? Did the page grab my attention? It didn't leap out at me, but it certainly can not be ignored. Is it well layed out? It has a very professional layout and is easy to navigate and find your way about. Nothing on the page had me confused, it was all nicely handled and well presented overall. But it could do with perhaps a simple background, as it is, it looks a little bleak and sterile. Who would enjoy the site most? I think absolutely everybody can visit this site and come away with something. Not that it is supposed to be a learning experience, more of a resource to fellow Joe fans. But it definately has plenty of items that are not found anywhere else as well as the great comic cover images. It is a great page in that respect and successfully covers another area of Joe fandom. On a scale of 1 to 10 I would have to rate it 8. Conor, you get those other cover images and summaries up and it goes of the scale. :) ======================================================================== GI JOE "ACTION FORCE" COMIC CONTEST The results are in on the Action Force comic contest held in the last issue of the Newsletter. This contest asked you to answer some trivia questions about characters and events taking place in the various GI Joe: A Real American Hero comic book series. The prize was the first five issues of the UK comic magazine of GI Joe called "Action Force." The contest turned out to be a little more difficult than I expected with only eight contest entries turned in. You had to have a fairly complete GI Joe comic collection or an excellent memory to recall the answers to all the questions. I apologize if anyone thought the contest was too obscure. I will endeavor to make the next somewhat more accessible! There was no drawing for the prize as only one contest entry was entirely correct. The winner was Bruce Cole. Congratulations Bruce! Bruce's prize will be on its way soon. All the other entries were correct but for one question. The question that caught people up seemed to vary from entry to entry. Everyone who particpated this time around will be receiving a little thank-you for your hard work on the contest. And now... on to the survey questions and their answers. For each answer, the contest entry needed only to specify something equivalent to the first sentence. The added information is FYI only. ************************************************************************ * 1. In which issue was a clear link between Snake-Eyes and Storm * Shadow first established? ************************************************************************ The answer: GI Joe issue #21. On the last page of that issue, as Snake-Eyes flies away with Scarlett, his tatoo is revealed. Storm Shadow's wrist wrap, which has started to unravel, reveals the same tatoo. Although the connection between the two characters was played out in more detail in later issues this was the first issue where a clear link was established. ************************************************************************ * 2. In the Oktober Guard's first appearance, what was their mission/ * assignment? ************************************************************************ The answer: They were attempting to retrieve a Russian spy craft that crashed in Afghanistan. This took place in GI Joe issue #6. ************************************************************************ * 3. Who did Stalker and Snake-Eyes unexpectedly meet at the Vietnam * Memorial in Washington, D.C. and why was he/she there? ************************************************************************ The answer: Wade Collins or Fred. He turned out to be a presumed- dead member of their LRRP unit from Vietnam. "Fred" was there to capture the Joes and take them back to Cobra. Fred caught up with the Joes in GI Joe issue #42 and #43. ************************************************************************ * 4. How was the Hard Master killed and by who? * How was the Soft Master killed and by who? ************************************************************************ The answer: The Hard Master was killed by an arrow fired by Zartan and the Soft Master was killed by a rocket fired by Scrap-Iron. The Hard Master was killed while imitating Snake-Eyes during a ninja exercise. Zartan was trying to kill Snake-Eyes. It was finally explained that Zartan was the culprit in GI Joe #84. The Soft Master technically committed suicide by jumping in front of a missle fired by Scrap-Iron in an attempt to save Billy, Candy, and another civilian. This occured in GI Joe #43. ************************************************************************ * 5. Why did Cobra trick the Joes into causing a large explosion on * the sea floor in the Gulf of Mexico? ************************************************************************ The answer: Cobra wanted to raise an island in the Gulf. Cobra wanted a sovereign piece of land to call "their own". GI Joe had the firepower necessary to trigger a fault line and raise the land mass. The events were chronicled in GI Joe #40 and #41. ************************************************************************ * 6. What frightening experience caused Rock n' Roll, Clutch, and * Breaker to crash the car they were driving on vacation? ************************************************************************ The answer: An encounter with the Dreaknoks or an encounter with Zartan's holographic motorcycle. The motorcycle, ridden by Buzzer, was "in disguise" as an evil-looking semi tractor-trailor. Alarmed, the Joes dodged the "semi" but crashed. The events occured in GI Joe #35. ************************************************************************ * 7. Where did Scarlett, disguised as the Baroness, walk Storm Shadow * and Snake Eyes away from a line of Cobras (with guns at the ready) * and to an escape? ************************************************************************ The answer: The Cobra Consulte building in NYC. This silent story appeared in GI Joe Yearbook #3. ************************************************************************ * 8. What did the Baroness think Snake-Eyes did that caused her to * hate him (and the world) so much? ************************************************************************ The answer: She mistakenly thought he shot and killed her brother during the Tet offensive. In fact, her brother was killed by Vietnamese rebels. The flashbacks were shown in GI Joe #94. ************************************************************************ * 9. Who invented the brainwave scanner? ************************************************************************ The answer: Dr. Venom. It made its first appearance in GI Joe #10. Dr. Venom was going to extract the location of GI Joe HQ from Snake- Eyes. ************************************************************************ * 10. What was GI Joe and the Oktober Guard looking for when they were * captured by river pirates? ************************************************************************ The answer: The "black boxes" from a downed Cobra Firebat. Neither group ended up recovering the boxes. The pirates dumped them into the river before eventually releasing the two groups. The story was told in GI Joe Special Missions #4. ************************************************************************ * 11. Who did Cobra Commander's son Billy attempt to assasinate during * a Cobra rally in Springfield? ************************************************************************ The answer: Cobra Commander, his father. He was put up to it by Major Bludd and the Baroness. These events climaxed in GI Joe #33. ************************************************************************ * 12. How did the Baroness get severely injured and where did she * receive medical treatement/recuperate from her injuries? ************************************************************************ The answer: She was severely burned when she overturned her HISS tank during an operation on the U.S. Treasury building and later recovered at the Bern Institute of Reconstructive Surgery in Switzerland. The Baroness overturned her tank when she noticed Major Bludd, who was manning the turret, aiming the guns as Destro. These events took place in GI Joe #16 and #22. ************************************************************************ * A. What is your favorite GI Joe comic issue? (There is no right or * wrong answer for this question, I'd just like to know. I'll * compile all the responses and list them in the next Newsletter!) ************************************************************************ The favorite issues of those that entered the contest were: GI Joe #16 - "Night Attack" - Cobra attacks the U.S. Treasury in a plot to poison U.S. currency. GI Joe #20 - "Home Is Where The War Is" - Clutch goes on leave and finds out his best friend is the unwilling employee of Cobra. GI Joe #21 - "Silent Interlude" - Silent story where Snake Eyes rescues Scarlett from Storm Shadow. (this one got two votes) GI Joe #31 - "All Fall Down!" - Destro, Fred, and the Cobras battle it out with Snake-Eyes, Spirit Iron-Knife, and Airborne. GI Joe #34 - "Shakedown" - Ace w/ Lady Jaye and Wild Weasel w/ the Baroness engage in a duel in the sky. GI Joe #47 - "Sea Duel" - Storm Shadow is shot by the Baroness and presumed dead as he and Snake-Eyes attempt to escape Cobra island. Special Missions #5 - "Showdown" - Another duel in the skies, this time the Joes take on a Strato-Viper in the Night Raven. Special Missions #28 - "Condor" - The last issue of GI Joe Special Missions. A duel in the sky between the GI Joe Defiant shuttle and a new Cobra aircraft. ======================================================================== ZARTAN'S DOMAIN - ROD HANNAH'S GI JOE WEB PAGE reviewed by Corey Stinson Crawling out of the swamp of Internet networks and routers and into a clearing I spot a lone cabin. Who could possibly occupy this forlorn place? None another than Zartan and his motley troop of Dreadnoks. In my wandering I've stumbled across Zartan's Domain! Zartan's Domain is a relatively new GI Joe: A Real American Hero web page to appear on the Internet. Rod Hannah has turned out an impressive amount of work in such a small period of time, creating a domain Zartan would truly be proud to call his own. Upon hitting Rod's URL you are immediately greeted by an eerie logo and a disturbing introduction very much worthy of the mysterious aura that surrounded Zartan in all his best cartoon and comic appearances. If you're over 18 (months!) old and you dare, then enter! On the main page you'll find a holographic animated picture of Zartan himself. After a brief introduction he offers to introduce you to those rowdy thugs, his Dreadnoks, or give you a tour of "the facility". Your introduction with the Dreaknoks begins with some pin-up's of the the original three- Buzzer, Ripper, and Torch. Zartan also graces you with an introduction to his brother Zandar and sister Zarana. For more click on the Dreaknoks' image. If you feel so inclined you can at any time apply to be a Dreaknok yourself. All Dreaknok applications processed through Cobra Command of course! Zartan's tour brings you to the real hub of this web page. From here you can find out what's new on Zartan's Domain, find out the motivation behind this page, and get links to other GI Joe: A Real American Hero- related Internet resources. That's not all though! Zartan's Domain provides access to a large number of sound (.WAV) files. My computer system is currently incapable of taking advantage of this kind of web content but if your hardware and bandwidth permit...! A special section is dedicated to Cold Slither- Zartan's rock "performance" with his Dreaknoks. This part of the page is accompanied by Cold Slither sound samples. A section of this page is dedicated to links to pictures of the toy versions of Zartan & his Dreaknoks. No tour of a villian's domain would be complete without a well-rounded history of said villian. Zartan provides a detailed dossier of his activies (in and out of Cobra) for his appearances in both comic book and cartoon. There's no better place to find out what Zartan's been up to for the last, oh, 12 years or so! The Pro's: ---------- Zartan's Domain has a lot of content given its exclusive focus. It's well presented and pleasing to the eye. The page looks great even at my measly 640x480 video resolution. There are no lack of images, animations, and sounds to supplement provided information. Since this page's recent inception a lot of material has been added. As Rod states in several places: "This web site is always under construction." I think it's safe to say that you can probably see a little bit of something new each time you visit Zartan's Domain. The Con's: ---------- The only con I could come up with is the issue of download time. You'll be taking a trip to New Zealand on the 'net highway to visit Zartan's Domain. Given the distance your packets must travel this sometimes means delays. However, any extra wait you may encounter is well worth the experience of the visit. To be honest though, I've been to slower web pages right here in the U.S.A. so this is not really an issue. Conclusion: ----------- The GI Joe collecting community can be proud to have Zartan's Domain as a member. Rod Hannah proves himself a true GI Joe: A Real American Hero fan evidenced by his attention to this excellent World Wide Web resource. ======================================================================== GI JOE CHAT ON IRC (INTERNET RELAY CHAT) Matthew Heyman has expressed interest in organizing some GI Joe chats on IRC. IRC is a huge chat network that pre-dates the World Wide Web. If you're not sure how to use IRC or if your Internet Service Provider supports it, contact your system administrator or technical support center for more information. If you need more information about IRC, setting up GI Joe chat times, etc. contact Matthew at . Matthew suggests using any of the following servers to join the IRC network. If possible, choose a server that is nearest to you geographically. Once you've signed on to IRC and an appropriate Undernet server, type /join #gijoe and see if anyone else is hanging out waiting to chat. Austin.TX.us.undernet.org:6664 Lowell.MA.us.undernet.org:6665 Okc.OK.us.undernet.org:6665 Rochester.MI.us.undernet.org:6667 StLouis.MO.us.undernet.ord:6667 Toronto.ON.ca.undernet.org:6667 Atlanta.GA.us.undernet.org:6662 US.undernet.org:6664 ca.undernet.org:6667 eu.undernet.org:6667 ======================================================================== OTHER 3 3/4" NEWS Announcing the Corps! Collector's Guide & Information Center web page! URL is I've been talking about Lanard's 3 3/4" military action figures and vehicles in this section of the Newsletter for some time but some of you may still be unfamiliar with these toys. I'm proud to announce this new web page. It contains a wealth of information on The Corps! and related 3 3/4" action figure lines from Lanard Toys including availability information, packaging configurations, and pictures of nearly everything! This page defintely deserves a visit from GI Joe 3 3/4" collectors. You might be surprised by all the stuff that is out there and compatible/playable with 3 3/4" Joe! Drop by and let me know what you think! I announced last issue that Lanard's S.T.A.R. Force figures were available. K-Mart is now carrying the S.T.A.R. Force planet rover. It's a nicely done jeep/rover type vehicle for planetary surface exploration. K-Mart is also carrying a humvee vehicle and a helicopter from the Corps! line. This is the best 3 3/4"-scaled Humvee I've seen so far. In my opinion, much better than the GI Joe Hammer vehicle. The helicopter is just hitting K-Mart's as wasn't available in my area yet. ======================================================================== SUBSCRIPTION INFO Currently all subscriptions, unsubscriptions, and e-mail address changes are being handled manually. If you require one of the above simply send a message to the editor at requesting such. Did you miss an issue or did your issue get trashed? Just let the editor know and we'll correct the situation immediately! Don't forget - all back issues are archived on the Newsletter web page.