G.I. Joe Extreme
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| Type | Action Figures |
|---|---|
| Company | Kenner |
| Country | United States |
| Availability | 1995–1997 |
| Slogan | "Extreme times call for extreme heroes!" |
| Official website | |
| G.I. Joe Extreme | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 26 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 min. |
| Production company(s) |
Sunbow Entertainment Gunther-Wahl Productions Graz Entertainment |
| Distributor | Claster Television |
| Release | |
| Original network | First-run syndication |
| Original release | September 23, 1995 – February 21, 1997 |
| Website | |
| G.I. Joe | |
|---|---|
Cover to G.I. Joe #1. Art by Frank Miller.
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Dark Horse Comics |
| First appearance | G.I. Joe #1, Dec. 1995 |
| Created by | Mike W. Barr, Hasbro |
| In-story information | |
| Type of organization | Military unit |
| Base(s) | G.I. Joe Headquarters |
| Roster | |
| See: List of G.I. Joe Extreme characters | |
G.I. Joe Extreme is a line of military-themed toys that was sold in retail from 1995 to 1997. The toys were produced by Kenner following their acquisition by former competitor Hasbro and was intended to succeed the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line, which was discontinued the previous year. It was supported by a syndicated animated series that ran for two seasons and a series of comics.
The line features a storyline quite similar to the A Real American Hero line. In a "near-future" continuity, a new G.I. Joe Team fights to stop a rising terrorist organization called "SKAR" (Soldiers of Khaos, Anarchy and Ruin) and their leader, a mysterious, shrewd, and incredibly powerful military leader only known as "Iron Klaw".
The title logo was reminiscent of the original G.I. Joe logo from the 1960s and 1970s. The 3.75" scale was discarded in favor of a new 5" scale, which allowed a greater level of detail especially in the facial and muscular features. However, the line was criticized by collectors for replacing articulation with "special feature" gimmicks compared to the Real American Hero line.
Carded figures were released in two varieties, basic figures and deluxe figures. The deluxe versions of the figures, which were advertised as featuring "Ultra SLAM Firepower", came packaged with a backpack accessory connected to a missile launcher via a tube. The launcher shoots its missiles by lowering the plunger on the backpack. A single two-pack was also released. The vehicles and playsets were also advertised with "Ultra SLAM Firepower".
The Extreme line never approached the success of the Real American Hero line and was canceled after its first wave. A second wave of figures and playsets was showcased in Toy Fair '96, but only two figures (Black Dragon and Harpoon) were given full releases. The rest, which included Mayday (the sole female Joe in the Extreme lineup), were shelved.
The G.I. Joe Extreme series was produced by Sunbow Entertainment (who co-produced the first G.I. Joe TV series) and Gunther-Wahl Productions and distributed by Claster Television. Set in the (at the time) "near future" of 2006, the show's main threat is a new, emerging terrorist organization called SKAR led by Iron Klaw, the former count of an eastern European country.
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Wikipedia