G.I. Joe's strength lay in its ability to deploy the right specialist at the right time.
The MASS Device mini-series was a perfect illustration of how G.I. Joe operated as a modular, cross-specialty task force. When Stalker said, "None of us know diddly squat about deep sea diving." That was the opening for Torpedo to take the lead.
G.I. Joe had to have elite operatives for every scenario in defense against Cobra's global terrorism. Recondo, deep jungle. Snow Job, the Arctic. Shipwreck, sea. Ace, air. Dusty, desert. And so on. And also, just plenty of army infantrymen.
Best of the Best:
Buzz Dixon envisioned G.I. Joe not as a random collection of military specialists, but as the apex of U.S. armed forces. G.I. Joe was a unit so elite that even top-tier soldiers had to earn their place.
His novel, which went into the Cobra's Roman philosophy, spotlighted Shipwreck, of all people, going through this training program, after the events of The Revenge of Cobra.
As an aside, Dixon also envisioned G.I. Joe operating in an alternate reality where one-term President Jimmy Carter won reelection. LOL
... but that's neither here nor there. Part of what made the '80s the '80s was that pop culture operated in the world that was, so I think Buzz was a bit off his rocker there, but it's a minor quibble.
A candidate started as support, a Green Shirt, and earned full G.I. Joe status by going through the program.
- There was no direct enlistment
- There was an internal training program
Much like we learned in The Most Dangerous Thing in the World, where all promotions had to go through General Hawk's office, the same held true.
Perspective Joes were chosen, with Duke, Flint, and Beachhead having a say in the matter. Beachhead headed up the brutal training regimen and had full authority in who passed and who failed. Sgt. Slaughter was brought in to deal with big-time screwups if needed.
Being a G.I. Joe:
The Sunbow Series Bible mentioned Dial-Tone, who was envisioned as the "barely hanging on" Joe, a character whose spot on the team was always at risk due to his persona as a try-hard dork.
you talk to that Lovecraftian-like monster already!"
Dial-Tone was socially awkward, overly eager, and technically competent but not particularly inspiring. He was the kind of soldier who got results within his all-purpose tech "team needs a geek" niche, but didn't command respect or camaraderie easily. The nasally voice certainly didn't help. LOL
Dixon wanted the Joe team to feel like a real military unit, where not everyone is a natural leader or action star. Dial-Tone was the guy who might get cut if the budget or performance slipped.
Just because someone became a Joe didn't mean they'd keep the assignment or want to keep the assignment. It might just be that they move on in life or elsewhere else in the military.
We see that with Sparks, who did his assignment, retired from military service, but still helped out the Joes in Grey Hairs and Growing Pains. "Once a Joe, always a Joe," he said.
So, some Joes might move on to different pursuits, professional or personal. It'd also explain characters getting written out as new toys needed coverage, should Season 3 have happened (Damn you, Hasbro, lol).
The Comically Serious Drill Sergeant:
Re: The Joes weren't flag-waving caricatures.
They were diverse, flawed, and often humorous. Characters like Shipwreck, Lifeline, Alpine, etc., had distinct voices and values. Scenes of Joes joking, relaxing gave the show a lived-in "slice of life" feel.
Beachhead was a self-serious, by-the-book military man who thought the Joes always could do with more military discipline, and all things on base needed to be done by strict military regulation.
Sunbow discarded his zin personality quirk in his file card, "Anger is a waste of time and energy," because that was, frankly, boring.
So, Beachhead was what I call a "comically serious drill sergeant." The official trope is called Drill Sergeant Nasty.
Full Metal Jacket the easiest example, certainly... but I grew up with Police Academy movies and Captain Harris (who was more of an overt foil, but still, his one redeeming aspect was he did want to train good police men).
Beachhead was the perfect embodiment of military rigidity, which made him humorous rather than threatening.
This characterization also helped the show avoid devolving into blatant jingoistic military propaganda by positioning Beachhead as the clear straight man in Season 2 among the larger G.I. Joe team. His exaggerated seriousness was the perfect foil to the wider team, and even his fellow command officers.
Beachhead's presence validated the stakes (takes everything seriously), while the rest of the team humanized the mission (protecting people). For example...
At the end of Once Upon a Joe, after Joe team helped repair an orphanage damaged because of Cobra/stopped Cobra's plot, Lifeline asked Beachhead, "Feels good, doesn't it, to do something worthwhile?"
Beachhead, missing the pointed, responded, "Yeah. Captured a Swampfire, shot down a Night Raven, recovered the MacGuffin Device..."
Lifeline cut him off, politely correcting him, "I meant fixing the orphanage and making those kids happy."
Beachhead's default mindset was always to tally mission objectives, not emotional outcomes. Lifeline, along with other Joes, saw the real worth in what G.I. Joe did for the world: protection, healing, joy... it wasn't just combat objectives.
It should be noted, Beachhead wasn't heartless and Lifeline wasn't preachy. Beachhead was just not fluent in emotional language; he was sincere in his own framework. While Lifeline's reply wasn't a harsh lecture either, rather a gentle, inviting nudge to help Beachhead consider a broader definition of "worthwhile."
The Rawhides Debut:
The Rawhides were fast-tracked into active duty after several veteran Joes vanished in the Himalayas... and also, it was time to promote new toys. LOL
I also appreciate that they were given clear height and body type diversity. One of my issues with o-ring Joes "back in the day" was the uniform dwarf vibes they gave, all standing the same height/chest/waist/legs with few exceptions here or there (such as Sgt. Slaughter and Destro).
Chuckles 6'9", a brute of a man, G.I. Joe's answer to Tiny from Grey Hairs and Growing Pains. Big Lob 7'0", lanky. Tunnel Rat, Big Lob's partner in crime, 5'7" (same as Larry Hama, who he is based on). Jinx, the tomboy, was about 5'4". Law 6'0".
Scarlett said of Duke in the final part of the MASS Device, "... 6 foot 2, eyes of blue," that'd put his half-brother, "that gold-plated goof-off" Lt. Falcon, at around 5'10".
For as much as G.I. Joe: The Movie was maligned, mocked, and dismissed, I sure have seen a lot of figure photography across the "internets" recreating movie moments going all the way back to the late '90s.
Beachhead training the Rawhides. Lt. Falcon with Sarge and the Renegades. Now Jinx vs. Pythona with Pythona's Classified and Super7 ReActionPlus figures. Plenty of customs of "I wass once a man" Cobra Commander also existed for years on end.
The movie remains VERY quotable as well. "I hope you both get fleas!"
Re: There's been long-standing interest in Big Lob and Pythona as "missing from 1987" figures, same with a correct Golobulus w/flight pod, a proper Nemesis Enforcer.
The High School Coding of The Rawhides:
We knew who Flint was, Duke was, and so on.
The Rawhides, by contrast, were a quirky group eager to prove themselves and were still figuring out their place in the world. This gave Big Lob, Chuckles, Jinx, Law, Lt. Falcon, and Tunnel Rat high school coding.
Sunbow tapped into the energy of John Hughes and The Breakfast Club while meeting the intensity of a boot camp.
G.I. Joe: The Movie provided young viewers with several points of view that allowed them to imagine what it would be like to "join" the G.I. Joe team through the experiences of these rookie characters. Children would relate to at least one member of the Rawhides.
(Beachhead, the overly strict teacher/principal, contrasted sharply with their unconventional traits and methods)
Big Lob and Tunnel Rat - these two were simple class clowns.
Tunnel Rat had that underdog energy. Small, scrappy, always mouthing off. "Who needs you?" was his default defense mechanism. Big Lob was loud, theatrical, spoke in third person, narrating his own highlight reel. "Big Lob makes the move... he scores!"
They were inseparable, another great bromance in Sunbow lore (after Alpine/Bazooka, Leatherneck/Wetsuit). They were the kind of duo that got detention together, were the life of the party, or just randomly got into trouble. Loved by their peers, feared by substitute teachers who were in over their heads.
Chuckles - could be seen as a dangerous high schooler, based on being this big wall of a man, with little to say. The notion that reputation could be built on assumptions. He was huge even in the comic.
People assumed he was intimidating, but given his espionage skillset, actually, he's just observant. Rumors about him swirled. Did he take out a bully with one punch? Did he ever smile? What did his voice sound like? Teachers didn't mess with him; neither did bullies.
Jinx - the classic archetype of an overachiever with a slight chip on her shoulder.
She overcompensated for her insecurities. Driven, a bit tightly wound, and wanted to be highly respected, though not always understood. Jinx provided a strong contrast to the previous Joe ladies (Cover Girl, Lady Jaye, and Scarlett) as she was younger.
Captain of the debate team, vice president of the student council, president of the martial arts club, and a member of the yearbook staff. Extremely accomplished. Still found time for a personal life, too, delivering the single most unintentionally "sexy time" quotes in all of Sunbow, "Falcon, grab my ankles!"
Jinx often woke up at 5 AM to run five miles, consistently aced her tests, but she flinched whenever someone mentioned her being "unlucky."
Law - the laid-back prodigy who demonstrated effortless excellence.
He was smart, athletic, and remained cool under pressure, consistently landing at the top of the honor roll. He didn't need to study and still aced his tests. "Haven't seen it, still know it" was his energy. The Rawhides program, in his case, was just a formality.
His talent, coupled with his casual demeanor, could be a source of annoyance for some teachers (*cough cough* Beachhead).
Law encouraged his fellow Rawhides, always strived to spread positive energy. "Let's look sharp, eh, compadres?"
He's the type of person who would likely be voted "Most Popular" and "Most Likely to Succeed" in the yearbook. He casually brought his dog, Order, to school as if it were completely normal.
Lt. Falcon - the nepo quarterback, with the swagger of someone who knows he's destined for greatness. He had a lot of natural talent, but coasted. Handsome, cynical, chiasmatic, cocky, always late, but never penalized.
Likely got his shot on the Rawhides in the first place because Duke recommended him. I could understand Falcon's resentment as he's in the shadow of the All-American Hero "Man of Action" Duke. No father figure in the household. Their mother died.
The guy who got away with everything.... until he didn't. Learned humility the hard way and actually lived up to his potential. Would ease into a leadership role in a Season 3.
Alas, the T-Rat-Big Rob bromance was only in the movie. In the comics there was almost a T-Rat/Roadblock one. And in Sigma Six T-Rat/Heavy Duty in the classic anime big guy/little guy partnership style.
ReplyDeleteAnd he was paired with Falcon on the Night Force 2-pack.
DeleteAnd on the same team with him again in Sonic Fighters.
I like how Quick Kick made the team.
ReplyDeleteRight place. Right time.
He also does jail time in the Synthoid Conspiracy for protecting Mutt´s dog Junkyard.
It was weird to not see Flint and Lady Jaye have more popular roles for the movie.
The fight between Duke and Falcon...kids on the playground often argued who was in charge, Duke or Flint. That´s what their shouting match in the movie reminds me of.
Flint does have that moment helping her up near the end.
DeleteGreat write up by the way! I had quite a few Chuckles! ;-)
ReplyDeleteYo Joe!
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