G. I. Joe: A Real American Hero - "Worlds Without End" (Part One)

Thought it would be fun to look back on various episodes of the Sunbow G. I. Joe series that inspired my novels. (smashwords.com/profile/view/G…) First up, "Worlds without End" written by Marty Pasko.

I might look at more of the episodes by established comics pros. Writers included Gerber, Conway, Thomas, and Wolfman. Also, Denny O'Neil, an early editor of the comics. And an established peacenik who didn't feel entirely comfortable with all of this. 

"Worlds without End" is a two-parter, one of the few. The concept of a story so big it couldn't be contained in one episode intrigued me as a kid. Cobra's secret headquarters this ep is...inside a hollowed out tree in the woods. No idea what that's about. 

The McGuffin the characters are chasing is a matter-transmuter gun. It turns rocks into apples. No pretense any of this is grounded in reality. Which is fine, given how many of the viewers couldn't even read yet. Staking out Zartan, Steeler grumbles about his job "ruining his life." He's voiced by Christopher Latta, best known for Cobra Commander and Starscream. Latta's great at giving his characters personality. I don't know what specific accent Steeler's meant to have, but he sounds like rust belt, working class folk.

Casting the average Joe with this angst about his mission, about the futility of these battles, adds another element to the story. Steeler's gripes about his girlfriend leaving him because of his job is also one of the very few acknowledgements of a personal life for any of these characters. Later, Steeler narrowly cheats death, shaking him to his core. Within the context, this is pretty brave.

Flint and Lady Jaye join Steeler, Grunt, and Clutch on this mission because...they're always around.

The writers did make an effort to represent all characters, and did a decent job, but clearly there were favorites. Don't know if this came from Hasbro, or if the writers just happened to favor some characters. In retrospect, it's odd Flint's given so much attention, given Hasbro's insistence everyone view Duke as "the leader" in these days. 

The animation for Ch. 1 is...fine, by the days' standards. Clearly Japanese in some sequences. When the characters have to "act," like when Steeler faces a direct missle strike, the emotions are sold well.

I've noticed the animators don't know if Zartan's hood is actually long hair. Constantly confused me as a kid.

The transmuter device goes off, shunting the Joes to another world. Not that they realize this at first. Leaving the characters in the dark, doling out the clues, is fairly mature storytelling. Joes spend much of the story assuming they've arrived in the future. Shortly after arriving, a strange bug bites Steeler's neck. He quickly grows sick; even delirious. This freaked me out as a kid.

Weird cartoon logic--the Joes can just pay cash for SEVEN motorcycles...sold at a country store(?)

Some typical action scenes, then the big reveal. Most of the Joes are MIA, some are confirmed casualties. Meanwhile, Steeler undergoes a breakdown. Heavy stuff for a kid. It's literally 20 minutes in before the Joes discern the truth. Great work on Pasko's part, building the mystery. Another element setting this episode apart; it's mostly set at night. Subtle acknowledgement this is a "darker" JOE story.