The first G.I. Joe mini-series was a great starting-off point for the regular series that would soon follow. It introduced the concept of special military team G.I. Joe fighting to save the world from terrorist organization Cobra. It also introduced us to several of the core characters on both sides, including Duke, Snake Eyes, Scarlett, Cobra Commander, Destro, and the Baroness. This second mini-series is even better than the first one, with an even more exciting action-packed story and interesting new characters introduced. The plot is about Cobra using their latest weapon, the Weather Dominator, and the Joes trying to stop them. When the Weather Dominator is split into three pieces that are scattered all over the world, the Joes race to retrieve the pieces before Cobra does.
Some of the colorful new characters on the Joe side are Flint, Lady Jaye, Roadblock, Gung-Ho, Spirit, Shipwreck, and Mutt (with his dog Junkyard). On the Cobra side, we have the awesome ninja Storm Shadow, Firefly, and mercenary Zartan and his Dreadnoks. Snake Eyes also has his iconic look in this one, unlike the first mini. A few of the highlights from these five episodes are Duke and Snake Eyes being forced to fight (a retread of sorts from Duke being forced to fight in the first mini-series), Honda Lou West, Spirit vs Storm Shadow, Destro's creeper vines, and the Palace of Doom. The animation is colorful and a step above most '80s TV cartoons. The music is rousing and compliments the action well. The voice work is excellent. It's a fun cartoon full of action, humor, and lots of cool characters with fleshed-out personalities and conflicts with each other. Lots of cool gadgets and vehicles, too. The writing is smarter than your average cartoon aimed at kids. It's a great mini and just a great cartoon series altogether. It doesn't get the respect it deserves. It's often reduced to a "just a cartoon to help sell toys" put-down but it's arguably the best '80s cartoon series. Certainly one of my favorites.
