JoeDeclassified.com

In Kirk's panel at the 2012 Convention, Kirk asked everyone (Hasbro, collector and their childern) two questions:

1. What if Cobra was defeated only to reveal a new, more ruthless enemy?

2. What if our "core characters" were retired and a new team was introduced, similiar to Adventure Team being retired to introduce the 3&3/4" characters we cherish?

1) I think anything that would try to take Cobra's place would fall flat with most fans. If they were to take the brand in a whole new direction completely leaving behind ARAH (ie, going from Adventure team to ARAH), then sure make a new villain, but if you uare just trying to update ARAH while staying in the same universe, I think you should stick with Cobra, and just create new members.

2) If they want to stay in the same universe, then I think that it would be fine to retire the majority of the core team, but maybe keep Snake Eyes around as an elder statesman to train the new guys. If they want to go in a whole new direction, then I'd say they should feel free to burn it down to the ground and build it back up with something new. I still think a 4" Adventure Team line could be really cool, and something that would be really easy to make a new cartoon out of.

1. I used to actually consider a storyline where Cobra was actually a decoy for a larger, more ruthless organization. Sort of something to exhaust the Joes and distract them. To the point where even Cobra thought itself to be real and original. Where even Cobra doesn't know its a front for something larger. And I'm not referring to Cobra-La.

2. I honestly think the core characters should be retired. Maybe SE and like Low-Light stay on like elder members. The grumpy old sniper and the ninja who has nothing better to do in his 60's. As long as it isn't the deaf daughter of Snake-Eyes and Cobra Commander's son now leads the Joes against his father.

1) I'd be all for it. Certain ARAH characters could be utilized in supporting roles from time-to-time. I'm thinking the mercenary types like Bludd, Firefly, etc.

2) Part of me says absolutely, but then my inner child starts screaming for his childhood favorites. I think you can actually accomplish both by doing what Hama did in one of the comics and promote the 'elder' Joes into administrative roles and retire them from active field duty. That would clear the way for a new field ops team, while keeping some of the favorites around. Looking at it from a realistic point-of-view, the Joes would need a pretty significant support system including, but not limited to: Instructors, Administrative Clerks, Armorers, Mechanics, Logistics, Cooks, Parachute Riggers, Supply Clerks, etc, etc, etc. All of the older Joes would already have the Security clearances to be affiliated with the program, as well. Speaking only for myself, a set-up like this would keep me happy despite the fact that the guys I grew up with were no longer doing the shooting.

Another guy I wouldn't mind seeing kept is Falcon, but make him a Colonel or General, and make him the leader of the team. I think Falcon would make the most sense to step in for Hawk, especially since he was originally supposed to be Hawk's son.

I guess I'll be the lone voice of dissent so far in saying that I don't think either idea would work very well.

1. It'd be like taking Star Wars and replacing the Empire with RoboCops.

2. Remember all those awesome new Star Wars characters from Episodes 1-3 that we all know and love now and don't give a shit about Han Solo, Luke, Leia, etc...? Me either.

I would welcome the change. I have always been more excited about new characters than reimagining or rehashes of older ones. It gets to the point where you have so many versions of the same characters that, to me, the line starts to have baggage. I don't think a single old character made it into my top list when voting on the vault on generalsjoes.

Whether this would work or not is another question entirely. A lot of thought would have to be put into creating what is essentially a new brand. You can and will have characters that are similar to those already in existence. Maybe even sneak in old characters in the line every now and then (from a toy perspective). A name change would be welcomed and might be more readily accepted in retail. GI Joe as a name has a lot of history, which can be good and bad. The name GI Joe itself tends, to me, to always sound a little dated and from another era... and somewhat silly sounding. Cobra is more of a timeless name and doesnt have any ties to fads, dates,etc. But I wouldn't be against changing it to focus on another group.

As long as the spirit of the brand is present and care is put into creating new characters I think it would be a good thing.

a) From a marketing perspective I think taking away Cobra doesn't make for a stronger GI Joe. GI Joe needs Cobra show how bad ass GI Joe is. You need a new enemy that is an equal to Cobra and Cobra at its best was a perfect balance of political/military undermining on a global scale.

What I think would work is to have a character or two veer off and start their own cause/threat. DDP almost did it with the Coil, but it was DDP and the story became a fast tracked sideshow that lost its punch. But say you had Baroness and Dr Mindbender escape from the dismantling of the Cobra organization and form their own group based around their own ideals. One is the heart of what Cobra stood for and the other is the brains to achieve those goals. That would be a dangerous pair.

b) I think a passing of the torch is possible but I think it only works if all media is behind it. Age the key characters and bring in new faces. Slowly allow the toy/comic/cartoon/movie fans to grow to like the new faces and let them grow into the roles they have to play. Do you hear that IDW, you don't kill every single new character you bring in?

I've always been of the opinion that the G.I. Joe universe needs to continue to grow and evolve beyond what we've seen, heard, and experienced over the past 30 years. That being said, I love the Cobra characters so much I would hate to see them totally cast aside and disregarded.

Perhaps it could be a little bit of both?

1 - Cobra is essentially dismantled by the G.I. Joe team only to reveal another larger, more sinister group... Cobra is scattered to the winds, Cobra Commander is captured by the government and this new malicious group comes in with force. They could still have connections and contracts with many of the Cobra characters we all love (Destro, Zartan, Major Bludd, etc...) but essentially be a totally new force of evil.

2 - As for the G.I. Joe team, I think a jettison of the familiar "core characters" and an injection of new blood is a fantastic idea. Truly fantastic. Sure, guys like Snake Eyes and Duke have been driving the brand for many years, but give some other characters a chance. Whether they bring in some new characters totally or bring some more obscure characters into the forefront, I think this is a move that would be very welcome, at least from my perspective.

There would be so much potential. Take some stories in some really different directions, yet still maintain some connections to the old universe for some great cameos or tie-ins, etc... I wish Hasbro would take a chance like this.