I know the last time I talked about the G.I. Joe: Origins 2-parter that introduced the IDW universe’s version of Ripcord, it sparked some debate, mostly because I supported IDW’s decision to try and mesh their universe with the film version of Ripcord, who, for Marvel fans, is a pretty critical character in the G.I. Joe mythos.
However, I still stand by my stance that for a current crop of G.I. Joe fans doesn’t necessarily understand or appreciate Ripcord’s place in history (for better or worse). So to me, it only makes some sense that a movie that earned 300 million dollars internationally at the box office and probably influenced a lot of people has some bearing on the “fringe” continuities. I mean, after all, even G.I. Joe: Resolute featured an African American version of Ripcord, and IDW ties in to all of it.
But what really matters to me here is the story, and this was a great conclusion to the story. Ripcord trapped in the jungle for two weeks, surviving off of bugs and reptiles, still manages to accomplish his mission just in time to be evac’ed by General Hawk and Scarlett, and then gets his introduction to the G.I. Joe team.
But the most important thing here, I think, is the way Beatty is able to write this Ripcord character to kind of cover all bases. There is a hint of the humorous tone that Marlon Wayans carried in the film, but it’s not as overbearing as it was there. This version of Ripcord cracks some jokes, and yes, he even casually hits on Scarlett, but the most important component of the two-part story is Ripcord’s ability as a special ops soldier and his resilience in the jungle. All in all, it was an enjoyable story, and this new Ripcord is able to walk that line between the Rise of Cobra universe, the Resolute universe, and this new IDW storyline. I’ve mirrored some images below, but the panels do pull from all parts of the story, so beware of minor spoilers.
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Agreed. #14 was a solid issue and much stronger than #13. I think the character of Ripcord was intentionally made a bit “goofy” in the last issue in order to contrast the more serious nature of the character in this latest installment.
It still makes me sad that IDW’s vision of ARAH isn’t what was shown on the big screen.
Fourteen was a damned fine issue. No problems with it here. Obviously they are following the marching orders to make Ripcord meet certain criteria, but so what? The GI Joe comic has always been a marketing tool for the toys, it just so happens that the best parts of it have risen above that need to become good or even great comics.
okay, wow.
– However, I still stand by my stance that for a current crop of G.I. Joe fans doesn’t necessarily understand or appreciate Ripcord’s place in history (for better or worse). –
And so? I’m sure the new generation that went and saw The Phantom Menace didn’t understand or appreciate who Darth Vader was either, but who cares? I mean are you seriously telling me that this fictional new GIJoe fanbase holds more relevance than the guys who’ve been there 25 years and supported this line all that time? You know, Lucas takes a lot of crap for the new movies, but even he didn’t say, hey! let’s restart the entire line, I mean, c’mon, those old Star Wars movies were a long time ago, might not be hip with the new generation. Of course he didn’t, because he actually has respect for what has been established and is loved by the fanbase.
-So to me, it only makes some sense that a movie that earned 300 million dollars internationally at the box office and probably influenced a lot of people has some bearing on the “fringe” continuities-
Are you kidding me? Influenced a lot of people??? It was a two-bit, second rate attempt that barely passed as a mindless popcorn munching hour and a half of “entertainment” that was forgotten by most people before they’d even walked out the theater doors. I will even go so far as to say a few parts of the film were fun and it was cool to see actual Joes on the big screen (sorta). But the only people this film “influenced” were the judges for the Razzie awards and the drugged-up losers at MTV.
It’s getting rather retarded how often the amount of money this film made gets brought up like it somehow proves the movie was good. Do we really want to start a discussion of all the absolutely atrocious films that made lots of money? If I recall Pee Wee Hermans films made lots of money too.
And I really want to know more about this supposed new Joe fanbase, because I haven’t found one member of it yet. All the toy store owners in my area and the ones I know personally that sell online say the Joes are being bought by regular adult toy collectors and some parents who remember GIJoe trying to shove it down their kids throats.
We are the Joe fanbase. If you guys haven’t figured this out yet, there really is no hope.
Some proof relevant to this topic? Comic companies DO NOT restart old series for the hell of it. And in the rare occasions they do, they re-start them at #1 (because that sells comics). The fact that IDW is continuing the original Joe comic shows that there is significant “vocal” interest in such a thing. I stress vocal because not nearly everyone voices their opinions, most people do not even bother.
The only real problem here is that a move like this ruins IDWs credibility just that much more in my eyes.
But whatever, who am I to stand in the way of other people who like continuity that makes absolutely no sense, constant re-invention of an entire franchise and blatant disregard of what fans have loved about the franchise from day one. After all, doing so may garner us a new fan!
I guess IDW has it all figured out though. Have a comic for everyone. Even I will be picking up the continuation of the original Marvel run, but considering what IDW has done so far, my patience won’t be long for them to prove the title will be good.
Aside from the “wanting” to have everything wants, Ripcord (original figure) never really was way up there on priority for me. He’s pretty cool, probably even cooler once I acquire all his gear (sooner or later). I don’t feel he’s any more special than Airborne (Talltree), or Crazy Legs.
I think it’s a fine thing if the companies want to create a more seamless vision for a more consistent product-to-product output. It makes sense to not have a fractured brand of anything.
With that, I would have suggested an all new character (w/ new name) for Wayans to be introduced in the movie. Of course, Heavy Duty would never have seen so many characterizations if I had any pull in the suggestion box.
Well, I don’t know where I’m going with this now. Wait, I do. I’m going to Burger King where I can have it my way.
The only thing disappointing to me about the direction taken for the film Rise of COBRA is that Hasbro is NOT backing it anymore, has dropped references and elements of it’s story and developed characters and won’t be continuing the story in the form of the Pursuit of COBRA retail assortment. If they don’t stand behind it, then how can the story really “exist” in the continuity and fandom? I LOVE it that this story came out from IDW, but they are now holding a bag of dynamite in a burning room because they took the flag Hasbro offered them. Hasbro abandoned Marvel, shot DDP in the back, and now IDW is going toward the firing squad. The lesson coming from all this is that G.I. Joe comics are risky business.
“And so? I’m sure the new generation that went and saw The Phantom Menace didn’t understand or appreciate who Darth Vader was either”
What?! Seriously? You’re comparing Ripcord to Darth Vader?? Not even close, Hawkwinter, sorry. I disagree completely. Darth Vader is and has been a well known, established villain for the past 20 years. Everyone knows who he is. Nobody knows who Ripcord is, beyond the hardcore Marvel Joe fans.
“but who cares? I mean are you seriously telling me that this fictional new GIJoe fanbase holds more relevance than the guys who’ve been there 25 years and supported this line all that time?”
No, not necessarily, but if G.I. Joe is going to survive, it has to evolve BEYOND the guys who have been there for 25 years. You know why? Because those guys are probably going to be here for the NEXT 25 years regardless. Hasbro already has them, they don’t need to draw them in. Not only that, but as has been proven over the past 10 years, the hardcore fans are NOT enough to keep the Joe brand viable and alive in today’s marketplace. G.I. Joe’s rampant changes and migrations over the past decade proves that there simply aren’t enough established fans, Hasbro must cater to new ones in order to grow the brand. Not that the new fans are MORE viable than the long time folks, but we must bring them in in addition to the long time fans.
“You know, Lucas takes a lot of crap for the new movies, but even he didn’t say, hey! let’s restart the entire line, I mean, c’mon, those old Star Wars movies were a long time ago, might not be hip with the new generation. Of course he didn’t, because he actually has respect for what has been established and is loved by the fanbase.”
Heh. Have you hung around the Star Wars fanbase. They would disagree. Vehemently. 😉
“Are you kidding me? Influenced a lot of people??? It was a two-bit, second rate attempt that barely passed as a mindless popcorn munching hour and a half of “entertainment” that was forgotten by most people before they’d even walked out the theater doors.”
Yes, it influenced a lot of people. I never claimed it made a positive influence, but like it or not, it DID influence. It successfully brought the G.I. Joe brand into the 21st Century. On a daily basis over the past 6 or 7 years, I’ve done Google Mail searches online for the phrase “G.I. Joe”. Even during the heyday of the 25th Ann. line there were barely responses in a week. Ever since the Rise of Cobra came out, the name “G.I. Joe” appears in the news on a daily basis. Even now, nearly a year after the fact, it still is. Whether the movie was loved or not, the BRAND is now out there in the public eye. And many marketing experts would say the only bad publicity is no publicity. I know long time fans would accuse the movie of sullying the G.I. Joe name, but at least the brand is visible, which is something that was not happening even two years ago.
“It’s getting rather retarded how often the amount of money this film made gets brought up like it somehow proves the movie was good. Do we really want to start a discussion of all the absolutely atrocious films that made lots of money? If I recall Pee Wee Hermans films made lots of money too.”
Ummm…never once in the post above did I say the film was “good”. I only said it influenced the public. And it did. There are positive influences, negative influences, but the fact remains that a mainstream Hollywood blockbuster DOES influence the general public, and puts the brand firmly back in the public eye. I never once said the film was “good” simply because it made money. Only that it influenced a lot of people, and I don’t think that fact can be argued.
Gar. I meant to say “Google NEWS” not “Google Mail”.
Scott said : With that, I would have suggested an all new character (w/ new name) for Wayans to be introduced in the movie
Yeah, that’s one of my main arguements. The movie lovers can spout all the crap they want reagrding the Ripcord issue, but there is no good reason why they had to take an established character and re-create him. They could of easily created a new character. I keep being told that I’m part of some small unimportant group that is hanging on to glory days gone by, but even if you believe that, why mess with anyone at all when trying to sell your product?
@ Count Blacktron : The only thing disappointing to me about the direction taken for the film Rise of COBRA is that Hasbro is NOT backing it anymore
You know, even though I didn’t particulary like the movie, thsi actually has annoyed me quite a bit as well. Not saying I’m not thrilled about being able to buy my Joe toys without moron-of-the-month heads on them but really, it says a LOT about Hasbro and their inability to stay any course what-so-ever, especially since they say we’ll be getting a sequel in another year so then we’re back to teh movie stuff again.
@ Justin : Um, no. I wasn’t comparing Ripcord to Darth Vadar…lol. Interesting you pulled that from my post though. The comparison was regarding messing with an established history of a franchise that fans know and love. I take it from what you’re saying, that because the Joe fanbase is smaller than the Star Wars fanbase our opinion doesn’t matter.
Now one thing that eludes me and maybe you can explain because you may have insider info, but how is it that this hardcore group of fans was good enough to carry the line for several years now and even brought it back to such heights through the comics and the 25th line that they felt it was a good idea to do a movie, but isn’t able to keep the line alive? By what standards? Is this because the 25th line was shut down after a year where we recieved more Joe product than any other year in the history of this hobby? Are you saying nowadays they need to sell that much or else a line won’t work? If so, then that’s a Hasbro issue because practically every other company has plenty of lines that sell nowhere near what Joes sell.
This arguement that we need more than the hardcore fans to keep the GIJoe line alive is based on hasbro’s idea that the line should be as big as it was in the mid-eighties. Actually, bigger really.
I’m asking honestly here, not trying to start an arguement.
I find it interesting that two of your defenses reveal you “didn’t say the movie had a positive influence” and “you didn’t say the movie was good”. Hmmmmm.
And from the very bottom of my heart, actually the depth of my entire soul, I say to you Justin (and everyone else who believes marketing bs) that the idea that the only bad publicity is no publicity is complete crap. I grew up playing D&D and the D&D movie made a mockery of that hobby and didn’t contribute ANY good to the game. Oh, and you know what? Marlon Wayans was in that one as well. (Sorry Marlon, definately no real hate for you here, I don’t even know you, but you’re not much for acting).
And unfortuanatley, people talking about GIJoe doesn’t make anyone money either. End result, we’re going basically half a year plus without any real new toys. So something’s gone horribly wrong.
I could tell you, but you won’t believe me anyway 😉
Oh yeah, and regarding the Star Wars fans complaining on the fan sites. I’ve come to notice that fan sites for any hobby are usually full of disgruntled fans complaining about anything and everything that is new, going on and on about the glory days of this or that franchise and that their hobby is headed for the grave. So I don’t really pay that much attention to that.
…..
Why is everyone looking at me?
Seriously though, I’m not that guy. (I hope) I’m annoyed about a lot of things recently but I’m also excited about some of the new stuff as well, things a true glory-days only fan would never be excited about. And I was excited about some of the PoC toys before they dropped the movie heads as well…I’m just happier about them now.
Hey I liked the Pee Wee Herman movies!