JoeCanuck

General Section => General Joe Talk => Topic started by: canprime on March 17, 2011, 07:08:00 PM

Title: When did the core group end up being.....
Post by: canprime on March 17, 2011, 07:08:00 PM
So I was looking at some early 2000s items I have and I realized that as far back as Spy Troops (at least on the packaging) that the core group for GI Joe has been roughly the same 5 characters:

Duke, Scarlett, Snake Eyes, Tunnel Rat and Heavy Duty/Roadblock.

Granted this does not hold in the comic universes, Resolute or ROC, but Spy Troops, Sigma Six (mostly) and currently Renegades all follow the same formula of this small core group and "adding on" as they go.

So why these 5?  I get Duke and Snake Eyes, because they have to be in every incarnation of the brand.  Just as Optimus Prime and Bumblebee have to be in Transformers.  Scarlett is the defacto female, but could be replaced.  Roadblock/Heavy Duty is the default "big guy" with ethnicity, but why Tunnel Rat?  When did he become popular?

I just wonder when, and why, these 5 characters seemed to be selected by the higher-ups as the core team?
Title: Re: When did the core group end up being.....
Post by: bandonov on March 17, 2011, 07:32:47 PM
I would love to know the same thing!
Title: Re: When did the core group end up being.....
Post by: Sundance on March 18, 2011, 03:24:08 AM
ask in the Hasbro q&a...
Title: Re: When did the core group end up being.....
Post by: 5h4rK on March 18, 2011, 07:45:37 AM
Quote from: "canprime"
...but why Tunnel Rat?  When did he become popular?

Great question! I do like TR a lot but I don't know why he's so popular..
Title: Re: When did the core group end up being.....
Post by: bandonov on March 18, 2011, 07:59:25 AM
My Guess they need a wise cracker in the mix.  Duke is such a Boyscout that need the comic relief.
Title: Re: When did the core group end up being.....
Post by: Redmao on March 18, 2011, 10:08:42 AM
It's the typical formula.
The leader, the mysterious or darker character, the girl, the strong guy and the funny character.
Title: Re: When did the core group end up being.....
Post by: SnowHawk on March 18, 2011, 11:19:17 AM
I guess the wise-cracking funny guy during the original cartoon run was Shipwreck.
Title: Re: When did the core group end up being.....
Post by: 5h4rK on March 18, 2011, 11:52:11 AM
We have our own wise-cracking funny guy here on JC.. The legendary LJ!
Title: Re: When did the core group end up being.....
Post by: bandonov on March 18, 2011, 12:02:38 PM
Quote from: "5h4rK"
We have our own wise-cracking funny guy here on JC.. The legendary LJ!

Here is Why LJ is the Most Interesting Man in the World!

(http://http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4s5pmFL_ZlQ/TETzbypBGGI/AAAAAAAAEEo/hQGmESNwyp4/s1600/the+most+interesting+man+in+the+world+beer+ad+dos+equis+xx+motivational+posters+online.jpg)
Title: Re: When did the core group end up being.....
Post by: bandonov on March 18, 2011, 12:10:11 PM
Even more reasons to Praise LJ...

(http://http://alexanderarmero.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/dos-equis-most-interesting-man.jpg?w=369&h=469)
Title: Re: When did the core group end up being.....
Post by: 5h4rK on March 18, 2011, 12:12:25 PM
Quote from: "bandonov"
Even more reasons to Praise LJ...

(http://http://alexanderarmero.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/dos-equis-most-interesting-man.jpg?w=369&h=469)

 :lol: Bwahahahahahahahaha!!
Title: Re: When did the core group end up being.....
Post by: pdaat on March 18, 2011, 09:49:27 PM
Not only is Tunnel Rat as wise guy, he also brings more ethnicity to the group.

And he is styled after Larry.