For kids growing up in the 1980s, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero wasn't just another cartoon — it was a full-blown after school ritual. Produced as a collaboration between Sunbow and Marvel for Hasbro's revived toyline, the series combined explosive action, humor, and surprisingly smart storytelling. Between Cobra's latest over-the-top scheme and the Joes charging into battle with laser guns a blazin', this show had a magnetic pull that kept fans glued to their screens — and racing to recreate epic adventures with their action figures.
But, G.I. Joe wasn't all flash and firepower. It often tackled themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and courage, all while keeping things wildly entertaining. Featuring fan-favorite heroes, vile villains, and plots that spanned everything from alternate dimensions to synthetic lifeforms, it's easily one of the strongest animated properties of the time.
Now, hoist your gear and grab that itty, bitty, ditty bag, because we're taking a march down memory lane to rank the ten best episodes of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. From monumental miniseries to emotionally charged stand-alones, these are the stories that defined a generation of fans — and proved that knowing really was half the battle. Yo Joe!
10. "Computer Complications" (s2e7)
Writer: David Schwartz
Director: Ray Lee
Airdate: September 26, 1986
A fun and offbeat episode that mixes action with just the right level of romance, this Season 2 adventure sees Cobra trying to gain control of a downed space probe located at the bottom of the sea. Following a botched attempt by Zandar to infiltrate the G.I. Joe computer center, Zarana is then sent in under the guise of government computer expert Carol Weidler. She soon finds herself developing romantic feelings for Mainframe — and the feeling is mutal! Refreshing and unique with a strong focus on character-driven storytelling, "Computer Complications" gives Mainframe some time in the spotlight. Don't worry — there's still plenty of action, including a final confrontation involving the USS Flagg. Still, this one injects heart into the high-stakes conflict by proving that love can sometimes boot up in the most unexpected of places.
9. "Cobra Stops The World" (s1e9)
Writer: Steve Gerber
Directors: John Gibbs, Terry Lennon
Airdate: September 26, 1985
Showcasing one of Cobra Commander's better schemes, this high-octane episode delivers excitement from start to finish. After hijacking a fleet of oil tankers, the ruthless terrorist organization raises the stakes by holding the world's fuel reserves hostage. Cobra gives the men and women of G.I. Joe plenty to do across land, sea and air: from thrilling aerial dog fights over the jungles and canyons of South America to infiltrating Cobra safe houses on US soil. There's even an underwater attack on a bubbled battle station. Topical and ambitious with a story that keeps you hooked, "Cobra Stops The World" is unfiltered '80s awesomeness at its very best. It's also proof that when villains actually take a second to think things through, the results can be pretty epic!
8. "Countdown For Zartan" (s1e6)
Writer: Christy Marx
Directors: John Gibbs, Terry Lennon
Airdate: September 23, 1985
Sent to blow up the Worldwide Defense Center during an anti-terrorism summit, Zartan soon finds himself a prisoner of G.I. Joe. It's then up to Lady Jaye, Doc, Stalker and Gung-Ho to outwit the master of disguise and uncover the bomb's location before time runs out. Tense and clever, this story offers an amusing twist on the usual episodic formula. "Countdown for Zartan" leans more into interrogation and suspense than all-out combat. We also get an interesting glimpse into the feud between Spirit and Storm Shadow, while also being reminded that there is some serious disdain going on in the Cobra ranks. What makes this one truly great is watching Zartan, who's known for staying calm and collected in stressful situations, unravel under pressure. This is a fun and smart episode, one with a ticking clock at its core and some very memorable moments.
7. "The Synthoid Conspiracy" (s1e16-17)
Writer: Christy Marx
Directors: John Gibbs, Terry Lennon
Airdate: October 7-8, 1985
The first pair of episodes that I can remember watching as a kid, "The Synthoid Conspiracy" is a stellar sci-fi story. In it, Cobra Commander and Zartan hatch a devious plot to replace high-ranking military officials, and even Duke, with artificial duplicates loyal only to Cobra. Disbanded and fugitives from the law, the Joe team is forced to partner up with Destro — who is now working against Cobra after discovering a synthoid copy of himself. Enemies are forced to work together in an uneasy alliance for the greater good — or at least as close to good as Destro was ever going to get! With themes of identity and trust, this story is certain to keep viewers on the edge of their seats while also showcasing the depth and versatility of the G.I. Joe series.
6. "The Traitor" (s1e46-47)
Writer: Buzz Dixon
Directors: John Gibbs, Terry Lennon
Airdate: November 25-26, 1985
"The Traitor" is an excellent two-parter that delivers a surprisingly emotional punch along with its signature action. This one focuses on Dusty as he betrays G.I. Joe and joins the Cobra ranks in an effort to pay for his mother's mounting medical bills. It's a shocking turn that adds real depth to the character — however, not everything is as it seems! The emotional tension and layered storytelling give this arc a slightly more serious tone, but it doesn't sacrifice any of the fun and energy that defined the series. There are plenty of twists and turns, as well as a deeper look into the brutality of the Cobra organization. The Traitor remains a standout episode, fusing just the right amount of heart, suspense and action into an incredibly satisfying, character-driven cocktail.
5. "There's No Place Like Springfield" (s1e54-55)
Writer: Steve Gerber
Directors: John Gibbs, Terry Lennon
Airdate: December 12-13, 1985
No doubt one of the most mind-bending plots to come out of G.I. Joe, this trippy two-parter flips the script and dives into the psychological thriller genre. After Shipwreck is injured, he wakes up six years later to a peaceful, suburban life with his wife and daughter. He's shocked to discover that Cobra was defeated and that he was the hero who finally won the war — or so he is led to believe. What follows is a surreal and suspenseful unravelling of reality that would make even the great Christopher Nolan sweat. The tension builds beautifully as Shipwreck begins to question the truth of everything around him, and the eerie, dreamlike atmosphere is unlike anything else to be seen in the series. Cobra's use of synthoids (remember them?) even adds a sci-fi twist that feels crisp and brave. What really makes this one shine, though, is how well it tests Shipwreck's loyalty and willpower. A true classic in the Joe canon, "There's No Place Like Springfield" is a smart, emotional and unforgettable thriller that simply refuses to quit.
4. "The Revenge Of Cobra" (Miniseries #2)
Writers: Ron Friedman
Director: Dan Thompson
Airdate: September 10-14, 1984
Following his escape at the end of "The M.A.S.S. Device," Cobra Commander returns with a formidable new toy capable of manipulating global weather patterns. When the aptly named Weather Dominator shatters into three separate pieces, both sides embark on yet another globetrotting adventure to retrieve them. This mission leads the teams to a number of exotic locations like the Island Of No Return and the ancient Palace Of Doom. Amidst the chaos, Duke and Snake Eyes are taken captive and led to the Arena Of Sport, where they feign combat to outwit their captors and send a covert message to their friends. Featuring fan-favourite characters like Baroness, Cutter, Firefly, Flint, Spirit, and Wild Bill, this five-part miniseries is essential viewing for anyone looking to take some of their first step into the world of G.I. Joe.
3. "Worlds Without End" (s1e36-37)
Writer: Martin Pasko
Director: John Gibbs, Terry Lennon
Airdate: November 4-5, 1985
A bold, two-part sci-fi adventure, "Worlds Without End" is one of G.I. Joe's most ambitious and emotionally rich stories. When a group of Joes — Flint, Lady Jaye, Airtight, Clutch, Grunt, Steeler, Footloose, and Barbecue — are thrown into an alternate dimension where Cobra has finally conquered the world, the show dives into dark, dystopian territory. In a grim reality where casualties are the norm and the forces of evil reign supreme, the usual Joe/Cobra conflict takes on a whole new intensity . And, just when things couldn't get worse, tension between the feuding forces of Cobra Commander and Destro finally boil over, igniting the first flames of a Cobra civil war. While the parallel universe twist is total sci-fi fun, the episode also carries signifiant emotional weight as three members of the team decide to stay behind to help build and inspire resistance in this war-torn reality. "Worlds Without End" is not only a classic piece of '80s animation, but a prime example of G.I. Joe at its most daring.
2. "The M.A.S.S. Device" (Miniseries #1)
Writer: Ron Friedman
Director: Dan Thompson
Airdate: September 12-16, 1983
The explosive five-part miniseries that started it all, "The M.A.S.S. Device" pits America's highly trained special mission force against Cobra, a ruthless terrorist organization bent on controlling the world. From the ocean floor to the Arctic tundra, the action never stops as Cobra races around the world attempting to secure rare elements needed to power a revolutionary teleportation device. This miniseries has it all: Duke leading a daring escape from a Cobra prison, an intense battle with giant tube worms, and a radioactive Snake Eyes battling a fierce polar bear and befriending a trapped wolf who becomes his best buddy. Chock full of action, innovation and a cavalcade of colorful characters with names like Cover Girl, Roadblock and Stalker, this is the gold standard of Saturday morning cartoons. This feature-length adventure not only defined action for a generation of fans, but set the stage for something truly spectacular!
1. "Arise, Serpentor, Arise!" (s2e1-5)
Writers: Buzz Dixon, Ron Friedman
Director: Ray Lee
Airdate: September 15-19, 1986
A five-part thrill ride that originally ran for a full week in September 1986, "Arise, Serpentor, Arise!" stands tall as G.I. Joe's most iconic story. With Cobra growing increasingly frustrated with their commander's failures, Dr. Mindbender hatches a wild plan: travel the world to gather the DNA of history's greatest conquerors and create the ultimate leader, Serpentor! What follows is a globetrotting adventure as the Joes race to uncover and stop Cobra's bizarre science experiment. The story is big, bold, and packed full of classic Joe excitement. Serpentor isn't the only character we meet along the way. These episodes introduce the hard-hitting Sgt. Slaughter, who steals every scene he's in, and the wild Dreadnoks Thrasher and Monkeywrench, who add chaos to Cobra's ranks. With its larger-than-life premise, epic scale and the unforgettable debut of Serpentor himself, "Arise Serpentor, Arise!" is pure G.I. Joe fun that showcases America's highly trained special mission force at its very best!
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