G.I. Joe vs Cobra

The series represented the first major relaunch of the G.I. Joe franchise since 1996's G.I. Joe Extreme. Story and theme-wise, it was a continuation of the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero series. G.I. Joe vs. Cobra was preceded by a limited run Toys R Us exclusive line that made use of previous molds for production of G.I. Joe action figures in 1997 and 1998 as well as the 2000-2001 "Real American Hero Collection" 2-packs which were available at mass retail.

Despite having no major G.I. Joe toy releases, Devil's Due Publishing managed to acquire the license to produce new G.I. Joe comic books. The new comics' success and the media attention it spawned fueled renewed interest in G.I. Joe and led to the production of a new line of toys featuring both old and new characters. New sculptures and body architecture were utilized for the line. Collectors do not usually refer to new-sculpt figures as "Real American Hero" or "RAH" figures, in order to differentiate them from the older method of construction used during the 1980s and 90s.

The G.I. Joe vs. Cobra line ran for four years before being phased out and replaced with the successor line G.I. Joe: Sigma 6. In that time, it was continued to be supported by the new comic series and two direct-to-video CGI animated movies. It was also supplemented by several Toys R Us and convention exclusives. Each year of the line's release centered on a different theme on the G.I. Joe/Cobra conflict. The themes are:

* G.I. Joe vs. Cobra
* G.I. Joe vs. Cobra: Spy Troops
* G.I. Joe: Valor vs. Venom

While Hasbro was able to reclaim the copyright to many of the classic characters, many had to be renamed because of failure to renew copyright claim or the name had become too common for many characters, e.g; Hawk became General Tomahawk/Abernathy, Clutch is renamed as Double Clutch, and Scarlett modified to Agent Scarlett.

Released in 2002, G.I. Joe vs. Cobra was borne out of the success of Devil's Due's G.I. Joe comics. The series brought back classic characters as well as introduced new ones. For the first time, there was a theme to the toy line, this one focusing on the rivalries between members of the G.I. Joe Team and Cobra. The action figures were sold in two-packs carrying a G.I. Joe and a Cobra character. The file cards that came with them explained as to how their rivalry with each other began.

The toyline was re-titled as G.I. Joe vs. Cobra: Spy Troops for the second year. The plot involved G.I. Joe and Cobra in espionage against each other via various disguises. Each two-pack featured either Joe with a Cobra disguise or a Cobra with a Joe disguise, or one figure with a camoflauge coat to blend into the background. On the back of the box was the mission relating to the two characters.

There was a direct-to-video computer-animated movie, G.I. Joe: Spy Troops released towards the end of the line. The line had begun to incorporate some of the characters, like Kamakura and Crosshairs, from the comics.

Valor vs. Venom was the third and final series in the G.I. Joe vs. Cobra line. It was the only one with a storyline attached to it.

The central plot involved Cobra creating animal/human hybrid soldiers dubbed Venom Troopers (or V-Troops) via a mutagenic chemical known as Venom. G.I. Joe counters with advanced technology.

Again, like Spy Troops, it was supported by a direct-to-video film, G.I. Joe: Valor vs. Venom. Some figures from this series were also available in single packs.

The line was more geared towards children by featuring the return of Action Attack. This, along with repaints and remolds of previously released characters appearing every wave did not make the line popular with collectors.