A Real American Hero (miniseries)

A Real American Hero is the first G.I. Joe miniseries. First airing in 1983, it features the majority of the product line to date, with the notable exception of Hawk. The miniseries was written by Ron Friedman, who went on to pen the second miniseries and the 1987 movie.

#	Title	Writer	Original airdate	Production code
1	The Cobra Strikes	Ron Friedman	September 12, 1983	#4005
Using the M.A.S.S. device, Destro and Cobra Commander steal a powerful satellite, kidnap Duke and terrorize the world. Scarlett and the other Joes learn that the only way to stop Cobra is to build their own M.A.S.S. device. To do it they must search the globe for three precious elements and get them before Cobra does or all is lost. Duke battles for his life in Cobra's Arena of Sport.
2	Slave of the Cobra Master	Ron Friedman	September 13, 1983	#4006
Duke finds an unexpected ally in the shadows of the Arena of Sport, while Snake Eyes, Scarlett, and Stalker join with Snow Job in a treacherous search for the radioactive crystals of death. Cobra terrifies the world with the impossible capture of an entire army and Duke's desperate bid for freedom seems sure to end in disaster.
3	The Worms of Death	Ron Friedman	September 14, 1983	#4007
Cobra robots blast their way into the crystal mine freeing the dangerously radioactive Snake-Eyes while the G.I. Joe team dives to the ocean floor in search of the precious elements needed to stop Cobra's train of destruction and Duke and the Baroness unexpectedly join forces in a terrifying struggle against giant tube worms.
4	Duel in the Devil's Cauldron	Ron Friedman	September 15, 1983	#4008
New York trembles under brink of destruction and Stalker agrees to surrender the G.I.Joe team while Scarlett, Wild Bill, and Gung-Ho fly into an erupting volcano and battle Cobra and Destro for the final element. Only with the final element do the Joes have a fighting chance. But it's a chance that may cost Scarlett her life.
5	A Stake in the Serpent's Heart	Ron Friedman	September 16, 1983	#4009
Scarlett becomes a slave to Cobra and she and Salina lead a slave rebellion... while Dr. Vandermeer completes the M.A.S.S. device and the Joe team launches deadly combat with Cobra and Destro.