When an unknown organization known as COBRA attacks important government sites, the United States military quickly responds to stop them. When Cobra's HISS tanks, RATTLER jets, and arsenal of vehicles suddenly transform into GIANT ROBOTS, the good guys don't stand a chance, and is forced to retreat. Only one of the Hiss-robots seems to reject control. One that looks oddly similar to Optimus Prime. On the front lines is an officer named Clayton Abernathy, who is called in to head a new elite force under the name HAWK. The team is dubbed G.I.JOE, and they have the entire power of the US Armed Forces at their disposal. Their purpose: To defend freedom from Cobra, and put a stop to their army of destructive machines...or find a way to use the machines against them.