G.I.Joe: A real American Hero was produced first as a miniseries beginning in 1983. The full series began in 1985 and ran until 1986 (later in 1989 a new series was created). This key setup with original hand-painted background features the villainous Destro from Season 1 Episode 53 “Skeletons in the Closet” which first aired December 11, 1985.