Classic G.I. Joe – 10 Issues So Good You’ll Wish You Never Forgot Them

Trade Paperback

The Trade Paperback that collects all of these stories also includes a couple of filler issues. The issue as a whole really starts strong and finishes strong. The first issue is a great introduction to Classic G.I. Joe and Cobra. It contains a lot of great action and you get to see all the cool vehicles and team members that were released with the first wave of toys. It concludes with Issue Ten and gives a good indication as to where the series will be going moving forward.

Besides seeing Springfield for the first time, the book introduces us to Snake-Eyes past. While we get to see images of his past, he is still a mysterious character whose face words and we never hear.

And the best part? We have no idea why.

Issue Nine of the classic G.I. Joe provided a rollercoaster of non-stop action. While it was enjoyable, I have to admit that I found some things not enjoyable. These include, Clutch’s constant joking, his trying to hit on Scarlett and his trying to put her down for being a female. The book does show its age each time Stalker speaks because his words read really poorly nowadays.

Differences and similarities

These comics preceded the cartoon series (started in September of 1983) and do not reflect those versions of the characters. Unlike the show, in these comics Cobra Commander is a strong leader and not a coward. In both the cartoon and the comics Scarlett and Snake-Eyes are mainstays. Since Marvel’s animation studio was also creating the cartoon, I would suspect that the comic was a source of inspiration.

The art in volume 1 is also very in-house Marvel style.

The issues with Herb Trimpe involved are filled with a lot of Jack Kirby type of computers and machines. In fact, Cobra’s underwater base looks like a badly lifted Kirby creation. While the art in Issue One is quite good, it only becomes excellent after Trimpe laid some pencils in Issue Eight. As far as the art is concerned, my favorite issues are the ones where Mike Vosburg is involved. He has a unique way of displaying a lot of energy through his pencils.

While not the strongest issues in the 155 book classic G.I. Joe Marvel series, it has to start somewhere.

A product of the time

Remember, at the time these issues sold like crazy. Issue one went on to be reprinted in the first issue of the now Classic G.I. Joe Yearbook annual series and was also part of the Marvel Treasury Edition. This edition saw it reprinted in a larger format. As for the reprinted Trade Paperbacks, Marvel released some volumes until IDW took over the rights. At this point, IDW started to re-release the Trade Paperback. The whole series has been collected in 15 volumes along with one volume of the Yearbooks collection.

The series also went on to be Marvel’s best selling comic when it came to subscriptions. For me, I believe it was one of the comics that got me hooked on collecting comics. The toys were definitely my favorite toy line and so was the cartoon. In short, loving the comic was a no-brainer.

Oh, and if you’re wondering, the storyline in issues 48-50 are still some of my all-time favorite comics. Yes, you can’t beat classic G.I. Joe.

Cheers,

James Richardson

If you want to learn more about James, I highly recommend you check him out on his various social media outlets. While your there, be sure to follow him and show him some love.

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