When I was a kid reader of Marvel comics, my main source of comics were newsstands at 7-11 and QuickTrip. Because of the often spotty distribution of some titles, I often missed several issue stretches of my favorite series. My early GI Joe comic collection skipped from issues 2, to 7, then to 17. I narrowly missed the events in
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I still remember reading issue #2 of the GI Joe comic, when the team first ran afoul of Kwinn, who would go on to become an early favorite character in the comic–wait, oh this the second issue of the DC GI Joe series. Oops, sorry for the mix-up. Once again, we’re treated to wonderful Joe Kubert art, and who else
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Back in the 80s, before I’d discovered that my hometown had a Local Comic Shop, I was buying comics from the rack at the drug store or gas station. A trip to 7-11 usually gave me the opportunity to scope out what was available. Being a Marvel Zombie from a young age, I was only checking out the likes of
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Yes folks, the first Hasbro GI Joe comic was released in 1964 to coincide with the new toys. What makes it Hasbro specific? Just look at that figure in the title; he looks similar in pose to the package art. Gi Joe ads can often be found advertised in DC comics of the time, and the cover also calls out
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Oh boy. The 90s hit us hard with this one. It’s a comic fad trifecta here. Popular character takes the spotlight of team book: check. Multiple squinting and yelling characters: check. Free trading card inside polybag: check. Okay, I really don’t want to whiz all over a bygone decade with the benefit of hindsight, even though it’s become a cottage
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This issue quickly became worn out from re-reading. The Dreadnoks’ attack on McGuire air force base was brilliantly staged, and remains one of my most vivid comic memories. The issue had it all; from Zartan’s impersonation of Hawk to the ‘Noks taking apart an F-14 with their unique and destructive weaponry. Oh, and of course a Mike Zeck GI Joe
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We’ve already featured the first issue of the short-lived from 1987. This cover showcases the Defiant and the Joes with guns ablaze in a very evocative art style. It’s too bad the coloring in the foreground is so dominated by muzzle fire coloring.
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Whatever happened to Andy and George? The two friends, and members of the GI Joe club appeared in ads for the toys and club during the early years of Joe. I don’t think they made it into the Adventure Team era. The GI Joe figures in this ad look preternaturally realistic. They appear more like scaled-down humans than the toys
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Just because.
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The Real American Hero series had the distinction of being the first comic book advertised on television. It was also Hasbro’s creative way of marketing its relaunched toyline without having to stick to the regulations of the day regarding animation and toys. Have we mentioned here how effective the 80s Joe marketing was? Why else would we still be talking
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