Shark vs Ninja
Much more interesting a battle than pirate vs. ninja.
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Captivating Cover: Dark Horse GI Joe Issue #3
In comics, a talented artist can elevate the material on which they’re working. Such is the case with this cover from the first comic series based on the GI Joe Extreme toy line. A quick aside–the series didn’t have the word extreme in its title (though it appears twice in the tagline). Did Hasbro already have a feeling for the
Read moreCaptivating Cover: Marvel GI Joe #16
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
Read moreCaptivating Cover: GI Joe Issue #2
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
Read moreCaptivating Cover: Marvel Issue #55
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
Read moreCaptivating Cover: Showcase Presents #53
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
Read moreCaptivating Cover: Infestation #1
I couldn’t be a proper geek without commemorating the 50th anniversary of Star Trek today. 50 years–wow. It seems like just yesterday I was playing Interplay’s 25th anniversary PC game on the family’s Packard Bell 386SX. Anyway, how can you pay homage to Trek and stay (tangentially) on-topic with GI Joe? Easy–just add zombies. In 2011, you couldn’t swing a
Read moreCaptivating Cover: GI Joe 135
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
Read moreCaptivating Cover: Marvel GI Joe Issue 30
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
Read moreAtomic Man Comic Ad
In my experience as a kid comic book reader, the advertisements that peppered the four-color pages of my youth fell into three important categories, each with its own unique merits. First, there are the house ads, which served the purpose of touting upcoming new comics or important events. These are interesting from a historic and marketing perspective. Second, we have
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