A few weeks back I wrote about G.I. Joe #1, the first issue of the new ongoing series written by Joshua Williamson, illustrated by Tom Reilly and Jordie Bellaire, and published by Skybound Entertainment. It’s the first in a long line of #1 titles based on the enduring brand, one thats comic history dates back more than 40 years.
With Skybound Entertainment now the proud caretakers of the G.I. Joe comics, it makes sense for them to go back to the very beginning and give fans something many of us have been craving for years now. A complete collection of the original Marvel run of comics that introduced us to the G.I. Joe team and their arch nemesis, Cobra. It begins with the massive G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Compendium Volume 1.
Here’s the log line:
For Fans of INVINCIBLE COMPENDIUM and AVENGERS VS X-MEN OMNIBUS, G.I. JOE ARAH COMPENDIUM collects the very first issues of one of the longest running non-superhero series into a complete compendium for the first time ever.
YOOOO JOE! The pop culture world changed forever when LARRY HAMA’s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero made its comic book debut, and now you can experience every issue–from the original series and tie-ins–in this new reader-friendly compendium format for the very first time.
Discover the incredible heroes of G.I. Joe, the terrifying villains of Cobra, and the unforgettable stories that set them on a collision course in this first volume, perfect for fans new and old.
Collects G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #1-50
This is a big book; I daresay, it’s a huge book, clocking in at 1168 pages. It features some of the most notable stories in all of G.I. Joe lore, including the origin of Snake Eyes, the series’ most mysterious and enduring character, the deaths of some significant characters (which certainly felt unusual at the time of publication in the 1980s), and the introduction of the town of Springfield and its Cobra-loyal citizens.
Growing up, these initial 50 issues were must-reads for me and having them all together in one book is a real treat. Being able to read this Omnibus as a soft cover is also seriously appreciated, as its weight is manageable and the binding makes it easy to flip through. There was a huge Kickstarter campaign earlier this year for the original Marvel run of G.I. Joe to be published in hardcover editions; while those will no doubt look great on the shelf, I’m confident that G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Compendium Volume 1 and its ensuing volumes will be the lighter option, both in terms of weight and the wallet.
For G.I Joe veterans who grew up on the original Marvel comics and TV show, G.I Joe: A Real American Hero Compendium Volume 1 makes for a wonderful, nostalgic trip back in time. And for readers who are just discovering Duke, Destro, Cobra Commander and others, this book lets you know why these characters continue to inspire and endure.
You can order G.I Joe: A Real American Hero Compendium Volume 1 here.
