About G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
The G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic series, published by Marvel Comics (and subsequently picked up by IDW), is one of the most iconic and successful comic book series based on a toyline. The Marvel series ran from 1982 to 1994 while the IDW series ran from 2010 to 2022. It played a significant role in expanding the G.I. Joe universe beyond the original Hasbro toy line and Sunbow animated series. Written primarily by Larry Hama, the series brought depth, character development, and intricate storylines to the G.I. Joe team and their battle against the terrorist organization, Cobra.
The G.I. Joe comic was created as a tie-in to the popular toy line produced by Hasbro. When Hasbro relaunched the G.I. Joe action figures in the early 1980s with the subtitle "A Real American Hero", they needed a story and a cast of characters to go along with it. Marvel Comics teamed up with Hasbro to help develop the G.I. Joe mythos, and Larry Hama was brought in to create detailed backgrounds, personalities, and storylines for the characters.
Hama, a Vietnam veteran with military experience, gave the series a level of authenticity, incorporating tactical strategies, military jargon, and real-world issues into the stories. His work was instrumental in making the series more than just a vehicle to sell toys.
The series revolves around the G.I. Joe team, an elite, covert military task force composed of highly skilled soldiers from various military branches. Their primary mission is to combat Cobra, a ruthless terrorist organization bent on world domination.
Although based on toys, Larry Hama infused the series with rich character development. The comics gave fans more than just action—they explored the backgrounds, motivations, and interpersonal relationships of both the G.I. Joe team and Cobra operatives. Hama not only wrote the comics but also wrote the file cards on the back of the G.I. Joe action figure packaging. These file cards provided detailed character bios, enhancing the storytelling and giving kids and fans insight into the backstory and personality of each Joe and Cobra figure.
The original run lasted for 155 issues, from 1982 to 1994, making it one of the longest-running toy-based comics of all time. The series developed a strong fanbase, many of whom were drawn to the depth of storytelling, which went beyond just selling action figures.
In 2010, IDW Publishing revived the original G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero continuity, bringing Larry Hama back to continue the story directly from where the Marvel series left off. IDW’s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero picks up with issue #155 ½ and continues Hama’s beloved saga through #300, published in 2022.