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G.I. Joe: The IDW Collection
G.I. Joe: The IDW Collection, Vol. 1
Presenting IDW's G.I. JOE stories in recommended reading order. It's a new era with new challenges, and to face these threats the United States military has forged a new group of the best of the best, G.I. JOE! Starting with G.I. JOE: Origins, read the whole story from the beginning to learn how this elite team was created, and witness their discovery of a shadowy group that keeps popping up wherever trouble strikes.
Includes G.I. JOE: Origins #0-6, #8-10, and G.I. JOE #0-6.
Includes G.I. JOE: Origins #0-6, #8-10, and G.I. JOE #0-6.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published February 12, 2013
32 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Larry Hama
1,971 books152 followersLarry Hama is an American writer, artist, actor and musician who has worked in the fields of entertainment and publishing since the 1960s.
During the 1970s, he was seen in minor roles on the TV shows M*A*S*H and Saturday Night Live, and appeared on Broadway in two roles in the original 1976 production of Stephen Sondheim's Pacific Overtures.
He is best known to American comic book readers as a writer and editor for Marvel Comics, where he wrote the licensed comic book series G.I. Joe, A Real American Hero, based on the Hasbro action figures. He has also written for the series Wolverine, Nth Man: the Ultimate Ninja, and Elektra. He created the character Bucky O'Hare, which was developed into a comic book, a toy line and television cartoon.
During the 1970s, he was seen in minor roles on the TV shows M*A*S*H and Saturday Night Live, and appeared on Broadway in two roles in the original 1976 production of Stephen Sondheim's Pacific Overtures.
He is best known to American comic book readers as a writer and editor for Marvel Comics, where he wrote the licensed comic book series G.I. Joe, A Real American Hero, based on the Hasbro action figures. He has also written for the series Wolverine, Nth Man: the Ultimate Ninja, and Elektra. He created the character Bucky O'Hare, which was developed into a comic book, a toy line and television cartoon.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 1, 2020
"G.I. Joe is the code-name for America's daring, highly trained special missions force. Its purpose: To defend human freedom against COBRA, a ruthless terrorist organization determined to rule the world." -- opening narration to the 1983-1986 animated series
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
I have to admit at the start that probably one or two stars in my rating were from the pure nostalgia factor: I was a devoted fan of Marvel's comic book series during the first half of its 1982-1994 run, when that plus the contemporaneous action-figure toy line and afternoon TV show captured the imagination of Reagan-era kids during their elementary school years. One big reason, I think, for the Joe juggernaut success was creator / writer Larry Hama's background (he was a Vietnam vet) and adherence to military procedure / details. He took the old-fashioned 'assemble the heroes' plot device - in this instance, gathering the top specialists from every branch of the American armed forces into a covert super unit - to the next level. Additionally, it never felt like Hama juvenilized his writing for the comic book series - bloodshed, death and despair were often involved in his tales.
So having Hama back - along with long-time DC Comics scribe Chuck Dixon, who I also believe served in the military - for this new series via IDW was just gravy, baby. It felt a little like I was transported back to 35 years ago, and eagerly spending my weekly allowance at the corner store each month for the latest Joe adventure. This new series is appropriately top heavy on the action and suspense, and brings back many characters who filled out the ranks back in the 80's. Awesome!
I have to admit at the start that probably one or two stars in my rating were from the pure nostalgia factor: I was a devoted fan of Marvel's comic book series during the first half of its 1982-1994 run, when that plus the contemporaneous action-figure toy line and afternoon TV show captured the imagination of Reagan-era kids during their elementary school years. One big reason, I think, for the Joe juggernaut success was creator / writer Larry Hama's background (he was a Vietnam vet) and adherence to military procedure / details. He took the old-fashioned 'assemble the heroes' plot device - in this instance, gathering the top specialists from every branch of the American armed forces into a covert super unit - to the next level. Additionally, it never felt like Hama juvenilized his writing for the comic book series - bloodshed, death and despair were often involved in his tales.
So having Hama back - along with long-time DC Comics scribe Chuck Dixon, who I also believe served in the military - for this new series via IDW was just gravy, baby. It felt a little like I was transported back to 35 years ago, and eagerly spending my weekly allowance at the corner store each month for the latest Joe adventure. This new series is appropriately top heavy on the action and suspense, and brings back many characters who filled out the ranks back in the 80's. Awesome!
January 14, 2024
This large collection of IDW's early days of G.I. Joe is a mixed bag. The book essentially collects three storylines, 1 good, 1 okay, and 1 bad. Chuck Dixon's first arc of the Joe book was really solid with great art by Robert Atkins. Its Joe's introduction to Cobra or at least the idea of Cobra. I liked it as I thought Dixon took it a step further than the generic intro. Many characters got to shine, especially Destro, Scarlett, and Snake Eyes. Larry Hama is responsible for the two Origins arcs and he's a renowned writer and tied to the classic Joe series but at times he's definitely too "inside baseball". His military speak, while I'm sure very accurate is sometimes a slog to read. I liked his formation of the early Joes but the second arc was extremely boring and had some very lackluster art. Overall, the collection was a decent read highlighted by Dixon's work.
October 23, 2020
The order of these Origin stories and how they cut into the main story was screwy. Other than that, this was a fantastic story. The action and intrigue was top notch. All these origins were spot on and kept the mystery alive.
I really enjoyed the courtship between Destro and the Baroness. It made sense for two high end killers to behave that way. Same with Cobra. Rather than announcing it to the world in issue #1 like the original series, they tried to keep their secret cabal hidden. Just felt right.
I really enjoyed the courtship between Destro and the Baroness. It made sense for two high end killers to behave that way. Same with Cobra. Rather than announcing it to the world in issue #1 like the original series, they tried to keep their secret cabal hidden. Just felt right.
January 5, 2022
Disjointed storytelling
Good art. Relatively simple stories. but the storytelling leaves gaps that you could ride a motorcycle through. It jumps back and forth between parallel stories that it is bringing together in an attempt to be clever, but there's not enough substance to be clever with. It ends up a disjointed story that is a chore to read and decipher.
Good art. Relatively simple stories. but the storytelling leaves gaps that you could ride a motorcycle through. It jumps back and forth between parallel stories that it is bringing together in an attempt to be clever, but there's not enough substance to be clever with. It ends up a disjointed story that is a chore to read and decipher.
April 8, 2019
never read teh gijoe/transformers comics from the 80s/90s on the shows
Still don't like that old-style of graphics which is used in the chuckles/Tomax/Xomat stories of these collected editions.
Do like the graphics of the other storylines, ie Origins & how they created the pit
Still don't like that old-style of graphics which is used in the chuckles/Tomax/Xomat stories of these collected editions.
Do like the graphics of the other storylines, ie Origins & how they created the pit
November 27, 2022
I was looking for a bit of fun nostalgia but got some half baked and nonsensical stories that seemed to have trouble deciding what it actually is. I honestly don't know if this is indicative of the whole IDW run but I don't think I have the stamina to read any more.
December 30, 2024
3.5 It's mostly good but there are several sections where it feels like you have missed something. It's also very much the beginning of a story and I am slightly irritated that I don't have volume 2 readily accessible!
September 24, 2017
The first half--the origin story-- was really good. The second half not as good, but still solid. Overall, a decent effort.
March 9, 2026
confusing
December 9, 2015
This was a fun nostalgic trip. The early days of the old Marvel Joe book were the first comics I ever collected, so it was fun/nostalgic to see what IDW was doing with the team/characters. I like the concept, and this book makes a perfect jumping on point for new readers. interestingly, I found the Origins issues much more confusingly en medias res than the six issues of the G.I. Joe book proper.
December 19, 2021
Solid effort in retelling the start of the team. I dont feel alot was accomplished in this volume except setting up Destro. I prefer reading books in my hand over digital and this run is out of print. I guess I'm lucky to own this hardcover. Volume 2 is hard to find, so as much as I'd like to continue this series... doesnt look its gonna happen unless I go digital... gross.
March 31, 2013
I was satisfied. Larry Hama knows how to write these stories. The art was good, matched the style of the old Marvel Joe tales.
August 29, 2015
Great start from IDW; different from the Marvel series, but still smart and action packed. They limit the number of Joes, giving us a chance to get to know them better.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews