G.I. Joe #1

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Marvel (1982)
1st G.I. Joe Comic.  First appearance of most major G.I. Joe and Cobra characters.

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #1 (1982) is one of the most important non-superhero comics ever printed—and one of the defining keys of the entire 1980s. What makes it special is a mix of cultural impact, historical firsts, and the launch of a massive multimedia franchise.
 

1. First Appearance of G.I. Joe Characters

This issue debuts:

• Duke

• Scarlett

• Snake Eyes

• Stalker

• Hawk

• Cobra Commander

• Baroness

• Breaker

• Flash

• Steeler

• Clutch

• Short-Fuze

• Rock ’n Roll

• Cobra agents and troopers

It’s the first comic book appearance for the entire modern G.I. Joe cast.

That alone makes it a foundational key.

 

2. Launch of the G.I. Joe Universe

Although the toyline existed first, the comic is what gave G.I. Joe:

• Character personalities

• Backstories

• Military realism

• Complex character relationships

• The entire mythology of Cobra vs G.I. Joe

The cartoon eventually followed the comic’s lead, not the other way around.  This comic was released in June of 1982... over a year before the animated cartoon debut in September of 1983. 

Without this issue, the franchise would not have the depth it’s known for.

 

3. Written by Larry Hama — The Architect of G.I. Joe

Larry Hama is to G.I. Joe what Chris Claremont is to X-Men.  His work:

• Invented the personalities

• Created the military authenticity

• Defined Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow

G.I. Joe #1 is the start of his legendary run, making it incredibly significant.

 

4. One of the Greatest Toy–Comic Tie-Ins Ever

This comic wasn’t supposed to be a major book.
But Marvel and Hasbro hit lightning in a bottle.

The comic:

• Drove toy sales

• Made characters iconic

• Connected the toyline, cartoon, and comics into a unified story universe

It’s widely considered the best toy-based comic ever written.

 

5. Beginning of an Extremely Popular 155-Issue Marvel Run

Like Transformers #1 (1984), G.I. Joe #1 launched a long-running Marvel ongoing series that became massively successful.  Issue #1 is the starting point for:

• Snake Eyes’ mythology

• The Arashikage ninja clan

• Storm Shadow’s rise

• The Cobra hierarchy

• Classic arcs like “Silent Interlude” (#21)

 

6. It Made Cobra Commander and Snake Eyes Iconic

Even though Snake Eyes steals the show later, this is where the seeds are planted for:

• His mysterious background

• His silent nature

• His rivalry with Storm Shadow

Collectors treat #1 as the “birthplace” of that mythology.

 

7. Cultural Importance

G.I. Joe became a dominant 80s brand across:

• Toys

• TV

• Comics

• Movies

• Video games

Issue #1 is the “origin point” for all of it.

For 80s kids and nostalgia collectors, this is a grail.

 

9.4 NM
Pages: Off White to White
CGC 4540703002

Art: Larry Hama story Don Perlin & Jack Abel art Herb Trimpe & Bob McLeod cover & art


Key: Based on the Hasbro toy line.