G.I. Joe Comic Archive: Action Force

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February 1987 witnessed the birth of the British equivalent to Americas G.I Joe (Comic book form). Action force was published by Marvel U.K and was a weekly 24 page comic. These books combined reprints of the US Joe books with original strips, fact files and humor strips. Action Force also had assorted toy adds which the US books shied away from. The art was sharp and these books had some extremely popular covers. Some issues used the US covers but for the most part, they were original. The series ran for 50 issues before being merged into the Transformers comic (the Joes were back up strips in these books).
What you will see is a cover for each issue, 3-4 interior pages and a short summary. What will set this portion apart from others is the interior art pages. As time goes by, more issues will be added from he Transformer line(s) as Joe or Action Force was in those books as well.
Credit goes to www.bloodforthebaron.com (http://www.bloodforthebaron.com/) for providing the missing pieces in this collection.
Action Force
Issues 1-50
Quick-access index: 1-10 (http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-comics/25107-g-i-joe-comic-archive-action-force.html#post842574), 11-20 (http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-comics/25107-g-i-joe-comic-archive-action-force-2.html#post842650), 21-30 (http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-comics/25107-g-i-joe-comic-archive-action-force-3.html#post842747), 31-40 (http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-comics/25107-g-i-joe-comic-archive-action-force-4.html#post845853), 41-50 (http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-comics/25107-g-i-joe-comic-archive-action-force-5.html#post845899)

European Issues of Marvel Series (http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-comics/25107-g-i-joe-comic-archive-action-force-6.html#post846254)

Annuals and Special Issues (http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-comics/25107-g-i-joe-comic-archive-action-force-6.html#post846262)

Special Inserts (http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-comics/25107-g-i-joe-comic-archive-action-force-6.html#post846278)

Mini Posters (http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-comics/25107-g-i-joe-comic-archive-action-force-6.html#post846299)

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Action Force #1

Destro oversees an illegal weapons shipment to Cobra aboard a luxury yacht full of civilians.

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Action Force #2
Cut and Run
There's a COBRA Eel on the loose in ACTION FORCE's secret London Base. Consequently, Snake Eyes and Scarlett, just off the plane from America, find that their welcome to England is not quite what they expected!

Reprints a portion of #50(Marvel)

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Action Force #3
ACTION FORCE's COBRA captive has escaped into the Thames. Flint and Snake Eyes set off in pursuit in the hope that the Eel will lead them to COBRA's London nest... But the Eel has to make it through the streets of London first!

Reprints a portion of #34(Marvel)

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Action Force #4
Snake Eyes has smuggled himself on board a COBRA helicopter carrying Cobra Commander and Destro. They arrive at Destro's castle in the Balkans where Snake Eyes finds himself privy to information that could lead to the deaths of thousands of innocent people.

Reprints a portion of #34(Marvel)

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Action Force #5
Snake Eyes has infiltrated Castle Destro and discovered COBRA's plans to terrorize the western world. Unfortunately, before he can put the information to any use, he has to survive an encounter with THE DREADNOKS!

Reprints a portion of Special Missions #1(Marvel)

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Action Force #6
Action on information from Snake Eyes, ACTION FORCE has arrived in Paris. Their mission - protect the Eiffel Tower, the latest target in COBRA's campaign of terror.

Reprints a portion of Special Missions #1(Marvel)

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Action Force #7
COBRA's London HQ, the Tastee Burgers Bar in St. Jame's Park, receives some unwelcome customers when ACTION FORCE arrives to shut up COBRA's shop - permanently!

Reprints a portion of Special Missions #4(Marvel)

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Action Force #8
An intercepted Cobra map leads Flint and Action Force on a desperate search to find a bomb before it detonates on a busy street in the heart of London.

Reprints a portion of Special Missions #4(Marvel)

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Action Force #9
While trying to foil a COBRA bomb plot in the center of London, things haven't gone quite as planned for ACTION FORCE, and Lady Jaye is left holding a cleverly disguised bundle of explosives that could easily end her very promising career!

Reprints a portion of #25 (Marvel)

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Action Force #10
Lady Jaye, Dusty, and Alpine have arrived in Casablanca to meet up with a COBRA defector. However, it soon become clear that they aren't the only ones interested in finding the deserter

Reprints a portion of #25(Marvel)

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Action Force #11
ACTION FORCE have launched a co-ordinate assault against an Argent Corporation oil rig, believing it to have been seized by COBRA. But the battle to re-take the rig has some surprising consequences!

Reprints a portion of #26(Marvel)

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Action Force #12
ACTION FORCE have been duped into attacking an Argent Corporation oil rig, and now find themselves under house arrest by Desto, accused of piracy on the high seas!

Reprints a portion of #26(Marvel)

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Action Force #13
Destro has succeeded in his plan to discredit ACTION FORCE, by fooling them into attacking an Argent Corporation oil rig. In the shambles that followed, ACTION FORCE have been accused of piracy, and with all going well, Destro has taken time out to visit an old friend

Reprints a portion of #27(Marvel)

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Action Force #14
Quick Kick has stolen a Snowcat vehicle and is now traveling into the mountains of Communist China, intent on finding his old friend, Michael Anke. Quick Kick believes that Michael has fallen in with a fanatical cult, devoted to the downfall of the US government, and is determined to rescue him.

Reprints a portion of #27(Marvel)

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Action Force #15
Quick Kick has found the monastery that houses the Cult of the Two-Headed Serpent, only to find that this fanatical cult is really a splinter group of COBRA. Intent on rescuing his friend, Michal Anke, supposedly kidnapped by the cult, Quick Kick attempts to infiltrate the monastery

Reprints a portion of #28(Marvel)

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Action Force #16
The story of Quick Kick's struggle against the Cult of the Two-Headed Serpent starts on the cover, with Flint leading a flight of Dragonfly helicopters into China. Their mission is to rescue Quick Kick, whose supposed friend, Michael Anke, has him staked out on the side of a mountain.

Reprints a portion of #28(Marvel)

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Action Force #17
The Cult of the Two-Headed Serpent faces retribution from COBRA - the parent organization it tried to beak away from. F.A.N.G.s are sweeping out of the sky to blast the Cult's monastery and, amid the chaos and fire, Quick Kick at last confronts Michael Anke, his one-time friend, in a final confrontation!

Reprints a portion of #29(Marvel)

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Action Force #18
Out on Salisbury Plain, an ACTION FORCE Mauler tank is preparing to test a new anti-helicopter weapon. But when two COBRA F.A.N.G.s arrive on the scene, the Mauler crew find themselves facing the ultimate test as they are forced to fight for their lives!

Reprints a portion of #29(Marvel)

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Action Force #19
The Ishmali ambassador to Britain is the target for a COBRA kidnap plot that could not only discredit Britain but also lose the nation a vital oil supplier. Flint plans to prevent the ambassador's abduction - despite Trent's warnings that ACTION FORCE, still officially grounded in Europe, mustn't get involved.

Reprints a portion of #29(Marvel)

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Action Force #20
When ACTION FORCE learn that a foreign ambassador is the target for a COBRA kidnap plot, they replace him with a look-alike who turns out to be none other than ACTION FORCE'S very own Shipwreck! Now the ambassador is in London Shipwreck is in the hands of COBRA

Reprints a portion of #30(Marvel)

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Action Force #21
While masquerading as a foreign ambassador, Shipwreck is captured by COBRA and taken to their secret base in London's sewers. But, when his true identity is discovered, he attempts to escape while chained to the handrail of a Water Moccasin patrol craft

Reprints a portion of #30(Marvel)

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Action Force #22
Shipwreck is escaping from COBRA'S secret London base. But his bid for freedom looks like it's about to run into trouble - literally - as his Water moccasin hurtles out of control towards the Thames Barrier!

Reprints a portion of #32(Marvel)
**Issue #31 is reprinted in the Action Force Holiday Special

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Action Force #23
A canister of lethal never gas that could wipe out the population of South-East England in an instant; a COBRA Foot Soldier on the brink of madness; an old friendship betrayed, - these are the elements that combine and provide trouble for ACTION FORCE

Reprints a portion of #32(Marvel)

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Action Force #24
Megatron attacks Action Force in the sewers of London. As they escape to the surface, Autobots Grimlock and Centurion get in a huge fight.

Continued from Transformers #125 (UK)
Reprints a portion of #32(Marvel)

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Action Force #25
Blades saves Wild Bill from his crashing Dragonfly, as Grimlock and Centurion continue to fight Megatron. Heavy Metal with several Maulers joins the attack on Megatron.

Reprints a portion of #33(Marvel)

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Action Force #26
Megatron and Grimlock continue to fight, Heavy Metal's Maulers are destroyed and Flint orders an air strike on all of the Transformers.

Reprints a portion of #33(Marvel)

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Action Force #27
As an air attack on Grimlock and Megatron is imminent, Centurion wakes up to rescue Grimlock and sacrifice himself to defeat the crazed Megatron.

Reprints a portion of #33(Marvel)

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Action Force #28
A small school in rural England, a Crimson Guardsman whose cover is blown - it's a situation in which Flint is forced to realize that sometimes words speak louder than actions!

Reprints a portion of #36(Marvel)

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Action Force #29
As it tears across the skies of South America, the ACTION FORCE Skystriker is scouring the Amazonian jungle for signs of a COBRA supply base. Naturally enough, it isn't long before the plane finds what it's looking for - TROUBLE!

Reprints a portion of #36(Marvel)

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Action Force #30
While in search of a hidden COBRA base, the crew of an ACTION FORCE Skystrikers is surprised to find themselves embroiled in a desperate battle with a squadron of F.A.N.G.s. To make matters worse, their plane has gone out of control and is pitching into a nosedive!

Reprints a portion of #36 and Yearbook 2(Marvel)

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Action Force #31
Having beaten off a squadron of F.A.N.G.s, survived an uncontrolled stall and saved the life of Wild Bill, the crew of the ACTION FORCE Skystriker find that their problems are far from over, even after they complete the final part of their mission - the attack on a COBRA supply base

Reprints a portion of #37 and Yearbook 2(Marvel)

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Action Force #32
There's a train, pulling a cargo of nuclear waste, heading straight for London - at high speed! There's a sick man with a death wish at its controls... and there are two members of ACTION FORCE intent on stopping him

Reprints a portion of #37 and Yearbook 2(Marvel)

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Action Force #33
On any other Sunday, Bazooka, ACTION Force’s missile specialist, would sit down and put his feet up or maybe take the dog for a walk. However, on this particular Sunday, Bazooka has work to do, down at the ACTION FORCE weapon testing site in Stonebury. Unfortunately for him, COBRA's Dreadnoks aren't putting their feed up this week either

Reprints a portion of #38 and Yearbook 2(Marvel)

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Action Force #34
Ripper and Buzzer- the Dreadnoks - have stolen a new weapon from ACTION Force’s testing site in Stonebury. Bazooka, ACTION Force’s missile specialist wants it back - and he's prepared to fight for it! The Caulder Shopping Precinct may never be same again

Reprints a portion of #38 and Yearbook 2(Marvel)

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Action Force #35
Flint can't seem to escape ACTION FORCE's weapon testing site in Stonebury - following the incident involving Bazooka and the Dreadnoks, he and Lady Jaye are sent to tighten up security - and Flint soon finds out that he can't escape the violence in his life either...

Reprints a portion of #39 and Yearbook 2(Marvel)

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Action Force #36
While Flint and Lady Jay were repelling a COBRA attack on ACTION FORCE's Stonebury base, Destro shot and critically injured Jay. Now, Flint is intent on making a personal call on Destro at the headquarters of M.A.R.S. in London - and he doesn't plan to discuss the weather

Reprints a portion of #39 and Special Missions #8(Marvel)

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Action Force #37
In the wake of Flint's visit to the headquarters of M.A.R.S. in London, Destro is not a happy man - and not just because he's going to have to get his door fixed. He wants Flint's head and Storm Shadow is the operative who is sent to go and get it

Reprints a portion of #21 and Special Missions #8(Marvel)

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Action Force #38
Following the conclusion to the events depicted in Silent Interlude, Scarlett and Snake Eyes have a lot to talk about - but can't. Destro and Storm Shadow also need to engage in a little discussion too - and Destro likes to do his talking with his fists

Reprints a portion of #21 and Special Missions #8(Marvel)

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Action Force #39
Lady Jaye has been many things in her life- a scholar, an actress and a solder to name but a few. She has survived raids on nests of COBRA agents, Skystriker crash-landings and encounters with COBRA Battle Androids. But right now she is lying in a hospital bed on the verge of death - and only her will to live can save her.

Reprints a portion of #42 and Special Missions #8(Marvel)

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Action Force #40
Some time ago, Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow were the closest of friends. They were brothers-in-arms in the jungles of South-East Asia and trained together as Ninjas shortly afterwards. But now fate has placed them on opposing sides - and one of them may have to kill the other

Reprints a portion of #42 and Special Missions #8(Marvel)

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Action Force #41
Deep in the heart of an Asian jungle, Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow have come into conflict over the 'black box' recordings of a fallen satellite. Not surprisingly, the two have found that they are perfectly matched. However, the outcome of the fight is not down to them alone

Reprints a portion of #38;#39;#42 and Special Missions #8(Marvel)

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Action Force #42
Despite her brush with death at the hands of Destro, Lady Jaye is alive and well and ANGRY! Having spent two weeks in intensive care recovering from her injuries, she's understandably curious when she finds out that Flint passed up on an opportunity to kill the man who put her there

Reprints a portion of #43(Marvel)

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Action Force #43
The snow may be deep and crisp and even inside the Norwegian arctic circle, but the Christmas celebrations turn a little sour for Footloose and Frostbite when a squad of COBRA Snow Serpents come visiting and they aren't even there for a kiss under the mistletoe

Reprints a portion of #43 and Special Missions #5(Marvel)

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Action Force #44
Destro, the man in the silver mask, awakes, battered and beaten, in the heart of Morocco with a number of important questions awaiting answers: 'Who did this to me?' 'Why am I here?' 'Who am I?' All seems lost for the arms dealer, yet help is at hand in the shape of a small and beautiful girl called Jenna

Reprints a portion of #45 and Special Missions #5(Marvel)

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Action Force #45
In a Moroccan marketplace, Destro is on his knees before armed soldiers bearing the symbol of the serpent. Despite his association with COBRA, he currently has no idea who commands the soldiers or even what his own name is! All he does know is that he has been befriended by a young girl whose grandfather has been killed by these men, and that his death could go un-avenged

Reprints a portion of #45(Marvel)

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Action Force #46
Destro's memory is back with a vengeance! He now knows who hatched the plot to have him killed - a plot that lead to the death of Jenna, the young girl who befriended him. With this in mind, he arrives in Casablanca to pay a visit to an old 'friend'

Reprints a portion of #46 and Special Missions #5(Marvel)

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Action Force #47
In an effort to find finds to finance their campaign of terror, COBRA have attempted to seize Mafia interests in Venice. ACTION FORCE cannot allow this to happen, and Trent is prepared to stoop to any depths to stop the scheme going ahead.


Reprints a portion of #46 and Special Missions #5(Marvel)

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Action Force #48
In Venice, Lady Jaye's anger nearly reached boiling point when she discovered that she must work alongside the man who shot and very nearly killed her - Destro. But Destro's help is desperately needed if ACTION FORCE is to stop COBRA seizing control of organized crime form the Mafia

Reprints a portion of #46 and Special Missions #5(Marvel)

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Action Force #49
Flint, Footloose and Lady Jaye are covertly observing Mafia headquarters in Venice, as part of ACTION FORCE's efforts to halt the war between COBRA and the crime syndicates. But these efforts rely a great deal on information supplied by Destro and when, suddenly, ACTION FORCE is attacked by COBRA Eels, they can't help wondering if they've been set up

Reprints a portion of #47(Marvel)

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Action Force #50
The battle for organized crime in Venice looks like it's about to end when COBRA launch an assault on the Mafia's headquarters. However Cobra themselves fall victim to an ACTION FORCE counter-attack that could very well put an end to the war between ACTION FORCE and COBRA!

Reprints a portion of #47 and Annual #4(Marvel)
This is the last issue in the series. Reprints will continue in Transformers #153. New stories in Action Force monthly (European Missions)

After fifty issues the Action Force title came to a close. As was the standard practice in the British comics market at the time the title was nominally merged with Transformers, which now had the cover title Transformers and Action Force or GI Joe The Action Force from issue #153 onwards.
In practice the effect was that the G.I. Joe reprints now took over the back-up strip slot in Transformers on a permanent basis, although the Action Force comedy strip Combat Colin replaced the existing Transformers comedy strip Robo-Capers.
Action Force would take two brief breaks from Transformers, between issues #183 & #190 and again between #213 & #219, on each occasion being replaced by Visionaries.
The G.I. Joe the Action Force name change took effect on the strip from issue #248, although the cover did not change until issue #249.
At issue #306 G.I. Joe the Action Force was dropped from the title altogether.
Separate Action Force annuals and specials were also released by Marvel UK from 1987 onwards, with the title changing in line with that of the toy line. In addition there was a weekly comic launched in autumn 1989 called The Incredible Hulk Presents which contained further amended reprints of the G.I. Joe strips. It lasted just twelve issues.

Credit for above information: Yo Joe; Rebel Base Comics and Toys and Heroes: Thanks guys!

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We have the European Issues up in the Marvel section so with that, here are the Action Force monthly covers. The European issue were direct reprints of these issues. Also unlike Action Force weekly, these stories were all new.
*Interior art pages will be added to the European section in the future, for now enjoy these covers and the specials as well. Art will be added to the special issues.

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Annuals and Special issues

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Special inserts...enjoy!

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Here we have mini posters, toy adds, contest pages, polls, quizzes and much more! If you thought you were a Joe fan (you were right) but these guys and gals loved G.I Joe as much as we did/ do! Long live Action Force!