There is just something about picking up this G.I. JOE: The Complete Collection Vol.1 in IDW Limited Red Label format, that sits well with my collecting senses. From the very second you pull the copy from it’s container, the scent of fresh ink, giving it that new car smell. The very posh red satin ribbon bookmark, accompanied by the killer cloth treatment on the cover, it just gives you a feel for quality, and craftsmanship in a book, that you just do not see in the comic book industry.
DETAILS
This Red Label edition of G.I. JOE: The Complete Collection Vol.1 comes with a full-color illustration by series artist Herb Trimpe. The book is signed by Trimpe, and Larry Hama and hand-numbered to 250. This collection of classic G.I. Joe tales has been packaged and presented in beautiful hand-assembled casing and re-imagined covers.
• Limited to 250 copies
• Limited-edition, custom-designed slipcase
• Mounted signature page signed by Larry Hama & Herb Trimpe
• Exclusive canvas cover only available through this IDW Limited release
• Vellum title-page overlay
• New end pages
• Collects issues 1-12 of the original Real American Hero series as well as the bonus feature – Hot Potato
• Stamped with the IDW Limited Red Foil Imprint
• Red satin ribbon bookmark
Recently HISS Tank.com had a chance to sit down with well know author Mark Bellomo to discuss his work on G.I. Joe: The Complete Collection, the full run of original Real American Hero, Special Missions, and Yearbook tales, placed in proper reading order and collected in handsome hardcover volumes.
“I was eleven years old when G.I. Joe #1 was released, and I remember reading and re-reading and re-re-reading the wonderfully oversized Treasury Edition reprint of #1 at least 500 times until the pages fell apart in my hands; this is NO exaggeration. I have memorized nearly every word of the first issue. The comic speaks to me like no other before or since; I therefore have a vested interest in seeing this project succeed.”To read the full G.I. Joe: The Complete Collection interview with Mark Bellomo click the title bar.
HT: What books are included in G.I. Joe: The Complete Collection?
MB: First off, I’d like to thank Fran for inviting me to speak to you folks about G.I. Joe: The Complete Collection. Fran AKA Destro and I have become pretty good friends over the past few years, and I appreciate all he’s done (and sacrificed) to promote our beloved hobby… and personally I’d like to thank him for promoting my various projects. Secondly, I need to thank IDW’s Senior Book Editor, Justin Eisinger, for allowing me the privilege to preside over SUCH an ambitious venture. I was eleven years old when G.I. Joe #1 was released, and I remember reading and re-reading and re-re-reading the wonderfully oversized Treasury Edition reprint of #1 at least 500 times until the pages fell apart in my hands; this is NO exaggeration. I have memorized nearly every word of the first issue. The comic speaks to me like no other before or since; I therefore have a vested interest in seeing this project succeed.
Now, on to the questions.
In the first volume of G.I. Joe: The Complete Collection, I chose to include issue numbers 1-12 of Marvel Comics’ G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, since IDW wished each hardcover volume to contain (a little less than) 300 pages. These tone-setting stories are the twelve pivotal narratives that took place during the very first year of the G.I. Joe team’s existence… one per month from June, 1982 until June 1983. From Hama, Trimpe, and McLeod’s peerless “Operation: Lady Doomsday” to Hama, Vosburg, and D’Agostino’s incomparable “Three Strikes for Snake-Eyes.”
I also wanted to keep the integrity of each issue by retaining ALL of the pages from the original books in each reprinted hardcover trade. For instance, when approaching the very first issue, I ensured that IDW included not only “Operation: Lady Doomsday,” but also the first issue’s ten-page back-up story, “Hot Potato.” Yup, yup. Joe fans will FINALLY receive “Hot Potato” in a trade paperback! Until now, the ONLY way for an aficionado to have obtained “Hot Potato” was to own the pricey G.I. Joe #1, the difficult-to-find Tales of G.I. Joe #1 (a reprint of G.I. Joe #1 from January, 1988), the mini-sized G.I. Joe Comics Magazine Digest #1 (which, in January 1987, reprinted both G.I. Joe #’s 1 & 2 in a smaller page format [5 ½” x 8 ¼”]), or—even rarer—you could find the many panels of “Hot Potato” imprinted on three esoteric, ‘stereoscopic’ reels in the impossible-to-find G.I. Joe View-Master Gift Set released in 1983 (!).
The story has NEVER been reproduced in a trade paperback until now.
Furthermore, as a fan, I cited multiple reasons to support the inclusion of any and all “pin-ups” of characters, vehicles, weapon systems, and maps in The Complete Collection. So then, any and all pins ups from the original issues will always be included in these hardcover trades. I wavered on whether or not to push for the inclusion of “Postbox: The Pit”—the original letters page—in The Complete Collection, but ultimately, felt that the collection would be better served without these little digressive time capsules; space would be better spent on stories, etc.
Which means that the reprint of G.I. Joe #1 included pin-ups of Grand Slam’s H.A.L. (Heavy Artillery Laser), a two-page spread of “The Pit” (G.I. Joe Command Center), character pin-ups of Scarlett, Breaker, Flash, Stalker, a page dedicated to Clutch’s V.A.M.P. (Vehicle: Attack/Multi-Purpose/Multi-Purpose Attack Vehicle), as well as a page featuring Steeler’s M.O.B.A.T. (Multi-Ordinance Battle Tank/Motorized Battle Tank/Super Duty Battle Tank).
HT: Are the G.I.Joe 25th Anniversary Comic Packs “filler stories” included?
MB: Ah, yes… the “filler story” from the 25th Anniversary Comic Packs? Who knows if the following “½” stories will make it into these hardcovers? They probably should, no?
21 ½: “Silence between Borders” (Snake Eyes vs. Storm Shadow, 22 pp. total [Larry Hama—script; Jeremy Dale—pencils]).
32 ½: “A Day in the Life of Springfield” (Crimson Guard & Scarred Cobra Officer [originally names Scarface], 22 pp. total [Larry Hama—script; Jeremy Dale—pencils]).
36 ½: “A Bad Day at the Circus” (Tomax & Xamot, 22 pp. total [Larry Hama—script; Jeremy Dale—pencils]).
But what about the OTHER Comic Packs? Can the first two (in terms of Hasbro’s numbering system) fit seamlessly into the original comic book canon? Say, around 1988 for #1 and 1987 for #2? What about the others that aren’t based upon the animated mythology?
#1—“Sicilian Defense” (Destro vs. Shockblast [originally Shockwave], 22 pp. total; from the G.I. Joe: Resolute animation [Larry Hama—script; Oscar Yanez—pencils]). This MIGHT fit.
#2—“22 Minutes” (Tunnel Rat & Storm Shadow, 22 pp. total; from the G.I. Joe: Resolute animation [Larry Hama—script; Diego Jourdan—pencils]). This MIGHT fit.
And there’s some debate as to whether the next nine Comic Packs should be included as well. At 22 pages per issue, that means IDW’s going to have to set aside roughly TWO HUNDRED more pages for the inclusion of these stories. Even more if you include a one-page introduction for every 22-page issue to explain where the narrative fits in terms of the existing Joe canon. Essentially, G.I. Joe: The Complete Collection was meant to reprint G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, G.I. Joe: Special Missions, and G.I. Joe: Yearbook tales… but in my opinion—and IDW’s as well—there should be more bonus material included in each volume, outside material that enhances and elucidates the existing text. But setting aside 200+ pages for these 25th Anniversary stories is a LOT: that’s essentially a whole other VOLUME of material.
Regardless, let’s review:
Issue #3 does not exist… since Hasbro did not create a Comic Pack with the number three featuring an all-original story.
#4—“Backstabbed” (Firefly & Storm Shadow, 22 pp. total [since Slice & Dice are featured prominently in this issue, I’d place its date at about 1992—between RAH issue #’s 120-131]; the issue’s narrative lends closure to Firefly’s relationship to the Arashikage ninja clan—so it’s an IMPORTANT story [Larry Hama—script; Andrew Froedge—pencils]).
#5—“Security Shield” (Shipwreck vs. Copperhead, 22 pp. total [in the story, Shipwreck uses the Piranha Attack Boat (2004) from the Venom vs. Valor line] this MIGHT NOT fit within the new continuity [Larry Hama—script; Jeremy Dale—pencils]).
#6—“The Oblivion Express” (Duke vs. Red Star, 22 pp. [the issue takes place before Red Star’s succession to the leadership role of the Russian team after the fall of Soviet Russia for the Guard’s LAST mission when they accompany G.I. Joe: Star Brigade [in RAH #’s 146-148], however, Horror Show makes an appearance in this issue [he perished in Special Missions #26, “Passing of the Guard”] [Larry Hama—script; Sheldon Goh—pencils]). The continuity issues ALONE make the inclusion of “The Oblivion Express” a NIGHTMARE.
#7—“Move and Countermove” (Destro vs. Iron Grenadier, 22 pp. [this issue could fit quite neatly between RAH issue #’s 86 & 87—so much so that it could have been a “½” issue] [Larry Hama—script; Jeremy Dale —pencils]).
#8—“Showdown at the Top of the World” (Lt. Falcon vs. Nemesis Immortal [originally Nemesis Enforcer], 22 pp. [the continuity here is more aimed toward fans of G.I. Joe: The Movie due to its use of a character from Cobra-La] [Larry Hama—script; Sheldon Goh—pencils]).
#9—“Explosive Thoughts” (Cobra Commander vs. Tripwire, 22 pp. [this issue COULD fit somewhere into the RAH canon, but since Heavy Duty [1991] is featured in his original outfit, the tale must be placed—continuity-wise—between issue #’s 108-119] [Larry Hama—script; Jeremy Dale—pencils]).
#10—“The Tiger and the Teapot” (Hard Master & Snake Eyes, 22 pp. [this issue BEGS to be included as a flashback in an early hardcover volume… since it stylistically smacks of the two issues delineating “Snake-Eyes: The Origin” (RAH issue #’s 26 & 27)] [Larry Hama—script; Sheldon Goh —pencils. 22 pp.]).
#11—“The Dark Beneath the Silence” (Beachhead & Dataframe [originally Mainframe] [the appearance of the Cobra B.A.T. v2 in this story indicates that this adventure took place circa 1991 at the earliest [ca. issue #’s 108-119]).
#12—“Showdown Under the Sun” (Scrap-Iron vs. Wild Bill, 22 pp. [this issue could fit nearly anywhere after Scrap Iron’s debut in RAH #46 (1986) even though his character debuted as an action figure back in ’84 and was discontinued domestically in ’86 (!)] [Larry Hama—script; Eduardo Ferigato —pencils]).
Also, what about reprinting those gorgeous “tribute” covers from 2008-09 as well? For example, those fully-painted covers included with the 25th Anniversary Comic Packs as homages—replications—of the original covers from G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero? It’d be nice to reprint them in a later volume of The Complete Collection… n’est pas? These magnificent tributes were illustrated by Greg Horn (who rendered the covers to issue number #30, “Darkness”; #64, “Maneuvering for Position”; #14, “Destro Attacks”; #115, “Counting Coup”; and #25, “Zartan”) and Ashley Wood (#1, “Operation: Lady Doomsday”; #21, “Silent Interlude”; #24, “The Commander Escapes”).
HT: How many volumes will there be of G.I. Joe: The Complete Collection?
MB: Fifteen or sixteen depending on the amount of noting, the inclusion of essays and allusive information that pertains to Hama’s writing etc.; it’s a DAUNTING project. Yet, I can’t WAIT to see what this collection will look like sitting on my bookshelf five-to-seven years from now. (IDW will be publishing three or four volumes of G.I. Joe: The Complete Collection per year.)
HT: How was the order chosen?
MB: The order was the EASIEST thing to choose. Every single issue of G.I.Joe Real American Hero (1-155), Special Missions (1-28), and Yearbook (1-4) tales will be included in The Complete Collection as well as all pin-ups, maps, etc. I’ve already run the page counts on every single issue, counted each issue by hand five times and then double-checked. That gives IDW fifteen hardcover volumes. NOT including other stuff (front matter, etc., etc.).
HT: Is there any exclusive content?
MB: Yup. The first issue has a LENGTHY essay I wrote (14 pp. in MS Word condensed down to five BIG pages in essentially 1 pt. font [well… not QUITE that small]) about the manner in which Larry Hama concocted G.I. Joe characters’ dossiers—those infamous Combat Command File Cards that Hasbro’s been unsuccessfully trying to replicate since 1997. No offense to those who’ve written them, but there’s a certain art to the way Larry approached the writing of each and every dossier. Cadence, meter, rhythm, allusiveness… all of these were considered by Larry when drafting a new character. It wasn’t JUST a mélange of facts vomited onto a piece of paper—there was a methodology to what he did: to what he does.
In Volume One, since Cobra isn’t SUCH a huge adversary yet, I wanted the twelve included stories to breathe a bit. So much has been written on the first year of the G.I. Joe team’s existence on the World Wide Web, I merely wished to focus on getting these magnificent issues in print, in order to establish the tone and style that Larry and Herb (et. al) wished to convey. THEN, from out of nowhere, I want to kick everything into high gear by literally drenching Joe fans with exclusive content in Volume Two. It’s going to rain interesting notes and difficult allusions after Volume One like manna from Heaven.
Even though I believe the initial volume’s stories are so very spectacular and so streamlined that they essentially sell themselves, there’s STILL a bunch of exclusive, never-before-seen insight that will be provided to loyal readers of G.I. Joe and aficionados the world over. Let’s see… I’ll offer deep insight into a MAJOR edit that occurred when Hawk addresses his troops in the G.I. Joe briefing room in issue #1 that totally changes the philosophy of how Colonel Clayton M. Abernathy leads the Joe team. I mention Fury Force and show Larry’s original pitch to Marvel before it was influenced by Hasbro’s newly revitalized G.I. Joe brand, etc. There’s some pretty cool stuff… but in my opinion, the essay that explains how Larry rendered character is the most important piece. It’s distilled from about twenty interviews I’ve had with the man over the past ten years.
But I needed this volume to be VERY ACCESSIBLE before providing fans with a bombastic amount of noting. You’ve been warned: there will a whole lot of noting provided in Volume Two. Perhaps even WAAAAAAY too much. For those of you who’ve read the second volume to my Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe: 1982-1994, you’ll remember that I edited more that 100,000 words out of that book. Some of that info will be used in the next fifteen/sixteen volumes of G.I.JOE The Complete Collection.
HT: What kind of coffee do you drink?
MB: I like the convenience of Keurig pods. My favorite so far is Italian Roast—like Peter Burke from USA’s White Collar. It’s very good and very strong; it marches down your throat and you KNOW you’re drinking it. But if I want coffee, I’ll drink any type. Not a big fan of flavored coffee, though. It’s like drinking flavored beer. With fruit in it. Nope, nope, nope. Beer should taste like beer. Coffee should taste like coffee. Whiskey like whiskey and so forth.
HT: Will the new ARAH content eventually be included?
MB: I can’t comment on that yet. It would be nice, since the new ARAH title is just so very good… I’ll plant a seed.
HT: Are there any other upcoming projects you’d like to mention?
MB: This year was a pretty busy year for me, and I’m quite fortunate to be involved in a number of different projects beyond G.I. Joe: The Complete Collection. I’ve got three more volumes of Transformers: Classics to attack in the next twelve months. I provide the forewords and editorial notes on those tomes. I recently submitted the finished manuscript for Transformers: The Art of the Fall of Cybertron a few weeks back, a book that is essentially a supplement to the mega-hit High Moon platform game. This art book features a near-endless amount of pre-production paintings and sketches that will make Transfans lose their freaking minds. IDW and High Moon Studios gave me license to explore the “Generation One” (the original Transformers line, 1984-1990) themes and motifs that inspired the game, and I couldn’t have been happier; I even got to replicate some G1 Tech Spec biographies in the text to inculcate new fans into my favorite incarnation of the toy line (!). I also wrote the foreword and notes to IDW’s Real Ghostbusters Omnibus which reprints the first fourteen issues of NOW Comics’ RGB run of the 1980’s. And finally, I just put Krause Publications’ Toys & Prices 2013 to bed. I’m the editor-of-note on the manuscript, and I also contribute four of the larger chapters (Action Figures, G.I. Joe, Star Wars, and Western Toys [the smallest section]) in a hefty book which has become the standard price guide in the hobby. THAT was a BEAR. But fun, you know? I like looking up the prices for toys—cold-calling dealers for prices, performing endless “Completed Items” searches on eBay and whatnot.
I should add that I’m in NO WAY complaining about these projects. A wise man once told me that whining about “all the work you’re getting” is a surefire way to get people to hate you. I consider myself very, very lucky to do what I do. I’m fortunate beyond measure and I don’t take anything I do for granted. ANYTHING.
Get your copy today at G.I. Joe: The Complete Collection, Vol. 1: Larry Hama, Herb Trimpe, Don Perlin, Mike Vosberg: 9781613773963: Amazon.com: Books
G.I. JOE: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL.1 – BLACK LABELIDW Limited BLACK LABEL is sold out but here is the info on what to look for in future releases.
G.I. JOE: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL.1 – BLACK LABELSUMMARY
• Limited to 25 copies
• Hand-drawn full color illustration of classic Joe character by the legendary Herbe Trimpe
• Limited-edition, custom-designed tray case
• Mounted signature page signed by Herb Trimpe, hand-numbered to TWENTY-FIVE
• Exclusive canvas cover only available through this IDW Limited release
DETAILS
This Black Label edition of G.I. JOE: The Complete Collection Vol.1 comes with a full-color illustration by series artist Herb Trimpe. The book is signed by Trimpe, and Larry Hama and hand numbered to Twenty-Five. This collection of classic G.I. Joe tales has been packaged and presented in beautiful hand-assembled casing and re-imagined covers.
• Limited to 25 copies
• Hand-drawn full color illustration of classic Joe character by the legendary Herbe Trimpe
• Limited-edition, custom-designed tray case
• Mounted signature page signed by Larry Hama & Herb Trimpe, hand-numbered to TWENTY-FIVE
• Exclusive canvas cover only available through this IDW Limited release
• Vellum title-page overlay
• New end pages
• Collects issues 1-12 of the original Real American Hero series as well as the bonus feature – Hot Potato
• Stamped with the IDW Limited Black Foil Imprint
• Black satin ribbon bookmark
* NOTE * – The pictured hand-drawn artwork is a representative example. Herb Trimpe has drawn 25 uniquely different, completely original pieces of art for this project. The artwork you receive is one of a kind and may not match the image/character shown in this photograph.
Pre-Order PRICE $350.00 IDW Limited GI Joe – Shop By Title
DESTRO says
IDW Limited Red Label G.I. JOE: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL.1
This book is awesome, the fact that i'm holding a G.I.Joe hard back with a red satin ribbon bookmark, and a cover treatment that feels like a high quality Army back pack just amazes me. What an awesome job the IDW team did on these editions.
IDW Limited Red Label G.I. JOE: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL.1 - GI Joe News
TheRealDubya says
That's really a nice format, for a classic comic. It could also get really expensive really fast, as the volumes come out.
Doomsun says
Shin-Gouki says
Entirely too much for Comic Books.
As far as Red black and Blue labels go I'll stick to these.
natecm says
As far as Red black and Blue labels go I'll stick to these.
Doomsun says
They are definitely worth it, you get amazing exclusive and original art.
titanate says
I guess I'm a little confused by this. The Complete Series Volume 1 was already released and is available on Amazon... are they just now releasing the volume in Red (blue, and black) labels only just now about 6 months later?
DESTRO says
rnstrait says
As far as Red black and Blue labels go I'll stick to these.
QuickKicks85 says
As far as Red black and Blue labels go I'll stick to these.
Full Thread: IDW Limited Red Label G.I. JOE: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL.1
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