G.I. Joe Declassified

In this mini-series that takes place before Marvel’s G.I. Joe, A Real American Hero #1 (6/1982), Larry Hama, the godfather of G.I. Joe, returns to the characters he created. Hama explains why the original Joes were chosen to be part of the new Special Missions force and also fleshes out the characters of such lesser-used Joes as Short-Fuse and Steeler. He also reveals more about Hawk’s background. Such other Joes as Chuckles and Ace, who weren’t part of the original line-up, have cameo appearances in the roles they played before joining the team, as does Fred the Crimson Guardsman.

Hama also introduces Shooter, the Joe who was revealed to be part of the line-up in a single panel alongside the other Joes in Marvel’s G.I. Joe #1 (reprinted in this issue at the beginning) but has neither been seen nor mentioned since. Shooter was probably an in-joke referencing Jim Shooter, who was then Marvel’s editor in chief. Here, Hama makes the in-joke more than that, introducing the enigmatic Shooter as the man sent to get Stalker, Zap, Rock ’n’ Roll, and Grunt out of Sierra Gordo. It’ll be interesting to see where Hama goes next in this trip down the 1980s memory lane.

— Kurt Anthony Krug

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#1 Variation A

G.I. Joe Declassified triptych Cover A, 1/3

Jun 2006

Cover: $4.95

W: Larry Hama · A: Pat Quinn, Valentine DeLandro

1st appearance of Shooter

1 copy for $2.50
#1 Variation D

YoJoe.com Exclusive Cover D (G.I. Joe team with American Flag)

Jun 2006

W: Larry Hama · A: Pat Quinn, Valentine DeLandro

1 copy for $14.95
#2 Variation A

G.I. Joe Declassified triptych Cover A, 2/3

Aug 2006

Cover: $4.95

W: Larry Hama · A: Pat Quinn, Valentine DeLandro

2 copies from $2.50
#2 Variation B

Scarlett Action Figure Tribute Cover B

Aug 2006

Cover: $8.95

W: Larry Hama · A: Pat Quinn, Valentine DeLandro

1 copy for $9.00
#3 Variation A

G.I. Joe Declassified triptych Cover A, 3/3

Oct 2006

Cover: $4.95

W: Larry Hama · A: Pat Quinn, Valentine DeLandro

1 copy for $3.00