G.I. JOE: The Complete Collection Volume 2 (GI JOE COMPLETE COLLECTION) Hardcover – June 4, 2013

1. G.I. Joe = a slang name for someone who is or was in the military; esp. during WWII.2. G.I. -- is short for 'Government Issue', a descriptive term for supplies distributed by the government.3. Joe = an ordinary man.G.I. Joe is no ordinary Joe/man -- G.I. Joe: The Complete Collection (Vol.2) is no ordinary book/tome.Much like the toy line of the 80's, my brother and I were never able to collate every issue of the Joe comic-line either. These hardcover book collections of the classic G.I. Joe comics are nearly library bound quality; sturdy and spectacular, measuring an extensive length of 11x7x1, with re-mastered color on high-quality pages.I recently purchased the first four volumes (x2) after an extended weekend visiting my brother, going over the golden age of toys and cartoons from the 80's, re-living our wonder years, and reminiscing ad nauseum about G.I. Joe and wishing we had read through all of the comics of yesteryears. He was floored to receive the surprise and we have been going back-and-forth constantly over text regarding the stories and characters. It's been like jumping into a time-machine and landing in an 80's time capsule of our childhood.Volume 2 covers comic issues #13 through #24 plus 21 1/2 story "Silence Between Borders" in glorious presentation, in chronological order, and has held up well to the age of time. There are some 'dated' one-liners and zingers that only reiterate the feeling of nostalgia surrounding every ones' favorite figurines. Issues #13-21.5 continue to introduce us to the G.I. Joe universe and character canon, showcasing the 1983 Series 2 G.I. Joe toy line (along with Series 1 characters).If you jumped on the G.I. Joe comic book bandwagon a little late -- like myself, collecting the G.I. Joe regular comic along with "Special Missions" and "Tales" issues here and there, the "Tales of G.I. Joe" were reprinted issues of the first 15 original Joe comics; so this volume contains the last three "Tales" stories. Issues #22 through #24 slowly introduce us to the 1984 Series 3 G.I. Joe toy line mixed in with the previous Joes.I cannot stress how impressive these graphic novel-like books are; with first-time printed bonus material, a knowledgeable forward, and additional author fun-facts and notes. The only thing missing from these reprints are the old Marvel indices inside and that iconic B&W Spiderman headshot (sometimes web-slinging body-shot) or the UPC code on the cover.

...and the second volume does not disappoint!Like a CIA mole, or maybe Larry Hama's next-door neighbor, Mark Bellomo drops minutia that hardcore ("old school") Joe fans will love. The after-action "debrief" following each issue is--honestly--something I would pay for were it sold separately. The content is *that* good. What would be better? *Two* pages of debrief commentary rather than one!And I also appreciate his efforts to correct obvious mistakes, as in, the first volume switching out Grand Slam's name for Flash's on the computer screen prior to the mission in Afghanistan. In this issue, he deftly does this as well--some 30 years after the fact. Sure, it's revisionism, but it only honors the initial creator intent.These issues, some would argue, set a strong pattern of adept storytelling that we fans came to expect from the series. Case in point, the "Night Attack" story, with its (at the time) heart wrenching cliff-hanger.And I know much has been written about the influential Silent Interlude, but what that story truly is, is Larry Hama shooting from the hip, under a tight deadline. In life, under pressure, we see the "real person." In Larry's case, Silent interlude, though I certainly did not appreciate it at 12, provides a visceral, adrenaline-slam of an adventure, approachable to most any level of reader. And don't tell me it isn't an influential piece, when, years later, Marvel Comics does an entire "silent" month.The art?Ever hear of Russ Heath? Yeah, *that* Russ Heath. He contributes pencil chores herein.And Mike Vosberg started off rather slowly, in my opinion, with his artwork in this series, but very rapidly became a tremendously memorable craftsman in this series. Heck--the man was trying to keep up with 20-30 characters! Some of his images stay with me to this day.Are there some improvement to me made? Sure. Some of the print, from decades old copy, suffers just a touch, but nothing to really complain about.So I'll say it this way: if you liked the GI Joe comic book, this is its ultimate representation.And if you weren't a fan of the comic, you don't know what you are missing.Here's to 12 more volumes, and a butt-load of footnotes.Smitty

I've reviewed Vol. 1, this is better. More notes, vehicle blueprints and issues 13-24 including the special 21 1/2 issue from the action figures a few years ago, it isn't as good as issue 21 (but 99% of comics aren't), but I'd never read it and now I have. I bought this and Volume 3 at the same time and can't wait to pick up the next 5 that are out and the rest as they become available. Still I have to say I wish it had the file cards from the figures. Hopefully they will print the order of battle too, but those classic file cards would be so much better.

I forgot how good the Larry Hama GIJOE books were in the 80s. Vol 2 contains the classic Kwinn/Snake Eyes/Dr. Venom storyline. I loved the whole run, but this volume is early enough to be able to focus on the characters without having to introuce a handful of characters each issue.

On retrouve avec plaisir tous les personnages de notre enfance. Même si ça a pris un petit coup de vieux, l'histoire reste intéressante et on découvre de plus en plus de Joes. Les bonus (couvertures d'origine et plans des véhicules) sont très fun.

These books covering the great hama's run edited by Bellomo are great. I own all issues of this series but still buy these thanks to bellomo's commentary. The comic itself is but months away from issue 200. I would love it if Bellomo would produce a fiftieth anniversary retrospective of all aspects of this franchise.

Purchased as a Christmas gift. Arrived on time and as described.

great fun to read these original stories.

Bought this item for christmas for a family member. I have to wait til them for their response but I thought the hard cover book is done beautifully.

Lots of nostalgic fun with the Joes

Suite des aventures originales de nos g i joe, de l'épisode 13 à 24 avec en plus le 21,5 paru seulement avec quelques figurines.Dans ces épisodes, hama met le paquet et termine toutes les intrigues en dévoilant de nouvelles, avec évidemment la fameuse histoire sans texte(21 qu'il a lui-même déssiné pour l'occasion)) qui est devenu un classique par la suite.Contrairement au premier volume, chaque histoire recoit des notes sur les faits et personnages, vous ajoutez à cela une introduction sur les personnage de duke, et vous obtenez le must pour les fans de g i joe.

Great