Regardless of where you come from and whether you’re a fan or not, you’ve probably heard of G.I. Joe at one point in your life. The guy is one of the most famous American action heroes, and whether you’ve read the comics or seen the movies doesn’t really matter. G.I. Joe has become somewhat of a symbol of the action genre, and a legacy that has now lasted for more than fifty years speaks for itself. In today’s article, I am going to talk about G.I. Joe and the comic book series that helped make the character popular.
You should start reading the G.I. Joe comics from the classic Marvel Comics series that began during the 1980s and then continue with the modern-day stories. The pre-Marvel stories aren’t really that comprehensive and are more fragmented than anything else, which is why you can, in my opinion, skip them.
Today’s article is going to be all about the G.I. Joe comic book series. You’re going to find out the proposed reading order, starting with Marvel’s 1980s series and finishing with the modern-day narratives that continue the story of one of America’s most famous action brands. I hope you’ll have fun with this article as much as you’ll have while reading the actual comics themselves. Enjoy!
G.I. Joe comic book reading order
In order to make the whole thing easier for you, I have decided to group the comic books into several cycles so that you get a better grasp of things here. Let us start.
1. Classic Marvel Comics (1980s)
This section is going to contain the collected volumes you should check out from the 1980s. As I’ve said, the issues that came out before 1982 aren’t really that relevant, and since Marvel controlled the G.I. Joe canon during the 1980s, these comics are, really, the only ones that actually matter. This comment is, primarily, addressed to those who know about the G.I. Joe in 3-D series published by Blackthorne Publishing, but that series, although it never contradicted Marvel’s stories, is not considered canon. Now, let us see about the Marvel series:
G.I. Joe: Classics Vol. 1
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1982) #1-10
This volume begins Joe’s eternal struggle against Cobra, and also introduces the characters of Kwinn and Oktober Guard to the series.
G.I. Joe: Classics Vol. 2
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1982) #11-20
This volume features the conclusion of the first extended storyline where Joes such as Doc, Snow Job and Gung-Ho debuted, while Cobra added Destro and Major Bludd to their roster.
G.I. Joe: Classics Vol. 3
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1982) #21-30
This volume finally puts more focus on Snake-Eyes and also introduces, with a great origin story at that, Storm Shadow. Other characters that have made their debut in this volume are Duke, Roadblock, Zartan, and the Dreadnoks.
G.I. Joe: Classics Vol. 4
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1982) #31-40
An assassination attempt on the Cobra Commander’s son, Billy, is the main narrative aspect of this volume. It also features the debuts of Joe Flint and Lady Jaye, and Cobra’s twin Crimson Commanders, Tomax and Xamot!
G.I. Joe: Classics Vol. 5
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1982) #41-50
In this volume, we discover that Cobra has gained a sovereign island nation, as well as a new leader, Serpentor. Also, Sgt. Slaughter joins the Joes. This volume also contains the anniversary “Battle of Springfield” storyline.
G.I. Joe: Classics Vol. 6
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1982) #51-60
The aftermath of the Battle of Springfield deals with Destro’s and the Cobra Commander’s one last attempt at an assault on the Joe base, called the Pit. More Dreadnoks are added to the story, and you can also read the infamous one-off story by Todd McFarlane.
G.I. Joe Yearbook: Collected Edition
Collects: G.I. Joe Yearbook (1985) #1-4
This is basically an anthology collection that contains four issues, including one that is a continuation of the main narrative story presented in #56.
G.I. Joe: Classics Vol. 7
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1982) #61-70
A small group of Joes gets into trouble in a hostile foreign land in this volume. Cobra gets a new leader, while Destro forms his own splinter group to execute his plans.
G.I. Joe: Special Missions Classics Vol. 1
Collects: G.I. Joe: Special Missions (1986) #1-7
A collection of short stories, with one direct continuation of the main story from #61.
G.I. Joe: Classics Vol. 8
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1982) #71-80
This volume deals with the infamous Cobra Civil War, a major event in the history of the franchise.
G.I. Joe: Special Missions Classics Vol. 2
Collects: G.I. Joe: Special Missions (1986) #8-14
Another collection of short stories, similar to the first volume of the same title (see above). Contains stories written by the original writing team.
G.I. Joe: Classics Vol. 9
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1982) #81-90
This volume features the conclusion of Storm Shadow’s epic turn, but also more revelations on the origins of Snake-Eyes, Zartan, and the original Cobra Commander. Also features a guest appearance by the original 1960s G.I. Joe.
G.I. Joe: Special Missions Classics Vol. 3
Collects: G.I. Joe: Special Missions (1986) #15-21
The same as volumes one and two, focusing on a story guest-starring Oktober Guard while the Joes attempt to save Snake-Eyes, Scarlett and the company from behind enemy lines.
G.I. Joe: Classics Vol. 10
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1982) #91-100
This volume concludes the 1980s run on G.I. Joe, giving us a conclusion of Snake-Eyes’ story, as well as the return of the original Cobra Commander.
G.I. Joe: Special Missions Classics Vol. 4
Collects: G.I. Joe: Special Missions (1986) #22-28
Yet another conclusion of the 1980s run on this mini-series.
2. Classic Marvel Comics (1990s)
Marvel’s run on the G.I. Joe comic book series ended in 1994. Between then and the stories from the final section of this article, there have been several publications, ranging from Dark Horse Comics’ series to the larger Devil’s Due Publishing series. Still, these series aren’t really that relevant, historically, so I decided to just skip them and continue immediately with IDW’s series. Now, let us see what Marvel had to offer during the 1990s:
G.I. Joe: Classics Vol. 11
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1982) #101-110
Focuses on a dangerous action in the Middle East in which some Joes lose their lives.
G.I. Joe: Classics Vol. 12
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1982) #111-123
A continuation of the Middle East mission that features more deaths on the side of the Joes.
G.I. Joe: Classics Vol. 13
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1982) #124-134
The Joes decide to fraction themselves in this volume, creating groups such as the Ninja Force and the Eco Warriors.
G.I. Joe: Classics Vol. 14
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1982) #135-145
This volume features a brief title change to G.I. Joe Starring Snake-Eyes and Ninja Force, as well as the famous crossover story featuring the Transformers.
G.I. Joe: Classics Vol. 15
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1982) #146-155
This volume concludes Marvel’s classic run on the series.
3. IDW’s relaunch area (2010s)
In this section, I am just going to list the relaunch titles in the correct reading order. Since these titles are still widely available and are not as rare as Marvel’s stories, I am not going to reveal the synopsis, but rather just the titles and the issues. If you want to know what happens, check out the comics! 😉
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 1
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #155.5-160
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 2
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #161-165
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 3
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #166-170
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 4
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #171-175
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 5
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #176-180
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 6
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #181-185
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 7
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #186-190
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 8
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #191-195
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 9
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #196-200
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 10
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #201-205
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 11
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #206-210
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 12
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #211-215
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 13
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #216-218, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Annual (2012) #1
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 14
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #219-221, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero: Cobra World Order Prelude (2015) #0
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 15
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #222-225
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 16
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #226-230
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 17
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #231-235
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 18
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #236-240
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 19
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #241-245
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 20
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #246-250
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero: Silent Option
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2018) #1-4
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 21
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #251-255
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 22
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #256-260
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 23
Collects: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2010) #261-265
