the comics of my youth

I wouldn't be a true child of the '80s if I didn't have a G.I. Joe comic.

G.I. Joe #52, October, 1986


Issue Summary: Another single issue I got that seems to be right in the middle of a story. In this issue, The Joes are busy training when Storm Shadow sneaks into the base to talk to Snake Eyes. There is a short fight where the Joes are trying to stop Storm Shadow. After quickly dispatching Quick Kick, and disarming Lady Jane of her crossbow, Storm Shadow explains he just wanted to talk. Everyone leaves him and Snake Eyes alone. Storm Shadow is apparently on the run from Cobra and need a place to hide out. After getting Snake Eyes' sympathy through their clan/past connection, Snake Eyes gives Storm Shadow the key to his place (awwww, softy).

Meanwhile Cobra is gathering for an assault on the G.I. Joe base. It seems like that is all that ever happens in G.I. Joe stories. Cobra attacks the G.I. Joe base, G.I. Joes attack the Cobra base, or some combination of the two. Also, Cobra Commander is whining (as usual) because the new Cobra leader (King Cobra? The guy in gold with the snake head helmet) is ruling with an iron fist. I always love it when Cobra Commander gets put in his place.


My first exposure to G.I. Joe came of course from the cartoon. I had my fair share of G.I. Joe merchandise too - T-shirt, puzzle, underwear, toys. Sadly, many of my G.I. Joe toys were KIA in the mid/late-'90s from BB gun friendly fire. None of them saw it coming, and none of them deserved their cruel fate. Except for Cobra Commander - that jerk had it coming.

Anyways, this issue isn't really anything special for me. It is one of the first few comics I remember buying myself though. Every summer two of my cousins (who were about the same age as me) and I would spend a week "up north" (near Cadillac, MI) with our grandparents. They had some land with a cabin/trailer on it. It was the best thing for young boys like us. Plenty of fun, games and outdoor adventure. One year on our way up we stopped at some gas station/convenience store. That is were I picked this issue up. It must have been sitting on the shelf for a while - our trips were in the summer. I liked karate/martial arts as a kid, so the cover really grabbed me. Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes were my favorites. Big surprise, I know. Quick Kick was a close third.

I actually don't have very many G.I. Joe comics despite loving the cartoon and toys. It looks like I have a total of three G.I. Joe comics.





Young Dan's Geeky Cool Rating: 5 out of 10.

Revised Geeky Cool Rating: 4 out of 10. No major wow factor for this issue. Very basic art. Not a whole lot of characters featured. Just a G.I. Joe comic, nothing more.

Original Cover Price: 75¢

Current Value on ComicsPriceGuide.com (which doesn't really mean anything): $3 NM