Writer: Sam Wells, Mike O’Sullivan
Artist(s): Robert Q. Atkins, Mike Bear, Nelson Blake III, Jeremy Freeman, Mike Getty, Jeremy Haun, Tim Seeley
Publisher: Devil’s Due Publishing
Every so often a comic book publisher will release a book that features character bios and information. Such information usually includes a brief origin summary, what that character believes in and a summary of some of the major events in that character’s history. DC Comics used to do it every year with “Secret Files and Origins” which has become a sporadic publication with the character profiles now appearing in annuals. For years, Marvel Comics has had the Handbook of the Marvel Universe, an A - Z guide on everything you need to know about any Marvel character or event. This publication remains in print sometimes releases an annual version for specific characters, but often releasing “updates” to the classic handbooks. With the success of G.I. Joe’s 25th Anniversary both in comic shops and the retail toy aisles, it seems quite fitting that Devil’s Due Publishing releases their Data Desk Handbook which gives the bios on the beloved Hasbro licensed franchise, G.I. Joe v.s. Cobra.
Now this isn’t really a review per se. This is more of a quick commentary on this must have item for any G.I. Joe fan or anyone looking to brush up on their G.I. Joe history. Rather than taking the “easy” way out and reprinting the classic file cards from the back of the action figure blisters, Devil’s Due uses the Data Desk Handbook to present character bios in comic book continuity. This, of course, dates all the way back to the original Marvel series. Many of these bios are a bit old, reprinted from an earlier, watered down handbook but with addendums since. Some of the outfits of the “reprints” are also a bit outdated as Mike Bear has adopted costumes more suited towards the characters’ original incarnations.
Either way, this publication is an essential for anyone currently reading G.I. Joe, recently reading G.I. Joe, or anyone who is interested in learning about their favorite characters from the ‘80s. There is some fantastic pin-up like work done by the artistic team and Sam Wells and G.I. Joe guru Mike O’Sullivan do a great job with each character’s bio. If you have any interest in G.I. Joe whatsoever, here’s a great place to look.
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