The Art of G.I. Joe: A Comprehensive Look at the Iconic Action Figures and Comics

Well, let me tell ya, I ain’t no expert in all them fancy art terms, but I do know when somethin’ looks real good. Now, this book they got out, The Art of G.I. Joe, it’s somethin’ else. They say it’s a big ol’ 712-page hardcover, and let me tell ya, that’s a whole lotta pages! It’s all about them action figures and comics, y’know, the G.I. Joe folks. Been around a long time now, I reckon.

Now, if you don’t know what G.I. Joe is, let me just say it’s all about them soldiers, heroes, and bad guys fightin’ for the good ol’ US of A. And this book? Well, it’s a big ol’ celebration of the art behind it all. They got everything in there from the figures, to the vehicles, and even them fancy painted art pieces.

Back in the day, I remember seein’ them little toys everywhere, kids runnin’ ’round, playin’ with ’em like they were real soldiers. But what folks didn’t always realize was the art that went into those toys. The illustrations, the designs, all them details – it weren’t just somethin’ thrown together. Nope, it was carefully done. Folks like Robert Carson Mataxis, they worked on it, made sure everythin’ looked right.

I hear this book covers the golden years of G.I. Joe, y’know, back in the 80s and early 90s. Big years for the whole franchise, that’s for sure. And this book ain’t just about the figures, no sir, it’s got everything from the vehicles to the playsets, all them cards that came with the figures too. The art, the way it was painted, it’s somethin’ you don’t see much no more. Nowadays, folks just take pictures on computers, but back then, it was real hands-on work.

There’s somethin’ special about holdin’ a physical copy of that book too. That big ol’ hardcover, it’s sturdy, feels like somethin’ worth keepin’ on the shelf. Not like them flimsy books you see nowadays. And the artwork? Oh, it’s like a trip down memory lane. You see them old G.I. Joe characters, the ones that made ya wanna run outside and play, right there on them pages. All them designs, they’re so colorful and full of life.

But there’s somethin’ else too, somethin’ that caught my attention. They talk about this piece of artwork by a fella named Doug Hart. It was a collage masterpiece he made back in 1990. Now, you’d think somethin’ like that woulda been a big deal, but it never got released in the US. Ain’t that somethin’? I can only imagine what it woulda looked like. Sounds like it was somethin’ real special, but we never got to see it over here. Ain’t that just the way sometimes?

So, if you’re one of them folks who collects G.I. Joe stuff or if ya just like lookin’ at the art behind it all, this book is for you. You’ll get to see the figures, the vehicles, and even them old-timey ads that used to run in the back of the comics. It’s a whole lotta history packed into them pages, and if you love G.I. Joe like I do, well, it’ll make ya feel like a kid again.

This book’s published by Locomotion Media Group, LLC, and they sure put a lotta work into it. Now, don’t go expectin’ somethin’ fancy, all high-tech and whatnot, but it’s a real nice tribute to them folks who made G.I. Joe what it is today. I reckon if you’re a fan of them old-school action figures or if you just want to see what all the fuss was about, you oughta grab yourself a copy. You won’t regret it.

Tags: G.I. Joe, Art of G.I. Joe, Collectibles, Action Figures, 80s Toys, 90s Toys, Comic Art, Robert Carson Mataxis, Doug Hart, Hardcover Books, Military Action Figures, Vintage Toys, Locomotion Media Group, G.I. Joe History