Larry Hama returns to G.I. Joe fold in June

By Patrick Luce Apr 5, 2006, 15:15 GMT

This June, Devil’s Due launches the G.I. Joe franchise into the stratosphere with G.I. Joe: Declassified #1 (of 3) (Cover A - APR063088 E, Cover B - APR063089 E), and the writer that started it all, Larry Hama (G.I. JOE, Wolverine), returns to the fold.

Hama returns to tell the unbelievable story of how the G.I. Joe team became the elite fighting force that they are today, in an all-new three issue limited series from DDP. 

“Fans have always wondered exactly how G.I. Joe became the Cobra-smacking, force of nature it is,” said Sam Wells, DDP Assistant Publisher and G.I. Joe enthusiast. “Who were they before they were G.I. Joes? When did romances and hatreds begin? Now, after nearly 20 years of waiting, fans are finally getting the chance to find out, and I can’t wait.”

In the vein of the popular Snake-Eyes: Declassified limited series, get the untold stories of the very beginning of the G.I. JOE saga in the 48pg, three issue, bi-monthly series illustrated by up and coming artist Pat Quinn, with a cover by Francis Manapul (Witchblade, Tomb Raider, Necromancer).

“The years before G.I. Joe #1 is a period of G.I. Joe story we have yet to really tap,” said DDP Editor Mike O’Sullivan. “I’m excited that we’re finally getting the chance to have the man who started it all tell this story, and I think fans will be pleasantly surprised. It won’t happen quite like everyone thinks it will.”

In the face of growing threats to freedom, the U.S. creates an elite team of soldiers to become a daring new anti-terrorist force: G.I. Joe! The recruitment of the original 13 agents and the missions that happened before G.I.JOE #1 are finally revealed! Also, a deadly anger brews in the heart of a frustrated used car salesman… Cobra is coming… Three issues of classic military action written by the man who started the whole saga!  

This is where all the death-defying action and military adventure you’ve come to know and love began. Featuring: HAWK! STALKER! SCARLETT! SNAKE-EYES! BREAKER! ROCK N’ROLL! GRUNT! STEELER! CLUTCH! GRAND SLAM! SHORT-FUSE! FLASH! and ZAP! like you’ve never seen them before. Watch as they struggle, for the first time, against the forces of terror that threaten their nation. 

At the end of the series, all three cover A's will connect for one large image; and card stock vintage cover B's by Tim Seeley. The Cover A version will run $4.95, and the Card Stock Cover B version will be $8.95.

G.I. Joe is under license from the Hasbro Properties Group, the intellectual property development arm of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS). Visit Devil’s Due for more information on this and other available titles.