CATALOG RECORD

G.I. Joe, A Real American Hero #26

Marvel · Series began 1982 · August 1984

first appearance of Soft Master and Hard Master

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WHY COLLECTORS WANT IT

Soft Master (G.I. Joe) — introduction, also in flashback
Hard Master (G.I. Joe) — introduction

Dates

Cover date: August 1984
On sale: April 17, 1984
Pages: 36

Editions and covers (4)

Copies of #26 are not all the same book. Here is how to tell each one apart.

Direct edition60¢ cover

Direct

No UPC barcode in the corner box: direct editions show artwork, a logo or a blank box there.
Source ↗
Newsstand edition60¢ cover

Newsstand

A UPC barcode in the cover's corner box.

Barcode 0714860206408 · shared with another edition
This edition’s page
2nd printing

Second Print

Marked as a later printing on the cover or in the indicia.
This edition’s page
Canadian price edition0.75 CAD cover

Canadian

Printed cover price 0.75 CAD.

Barcode 0714860206408 · shared with another edition
This edition’s page

Creators

pencils: Mike Zeck, Steve Leialoha, Larry Hama, June Brigman, John Byrneinks: Bob Wiacek, Steve Leialoha, John Romita, John Byrnescript: Larry Hama, Jim Shootercolors: George Roussosletters: Rick Parker

Stories

Snake-Eyes: The Origin · 22 pages
The origins of Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow, and their connection, is revealed. In the Everglades, the hunters become the hunted as Junkyard appears to lead Cobra right to the Joes, but actually leads them into quicksand.

Characters

Snake-EyesShana O'HaraScarlettCobra CommanderClayton M. AbernathyHawkLonzo R. WilkinsonStalkerBaronessDestroAnastasia CisarovnaThomas S. ArashikageStorm ShadowZartanJames McCullen Destro XXIVFireflyEdward W. LeialohaTorpedoMuttStanley R. PerlmutterTormod S. SkoogTripwireWild WeaselJunkyardSoft MasterHard Master

Reprinted in

Action Force (1987), G.I. Joe Comics Magazine (1986), G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero [Action Figure 3-Pack Reprint Series] (2005), G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero: Snake Eyes: The Origin (2020), G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Compendium (2024), G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Kickstarter Compendium (2024)