Thank You For Your Service, Military Comic Recs

Even though this day is called “National Hug a G.I. Day”, the term G.I. covers not just the armed forces, but actually, all our military forces. Jarheads, Wingnuts, Squids, Coasties, and so many more. Today we celebrate their sacrifices and strengths in a bit more intimate way, with a hug or and shake. BUT don’t feel like you have to actually do that. I will not because I’m not that kind of touchy person, plus, who knows what’s up with that pesky virus going around. So instead, how about we read some related comics, talk about our favorite people, or share our favorite stories in relation to this day!

I’ll start us off with a few of my very bias favorite military themed comics below.

 

“SILENT INTERLUDE” G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #21

Likely the most famous single issue of G.I. Joe, Larry Hama wrote and did art breakdowns (with finishes by Steve Leialoha) for this story of Snake-Eyes breaking into a Cobra compound to rescue a captured Scarlett. Storm Shadow knows what is going on, so there is a major battle between the two. The famous part of the issue, of course, is that it is told without dialogue.

 

BEETLE BAILEY

Beetle Bailey is an American comic strip created by cartoonist Mort Walker, published since September 4, 1950. It is set on a fictional United States Army post. In the years just before Walker’s death in 2018 (at age 94), it was among the oldest comic strips still being produced by its original creator.

 

THE WAR THAT TIME FORGOT

Another long-running series in “Star-Spangled War Stories,” spanning from 1960 to 1968. It had a simple, cool premise: the U.S. Army against dinosaurs! Mostly a series of one-off tales, the common element was that all stories took place on a mysterious, unnamed island in the South Pacific and that somehow, soldiers, sailors or pilots found themselves there, in battle for their lives against vicious beasts. 

 

THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

Created by the legendary Joe Kubert, The Unknown Soldier follows a hideously scarred soldier who expertly assumes different identities through various World War II espionage missions in the European and Asian theatres. The never-named Unknown Soldier’s earliest missions, while entertaining, are standard military-comics fare. The stories are littered with historical events – including a stint impersonating Adolf Hitler.

 

So there we have it! How will you be celebrating? What will you be reading? What are your favorite related stories or comics? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll catch you next time, same Nerd-time, same Nerd-channel.

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