G.I. Joe, a Real American Hero #2
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #2 marks the first appearance of Kwinn, the morally complex Inuit mercenary who would become one of the most beloved supporting characters in the entire Marvel run — a rare antagonist defined by a personal code of honor rather than ideology. The issue also delivers the earliest sustained spotlight on Snake-Eyes, establishing the silent commando's tactical brilliance and hinting for the first time at his facial disfigurement, seeding a mystery that Hama would pay off across hundreds of subsequent issues. Coming just one issue into the series, it demonstrated that Hama intended to build a cast of richly drawn characters well beyond the Joe team itself — a storytelling ambition that set the book apart from every other licensed toy comic of its era.
In "Panic at the North Pole!", a small G.I. Joe team is dispatched to a remote Arctic research base after all contact goes silent, only to encounter Kwinn, an Eskimo working for the Russians, who’s in possession of a mysterious device with unsettling effects on the mind. Written by Larry Hama and illustrated by Don Perlin, with Jack Abel handling inks and Bob Sharen on colors, this 1982 Marvel classic blends Cold War tension with sci-fi intrigue, all wrapped in a striking cover by Herb Trimpe and Jack Abel.
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Written by Larry Hama and illustrated by Don Perlin (pencils) and Jack Abel (inks), with a cover by Herb Trimpe and Jack Abel, the issue was edited under Marvel's then Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter — with Tom DeFalco credited as series editor. Hama had come to the G.I. Joe assignment after every other Marvel writer had passed on it, adapting his previously pitched 'Fury Force' concept — a Nick Fury spin-off about elite commandos — into the framework Hasbro needed for its new 3.75-inch toy line. The book's early demand outpaced its initial print run, and second printings were eventually produced for most issues between #2 and #63.
Trivia · 8 facts
- First appearance of Kwinn, a tracker and mercenary of Inuit descent, who becomes a recurring and morally nuanced character throughout the early Marvel run.
- The story, titled 'Panic at the North Pole!', is widely noted as the first issue to feature Snake-Eyes in a prominent, action-driving role.
- This issue contains the first in-series indication that Snake-Eyes has some form of facial disfigurement — a plot thread that would become central to the character's mythology.
- Written by Larry Hama with interior art by Don Perlin (pencils) and Jack Abel (inks); cover art by Herb Trimpe and Jack Abel; Tom DeFalco served as editor under Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter.
- Second printings were produced for most issues from #2 through #63, reflecting strong reader demand in the early run.
- 'Panic at the North Pole!' was reprinted in G.I. Joe Digest #2, Tales of G.I. Joe #2, and the G.I. Joe Vol. 1 trade paperback.
- In 2004, Hasbro released a Comic Pack containing a reprint of this issue along with Snake-Eyes, Scarlett, and Tracker Kwinn action figures.
- Don Perlin, who penciled the issue, is credited as co-creator of Kwinn alongside Larry Hama; Perlin went on to co-create other major Marvel characters including Moon Knight and Bloodshot.
Cast · 24 characters
Full credits
Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers
▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers
A small Joe team is sent to an Arctic scientific base at the North Pole to find out why all communication has been lost and run across an Eskimo named Kwinn working for the Russians, who has recovered a device which affects the brain.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).