G.I. Joe, a Real American Hero #37
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #37 (titled 'Twin Brothers,' cover-dated July 1985) is the single most character-dense debut issue in the entire Marvel run of the series: it introduces four figures who would become central to the franchise for decades — Flint (Dashiell R. Faireborn) and Footloose on the Joe side, and the Crimson Twins Tomax and Xamot on Cobra's. Flint in particular quickly grew into one of the most prominent Joes, and his combative first meeting with Lady Jaye in this issue plants the seed for the most significant romantic pairing in the book's long run. The issue also marks the debut of the Armadillo mini-tank and the Cobra Ferret ATV, vehicles tied directly to the 1985 Hasbro toy wave — a textbook example of how Larry Hama wove the toy-launch calendar into organic storytelling. Published at the peak of the series' commercial momentum (Marvel's top subscription title that year), #37 crystallized the book's formula of ensemble action, character-driven soap opera, and Cobra's dual identity as both terrorist organization and corporate front.
In "Twin Brothers," Gung-Ho, Ripcord, and Blowtorch find themselves in a tense standoff with the Crimson Guard and their enigmatic leaders, Tomax and Xamot, during a mission to deliver balloons to the Arbco Brothers Circus—where newly introduced Joes Flint and Footloose get their first taste of field ops. The mission takes a surprising turn when the twins escape and Ripcord’s relationship with Candy takes an unexpected hit. Written by Larry Hama and illustrated by Frank Springer, with inks by Andy Mushynsky and colors by George Roussos, this 1985 issue features a cover by Mike Zeck and John Beatty.
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸History
The issue was written by Larry Hama, with interior art by penciler Frank Springer and inker Andy Mushynsky, and a cover painted by the series' regular cover artist Mike Zeck with inks by John Beatty. It was edited by Dennis O'Neil and Don Daley under editor-in-chief Jim Shooter. The on-sale date was April 9, 1985, with a July 1985 cover date — standard Marvel lead-time of the era. The issue received a second printing (identifiable by a printing notice in the indicia), unusual for a non-event Marvel title of the period and a testament to the series' strong sell-through. IDW later included issue #37 within the digest reprints that collected the first 37 issues of the main series in the G.I. Joe Comic Magazine format.
Trivia · 8 facts
- First comic book appearance of Flint (Dashiell R. Faireborn), who went on to become one of the team's most prominent leaders and a recurring romantic lead opposite Lady Jaye.
- First comic book appearance of Footloose (Andrew D. Meyers), a Joe who debuted in the 1985 Hasbro toy wave.
- First comic book appearance of Tomax and Xamot (the Crimson Twins / Crimson Guard Commanders), Corsican mercenary twin brothers who serve as both Cobra field operatives and the corporate face of Cobra through their company Extensive Enterprises; their shared empathic 'Corsican Syndrome' pain-link is central to the issue's plot.
- First appearance of the Armadillo mini-tank (Joe) and the Cobra Ferret ATV — vehicles introduced in the 1985 Hasbro toy wave, consistent with Hama's practice of debuting new toys in the comic.
- Story title is 'Twin Brothers!'; written by Larry Hama, penciled by Frank Springer, inked by Andy Mushynsky, cover by Mike Zeck and John Beatty.
- The issue establishes the first (antagonistic) meeting between Flint and Lady Jaye — the starting point of their long-running relationship arc.
- Received a second printing (noted in the indicia), making it one of the few Marvel G.I. Joe single issues to warrant one.
- Reprinted in the UK as Action Force #31 and #32 (Marvel UK), with the script relettered and altered to fit the British continuity — most notably changing Footloose's name to 'Longslide' and reframing Flint's introduction so he and Lady Jaye are depicted as visiting the US team rather than debuting stateside.
Cast · 40 characters
Full credits
Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers
▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers
Three Joes (Gung-Ho, Ripcord, Blowtorch) run into the Crimson Guard, and their leaders, Tomax and Xamot, while delivering balloons to the Arbco (Cobra anagram) Brothers Circus with Candy (Bongo), as new members Flint and Footloose are introduced to the Joes. The twins escape, and Candy breaks up with Ripcord.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).