Command Files Vol2 GIJoe Character Guide: A Collector’s Dream in Print
- Sarah H.
- May 3
- 4 min read
Updated: 21 hours ago
If you’re a G.I. Joe fan, you know the thrill of decoding file cards, spotting obscure characters in the comics, or completing your action figure shelf. That’s why Command Files Vol2 GIJoe Character Guide feels like it was made for you. It’s not just a comic book. It’s a 180-page celebration of everything that makes G.I. Joe legendary — and it’s now live on Kickstarter.
This isn’t a general nostalgia piece. It’s the second half of a meticulously researched character encyclopedia created by die-hard fans Greg Agustin, Josh Eggebeen, and Roger Taft. Volume 1 focused on the main combat teams. Volume 2 turns the spotlight on the unsung heroes — the techs, the flyers, the analysts, and all those vital support elements that made the Joes unstoppable.

What Is the GIJoe Character Guide?
The GIJoe Character Guide is a print reference book filled with deep lore, artwork, and stats on over 130 characters. Every page is grounded in research drawn from comics, file cards, cartoons, and toy packaging. Each profile is built like a dossier, with ranks, specialties, and even Operator Proficiency Ratings.
This isn’t just a directory — it’s a full-color visual and textual celebration of the world’s greatest military fantasy team. From the first glance, it’s clear this was made by people who love the source material.
New Volume, New Focus
Spotlight on the Support Units
Volume 2 shifts attention from front-line fighters to the critical specialists. You’ll meet pilots, comms officers, engineers, mission planners, and field scientists. These aren’t side characters — they’re the backbone of the Joe universe.
Each unit is grouped by operational function: Air Operations, Armor Divisions, Research Units, Fireteams, Medical Support, Space Programs, and more.
Connecting Covers and Expanding Lore
If you backed Volume 1, you’re in for a treat. The new cover art by Mark Pennington connects with the previous volume’s wraparound design to form a full panoramic visual of the entire GIJoe command structure. Robert Atkins also contributes new illustrations, making this book a visual treasure as well as a deep reference.
Built for Fans, By Fans
From the Creators of After Action Report
The team behind this guide isn’t new to publishing. They’ve already created successful Kickstarter campaigns including the After Action Report comic indexes, the History of ARAH #21, and the first Command Files volume. Their attention to accuracy and presentation has made them trusted voices in the community.
Each stretch goal unlocked in this new campaign adds real value — things like a full G.I. Joe chain of command poster, special art prints, and maps.
Command Files Vol2 GIJoe Character Guide, Not Licensed, But Passionate
Though it’s not an official Hasbro product, the guide falls under fair use and is made with the care and knowledge that many licensed products simply don’t achieve. It’s clear the creators are not just compiling data — they’re preserving the legacy of a franchise that has shaped generations.
Who Is It For?
Collectors and Completionists
If you’re a collector, you know how rare it is to find a reference this precise. It’s ideal for organizing your collection, identifying variants, and appreciating character evolution over time.
RPG and Tabletop Gamers
The detailed profiles are also great for gaming. Use them to build character sheets, develop campaigns, or expand your game world with accurate stats and origin stories.
Newcomers to the Joe Universe
Even if you’re new to G.I. Joe, this guide serves as the ultimate crash course. You’ll get insight into the depth of the universe and understand how the characters and factions interact.
What’s Inside the GIJoe Character Guide?
Over 130 character profiles
Groupings by team and division
Rank, specialty, and Operator Proficiency Ratings
First appearances and comic references
Character birthplaces and codenames
Artwork by Robert Atkins and Mark Pennington
Interviews with toy designers like Ron Rudat
A full G.I. Joe chain of command map
Bonus section on IDW-exclusive characters
The layout is clean, the colors pop, and the quality is on par with any collector-grade print book.
Campaign Transparency and Delivery
The campaign on Kickstarter hit its goal in just six days. The creators have already completed 85% of the book, and printing will be handled by PrintNinja — a partner they’ve used for five successful publications already. Estimated delivery is October 2025, and there are no vague promises or stretched timelines.
Shipping will be handled through BackerKit, which means your order details are secure, and add-ons will be easy to manage after the campaign.
Why Back the Kickstarter Now?
This isn’t just a preorder. Backing the Kickstarter campaign means you’re part of the project’s success. You help unlock stretch goals, support independent creators, and get your hands on limited-edition extras not available in stores.
There’s also a loyalty factor. Returning backers from Volume 1 will find continuity, collectibility, and a sense of completing the full command file archive.
Early bird rewards include bundle discounts, signed prints, and exclusive covers. And every backer becomes part of a community that’s helping preserve the story of G.I. Joe in a way no digital database ever could.
A Legacy Worth Preserving
The GIJoe Character Guide is more than a book. It’s a tribute to a world that blended military realism with creative storytelling and bold character design. It reminds us why these figures mattered — why they sparked imagination, built friendships, and inspired generations of kids to become collectors, writers, and artists.
As G.I. Joe celebrates decades of impact, fan-made works like this one show how powerful a legacy can become when it’s shared and preserved with care.
This is a campaign that speaks directly to the heart of the fandom — and it delivers.
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