I pre-ordered this item back in April along with another item from amazon, essentially to get the free shipping option.

After getting a notice a few weeks ago it was shipping early, I finally received the package yesterday.

I was expecting a book that covered the cartoon, with episode synopsis and some character models and pics. I planned to use this book along with another one to sit down and watch the cartoon from start to finish, because I hadn't had the chance to watch the cartoon when it first aired. Here in Central NY, the only channel that carried the show was Channel 11 out of NYC and at home I only received 3 (NBC), 5 (CBS), and 9 (ABC). Unless I went to a friends' house, I never saw it.

Over the years I've picked up various video tapes and the DVDs included in the figure sets. I'd seen the cartoon movie and the few mini-series.

I starting thumbing through the book and literally felt weak at the knees.

What I found inside blew me away. The book is nothing but character models and vehicle models from practically every one that appeared in the cartoon, including obscure ones.

I'm looking through it and thinking how awesome the artwork and how this book is now gonna be my go to book for a lot of custom ideas.

http://amzn.com/1613773501

Follow the link and then click on the "Search inside the book" option. Scroll down the page to see about 10 interior pages.

Right now it is $10.74 on amazon.

This book has so much potential it is gonna be a must have item. Collectors, and more importantly, customizers will spend hours looking through it and jumping at the bit to make customs.

Hopefully if there is enough interest, there will be a part two that continues with the later seasons of the cartoon.

I *HIGHLY* recommend getting this book. At $11, it is priced to move.

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"Relive your favorite memories of the classic G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero cartoon with the G.I. Joe Field Manual Volume 1, an amazing archive of beautiful animation models. From Roadblock to Zartan, the Skystriker to the H.I.S.S. Tank, the Weather Dominator to the U.S.S. Flagg - all of your favorite characters, vehicles, and world-conquering devices are present in this amazing volume. Thrill to never-before-published production artwork and behind-the-scenes designs that made the classic 80's Joe cartoon so memorable. With over a thousand images from the first sixty five episodes of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, and a new foreword from lead designer and comic book legend Russ Heath, you won't want to miss out on the G.I. Joe Field Manual Volume 1."

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It is pretty nice. I am hoping vol. 2 or another volume tells the stories behind the scenes of the cartoon. Most of that info is out there on the net, but it would be neat to have it in book form.

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I hate my copy, since I waited for it for months and then someone in the post office kicked it. But once the replacement comes through we're good.

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Is it entirely black and white/line art only? Or are there in color character models?

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Black and white only.

Perfect for scanning/copying and then coloring to try out paint apps.

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Just flipped through the whole thing. Love it. Thanks for recommending it.

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