Bongo the Balloon Bear

Few characters can claim a balloon bear as their comics identity, but Bongo the Balloon Bear has been doing exactly that since Larry Hama and Frank Springer introduced him in the pages of G.I. Joe, a Real American Hero #33 back in 1985 — a Bronze Age debut in one of Marvel's most beloved action series. Over nearly four decades of publication, Bongo has popped up across multiple G.I. Joe titles, sharing adventures alongside heavy hitters like Snake-Eyes, Roadblock, and Ripcord, which speaks to the rich, character-packed world Hama built around every corner of that universe. With a key-issue appearance on the collector radar and a surprisingly enduring presence stretching all the way to 2024, Bongo is a delightful curio for the dedicated G.I. Joe archivist — proof that even the most unexpected figures can leave a lasting mark on a legendary franchise.