IDW's GI Joe

http://panelsonpages.com/?p=16345

G.I. Joe: Origins #10

Larry Hama's writing skills have only gotten better. This is easily the best issue of the new "retelling" run of G.I. Joe. In terms of action, classic snarky dialogue and intense situations--this time being Borivian terrorists taking over the embassy--it's been a while since the Joe's were this interesting.

Now, of course, I'm not comparing this series to the bright surprise that was last year's Cobra. That was more a character study. As an overall Joe book, this single issue is a damn near-classic. We get all the elements, plus surprises, including a certain dark-cloaked individual doing what he does best.

While this issue deals with a hostile takeover, the seeds are sown in terms of leadership and chemistry. It's really the first time in the Origins series that characters interracted as fluidly as they did in the 80s and 90s, and it's the first time that leadership becomes an issue.

General Hawk becomes a memorable force rather than mere desk-jockey. His decisions prove imperitive to the outcome of the arc. After some solid, perhaps even mixed efforts, Origins finally evens up with Cobra in what becomes a highly memorable issue. Let's hope this continues.

4.5/5 Bags&Boards - Great

I really enjoyed the arc of GI Joe: Origins #8-10.

It'll be good if they keep Larry Hama around on the book.

This week has J.T. Krull. So far, I don't see one review online, nor a mention.

I'll stick to my method of buying only Hama-driven Origins books.

LOOSECANNON wrote:This week has J.T. Krull. So far, I don't see one review online, nor a mention.

I'll stick to my method of buying only Hama-driven Origins books.

http://panelsonpages.com/?p=17857

It's been up since TUESDAY!

oh! sorry...will check out

I'll go read ur Transformers one too while I'm at it.

Good to see ol' school fans of the cartoons/comics gathering interest in these great properties that'll never die.

....Okay...just read it...glad I didn't pick up Origins this week. Thanks for the review.

No prob. Yeah, this issue of Origins was... meh. It was nice to see Beach Head's backstory, sure, but...

GI Joe Cobra II #1 & #2

Loving the take on their versions of Croc Master and this new Alan Moore-inspired villain...pretty freaky. Just not sure about the whole Jinx-lookalike Chameleon or Erika or whoever she is...Antonio Fuso has been a godsend with art but it's agreed that he needs to develop his skill in drawing women, as the confusion isn't wholey necessary, despite it being a secret ops-inspired title. There are some great moments, such as the ongoing dissention between Tomax and Xamot...and Chuckles much needed humor in a failed "jailbreak" scene. Costa and Gage have made this guy the star...I just love how in the new episode of Burn Notice that Bruce Campbell's character is called "Chuckles." To put all asides aside, this has been an enjoyable albeit underwhelming second volume.

3.5/5 and 3/5 Bags&Boards, respectively

Chuckles? Really? I thought he was just Chuck Finley again.

As for the "new" villain, you do know Crystal Ball's been around, right? He just never looked like Alan Moore before this.

Mnemosis wrote:Chuckles? Really? I thought he was just Chuck Finley again.

As for the "new" villain, you do know Crystal Ball's been around, right? He just never looked like Alan Moore before this.

Simon called Sam Axe "Chuckles," which I thought--with the bad Hawaiian shirts and similiarites was just great. Where are you getting Chuck Finley from? (Oh, nevermind. I googled it and it was an alias Sam used in an earlier episode. I just started watching this show a few months ago. I'll just go and assume in my own little world the nick was referring to Chuckles from GI Joe )

And sorry, I never knew of any Crystal Ball...I've been buying the Classic run of Hama's GI Joe in trade but I'm stuck finishing up at #4 at the moment, I got 3 more to buy but they are hard to find.

Speaking of which, I need a Con soon, as I've practically run out of trades to read. Know of any in MA anytime soon? (other than the Boston one in April)

No, not sure of any cons coming up.

Crystal Ball was a minor character in the old days. The best spin they ever put on him was during the Devil's Due run, just prior to World War III

G.I. Joe: Cobra II #3

The II in the Cobra title is appropriate as the series' heir apparent to the original shifts focus from Chuckles to the likes of secret-ops Joes, Chameleon and Erika La Tene. To be honest, I’m unsure as to what Erika's role is right now; funny, I don’t think she has any clue either. And that’s what makes this series so much fun. The characters are constantly changing agendas, all working their own angles until they’re given the desired results. Chuckles has never been more serious about infiltrating terror; Chameleon’s unbridled determination channels the loyalty--and looks--of Jinx; Tomax and Xamot are seemingly at each other’s wits; Crystal Ball never slips his eyes off Ms. La Tene; and of course, Erika persistently battles her own nerves, though a bit of her ingenuity is finally slapped into this issue.

While Gage and Costa’s writing of revenge and retribution is the epicenter to all that is Cobra, Antonio Fuso’s art has slipped a bit in the series’ sequel. In fact, the penciling is right-out plain. However, as a secondary element to the comic’s script, the drawing is doing something correctly: erasing confusion. The Crimson Twins now sport differing haircuts; Erika has finally established herself as not-Baronness; and Crystal Ball reflects less Alan Moore and more the character reflected in the 'Real American Hero series. Much like my disdain for Don Figueroa’s backdrops and landscapes over at IDW’s Transformers ongoing, it’d be nice if more effort was placed on distinguishing the Cobra world. Entering such enigmatic territory should come off a more wondrous experience.

As G.I. Joe: Origins slips from Larry Hama’s grasp into the subservient hands of other guest writers, Cobra II easily takes the cake as best Joe book on the stands. It actually proves as a simpler, tighter espionage world if compared to that of Jonathan Hickman’s Secret Warriors (not that I'm saying it's better, just easier to follow). Although Cobra II might come off at times a slow drag—a signature IDW trait—the pay off appears to be looming next issue. For now, the set-up and plot mechanics are as fined-tuned as they come.

3.5/5 Killer Croc's

G.I. Joe: Cobra II #4

Excellent finish to another amazing arc from the writing team of Costa and Gage. While a certain supervillain is teased both on the variant cover and on the final page reveal, this issue was more about Chameleon and her failed conquest in "capturing" Chuckles from immenent death. Her emotional outburst on Lt. Hawk along with Erika La Tene's harsh interrogation are the sort of moments that seperate Cobra from the Joe titles. And yet again, Fuso's art is both solid and strange all in one, but it's improved enough this issue to send the book off into the promiseland.

Not yet.

Cobra II will now become simply Cobra, as well as annointed an ongoing, with upcoming issues focusing on Serpentor before Cobra Commander reenters center stage in 6 months. Yes.

3.5/5 Modified Cobra Glass Masks - Very good.

and...


G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #155 1/2

I can't imagine another free comic being better than this one. Larry Hama continues 15-plus years later from his Classic run on Joe with A Real American Hero #155 1/2. There's nothing "half" about the issue, as Cobra Commander's dreams of invading U.S. governing soil come to fruition. Lots of awesome villains, bad ass ninjas, high-octane action, classic quips and bantering, and amazing art. As much as I have adorned Cobra, I can't lie about being more intrigued for this. Besides, it's Larry Hama...doing what he does best. All with the classic characters we grew up with in their original personalities, tendencies and appearances. I'm stoked.

4/5 Free Comic Books - Haven't read Dr. Solar or War of the Supermen yet, and it's still easy to declare this the gem of Saturday.

G.I. Joe: Cobra #5

Notice the II missing? Don't understand that one bit as there was already another Cobra #5...

Fuso's art is aptly copycatted but never duplicated. There's nothing in this book that would make someone rush out and pick it up on the pencils alone. Again, the writing's cool; the whole Cult thing ties into the classic Serpentor story with an updated Scientology Hollywood twist.

I don't remember Scoop and I've read most of the original run--anyone got the, well, um, you know, scoop? If I was a first time reader of Cobra, buying this based on its most boastful high regards, I would not be impressed. And as a Cobra Joe vet, it was standard enough. But I've got faith.

2.5/5

Scoop was in the cartoon (debuted in DiC's Operation Dragon Fire), and I think popped up a few times in the old comic (maybe). He was a video-journalist who was, like, a quadruple agent. It was bizarre. This is a much better origin for him, but the whole Cobra La cult thing could be a total disaster...

anyone following A Real American Hero?

Ugh.

Mnemosis wrote:Ugh.

RIP GI JOE forum.

what's going on?

Hey guys....
Some good stuff going on in this thread.

Listen, I am the content editor for one of the major Joe fansites and I am looking for someone to write reviews of Joe comics.

If you think you might be up to the task, shoot me a message and we'll talk.

Thanks.

And, that said.....
Just read the issue of ARAH that came out yesterday... It seemed really sloppy.

Josh, did you know that Chris Gage is from the Worcester area?

Yeah... Hama's work on ARAH has driven me running from the title at full tilt. I reiterate... UGH.

I guess I'm just buying it for the characters and reminscence. lol

LOOSECANNON wrote:I guess I'm just buying it for the characters and reminscence. lol

I am still getting it, because I am hoping that it will get better.... but that whole first story line was SO stupid.
It's like it wasn't plotted at all.

Hawk starts out in the Pentagon... then goes on some kind of rampage only to get to another office in the Pentagon so that he can make a call re-instating the Joe team.... with evidence that the team has gathered from the Cobra Castle. And the evidence they get is that Cobra is actually involved with Cobra!

The Hiss Tanks and Cobra uniforms were not enough of a clue?

And the plan for the Joes was to rendezvous at Cobra Castle and then have Mainframe steal some data.
Which he just got from a cable in the hallway!

Maybe they should have asked him how close to the castle he actually needed to get in order to get that data.

Also, what's with all the Mass Joe fans?