by Alan Rapp on September 22, 2018
in Comics
by Alan Rapp on September 6, 2018
in Comics
G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #255 concludes the “Special Missions” single issue tales featuring different G.I. JOE and Cobra agents. Things end on a melancholy note as the latest issue focus on Scarlett, and primarily her feelings for the lost Snake Eyes. While thinking back to better times and later telling tales to other JOEs, the comic offers flashbacks of Snake Eyes and Scarlett together including the events that scarred his face and the first time he put on his trademark costume.
The decision to show these flashbacks in a washed-out sepia style doesn’t do the art of Netho Diaz any favors, and it bizarrely also makes the other (far more mundane) scenes pop with more vibrant colors. It’s an odd choice.
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by Alan Rapp on August 8, 2018
in Comics
The focus of the latest “Special Mission” one-shot story turns its attention on Destro. We catch up to the weapons supplier in the middle of a sales pitch to a wealthy, but reluctant, prospective client. In a series of controlled tests, Destro showcases the inventions of M.A.R.S. Industries, but its not until an attack by the client’s enemies who rips through existing defenses and leaves only Destro between the man and certain death that the true salesmanship begins.
G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #254 offers another nice single-issue adventure which should please Destro fans. Although the Baroness does get a supporting role, Destro is the focus of the issue.
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by Alan Rapp on June 5, 2018
in Comics
G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #252 highlights the Baroness who leads a Cobra faction into the war-torn country of Darklonia to act as peace-keepers. Meeting a frightened young child and matching wits against a local sniper sends the Baroness’ thoughts back to her own childhood and meeting the man who would bestow her now famous moniker.
Although part of a larger arc, this issue of G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero stands completely on its own. David Messina’s art fits the character rather well, and its always interesting seeing a writer like Larry Hama delve into a villain’s backstory and attempt to show them in a less-harsh light than their current actions warrant.
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by Alan Rapp on March 1, 2018
in Comics
Okay, it’s been awhile since I’ve picked up an issue of G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero. So to catch-up: apparently Snake Eyes is dead, the JOEs have a new Snake Eyes on their team (which also includes Storm Shadow?!), and then there’s Dawn Moreno (a teenage athlete and Cobra recruit who Dr. Mindbinder gave all of the original Snake Eyes’ memories). Yeah, looks like I’ve missed a few things.
As the comic opens the Tokyo police are dealing with Dawn’s bloody swath through the Red Ninja temple leaving bodies and destruction in her wake. Meanwhile, our girl is inside the secret back room of the dojo in a fight with Firefly who, while initially overconfident, soon grows more than a little freaked out about warrior standing in front of him with knowledge no one living should have.
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The new four-part mini-series begins with Dawn Moreno‘s search for the missing Helix which will lead a small group of JOEs including Moreno, Alpine, Throwdown, Topredo, and Bombstrike to Trucial Abysmia, Borovia, and Scotland as the missing JOE has been keeping busy targeting human traffickers and leaving a path of bodies in her wake. 
