G.I. JOE

• Title: G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #252
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Larry Hama
• Artist: David Messina

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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• Title: G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #249
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Larry Hama
• Artist: Netho Diaz

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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• Title: G.I. JOE #1
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Aubrey Sitterson
• Artist: Giannis Milonogiannis

After reading a couple of pages of this comic the only thought running through my head was “What the hell is going on?” IDW launches a new series featuring the several familiar faces of G.I. JOE in a world that’s certainly less familiar. No longer strictly an American military organization, the JOEs now serve the world at large, taking on trouble all over the world. And in this first issue that includes Roboninjas. That’s right, I said Roboninjas.

Oh, and do you Transformers fans remember the Decepticon Skywarp? He’s now a member of G.I. JOE. No, seriously. I swear I’m not making this up.

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• Title: G.I. JOE: Snake Eyes: Agent of Cobra #3 (of 5)
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Mike Costa
• Artist: Paolo Villainelli

Most of G.I. JOE: Snake Eyes: Agent of Cobra #3 isn’t spent with Snake Eyes, although we do get some of Chameleon feeding the former JOE intelligence to help his search, but instead the story is mainly focused on his target: the former Cobra Commander’s son. We get a long look at Billy’s life off the grid in Thailand with Ronin his only friend and protector.

Along with a look at Billy‘s nomadic current lifestyle G.I. JOE: Snake Eyes: Agent of Cobra #3 also gives readers a glimpse of his life as Cobra Commander’s son. The only big action scene takes place during one of these flashbacks showing us why Billy has turned his back on the life he was born into.

Although lighter on action than last month’s issue, after Billy steps in to commit a foolishly heroic action things go from bad to worse as both assassins and the Arashikage Clan send men after him setting up what you would assume would be an action-heavy fourth issue. And of course we still have a Snake Eyes/Storm Shadow confrontation to come before the series concludes. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

• Title: G.I. JOE: Snake Eyes: Agent of Cobra #1 (of 5)
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Mike Costa
• Artist: Paolo Villainelli

Not seen nor heard from in two years since his fall from grace with G.I. JOE and his apparent death at the hands of Storm Shadow way back in Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow #20 Snake Eyes finally returns. IDW relaunched (and eventually cancelled) an entire slate of G.I. JOE titles (including some issues written by Mike Costa) without one of the franchise’s favorite characters over the past couple of years so I’m excited to see the character finally be brought back into play, although I never expected it to be as an agent for Cobra.

The comic itself is vague about how long Snake Eyes has been missing or how long it has been since he signed on with Cobra. What is clear is his current mission which includes rescuing Destro from custody. The mini-series is set to run for five-issues suggesting that Snake Eyes’ time with Destro and Cobra may be limited (and one has to ask is that even Snake Eyes under the mask?). The promise of Storm Shadow’s appearance in the series and yet another confrontation between the two should answer several questions about Snake Eyes’ short and long term future. But for now we can just be happy he’s back in action once more. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]