G.I. JOE

• Title: G.I. JOE: Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow #17
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Chuck Dixon
• Artist: Robert Atkins

Cobra and the Arashikage Clan have declared war on each other and now the new Cobra Commander has loosed Serpentor and his private army known as the Coil to strike in the name of Cobra and eradicate the ninja.

The Coil successful capture the Soft Master (although the comic suggests they may have bitten off more than they can chew with the devious and deadly old man), but Snake Eyes and a group of Arashikage ninja are able to prevent the same fate from befalling the Hard Master and his latest student, even if it means letting the ninja know the old man still lives.

With the war between Cobra and the Arashikage heating up, the choices Snake Eyes makes further blur the lines between right and wrong. Next month turns up the flames as Snake Eyes’ old G.I. JOE teammates, realizing their pal is alive and has gone back to the ninja who trained him, get into the action as well as the crossover “Target: Snake Eyes” begins. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

• Title: G.I. JOE: Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow #16
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Chuck Dixon
• Artist: Robert Atkins

“Serpents Shadow” concludes as Cobra Commander springs his trap on Storm Shadow and Rika. All Snake Eyes must do to let the Arashikage Clan fall is to do nothing, but that’s the one thing he simply can’t do. Springing into action Snake Eyes saves Rika, whether she wants him to or not. With Arashikage lost to him, the new Cobra Commander looks to fill the void by enlisting the aid of Serpentor and the Coil to be his new group of spies and assassins.

Although he makes it out alive, and with Storm Shadow, Rika is mortally wounded. Only in her final moments does she understand the kind of man her distrust wouldn’t allow her to see. But despite her last second change of heart, the plans she set in motion by uniting her son and the Soft Master (an old teacher and enemy of Snake Eyes) against the JOE.

Another strong issue full of action and flashbacks to Snake Eyes younger days with the clan. Although I’m a little sad to see Rika leave so soon, her death certainly puts several other story elements in play, meaning the next few months should be very interesting. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

• Title: G.I. JOE: Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow #15
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Chuck Dixon
• Artist: Robert Atkins

Despite her attempts to convince him otherwise Storm Shadow will not believe Rika that Snake Eyes will destroy the Arashikage Clan from within. And when Snake Eyes returns with news of the (apparent) death of Zartan the ninja once more feels at ease.

When Storm Shadow is contacted by the new Cobra Commander, who takes credit for Zartan’s death, it is one insult too many for the ninja. Storm Shadow and Rika agree to meet the Commander, but the meeting is actually a double-cross by both sides and Snake Eyes will have to make a decision on whether to save Storm Shadow or let Cobra destroy him.

Balanced against the ongoing story are more flashbacks to Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes days as children in the clan as we are reminded again that although he has all the necessary skill, Snake Eyes doesn’t have the right temperament for a ninja. And the issue gives us the first appearance of the Dreadnoks who find the wounded Zartan at the plane’s crash site. I can’t wait until next month! Worth a look.

[IDW $3.99]

• Title: G.I. JOE: Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow #14
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Chuck Dixon
• Artist: Robert Atkins

After Zartan survived the first attempt on his life, Storm Shadow sends Snake Eyes and Rika out to finish the job. That’s only half of Zartan’s problems, however, as his insolence has perturbed the new Cobra Commander enough to allow Savane to make a name for herself in Cobra by killing him as well.

With both the Arashikage Clan and Cobra out to kill him you wouldn’t expect Zartan’s life expectancy to be very long. However, for another issue the master of disguise manages to stay one step ahead of his persuers, although his getaway plane does have a bomb onboard.

We get another glimpse at Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow’s lives as young pupils of Arashikage as well Snake Eyes knocking out Rika and sending a coded message to Helix about Zartan. We’ll have to see how long the mute ninja can keep playing both sides before someone figures out what’s really going on. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]