G.I. JOE

G.I. JOE #13

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G.I. JOE #13As with the last issue, G.I. JOE #13 continues the forced pairing of the Baroness with Cobra’s newest asset Siren who has a talent for spinning a tale to fit a particular time and situation allowing Cobra to boast about the ancient organization’s shrouded history with everyone from Somali Pirates to the Yakuza.

As with G.I. JOE #12, Along with Alex Cal doing the art for Siren and the Baroness’ movements in the present the various tales the Siren spins are each presented by a different artist which continues to give the comic the feel of an anthology not dissimilar to Dynamite Entertainment’s current Legends of Red Sonja comic, and the last of which teaches the Baroness a valuable lesson about being careful what you ask for.

How much truth each of the Siren’s stories actually contains is kept purposefully vague, but its obvious the woman has a gift that Cobra has no intention of giving up anytime soon as she learns a valuable lesson as well when Cobra finds the perfect pressure point to force Siren to continue her work. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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G.I. JOE: Special Missions #11

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G.I. JOE: Special Missions #11The search for Destro continues as Scarlett and her team continue to shadow Copperback hoping the former Cobra agent will lead them straight to the weapon designer’s new base of operations.

Most of G.I. JOE: Special Missions #11 focuses on the Special Missions team keeping Copperhead under surveillance while doing their own research to Destro’s location (which turns out to be a good thing when Copperhead gives Scarlett and the JOEs the slip in an international airport).

Along with a few panels of Destro’s latest B.A.T. testing involving a promising but questionable new subject, the comic also ends with Scarlett calling in a little help once the JOEs locate the weaponer’s likely home.

The introduction of Helix, and the possibility of seeing the still MIA Snake Eyes‘s two lady friends attempt to work together despite their history, adds a nice wrinkle to the storyline as the search for Destro continues. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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G.I. JOE #12

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G.I. JOE #12G.I. JOE begins a new arc with the introduction of Cobra’s latest agent, Siren. Allowing for a story that offers a chance for multiple artists to try their hand at the adventures of previous Cobra Commanders over the terrorist organization’s long history, writer Paul Allor introduces a character who uses storytelling and the spoken word to reshape and control the thoughts of her enemies.

Because the focus is all on Cobra and so much of the story is flashbacks to tales Siren offers various targets the Baroness (who doesn’t understand what Siren does or why Cobra Commander shows faith in her) puts in front of her, G.I. JOE #12 is very different than any other issue of the series.

Focused on telling the legendary and bloody history of former Cobra Commanders, the latest issue fills in readers to just how long Cobra has been operating. It also reminds us that not all of Cobra’s attacks come with a H.I.S.S. Tank, M.A.S.S. Device, or a gun. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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G.I. JOE: The Cobra Files #9

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G.I. JOE: The Cobra Files #9G.I. JOE: The Cobra Files comes to a close with a very talky final issue. Tomax, in the role of Bond villain, is given most of the issue to strut and share his genius with Chameleon. However, unlike Bond films, in this issue (and the series overall) the villain really does win.

As Tomax remarks, I’m not sure where the end of the comic leaves Chameleon who would be seen as untrustworthy (at best) by both Cobra and G.I. JOE following her defection to the JOEs and her unintentional role in the destruction of Flint‘s team.

Although we know Flint, Tomax, Chameleon (and possibly Lady Jaye) all make it out before the JOEs base is reduced to rubble the final fate of the rest of the team is far less certain, including the computer expert Clockspring whose development much of the series centered around. It’s not a great final issue, but it does wrap-up the major storyline and leave the door open to new possibilities for all of these characters (at least the ones who aren’t buried under tons of rubble). For fans.

[IDW, $3.99]

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G.I. JOE #11

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G.I. JOE #11Rather than move forward to immediately deal with the fallout from the “Threat Matrix” story arc, the latest issue of G.I. JOE takes a look back at the circumstances behind how Roadblock became a member of the team. The issue begins with the Roadblock dealing with the apparent death of his cousin (terrifically portrayed by artist Steve Kurth).

Despite being told Heavy Duty died on a top secret operation, the soldier begins to suspect his cousin may still be alive which leads him to hunt down an IP address, break into a secret military facility, and headbutt Snake Eyes (an awesome sight that does not go unnoticed by Scarlett). His ingenuity and toughness not only lead him to find his missing cousin but get recruited to join Heavy Duty as a member of the JOEs. Worth a look.

Giving us a look at the origins of not one but two JOEs (and a cameo from Snake Eyes) G.I. JOE #11 is a very good single issue break from the title’s ongoing storylines. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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