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And so, they day after the worst crisis my country has ever witnessed, I go to the comic shop and pick up my new copy of G.I. Joe #1. Sure, I have a subscription through gijoecomic.com, but today I felt the need to dive into my wonderful imaginary world and witness the universe as I like to see it. Sure, there is evil, but there will always be good there to battle it, and good always wins. The whole world will witness in this case as well, that no matter what landmarks the terrorists may destroy, here as in all cases, the "good guys" will win. But are you reading this to read my pander? My opinions and views thrust upon you as if you have no choice. Well, if you’re in the "profiles section", I guess that is exactly why you’re here. Perhaps I should cover a more desirable topic… |
 The cover to G.I. Joe #1! |
 The "Splash Page" of the new G.I. Joe comic, featuring an EXCELLENT pic of the saluting Snake Eyes with a cool Joe Polaroid hanging from the locker. |
Now, I really thought I would be more excited when I remembered that the comic hit stands today. I remembered that I had a subscription to it through G.I.JoeComics.com but suddenly, the thought of it sitting on a shelf and me NOT reading it was a scary idea. So, my lunch hour arrived and I took the trip to my friends comic shop to give him some much deserved business. As usual, I left with more than I intended, trying to catch up the quite excellent Ultimate Spider-Man comic, the first super hero book I’ve read in several years. At any rate, once I actually SAW the book on the shelves, my excitement rose considerably. The feeling of actually SEEING it there was incredible. Absolute joy for a brief few moments in time when I thought such emotion wasn’t possible. They were back! The cover, though I’ve seen it SO many times, was quite impactful, and I immediately fell in love, devouring the pages furiously. |
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I have to say, I loved it all. Some of the crucial, important parts I had seen on the ‘net weeks ahead of time, but it really didn’t matter. In the context of the book with color and words to go along with it, it really took on a whole new look to me. Let’s start with the most important part, the story. First of all, I’ll say it right off, poor Josh Blaylock has some BIG shoes to fill. Larry Hama was and always will be G.I. Joe to me, and try as he might, Mr. Blaylock will not be able to meet up to 12 years worth of Hama brilliance. No, Issue One is NOT a Hama-like performance. However, it does hold it’s own in today’s marketplace. And it definitely beats some of the older Joe issues I’ve read with guest-writers single-handedly butchering characters that Larry Hama spent a decade developing. Blaylock holds his own, and does a good job with what he has to work with. Some things ARE a little forced, I must say, but a #1 issue, with an introduction seven years in the making can’t help but seem somewhat forced to fit in everything that fans have been waiting nearly a decade for. Overall, I was pleased with the story, all of the characters remained faithful to their original incarnations and there were some quite humerous attempts that faithful Joe fans will find quite entertaining. Let’s just say it’s safe to say that we probably won’t be seeing Bazooka in action any time soon… :^) |
 Duke shows the fellow Joes exactly why they’re being reassigned |
 Lots of familiar faces in the Cobra hierarchy, but who's the guy in the red sunglasses?!? |
So, do you want specifics? Well, if you’re reading this far, I might as well spill the whole deal. The book starts off with the familiar scene of the ninja in the swamps. Ends up he is taking surveillance pictures of the Dreadnoks secret compound in the Florida Everglades. He escapes amidst a Dreadnok meeting, leaving a crocodile corpse and heading to the High Sierras. As soon as I saw that he was heading to a cabin in the High Sierras, I knew exactly who the mysterious bald ninja master was. My suspicions were soon confirmed when the ninja called him the "Silent Master". Indeed, the bald ninja master is our very own Snake Eyes, who takes the spy pictures and goes into a secret basement communications room to contact Duke. Duke reveals that he and Snakes have been in cahoots throughout the years, neither one really retiring from active service. Next, we are in the briefing room. Duke is standing before the Joes, briefing them on the Cobra situation. Gathered there are Flint, Scarlett, Roadblock, Shipwreck, and Snakes. They all volunteer for the mission and are dismissed, but not before Snake Eyes and Scarlett confront each other, resulting in a slap across the Joe’s face. |
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The scene changes to the Dreadnok compound, which is now covered by Cobra higher-ups, there for an important meeting of some sort. Tomax, Xamot, Mindbender, Bludd, Zartan, and The Baroness are gathered there, with the Commander revealing his latest plan. Just as he is showing off his newly developed "nanomachine" weapons, the immortal weapons supplier, Destro shows up! A few course words, and he sits down, restlessly listening to the Commander’s speech. |
 Scarlett shows her appreciation for seeing old Snake Eyes again |
 A cool, modern rendition of the venerable Cobra Trooper! |
The next scene is of a family playing basketball. Seems ordinary enough, only the phone rings and the father grabs the call. It’s Stalker, and he’s been called to duty! The rest of the page goes through a group of other Joes, answering their phones, being called to duty, happy to serve. The list is Gung Ho, Wild Bill, Lady Jaye, Dusty, Mainframe, Rock N Roll, Jinx, and Spirit. There is one other Joe called to duty, but it doesn’t seem like he’s ready to serve…I’ll let the joke hit you! :^> |
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Now, we see the Joes gathered together as a group. Duke and Hawk stand before them in plain drill instructor fashion, shouting at them and telling them that the Joes are the "best of the best". Hawk pauses in front of the young ninja who helped Snake Eyes earlier in the issue, berading him and saying : "I thought I made it clear that I won’t repeat the ‘Ninja Force’ recruitments the upper brass passed in the 90’s." Just one example of little touches of humor that I think we’ll see sprinkled throughout this comic during it’s run. However, Duke does tell Hawk that the newcomer is Kamakura and that he works for his "current department". Hawk lets it slide and we get a little insight to a new member of the Joe team. Time quickly shifts and we are back in the Dreadnok compound, looking in at the meeting still going on. Destro is not impressed with the Commander’s current plans and isn’t afraid to let him know. The showdown is short and swift, and Destro relents, sitting back down and letting Cobra Commander keep the floor. Back in Washington, DC at a small restaurant and bar, three of the Joes meet up to catch up on old times. Flint, Roadblock, and Shipwreck reminisce about Flint and Lady Jaye’s wedding, and reveal to the reader reasons why Scarlett and Snake Eyes seem at odds. Apparently Snake Eyes left her at the alter, unable to accept that he could have a good life, and has become even more reclusive than ever. An interesting twist to the Snake Eyes character, and a good way to keep him as the strong, silent, "loner" type. I like this move. |
 The call goes out, and the Joes respond! |
 Introducing: Kamakura! |
Next, we are back in the Dreadnok complex as Cobra Commander appears ready to retire for the night. He is accompanied by two females of apparent ill repute, ready to do God knows what. But suddenly, one of the girls, now identified as "Lillian" lashes out! She kicks Cobra Commander where the sun don’t shine, and then boots him in the jaw. As he drops, Destro walks in the door, congratulating her on the nice moves. Cobra Commander is insolent! He immediately demands his guards to enter and seize the intruders! Enter, they do…but at the mere command of Destro, they turn their attention and capture Cobra Commander instead! This is how the book ends, with the infallible "To Be Continued" etched at the bottom corner of the page. |
