Hoo-Rah!
The All-American Heroes of G.I. Joe blast their way into the Energon Universe! The stories from Duke, Cobra Commander, and Destro all come together as the EU version of the covert ops team are assembled.
The team consists of Duke, Stalker, Cover Girl, Clutch, Rock and Roll, and the sly Baroness. Her inclusion on the team is one which likely makes original fans twitch a bit. However, if you read the previous mini-series, her involvement feels particularly natural and not forced like one might imagine inserting a heel into a babyface stable. (It’s wrestling jargon. Get with the program). Before I delve into the issue itself, proper thanks and brief backstory is necessary.
Writer Josh Williamson, artist Tom Reilly, along with Rus Wooton, letter extraordinaire for this corner of the EU, and colorist Jordie Bellaire who has been amplified the energy and life into characters and their environments from the get-go, are essentially the A+ level superteam on the series. Each individual story not only produced an extremely well-written and superb introduction of each featured character, but the inclusion of the supporting cast, the background story, each culminating with their collective formation of both Joe and Cobra factions.
Particularly crafty, in my opinion, was the building of Cobra itself. From the Commander’s origins within Cobra-La, to his takeover of the Dreadnoks and cunning machinations to form the foundation in which Cobra was founded upon. Destro, the ruthless and cunning businessman along with Tomax and Xamot and their foundation all individually, yet collectible merge under the Cobra banner. It gave the feeling of a realistic military corporate takeover yet each have their own agenda. What struck me so well was the manipulation in which the Commander brought all parties under his control.
It honestly felt as though they took the formula from the MCU of building individuals into a mega-team, but customized it into comic imagery which felt unique and completely engaging to a point where one would read each individual issue (or trades) because they’re so damn fun.
The first official issue of G.I. Joe feels like a short recap, yet as the story progressed one could feel knowing everything about each character even if the previous miniseries were not read. The team is introduced by Colonel Hawk, another familiar face. The group goes through some training exercises in order to prepare for a coming battle. While one might be used to ol’ Cobra lying in wait for Joe to foil some diabolical plans, this time things go very different.
Cobra unleashes the first assault. For those fans of the ’80s cartoon, yes, those lasers are not only back in canon, but they explain how the lasers came to be. It’s beautiful workmanship. The battles feel like a battle. The action completely explodes off the pages thanks to all the art, coloring, and lettering from the uber-talented staff. Williamson’s story and dialogue carry emotion and the thrill of anxious anticipation for all the action.
The issue has some very intricate story telling. There are some pages which feel parallel as the Joe team on one side explains their mission while Destro and Cobra are on the other with theirs. The dialogue flows together closer and closer to a point where it even looks like the center monitor is one and the same and they could be standing in the same room. Brilliant writing and art. Speaking of which, the pages with gunfire, each blast has a bright flash or reflection of light against each character. You got to love the details. That being said, the final page has one hell of a shocking moment. Remember how the cartoon lasers would not exactly find their targets? Something just a tad different happens here.
Fans of the current A Real American Hero ongoing series and fans of the original ’80s cartoon will both feel right at home with the G.I. Joe force in the Energon Universe.
Who is Risk? He’s new, and he seems to be a character of a different sort.
In case you were not aware, earlier this year Skybound did a social media campaign through their Insiders program, by using either the hashtag of #TeamJoe or #TeamCobra, and upload a photo to their site with the change to be drawn into a future issue. Without any heads-up, I was elated to find my photo in the back pages of my selected #TeamJoe section.
This might sound juvenile and stupid, but damn I feel like a kid winning the big prize.
