Welcome back to G.I. JoeVersity, our regular look at all things G.I. Joe, including every new issues of IDW’s Joe comics, and the latest action figure releases, convention coverage, and movie news!
Whew! It’s been a busy couple of weeks at JoeVersity central. Lot of convention stuff, a bunch of toy news, and a few new comics have dropped since our last installment. So let’s jump right in with a vengeance, and take a look at last week’s “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero” #180, wherein Snake Eyes, Scarlett, and Stalker get a head start on the rest of us, and check out San Diego Comic-Con!
Comic-Con International Heroes
Written by Larry Hama
Illustrated by S L GallantIn this special issue of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, G.I. JOE goes to SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL! After being provided with pivotal information, G.I. JOE travel to San Diego in order to stop a plot to exchange nuclear clearance codes within the confines of the SDCC. Will G.I. JOE save the day in time? You can’t miss this convention-tastic issue of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero!
If you’ve read Larry Hama’s original run on G.I. Joe at Marvel, you already know how funny the guy can be. Constant hair-brained scheming on Cobra’s part, and the over-the-top, often absurd situations that the Joes found themselves in reminded readers that G.I. Joe was just as much comic fantasy as it was military reality. But ever since the book relaunched at IDW in 2008, it’s been heavy on the high-concept and action-action-action, and somewhat resistant, it seems, to break loose and have some fun.
But RAH #180 more than makes up for it. This issue finds the Joes attending the world’s most massive fan convention, San Diego Comic-Con, in an effort to intercept a terrorist handoff that’s going to take place during the event. The joke being, of course, that both the Joes and terrorist blend in with every other cosplayer on the showroom floor. It’s a set-up that plays out pretty hilariously over the issue, with Snake Eyes getting flagged for weapons check, Stalker just kind of looking around in disbelief, and Scarlett being crushed on hard by Optimus Prime. It’s exactly the kind of offbeat G.I. Joe story I adore, and quite frankly, it’s probably my favorite issue of the relaunch run yet.
One other cool thing about this issue: it’s release coincides with Larry Hama’s being a quest at the real San Diego Comic-Con taking place right now! Unfortunately, I’m not going this year, so if you’re at the show, do yourself a favor, and swing by IDW’s booth and get Hama’s signature. And then do me a solid, and give the man a high-five… tell him “That’s from Chad.”
Oh, and if you see a trio cosplaying as Snake Eyes, Scarlett, and Stalker, I’m sure it’s just a coincidence.
“Whoa, did Mainframe just…?”
Written by Chuck Dixon
Illustrated by Will Rosado“Deep Terror, part 3!”
DEEP TERROR rumbles on! Scarlett and Team Bravo are on the loose in a COBRA mining operation, miles beneath the surface of the Earth, with no chance of escape. In this issue they uncover the objective of Dr. Mindbender’s subterranean search: a rare element that will allow COBRA to change the world forever. And that’s NOT Good!
*CONTAINS SPOILERS*
This week’s second comic is “G.I. Joe” #15, part 3 of Chuck Dixon and Will Rosado’s ‘Deep Terror.’ I’m really enjoying this story, and not just because it features two of my favorite second tier Joes, Recondo and Rock N’ Roll. I like this arcs smaller scope. After a major event like ‘Cobra Command’, it’s nice to see Dixon bringing things back down to earth a little, and doing some nice character stuff with the team. I’ve liked seeing new leader Duke figure out how to run G.I. Joe on a budget, and his interaction with the Fort Baxter support staff, particularly Bildocker, is making for some pretty great moments.
Stalker’s team’s escape from Dr. Mindbender’s mining operation takes a bit of a turn this issue. They’ve successfully gotten away from Cobra, but in doing so, trapped themselves even further underground. And I have a feeling that the cavern they’re in might not be as safe as Gilberto has led them to believe. Recondo’s noticing of some kind of almost prehistoric lifeforms in the water doesn’t bode well. And the question remains, what the hell is Dr. Mindbender up to down there?
Continued belowBut beyond all that, the issue’s biggest shocker comes from Mainframe, who, after years of good-natured flirting and pining, takes the initiative and kisses Scarlett. Of course, he and Red have just captured Dr. Mindbender in a private lab when he finally decides to man-up, so his timing could have been a little better, but still… it’s an interesting twist. And even though Dixon’s been building with this for a while, I was pretty certain he wouldn’t take things in this direction so soon after Snake Eyes’ “death.” But good for him. This is adds some great tension, and keeps us on the hook for the inevitable confrontation when Snake Eyes returns.
If You Missed G.I. JoeVersity Live…
A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to host G.I. JoeVersity LIVE at Heroescon 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. On the panel were five artists who I consider the best of the best in the world of G.I. Joe.
From right to left: Chad Bowers (at the podium), Jeremy Dale (HASBRO, Skyward), SL Gallant (G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero), Herb Trimpe (G.I. Joe (Marvel) and G.I. Joe: Special Missions) , Michael Golden (G.I. Joe Yearbook 2, Shang-Chi, Master of Kung-Fu), and Robert Atkins (G.I. Joe, Snake Eyes)
I can’t thank the guys enough for taking part in the panel. I learned a lot, and found the whole thing to be about as cool an experience as a fan can have at a con. And even though this year was a special occasion — 30th Anniversary of G.I. Joe — I’m hoping that we can make this something we do every year. Yo Joe!
Joepourri
– JoeCon 2012 took place two weeks ago. I can’t imagine anybody reading this doesn’t already know where to find all of the latest news and show coverage that’s out there, but if you’re still looking, Hisstank and Terrordrome are where I’d start. Both sites are great, and on my daily rotation, and if you’re like me, and you missed JoeCon this year, those sites are the closest thing to being there.
Also, both sites are covering San Diego Comic-con pretty intensely, so that’s another reason to check ’em out.
-G.I. Joe fan art spotlight. My favorite thing this week:
That’s it for this week, gang. Come back next week when we’ll be taking a look at “Cobra” #15, Danger Girl / G.I. Joe #1, and Hasbro’s San Diego Comic-Con Jinx action figure.
Got a question for me or the G.I. Joe comics creative team? Send me an email atchad@multiversitycomics.com
