TEN-HUT! Pay attention soldier and welcome to G.I. JoeVersity! A weekly column where we look at every new issue of IDW Publishing’s “G.I. Joe”, “Snake Eyes”, “Cobra”, and “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero”, and make it our mission to bring you the best in-depth analysis and Joe-related intel on the internet.
This week, we’re honored and thrilled beyond words to have master storyteller and Joe-maestro Larry Hama with us to answer a few question about “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero” #178. But first, let’s look at what’s been happening in the series.
Unlike IDW’s other Joe books, “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero” is a continuation of Hama’s legendary G.I. Joe series originally published by Marvel Comics from 1982 to 1994. For guys like me who grew up reading the Marvel series, it’s pitch-perfect; It’s everything we missed about G.I. Joe, but without ever feeling overly retro, outdated, or like a retread of what’s happened before. Hama’s at the top of his game on RAH, doing what he does best, telling stories that are the perfect blend of drama, action, and of course, humor. Last year, he was joined by one of the most effective artists to ever work on G.I. Joe, S L Gallant, and together, they continue to add new layers to a story that began 30 years ago.
THEN
NOW
When the series relaunched in 2009, things had changed significantly since the last time we’d seen the team. Cobra had successfully positioned themselves NOT as a ruthless terrorist organization but as a competent, highly regarded private security firm, and G.I. Joe were branded criminals and outlaws (and if this sounds like the premise to G.I. Joe: Renegades and the upcoming G.I. Joe: Retaliation, it’s not just a coincidence). The Joes spent most of the new book’s first year reestablishing themselves as America’s number one defense against an organization that almost beat them, but once they were back on top, they got to work protecting the world again.
Recently, Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow discovered the existence of an unknown branch of the Arashikage Clan, and subsequently were attacked by another group of mystery ninjas called the Blue Ninja clan. The Blues were deadlier and more advanced than anyone Snake Eyes or Storm Shadow had faced before, but after they caused the death of Cobra Commander’s son Billy, they now face the combined forces of G.I. Joe Snake Eyes and Cobra femme fatale, the Baroness.
The current arc of RAH sees both the Joe team and Cobra opposing the forces of mysterious Blue Ninja clan. What makes the Blue Ninjas more formidable than others we’ve seen in G.I. Joe before and how worried should the Joes be?
Larry Hama: Some of them are enhanced humans. Some step over the line into being cyborgs. Some are more machine than human. Their consciousness is compartmentalized and there’s a bit of a hive-mind effect going on. Everything is coordinated by BN-001, who is the controller of the hive-mind.
How long has BN-001 been rolling around in your head? He’s a lot of fun to read, and kind of terrifying, even. In fact, he (and the Blue Ninjas as a whole) represents so much of what I love about your G.I. Joe, and that’s mainly your ability to make anything work. For the first time, Joe and Cobra both have this shared foe in place that’s giving them major trouble. Was this something you’ve always wanted to do? Joe and Cobra with a common enemy?
LH: The Blue Ninjas are like roaches. Very hard to get rid of. The Blue Ninjas are the ultimate debasement of the ninja concept, or rather a diversion the natural path of development. It’s the path that dehumanizes instead of leading to spiritual development.
Continued belowLongtime fans know there’s some heavy history between Snake Eyes and the Baroness. Seeing them fight side-by-side is just a little bit jarring, but at the heart of their unlikely team-up is their relationship to Billy and each’s desire to avenge his death. What’s your take on these two? I think it’s pretty obvious that the Baroness is out for revenge, but where’s Snake Eyes’ head in all of this?
LH: Both Snake-Eyes and Storm-Shadow are obligated to avenge Billy’s death, or at least to bring the killer to justice. In the case of the Blue Ninjas, that would involve going after BN-001, since he’s the one who gives the orders.
Cobra Commander’s new armor is just fantastic! If anybody at Hasbro’s listening, how about let’s get one of those out and soon. How did the design come about, and am I wrong in thinking we’re going to see that thing in some major action next issue?
LH: The design was all Shannon Gallant, who came up with the look for BN-001 as well.
Thanks, Larry! We appreciate you stopping by.
DEBRIEFING ROOM:
–Visit RAH artist S L Gallant’s blog!
–Here’s the cover and solicitation for next month’s “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero.”
G.I.JOE: A Real American Hero #179
Larry Hama (w) – S L Gallant (a) – Herb Trimpe, Gallant (c)
THE FINAL SHOWDOWN! The Blue Ninja Clan begins its final assualt on Cobra’s homebase, and Cobra Commander, Baroness, Snake Eyes, Duke, Scarlett and Stalker are all caught in the fray! This is the explosive conclusion to the Blue Ninja saga that you’ve all been waiting for. Things will never be the same for G.I. Joe and Cobra after G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #179, don’t miss it! [IDW Publishing]
–SyFy Games’ has updated images of several new playable characters for their upcoming online social game, G.I. Joe: Special Ops, including a certain heavy weapons specialist and cooking enthusiast. [syfygames.com]
–Director Jon Chu sets the record straight and tells us exactly who’s underneath Cobra Commander’s mask in G.I. Joe: Retaliation. [aintitcoolnews]
That’s it for this installment of G.I. JoeVersity. Report back next week when we review “G.I. Joe” #13.
