IDW Publishing 2010
Written by Larry Hama
Penciled by S.L. Gallant
Inked by Brian Shearer
Coloured by J. Brown
Lettered by Robbie Robbins
Junior Senator Wendy Ling Torres has been appointed overwatch of the G.I. Joe team. Invited to G.I. Joe’s secret Pit base in the Utah desert, she is briefed on the team’s history, opposing and allied factions such as Cobra and the Arashikage ninja, and current predicaments. Unbeknownst to her, there is a Cobra spy in her midst—an aide that belongs to the Fred series of Crimson Guards. Meanwhile, Hawk leads elite teams across the globe investigating suspicious activity by the Revanche corporation. All this informs Cobra Commander’s ultimate plan—the COBRA WORLD ORDER!
Seriously is there anything better than a huge epic event in a series when it’s done by folks who A. know what they are doing & B. are unparalleled in their history with the characters? Then of course it’s the cast of the beloved cartoon series, more or less, as it’s evolved over the years. It’s time once again for Cobra Commander to make one of his big moves in taking over the world and this time out things aren’t going to be like you think!
There are some great revelations here about who’s in his circle and who isn’t and what that means for those on the fringes. With Cobra seemingly gone legit or underground and no longer a threat and the Joe’s having been exposed to the world things are changing rapidly for everyone and it’s time to shake up the status quo once more. In the preview of Cobra World Order we saw that Wendy Ling Torres is now head of the overwatch committee that oversees the Joe team and who is her right hand man. That set off the Joe’s and have them looking now for something new going on.
This issue we see a few different parts of the story play out. Larry is really able to take a few segments and transition from one to another seamlessly and with a purpose. They complete a bigger picture of what’s happening and reveal just enough to keep your interest high. Then of course he goes back to the main thread happening and it’s surprising just how big it is. I mean I may have missed a few things here and there but since when did Cobra Commander get these agents? With them it’s no wonder he isn’t using his old freelancers like he used to.
Speaking of those freelancers it’s so wonderful to see them in these colourful outfits they wear instead of modernizing them into some version of “hip” street wear. Along with the cover I’ve chosen for this review it makes me wanna go to the flea market and find my favorite characters original action figures! If there was ever any doubt about how cool Zartan is then just read this issue and you’ll see he really is that cool.
There’s so much goodness happening here. The continuation of the new Snake Eyes, the revelations of Cobra Commander’s new agents and seeing the familiar cast of characters roles now being played. A lot of information given without feeling cramped, rushed through or crowded into the issue and that’s thanks to Larry.
Gallant, Shearer and Brown bring this life delightfully! It’s got all the feel of the old cartoon but elevated and made cooler somehow. There’s great attention to detail throughout and it gives off that whole vibe you need for a Joe story of this magnitude.
If you haven’t been reading the Joe’s this is the perfect arc to join in and read or introduce yourself to the this series, or re-introduce as the case may be. Exciting, fun with excellent premise, story, plot advancement and characterization wrapped up in spot on visuals this is why epic Joe stories are among the favorites!