IDW Publishing 2010
Written by Larry Hama
Penciled by SL Gallant
Inked by Brian Shearer
Coloured by J. Brown
Lettered by Neil Uyetake
After saving Cobra Commander’s life, Dawn Moreno—a Cobra youth that catches Baroness’ attention—begins her training under Baroness and Zarana. Bombstrike embarks on a new solo operation—infiltrate the Red Shadows’ former development site in Olliestan. There, she finds Dr. Sidney Biggles-Jones and Dr. Cassandra Knox working on something sinister. Unfortunately for Bombstrike, the two Cobra operatives gain the upper hand and hold her at gunpoint…
This really is one of those arcs that last a year and make the Joe franchise what it is. Larry has so many twists and turn planted in this that one minute you think one thing will happen and he’ll throw that wrench in a suddenly three avenues open up. That we don’t know what is really going to happen next is half the fun here. Not to mention that while we don’t really have those laser guns we do get to see them using real life applications, see toys, in use so that the technology seems like it’s now.
Duke, Scarlett and Stalker were on a shipping container that went into the ocean and we open with an investigation into the area. Thankfully this calls for Shipwreck and he’s one of my favourite Joes! There seems to be a prevailing theme happening here and that’s the Joe’s are investigating abandoned Cobra facilities, that as it just so happens aren’t nearly as abandoned as they thought. How is it in an organization like the Joe’s no one seems to be keeping an eye on these abandoned sites to make sure they stay that way? If it were me i’d be like hey they think it’s abandoned let’s fire her up again.
First it was Bombshell now Shipwreck’s team after this I should hope that a squad is formed to keep an eye on these facilities in the future. Though I dunno if we can have another spin-off series or maybe just a few limited series, like one a year, that follows them around. Eh i’m overthinking it. Still with the story being what it is this is the result, hence i’m totally into this a lot more than even I realized.
Surprisingly this issue was nicely split between the Joe’s and Cobra. So Mindbender’s job for Cobra Commander is to use his machine on Dawn to ensure her loyalty. Yeah because that’s what you do. So to see what happens you’ve got to read this but this is why I love the franchise, the villains and why they never really win.
Three stories running through a standard sized issue and Larry handles it like a dream ride over the bumpy road with not one ounce of feeling it.
I’ve been a fan of Gallant’s since he took this series in hand. I will remain a fan of his storytelling ability, attention to detail, use of backgrounds, perspective and angles with whatever project he decides to work on.
This combines the best of the modern art of subterfuge and warfare with the cartoon series in ways that will make a fan of even a casual observer.