G.I. Joe #24 Advance Review

G.I. Joe, America's premier fighting force, constantly wages a war against terrorism to keep the world safe for democracy. Their most common foe is the organization known as Cobra, a group of ruthless terrorists and assassins under the leadership of Cobra Commander. Five months ago, the Baroness found herself captive of the Joes. All attempts to question her have proved fruitless as all she cares about is getting her newborn baby back.

Two weeks ago, the Baroness makes her desperate bid to escape from the Joes and resume the chase for her baby. Back in the present, she stands looking down the barrel of her husband, Destro's, gauntlet blaster while she holds her own gun to him. The two fight as it's revealed the reason why Destro is now working for Cobra Commander.

Meanwhile, Snake-Eyes and Spirit arrive on the island and find Flint inside the Baroness' plane. They free him and track Baroness down to the Cobra lair, where they invade and fight their way towards the big bads inside. Unfortunately, the Joes are subdued by Cobra with the help of former Joe, Blackout.

In a last bid to save her baby, the Baroness helps the Joes escape before they can be killed and all hell breaks loose. In the end, however, Destro once again is forced to call upon his loyalty to Cobra Commander and stop them. That is, until, he makes a bargain that includes turns Cobra Commander into the single-most powerful man in the world! And that doesn't even uncover the other bombshell Cobra Commander drops.

This issue ends with the revelation that it was all leading up to the big 12-issue event beginning next issue: World War III. And this was quite the set-up. G.I Joe has come a long way from the 2-dimensional characters who couldn't shoot the broad-side of a barn from the 80s. This story offered a wide range of character depth and emotion. Some fairly impressive curveballs were thrown giving a satisfying conclusion primed to shake-up the status quo. Kudos to Mark Powers for doing that.

Mike Bear's artwork combined with Jean-Francois Beaulieu's colors continue to create an interesting texture that not only updates the feel of the tale but also offers something reminiscent of the classic stylings from the 80s. The colors also continue to create interesting textures in every panel. The only downside is once again many of the action scenes come off a bit stiff in execution. Tight shots and characters are Bear's strong points, but when he starts to pull it back a little is when things begin to suffer.

This was an excellent issue concluding a very good story. It does it's job to build up the threat the Joes face in the upcoming mega-arc and would definitely pull readers into it head-first.

3.5 out of 5 Inks
   

05.31.07