Writer: Mike O’Sullivan
Artists: Tim Seeley and Javier Sicilia (p), Robert Atkins and Nick Nix (i), Chris Summers (colors)
Publisher: Devil’s Due Publishing
The best comic books on the market are those that completely immerse themselves in their own respective universe. Robert Kirkman’s Invincible, The Ultimates (when it does come out), The Lone Ranger, Loveless, and Jonah Hex are just a few examples of these types of comics that are enjoyable not only because of the characters but because of their universes. Thus, I have to say that there are few comics that have as much as a clear history and vast universe as G.I. Joe. As I am about 99% complete with catching up on the Image/Devil’s Due run, with only a few fillers here and there missing, I have been checking the bank account preparing to track down Marvel’s initial run. The reason being, the more and more I read G.I. Joe, the more clear it becomes that this is one of the most organized universes in all of comics. Everything is clearly and somehow connected from this latest issue dating back to the Marvel days.
Before I continue, let me urge you to check out my review of G.I. Joe: America’s Elite #19 if you haven’t read it, or if you want some background info to go with this review.
Some people have asked me, “what make’s G.I. Joe: America’s Elite so good?” My answers are simple, “great, classic characters in character-driven stories; a perfect mesh of real world and comic book universes; great action; fantastic drama; and one of the cleanest and easily understandable universes you will find in comic books.”
While last issue served as quite possibly the most perfect “catch-up” issue for this title and should be an example for other titles, this issue gets back to the real meat of this series: character. The creative team at Devil’s Due continues to do a great job balancing action, emotion, drama and character, whether the series is written by Josh Blaylock, Joe Casey or Mike O’Sullivan. Any comic that opens with a big fight scene is always worth a read, especially when it involves G.I. Joe and the Aussie-motorcycle gang, the Dreadnoks.
While Duke is really trying to help General Rey unravel his past, there is a huge amount of tension between the two soldiers, and Duke helps Rey only out of duty and respect. General Rey has always had a violent streak, and this is clearly evident when he beats the crap out of Zandar to find the answers to his past. Since the Phoenix Guard incident, General Rey has been in a fragile state of mind, his violent streak and outbursts no doubt tying to his past. There’s also one thing I really like about this issue in the beginning that is worth mentioning. While Duke and Rey only infiltrated the Dreadnoks’ territory to get to Zandar, such infiltration would normally mean certain death. But Zartan calls off the Dreadnoks, and let’s Zandar get his butt handed to him. This scene is particularly important because there’s an unexpected level of respect that Zartan shows for Duke; as Cobra begins its reformation I can only wonder what this level of tolerance that Zartan shows for Duke will mean in the future.
Last issue I applauded the Devil’s Due crew for the scene in which Scarlett shares with her father, the parallels I saw between Scarlett and a soldier in Iraq. I have to stand and applaud Mike O’Sullivan and Devil’s Due once again for two scenes featured in this issue. The first involves Hawk and Spirit, the second Sgt. Stalker and his wife. Both scenes show something that every one of our soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq have to face in our real world. It doesn’t matter how you feel about politics, the President or the war in the Middle East, as Americans or whatever nationality; it is our duty to support our troops. Hawk, Spirit and Stalker remind us why our mission is to support our troops, their sacrifice. Both of these scenes are very powerful and are again very tactful, and any comic book reader should check it out not only here but in the previous issue.
As Rey’s past is unraveled and revealed, very clearly I might add, we see the return of an old school Cobra Character. You may not recognize him at first, but once you figure out who it is, you’ll remember the psycho-looking action figure from your childhood. When Rey goes on a violent streak once again and opens a can on Duke, the culmination of all the pent up anger and tension between Rey and Duke is about to come down to a bullet. But Rey is his own man, regardless of the past, and there is a great deal of respect between these two men.
This issue also features the return of my favorite G.I. Joe hottie, Cover Girl, setting up the coming Special Missions: Brazil.
I can’t help but recommend this title. It’s fantastic, it’s got a great balance of action, drama, romance, and one of the cleanest universes you can find in all of comic books. Now you know… and knowing is half the battle.
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