G.I. Joe #1 Review

By Nolan P. Smith
Editor

Growing up, I was immersed in comic books and action figures, and G.I. Joe was at the top of my list. One of the first comics I ever read was a G.I. Joe: Special Missions issue, and my brother and I spent countless hours with our O-ring Joes—even dismantling a few in the name of experimentation, with disastrous results. Suffice it to say, G.I. Joe has always held a special place for me. Now, with Skybound/Image Comics bringing back G.I. Joe in a brand new series, my excitement—and expectations—were high. Did it live up to them? Absolutely.

Written by Joshua Williamson, with artwork by Tom Reilly, colors by Jordie Bellaire, and letters by Rus Wooton, this first issue is a fantastic start to the next chapter of the franchise. We see the team in its early stages, led by a young Conrad Hauser, aka Duke, alongside Stalker, Cover Girl, Rock N Roll, and—unexpectedly—the Baroness. As Duke assembles his team, Cobra is mobilizing its own forces, both sides converging on a deadly new technology that could spell disaster in the wrong hands. But the mission quickly takes a dark turn as Mercer and his Vipers unleash a barrage of firepower with high-tech weaponry. The shocking ending will leave you desperate for the next issue—I know I need to see what happens next!

Williamson has crafted a compelling introduction to this G.I. Joe world, which is deeply intertwined with the Transformers universe. Reilly’s art style perfectly captures the high-octane action and intensity of the story. The coloring choices are brilliant, with panels that use monochromatic shades to convey mood and tension. And the character designs are spot-on, especially the Baroness in her G.I. Joe uniform—a fresh take I don’t think we’ve seen before.

G.I. Joe #1 invites you on an all-new mission where life and death are on the line. Are you in? I am—and I can’t wait for issue two.

Rating: FIVE Pastrami Nations out of FIVE