G.I. JOE got off to a strong start with its debut issue. The first issue did a great job at bringing everything built through the Duke, Cobra Commander, Scarlett, and Destro mini-series. The payoff to all the world building was shown immediately, especially when it comes to Cobra’s side. Cobra certainly appears to have a decisive advantage over the JOEs, who are still developing their team chemistry after only recently being formed. We got the chance to check out an early copy of the second issue. Find out how it turned out with our advanced review of G.I. JOE #2.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Tom Reilly
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Rus Wooton
G.I. JOE #2 SOLICITATION
“Cobra Commander unveils the next phase of his plan — meet THE VALKYRIES, the newest Cobra special operatives unit. And as they race to retrieve the new mysterious weapon, will Duke suffer his first failure as the leader of G.I. Joe?” – Image Comics & Skybound Entertainment
REVIEW
G.I. JOE #2 is a big lesson for both the protagonist and the reader. As we’ve seen with other comic books set in this universe, the Energon Universe isn’t one where he heroes will save the day while PSA type messaging. This is a universe where the antagonist are more than prepared to take on whatever the protagonist bring to the table. That is certainly shown in this second issue with Cobra vs the JOEs.
The special sauce of G.I. JOE #2 is certainly the unpredictability. Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly nail creating a sense that we don’t know how exactly the first battle between the JOEs and Cobra will turn out. What they tap into is the feeling that you expect the JOEs will find some way to make it out of this together. It is that expectation that makes every moment in this battle feel so intense.
The intensity of the action goes to further give credibility to Cobra being an unstoppable organization. No matter what the JOEs seemed to try to do they can’t overcome how prepared Cobra is. Even when there are signs of the heroes overcoming the odds that is quickly snuffed out. It makes Cobra so much more impressive.
This in turn makes all the G.I. JOE mini-series in the Energon Universe even more important. Reading this issue you come to realize how the focus was in the four G.I. JOE mini-series plays a major role in the results of this first battle. Everything the characters do on both sides plays into how they were each developed.
Making everything better was that the results of this battle have genuine ramifications to how both the JOEs and Cobra will operate moving forward. What those ramifications are makes every character have something you are interested in. While Duke, Cobra, and Baroness are certainly the standouts every character has a moment. Whether that moment was good or bad for them there was a hook to see what they will each do next in this series.
The result of the battle also brings in greater connection between this G.I. JOE series and the greater Energon Universe. The way this issue integrates things from the other Energon Universe comics will excite a lot of fans. It makes this series have a greater sense of importance by drawing on this connection.
FINAL THOUGHTS
G.I. JOE #2 takes you on an intense thrill ride you don’t know where it will end up but are excited to find out. From the incredible action to the emotional fallout of the first JOEs vs Cobra battle, the investment in every character in this series is higher than when you first picked up this comic book.
Story Rating: 10 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 9.5 Night Girls out of 10
Check out a preview of G.I. JOE #2 ahead of its Wednesday, December 18th, release by clicking here.
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