G.I. JOE has gotten off to a fantastic start by establishing the difference between the title team and Cobra. That difference is a big one as the JOEs are still a rookie team. Even if this is a team made up of soldiers and spies that make them veterans at what they do that status does not make them an incredible team. That has been shown in the first two issues in their first fight against Cobra, a long-running organization with the super prepared Cobra Commander as their leader. Now there is a big question if the JOEs can overcome such odds or destroy themselves from within before they can become the team we know them to be? We got the chance to check out an early copy of the third issue. Find out how it turned out with our advanced review of G.I. JOE #3.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Tom Reilly
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Rus Wooton
G.I. JOE #3 SOLICITATION
“As tensions rise within G.I. Joe — and punches are thrown — Cobra hunts a venomous new ally…” – Image Comics & Skybound Entertainment
REVIEW
Right from the jump when opening G.I. JOE #3 there is tension felt that gets you into the mind set of experiencing a super spy thriller. The very first panel of this comic book sums up what the reader should expect. It is something that goes to show how the work of the last two issues, and the mini-series preceding this series, are already paying off.
Following up on the ending of the previous issue where we saw Clutch survived and has infiltrated Cobra’s base gets you right back into the flow of the story. It can’t be said enough how well Tom Reilly draws Clutch in all the scenes we do get inside Cobra’s base. Whether we see his face or not, the way different panels are framed we can see how careful Clutch is trying to be.
Reilly’s ability to create such a vibe enhances the entire story being told by Joshua Williamson’s writing, especially in Cobra’s base. There is a balance of order and fear that is a vibe that only Cobra Commander can create through his leadership. At all times you know he is in charge. That is even with the likes of Destro, a leader in his own right, follow him. Williamson and Reilly’s chemistry as a creative team really shines in all of these scenes.
That chemistry is equally seen with where the JOEs are at. The embarrassing loss they suffered is not an easy one to take. Risk being introduced right after that defeat did not help matters, as we see the tension between him and Duke continue to escalate. Though it is through that tension we get one of the better scenes from the heroes side of things with how Stalker steps up. In a room full of alphas Stalker impressed with the presence he commanded.
This all set up for an even stronger second half of an issue that follows up on all that’s been built up. It really drives home how G.I. JOE has quickly established itself as the Mission Impossible of the comic book industry. It is a lot of fun to hit those type of spy thriller notes. That made the hook ending even stronger to build hype for how things will kick off at the beginning of the next issue.
FINAL THOUGHTS
G.I. JOE #3 nails the spy thriller vibe that has made this comic book special. The tension created throughout this issue elevates the various character arcs that are going on. It all comes together for a story you’re left looking forward to reading the next chapter as soon as possible.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
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