G.I. JOE #4 – EVIL SINKS THEIR TEETH IN FREEDOM

Freedom has double vision! The Crimson Twins have taken the fight to G.I. Joe. Their kidnapping attempt of Dr. Monev is another step forward in Cobra’s onslaught. Duke and company have their backs up against a wall. Too bad for Cobra, that’s where the elite fighting unit shines!

G.I. JOE #4 by Joshua Williamson, Tom Reilly, Jordie Bellaire and Rus Wooton (Skybound Entertainment/Image Comics) delivers on another loaded issue of action and danger!

Tom C. (“Play 4 Keeps”/N.I. Bullpen/”Turn A Page”) and yours truly (Ken – ODPH Podcast/NI editor In Chief) are teaming up again! Let’s not wait any longer! Let’s take a closer look at what is happening now!

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

LET’S TALK WRITING!

KEN: If you want action, you’ve come to the right place! Williamson loads this issue up with some high-octane moments. The Crimson Twins make an immediate impact. Their chase of Duke and co. leads to a dangerous call. Readers watch as even the best laid plans sometimes fail. It is a polarizing call to make. Knowing what else could transpire, the decision exemplifies what the Joes are all about.

READ LAST ISSUE’S REVIEW!

On the flip side, the evil of Cobra slowly slithers to the page. The deadly press on Stalker shows how far they’re willing to go. It leads to a calculated strategy before secrets are revealed. Readers witness the endgame in this beginning encounter. The closing act throws another curve ball into play. Just when you think you know the answers, the writing changes the questions completely.

TOM: Cobra Commander has been plotting, and we are starting to see the big picture. Now, capturing the Doctor Cobra is ready to make a brainwave bomb! Quite ambitious indeed. But what’s even more ambitious is that all the Joes are captured by the end of the book. Duke is brazenly confident that he’s has them right where he wants them.

If the pieces are falling into place, the Joes are in for one hell of a David vs Goliath matchup. With the help of Destro’s company and the added strength of the Crimson Twins, Cobra surely put the majority of cards in their hand.

HOW ABOUT THE ART AND LETTERING?

KEN: Reilly and Bellaire waste no time escalating the pace. A two page spread shows the Twins in full pursuit. Duke’s expressions say more than words. There is a sense of worry creeping in. This spills over into the fight’s next phase. No punches are pulled as the confines of the road get displaced. In its wake is a more domestic scene where the violence can’t stand. It causes a tough choice before moving events along.

The bloody onslaught didn’t stop there. Chameleon and Ripper shine through the chaotic panels. It leads to a shocking call made by Cobra. A two page spread shows the Commander in all his glory. Victory is in reach. The Commander’s body language reads like he has won. All roads lead to the full panel final image. Just as it looks a certain way, one sentence changes everything. There’s no slowing down what is being built in this series.

TOM: I’m getting tired of the main color tones the book is taking either things are very red or blue-heavy. I almost want to pull out my old 3D glasses to see if there is a secret message.

Colors aside, the stylizing of the characters still stands out. Destro’s head is beaming with reflection! And the character designs, on the whole, are a significant glowup from what we knew from SUNBOW and MARVEL.

OVERALL GRADE: 8/10

KEN: 8.5. It’s a heavy dose of big action within the Energon Universe’s premier team. Willaimson pens an intense chapter with the writing. Reilly, Bellaire and Wooton hit a bullseye with explosive panels. Judging by the last page, the story hasn’t even begun to cap off.

TOM: 7.5. This breakneck issue didn’t do much. No big-picture idea or expansion on the lore. that, coupled with the colors mentioned above, totally distracts me. I’m interested in what Duke has up his sleeve.

Let us know your thoughts on G.I. Joe #4 in the comments below & Thanks for reading!