G.I. JOE #9 – IN THE PAINFUL GAME OF SPY, EVERYONE LOSES

Some wounds never heal. The Baroness takes a leave from G.I. Joe after their COBRA encounter. Her reasons are very personal. She’s watching her parents have a sentimental meeting in Paris. Cover Girl has tagged along for the ride. Even in the shadows, Baroness can’t escape the spotlight.

An unexpected visitor has crashed the party. RAPTOR explodes onto the scene. The COBRA agent bears a message. It is from someone who has a grudge to pick with the dangerous Joe. MAJOR BLUDD is looking to make “an Eye for an Eye” a reality.

G.I. JOE #9 by Joshua Williamson, Andrea Milana, Lee Loughridge and Rus Wooton (Skybound Entertainment/Image Comics brings the action in a reunion of epic standing.

Tom C. (“Play 4 Keeps”/N.I. Bullpen/”Turn A Page”) and yours truly (Ken – ODPH Podcast/NI editor In Chief) are back at it again! Let’s take a closer look at what is going down now!

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

LET’S TALK STORY

KEN: “More than meets the eye” is synonymous with Transformers. For this chapter, the Baroness takes readers into a few different directions. Her simple plan to see her parents is quickly thwarted. Readers get a tense moment before a touch of clarity. The writing gives a quick breakdown of Raptor and why he factors into play. It is a solid set-up before the true threat finally arrives in Paris.

READ LAST ISSUE’S REVIEW

Bludd’s debut gives off a cold aura as his pursuits take hold. The banter between rivals keeps the unstable villain in the drivers seat. It transitions into a more darker reality. Williamson leans into the viciousness for the closing portion. Even with a few subplots getting time, this is Bludd’s chapter with reason. His endgame starts to evolve as he addresses his opposition. The result is a drastic move which throws motives into flux. It has never been said the Baroness was a saint. The closing page indicates those past sins may never be healed.

TOM: Honestly, I want to call this issue all filler, some killer.. We got the obvious street fight with Raptor and his unnecessary back story, just to have Major Bludd show up and steal the show. Speaking of, how about that “Mad Max stuff” at the end?! Additionally, there are still two other storylines in this issue that were introduced without explanation.

HOW ABOUT ART AND LETTERING?

KEN: Milana and Loughridge set the bar high early in this chapter. The two page spalsh with Raptor’s attack drives home the ruthlessness forthcoming. It is followed up by a solid full page flashback. The page gives just enough to the readers on the current threat. This is especially helpful to new readers. It also serves as a pivot into a greater challenge at hand.

Readers watch as Bludd takes center stage via half page panel. His mannerisms conveys the sadistic nature of his fight. The following action panels leave little for chance. They are brutal and amplified by Wooton’s lettering. Few points rival Bludd’s attack. One does give a run for the money. An agents’ retelling of Starscream crafts an uneasy mood with its visuals. There is few “bright” spots for the good team in this chapter. This is clearly evident in the closing. Bludd’s moves stir up a breaking reaction in Baroness. His smirk sets up a very shocking final page. Readers will have many questions as they break down what just transpired. More than meets the eye indeed.

TOM: The frantic nature of the birds is fully captured in the panels. But the “wall art” we saw in another segment was phenomenal! Like I alluded to, the “Mad Max stuff” is a perfect full-page splash page! 

OVERALL GRADE: 7.5

KEN: 8 Deception follows the Baroness everywhere she turns in this explosive chapter. Williamson cuts deeper into the past’s emotional wounds. The art team delivers on maniacal plans of Major Bludd with fantastic panels. Just when you think the picture comes into focus, the creative team changes the game!  CLICK HERE FOR MORE CONTENT FROM KEN

TOM: 6.5. This issue really felt discombobulated. Yes, we need to get the payoff with Baroness and Cover Girl, but the B and C plots just completely pulled the rug out from underneath me.

I mentioned in a previous review that something was missing with Clutch and Hound. Well, there was a FREE COMIC BOOK DAY tie-in, but if you don’t have it, this still feels forced into this book. It could have been handled a little more delicately instead of being smashed in with the Hammer of Solis Prime.

Mercer, on the other hand, just went full-on murder-happy to get information about another Decepticon. That was a scene in the asylum, both in the hallway and the wall art that I had already mentioned. With the “twist” ending in this book, it can go either way. So let’s wait and see what happens.

Let us know in the comments below your thoughts on G.I. Joe #9. Thanks for reading!