by generalsjoes | Nov 26, 2010 | Comics and Cartoons, G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe Comic Reviews, G.I. Joe Comics, G.I. Joe Reviews, IDW
While I’ve fallen behind on some of the comics, I try to keep up to date on the G.I. Joe: Cobra title. Far and away my favorite Joe themed series, I’m constantly amazed by simply how intelligent the writing is. Mike Costa and Christos Gage manage to really delve into the idea of a shadowy terrorist organization like Cobra and really try to rationalize the concept and have it make sense. In the old school days, Hama just sort of accepted some things and expected the readers to do the same. Nothing wrong with that idea in the least, but I really like that this new generation of Cobra is trying to exist within a realistic world and the writing team is trying to breathe life and idealism into Cobra as a whole.
Issue #10 was refreshing. I had no major issues with the last story arc in this series, but it’s like spending the weekend at your best friend’s house when you were a kid. During that weekend, life was different, yet still fun, with some adventures. But then you get back home and go back to your own bed, and suddenly, everything just falls into place. The weekend was fun, sure, but there’s nothing like home, and getting thrust back into the Chuckles and Cobra Commander arc was like coming back home.
Click the “Read the Rest of the Story” link below to see the full review.
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by generalsjoes | Nov 11, 2010 | Comics and Cartoons, G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe Comic Reviews, G.I. Joe Comics, G.I. Joe Reviews, IDW
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been enthusiastically following the G.I. Joe: Cobra ongoing series, even as it deviates from the more standard Cobra coverage and goes into the Coil’s more “cult like” tendencies. I really enjoy this dynamic between the underground almost supernatural cult angle and the polished brick & mortar corporate structure, and somehow make them all mesh together in a seamless way.
I’m not sure they quite pulled it off by the end of this arc, but they did tell a pretty interesting tale. I’ll be honest, though, I’m ready to move along and see what Chuckles has in store for us starting again with issue #10.
To avoid spoilers, I will continue the review after the jump.
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by generalsjoes | Oct 12, 2010 | Comics and Cartoons, G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe Comics, IDW
Now that NYCC has wrapped up, we’re starting to finally get some good, nicely detailed reports about all of the panels and events that went on in the Big Apple this past weekend. Among those reports was one from Comic Book Resources which focused on IDW and Hasbro’s joint panel and what to expect from their licensed titles over the next several months. I will try and outline the various news items below.
- G.I. Joe: Origins #23 is the final issue. Editor Andy Schmidt revealed that G.I. Joe: Origins would end with the 23rd issue. I’m not sure if this is sales related or that they simply had no more stories to tell, but regardless, after just wrapping issue #19, we’ve got about 4 more issues to go.
- Christos Gage is leaving G.I. Joe: Cobra after issue #13. I reported this during NYCC, but IDW confirmed it, also reporting that Mike Costa would handle the writing duties solo from then on.
- G.I. Joe #27 will wrap up “Season One” of the main Joe title. In April of 2011, G.I. Joe will begin “Season Two”, starting over from issue #0 and kicking off with a Cobra Civil War. Schmidt also says that in April, the only Joe title taking place in IDW continuity that month released would be G.I. Joe #0. Dixon will still be writing the title, but Javier Saltares will be tackling the art chores.
Schmidt also talked a bit about Infestation and how it ties into the G.I. Joe realm, and remarked that Joe fans did not seem very “chill” to the idea…at least not to the level of Transformers fans.
Some interesting news, to be sure. I could have sworn that at one point I read that this latest issue of G.I. Joe was going to be the end of “Season One” but apparently that’s being pushed off a bit. Chuck Dixon has been hit or miss for me throughout his G.I. Joe run, and honestly I’m not sure what I think of Saltares on the title. Loved his stuff with Moon Knight, and his Ghost Rider work was pretty cool as well, but those are both very supernatural, dark, and gritty worlds. I think G.I. Joe can be gritty (just see the Cobra title) but I’m not sure Saltares’ exaggerated style works real well in a pseudo-realistic military setting. I’ll certainly give it a shot, though.
You can read the entire article right here, and thanks to The Terror Drome for the heads up!
by generalsjoes | Oct 9, 2010 | Comics and Cartoons, G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe Comics, IDW, Marvel Media
Part of the news in New York ComicCon is the information that G.I. Joe: Cobra co-writer Christos Gage has received an exclusive contract from Marvel Comics, which means he will be moving on from the fantastic IDW title. His co-writer Mike Costa will remain on the book.
Announcing it via his Twitter feed, he expressed regret that he had to leave the book, but confidence that Costa can continue on fine in his stead.
As a humongous fan of G.I. Joe: Cobra, I’m sure Mr. Gage’s influence will be missed, but I wish him the best of luck, and a huge congrats on the Marvel deal! Part of the Marvel deal is also doing the writing for the upcoming Captain America: Super Soldier video game from Sega (to launch in conjunction with the film) so I know we’ll all be sure to check that out!
by generalsjoes | Sep 15, 2010 | Comics and Cartoons, G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe Comics, IDW
So, let me get this straight. Mike Costa and Christos Gage have actually introduced and used the characters Croc Master, Golobulus, Serpentor, and Venomous Maximus before Storm Shadow even makes an appearance in the IDW universe?
It’s hilarious…it’s awesome…and it’s a testament to the quality of these writers because they make it work.
To avoid spoilers, click the “Read the rest of this entry” link below for the full review.
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