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GI JOE #17 Review

By Tao Mori
September 6, 2012 - 10:17

For those not in the know, GI JOE is about an elite group of American soldiers who are trained to hunt down global terrorist organizations such as Cobra. The GI JOE team recently put down one of Cobra's prison mining facilities in South America.

In this issue the Joes find a new base at a mothballed carrier at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, which happens to be called the USS Flagg. In the original series General Flagg was the one who created the GI JOE team and later on in the series the joes got an aircraft carrier named the GI JOE Flagg. It's a bit sad that an elite team has to shack up in a 70 year old carrier, but hey at least it still floats. They sure don't build them like they used to.

A lot of things happen in this issue for one. A surprise to me is the whole Mainframe - Scarlett relationship. When she learns about Snake-Eyes still being alive she kisses Mainframe, but that strange because she obviously cares a lot about Snake-Eyes. Snake-Eyes and Scarlett have always been an item, I just don't get where Mainframe fits into all of this. Besides isn't Mainframe supposed to have the hots for Zarana? Oh GI JOE love its all so screwy. The Mainframe/Zarana reference is from the original cartoon series, that never did make much sense to me either.

What I think all the fans have been waiting for in this issue was the Helix-Scarlett showdown as Scarlett did not like Helix from day one. Unfortunately the fight was stopped so we have yet to know who would win. I don't think Marvel Shipwreck would break up a fight between Helix and Scarlett. The differences with some of the characters from this series compared to the original Marvel series demonstrates the darker tone of this GI JOE series. The artwork too has taken on that darker tone as well, as there's a lot more use of shading I've noticed. This isn't apparent in all of their recent issues, but its coming through a lot.

I'm a bit in disbelief over Scarlett decking Helix without her seeing it. The whole fight itself seems a bit over-sensational and an excuse to show off the finer features of these two women. Scarlett is prone to anger sure, but she doesn't need to get in a fist fight over it. Helix lied to everyone about what happened to Snake-Eyes, in the real military that's a court martial offense, at least I think it is. Helix's unwillingness to reveal the truth puts Snake-Eyes' life in danger. Well as readers we all know Snake-Eyes can look after himself, but from a military viewpoint, you don't leave your people out in the cold.

The implication at the end of this issue (spoiler alert) is that Snake-Eyes has rejoined the Arashikage Ninjas and is now an enemy of GI JOE. Yeah that ticks me off a great deal, and Scarlett herself is the one saying this. There goes the Snake-Eyes/Scarlett relationship. Snake-Eyes would give his left nut for GI JOE its ridiculous to think that he's now their enemy, absolutely ridiculous. Nobody even considers that he's gone undercover, really? Snake-Eyes hasn't hurt anybody, why would they consider him an enemy for being with the Arashikage, clearly there's more going on here, but why do I even bother ranting. I think we can all guess where this is headed, they meet up with Snake-Eyes and Scarlett tries to beat him up but fails. They hug and make up and Snake-Eyes reveals that he's trying to fight Cobra in his own way and everybody is friends again.

There's an amusing moment, well a dark amusing moment, when the politician instead of hanging GI JOE out to dry, instead protects them. This prompts Cobra to ask him to kill himself or they'll kill his family. The amusing part is that a politician did the right thing for a secret military organization. That happens? Who knew. Far more believable that the politician would back stab GI JOE the first chance that he got rather than risk his life or his family.

The heavy shading art style in these last issues fits the atmosphere of what's going on in this series. But Cutter should have red hair, come on. Along with a baseball cap, what's up with that? There's too many dark haired guys in this outfit they're all starting to look alike.

To wrap up, cool use of bringing in the Flagg, Snake-Eyes as the enemy is ridiculous, Helix and Scarlett are attractive women and finally Cutter should have red hair.

Rating: 7 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12