Bodycount’s review: Fun Pub’s GI Joe VS Cobra comics
Today we have some great reviews of Fun Publications G.I.Joe vs Cobra comics courtesy of our Staffer Bodycount. Check them out below and share your thoughts after the JUMP!
2009, #2 ‘Crimson Reign’
The story is set largely in Argentina, as we are introduced to the Crimson Strike Team, a secret arm of Cobra created by the Baroness and the twins Xamot and Tomax and recruited from Cobras left for dead. The story also introduces the Comandos Heroicos (aka Heroic Commandos) and Blades of ‘Special Action Force’. I never have found out why they’re calling it ‘Special Action Force’ – although I assume it’s something to do with copyright and trademarks. The story barrels along well with the CST running an illegal mining operation that the troopers profit share in, before the Commandos, Blades and the visiting Starduster thwart them. Whilst it’s fun as an Action Force fan to see Blades and his Hawk back in action, and I liked the nod to the UK dub of the old Joe cartoons by having Blades yelling ‘Full Force!’ in place of ‘Yo Joe!’, but it’s also annoying as hell that AF are written off as the ‘British arm of GI Joe’ when A. they’re an international outfit and B. they are NOT part of GI Joe. It’s also confusing that the comic has Blades talking like a Brit, and wearing a Union flag, when the file on him in the Diamond Edition (and the file-card) state that he’s American! The Diamond Edition adds files on Blades, Baroness, the Twins, the CST Viper, Starduster and Glenda. It also has a variant cover by noted comic artist Greg Horn. 8/10
2010, #3 ‘Mind Games’ (or ‘Vacation in the Shadows’)
Another pretty decent effort which features the return of the Red Shadows, Jammer and Gaucho and Dolphin and adds Natalie Poole from the 90s/2000s Action Man line. I find it interesting Black Major is running the Red Shadows outfit, with not a peep about Baron Ironblood. Possibly this is to avoid confusion regarding the Battle comics’ take on Ironblood/Cobra Commander or that it’s meant to indicate Ironblood’s either dead or captured. Whilst Jammer and Gaucho get sadly minimal parts, Dolphin and Natalie get sizeable roles. Starduster and Blades also make one-panel cameos near the end. The open ending, regarding Natalie is also somewhat frustrating as it seems unlikely to be picked up on. 8/10
2011, #4 ‘Perfect Enemies’
More international exclusives as we head to Brazil for the redo of Special Mission Brazil as well as meeting Cobra de Aco, Gatilho, Relampago and Sparta. The plot, revolving around Claymore’s feud with Cobra de Aco, rattles along, but I was a bit confused by the feud and by the old-married-couple bickering Wet Suit and Leatherneck indulge in. I did like Sparta flirting with Mainframe. The Diamond Edition features profiles on Sparta, Cobra de Aco, Wet-Suit and Claymore. 7/10
2012, #5 ‘Operation Bear-Trap’
Unusually, this story is mostly a flashback to 1989, allowing the appearances of the original Oktober Guard who, except for Daina and Dragonsky, were wiped out in Hama’s Marvel comics. This story also speeds along well as Darklon and Voltar try to capture the Guard’s CO, General Iron Bear. This story is also notable for having more humour in it. The Diamond Edition features profiles on the first five Guard members, plus General Iron Bear 8/10
2013, #6 ‘Nocturnal Fire’
Another South American set story, this actually features more US or new characters than South American exclusives, since those it does include are Brazil’s Letal or Lethal and Venezuela’s ‘White Mortal’ as it’s known in America, the white version of ‘Cobra Mortal’ from Argentina. For some reason, this story actually seems shorter and has a rather abrupt ending. I liked Crimson Asp, who manages to be an Irish character in US media who isn’t a horrible stereotype. I also liked the fact Max, Spearhead’s bobcat, appeared but was disappointed by how briefly Freestyle and Steeler appear. It’s also a bit odd (or, the artist is rubbish) that the Night Boomer looks more like an F-15 Eagle than the F-14-esque Skystriker. 7/10
The series is based on stories by David S. Lane, scripts by Greg Sepelak, S. Trent Troop (2009, 2010, 2011), Forest Lee (2012) and Jesse Wittenrich (2013). Pencils for the whole series are done by Sheldon Goh, with various inkers and colourists. Generally the artwork is excellent, but I am really peeved about the F-15 in #6. Note: issues where I didn’t list the profiles in the Diamond Edition are those where I got copies of the Con edition.
