Survival Tactics and Shadow Games: Unraveling the Intrigue in G.I. Joe Issue 304 Review by @yorktownjoe

Author: Larry Hama

Author: Larry Hama
Art: Chris Mooneyham
Covers: Andy Kubert and various others for variants

On to the issue
We begin Issue 304 with events unfolding, following the haunting image sent from the camera of the assassin automaton before it self destructed at the end of issue 303. Serpentor Khan and Dr. Mindbender are impressed with Alpha 001’s work and want more “enhanced” Cobras created.

The scene shifts to the High Sierras, where we discover that the reports of our heroes deaths have been greatly exaggerated.

Scarlett, Snake-Eyes and Timber are alive and well, and all the “bloody gore” from the last issue is meatball and marinara sauce from a MRE they sacrificed to stage their deaths like a casualty.

They discuss hoping the images were transmitted back to Cobra or Revanche or anyone who was watching back at Cobra HQ.

As a reminder, Revanche is an AI that has constructed and inhabited android/robot bodies of various shapes and sizes. The queen appears to be a gigantic caterpillar like creature. But there are blue ninjas, and other formations as well.

A Tomahawk chopper lands and Mainframe, Airtight, and some new Joes load up all the pieces of the destroyed Revanche enhanced attackers.

Scarlett lets Snake-Eyes know it is time to suit up. We see his traditional costume and some gear in a crate, so there should be another battle on the horizon.

Serpentor Khan and Mindbender make plans to attack Springfield. They send a few assorted enhanced Vipers to conduct a recon.

Dawn Moreno has been visiting with her parents who live in Springfield and are somewhat loyal to Cobra. They don’t want to turn her in, but she knows this is a limited time deal. She sneaks out to see what is going on in Springfield and stumbles upon the 3 Vipers (as seen on the cover).

She tracks them for a while, but eventually engages them and after a fight, they self-destruct and turn to ashes.

Dawn reports this back to HQ.

The Joe’s in the Tomahawk get a nasty surprise and the pieces of the robots start reassembling themselves and attacking. There is a gun battle in the close confines of the Tomahawk.

One Joe dangles out precariously, but is rescued. Wild Bill even comes back to the cabin to dispatch one with his 6 shooter.

Meanwhile, Cobra Commander is not at all cowering. He gives an impassioned speech that they will take the fight to Serpentor Khan and any other infected invaders. And he wants the fight outside Springfield to save the loss of the people and their places.

THAT looks like the Commander we know and love.

Serpentor and Dr. Mindbender want to discover more of the Commander’s plans that he is trying to keep to himself and only a few advisors. But that will take us to another issue…

Now go buy that comic!!

Issue 304 showed the continuation of the conflict between G.I. Joe and Cobra, and between Cobra and itself. The fighting continues, and intrigue is underway!

all photos are courtesy of Skybound Comics and are used with the expressed intent for review purposes and to encourage you to purchase this book and then add the series to your pull list through your LCS or purchase/subscribe digitally. We thank Robert Kirkman for his investment in our beloved franchise and for Larry Hama continuing to serve us new stories moving forward. YO JOE!! These photos are part of the teaser solicit and are linked here: https://www.skybound.com/announcements/g-i-joe/first-look-at-larry-hama-chris-mooneyhams-g-i-joe-a-real-american-hero-304

Hope you enjoyed this review!

Now You Know – a little more about: Issue 304
Feel free to let me know what you thought of this issue in the comments or on Twitter or Instagram @yorktownjoe.