Gi Joe #2

I got the Adam Hughes cover, it was pretty ^__^

So before the second issue of the new G.I. Joe book came out I was quite afraid that the book would not deliver for me.  The first issue was good, but part of me was afraid that the promising start would crash and burn.  I'm happy to say that this time around, it didn't.  This was a very enjoyable book that kept me entertaining and has succeeded in making me stay on board for at least the rest of this opening arc.

So the story picks up right where the last issue left off.  We meet more new characters and see a separate group of nerds that supply the Joes with their tech, called Fobbits of all things!  The opening scene with the boom box was perfectly balanced with humor and insight into the types of toys we can expect to see in this book.  Something about seeing guys dance in the background while Brainstorm explains how the B.E.T. (no, not the network) works had me giggling with glee.  The next scene has quite a rough transition as we are magically transported to Manila (Much love to my Filipino family that I married in to!) where a chase scene was in progress.  At first I found the scene unnecessary and a bit jarring, particularly when a certain fan favorite character does something that you wouldn't expect.  The need for a scene like this is understandable, I just feel like the information we got out of it could have been shown in an number of different scenarios.  However, after discovering later on that this character has gone rogue from the rest of the group, I was instantly hooked on wondering what exactly he was up to and where it would lead him as well as the rest of the team.  Needless to say, my head was swimming with ideas about what it could be.

My favorite portion of the book was when dealing with the mysterious individuals who are monitoring the Joes.  I was skeptical that this mystery would be drawn out for quite a few issues, but sure enough we are told who the leader is and I totally didn't see it coming.  Maybe it was the deceptivly long blond locks of hair, but I never would have guessed.  Sure there are still mysteries to their true motives, but because of this issue I am confident we will learn them sooner rather than later.  In this age of comics where mysteries take several arcs to be resolved, I for one am glad this one seems on track to be fully revealed by the end of the first arc (assuming its six issues or so).

Art wise I felt that this book was stronger than the first, but is still leaving something to be desired.  Some anatomy problems persistantly show up, Brainstorm's ears get mysteriously bigger at the end of the book, but overall I found it pleasing to the eye and easy to follow.  Robert Atkins is proving quite capable of being able to render the action, as well as the futuristic technology and vehicles that we are sure to enounter through out this series.  I think given enough time he will grow into the role and really surprise a lot of people.  And a shot out to Andrew Crossley for doing a phenonenal job on the colors.  The two page spread on pages 2-3 of the B.E.T. firing had me mesmorized for quite a while.

Overall a solid book that is quite promising.  The argument could easily be made that its progressing at a slower pace than most people would prefer.  I would not argue against that, but feel that the pace is still strong enough to keep you coming back for at least the rest of the arc.  If you were a die hard Joe fan and are still iffy about this new series, I'm not 100% convinced that you will find this to be a worthy successor.  However if you are a casual fan like me that had just enough of the action figures to keep you happy, and only memorized half of the Public Service Announcements, I trust that you will find this book enjoyable and quite rewarding.  I for one can't wait until the next issue ships.