| Author: Mark Powers | Series: G.I.JOE: America's Elite |
| Rating: 7 | Reviewer: Jay |
| Genre: Comic Book | Publisher:Devil's Due |
| Pages: 32 | Orig Pub Date: June 2007 |
| Binding: Comic Book | Illustrator: Mike Bear |
The last half dozen to eight issues of Devil’s Dues G.I.JOE: America’s Elite has represented the first worthy successors to the early Marvel line of the 1980’s. The final installment of the Sins of the Mother quartet continues the developments I noted in my previous review – and sports a what is perhaps nice slight homage to the classic Kirby cover of Fantastic Four#8. The majority of content in this issue takes place in a single room; as in our own world in a single room multiple decisions are made that will have personal and global ramification. What many would consider the true original triumvirate of COBRA is reduced to and thus advanced by the ascension of the idea that Cobra Commander is what he always should have been – one of the most canny men alive – and now is perhaps the most powerful. It is done not by minimizing Destro or the Baroness; we witness the determination and are humbled by sacrifice of the former and the deadly proficiency of the latter – these are still among the most dangerous people in the world but are simply outmaneuvered by a man whose view extend beyond the immediate, beyond the mundane passions that drive and diminish his cohorts and most people in general.
The JOE fan will appreciate the familiarity that exudes between the characters. The relationship of and the fact that a history exists between Snake Eyes and Cobra Commander would register to all but the most daft reader and gives the story a very human undercurrent. Even in the process of and midst of his greatest triumph, Cobra Commander cannot help but to take the opportunity to verbally abuse the JOE commando. This is personal and you get the feeling he relishes these jibes as much as he does the certainty of his more global victory.
That said, I do not hesitate to anoint the latest issue, #24, the weakest from a storytelling point of view. There is a contrivance in the sequence of events that perhaps caused it to be necessary to be rather overly dramatic within a too-confined allotted space. The issue felt like it needed more room for a more natural path to the conclusion to truly develop. The ultimatum given to the JOE agents seemed hollow, the terrorist you essentially exist -as an elite military unit - to take down, threatens you with knowledge of your family and you just walk? Snake Eyes, Flint and Spirit would pull his card, push his hood back, and then simply call in what has to be already established safety protocols protecting their families - especially since they were fully aware Cobra Commander has access to this information. There is also an oddness to the Baroness talking to herself at the beginning flashback, but it could be written off as the workings of the mind of a mother who had just escaped isolation and interrogation looking and desperately looking for her cub. The eventual outcome is effective, both as an end to an arc and as an ideal platform for future stories, but there is a sense of being in the room as well - betrayed like the rest – and left wondering if my copy is missing a couple of pages. For some reason the title that I always remember from the original series is Snap Decisions (issue#52, people – a classic) and the title would seem so apt here.
If this is the valley, I’ll gladly march in it; a slight stumble due to a longer stride at the end of the race, but all in all a book still worthy to be on any pull list. The end crowneth the work indeed – I’ll be here until the coronation.
Jay Tomio
The Bodhisattva
Other Reviews of works by Mark Powers
