G.I. Joe: ARAH #170 Review

[Troynos]

Written by: Larry Hama
Penciled by: S L Gallant
Inked by: Gary Erskine
Colored by: J. Brown
Lettered by: Shawn Lee
Cover Art:A- S.L. Gallant w/ Gary Erskine and J. Brown; B- Herb Trimpe w/ J. Brown
Editor: Carlos Guzman

Hama is starting to hit his groove with this title. It went through a couple of issues where it was really bad, but it's starting to get better. G.I. Joe was always at it's best when it had the more realistic Joes contrasted with the nutiness of Cobra. This issue we get some of all of it.

The lead-up to the mission is well done, having a real feel to it. The banter between Flint and Lady Jaye is interesting. It appears they haven't advanced their relationship that far yet. There's alot of retconning going on: Darklon's survival, the middle master and Sneak Peek. Hama handles it pretty well, fitting it all in pretty seamlessly.

Even the Middle Master doesn't seem out of place. I'm not a big ninja fan but even that story is interesting and has my interest.

This particular issue is mostly set-up for future issues, as well as wrap-up, but Hama does a good job presenting the different storylines in different ways. The different presentations keep the story interesting and moving along smoothly. It makes each storyline stand out and have it's own feel.

The art by Gallant fits the retro feel of the title perfectly.

G.I. Joe: ARAH #170 receives
4 out of 5

Hama's returning to form. Slowly but surely.

[Big IV]

I didn't like the banter between Jaye and Flint. The flirting is annoying. I'm not quite sure why they are leaving on a mission to pick up Darklon without fully de-briefing Sneak Peek. I like his flash back story though. Surprisingly, I even like the Russian ninjas thus far. This is a decent book for Hama and I have not recently been impressed by Hama. Hope he can keep it up.

[oliverbox]

It was probably the best ARAH issue since the restart, but that's not saying a whole lot.

[Tanksmasher]

I stopped reading these for a while. Have to catch up.

[Trojan Gambit]

It was decent. Basically a lot of lead-up to the next issues. Certainly not the best issue of the recent months, though.

[Mainframe]

I think it's cool the Cobra Commander has a Terror Drome dio.

[Stormgard]

The whole Sneak Peak thing is bothering me on a few different levels, but it will be interesting to see how it gets wrapped up.

I've never been a big fan of Flint or even LJ for that matter, but I like the doofusness of CC.

[Lifeline 71]

I thought this issue was pretty good. Granted, it just wrapped up one storyline and started up 2 more, but I'm intrigued. LH knows his geography regarding Canada and Maine. My guess is Sneak Peek is saying he went to the University of Maine, which is in Orono but very close to Bangor. I'm still curious as to how he "returned from the dead". Also, during the dojo sequence, it appears there are some cross winds causing drifting balloons (as LH used to say) since AFAIK SE still can't speak.

[Stormgard]

I actually just read the old issue 113 which is where Sneak Peak gets shot, which is a great story (inside a great story arc). It seems fairly clear that Sneak Peak is in fact dead there.

I'm willing to wait to see how this all pans out. I never thought of Sneak Peak as a major character, but there's clearly more to him in Hama's mind than we know yet.

[jogunwarrior]

It still bugs me they brought Sneak Peek back from the dead. He was clearly seen getting gunned down in the streets of Benzheen. I may be biased though since that issue was the first Joe comic I bought and I was blown away (no pun intended)!

While I'm enjoying the run, I am not a fan of Gallants art. He draws some fugly faces. I'd like to see Ron Wagner return for an extended run!