What degree of realism would you like to see in new Joe comics?

[Tanksmasher]

I admit, I'm a stickler for realism. I like films like Black Hawk Down and Band of Brothers because they illustrate war in a gritty, confused, non-romantic light while focusing on the people and the harsh reality of combat. Granted, I don't expect that degree of realism from comics and some suspension of disbelief is required, but I always get irritated when the imagination gets stretched into absurdity. Take one of the new comic pack issues for example. In issue #9 "Explosive Thoughts," a gigantic missile gets lodged in a stasis field over the Joe HQ and Tripwire attempts to deactivate it. The concept is so far-fetched that it simply loses my interest, never mind the fact that stasis fields seem more appropriate in a Star Wars setting (probably why I didn't like the old Joe toons as much; the laser guns and the fact that no one died was distracting).

Why not just tell a story of the Joes getting pinned down under Cobra fire out in the field and a smart bomb gets dropped nearby but doesn't explode and Tripwire is called upon to disarm it. This is more plausible, convinces the readers, and doesn't require silly antics. Secondly, why is Cobra so moronic? The fact that Dr Mindbender builds CC an exploding helmet makes them seem so ridiculous that the story never builds suspense--it's just art on a page with no plot. Is it really that difficult to make them intelligent, cunning, resourceful and dangerous. I like it when the bad guys win sometimes. Anyway, just thought I'd start with that... I'll have a few more comments about past comic stories that did have the kind of realism that I like and some that didn't.

[TheLongestDay]

the great thing about GI JOE is that it can be interpreted both ways-fantasy/sci fi or gritty/realism...and enjoy it both ways

[Headman]

Because kids don't wanna play with action figures from a depressing movie.

[Freedom]

I think the comics in the comic packs are supposed to be silly and light hearted for the kids. Hama has the ability to write some pretty mature stories.

I like a good mix of reality and fantasy. Basically if there is a fantasy element, give a realistic explanation of why it can happen.

[katcountrydean]

i think your missing the point of comics, its supposed to be surreal. otherwise your just reading a history book on war... i think most people, including kids, get that... my dad used to tell me the story about how he used to walk 2 miles up hill both ways to get to school ...Why??? ... because a story about him walking a block on a nice day is boring...

[Headman]

my dad used to tell me the story about how he used to walk 2 miles up hill both ways to get to school ...Why??? ... because a story about him walking a block on a nice day is boring...

Not if he added in a car chase and some explosions.

[Spoondini]

Not if he added in a car chase and some explosions.
then you dad would be Micheal Bay

[Headman]

lol nicely done.

[Saboteur]

Realism where someone gets killed or at least shot in every issue. Cobra soldier fodder if nothing else. I like where resolute is going. Did you see Snake Eyes twist his sword in that guys back? I loved it!
Sab

[minstrelboy]

Yeah, there's a line. The original Joe series by Hama was good, and well-balanced between realism and fantasy. Subsequent issues by DD were more realistic, and well done. The new Hama stories seem to lack something. Less substance, maybe? Not as well thought out? And the Tripwire/CC issue was more like the cartoon series than the comic.

[Shin Densetsu]

I doubt that the new IDW comic is made to sell toys, so I'm not that worried. Now the comic packs, yea those I'd be worried about, but not the IDW book, its a completely different ball game.

[PathFinder]

Without the Sci-Fi Fantasy element, I think our Joe adventures would become boring. I also love realism, in detail of characters, weapons, vehicles, environments... but without the far-fetched concepts, as in characters like Destro, Zartan, Darklon, The BATS and so on, the Joe stories would be all too real. If you want real, just flip on the tv or read the paper.

Your not gonna see anyone on the news whose skin can change colors to blend in with the environment while riding a swamp skier wearing a cool hood...!

I like the idea that characters and details like technology can be strange (probably wouldn't work in real life) but can be made to look detailed enough so that it is believable, at least in some ways.

Also some violence is needed to express realism, but too much can be too much. An old philosophy in graphic storytelling in representing a fight scene is to show the moment before the punch, or the moment after the punch, but never the moment of the punch. Why? Because we don't need to see that to know it actually happened, and it leaves something for the imagination. Also it makes us appreciate it more.

The imagination can be powerful if we're permitted to use it.

My Two.

PF

[Bulletrider]

I´m somewhat between two chairs (do you say that in that way? don´t know... I´m from germany ;-) ) regarding the style of joe comics.
In my mind GI Joe is deeply connected to my childhood in the 80s, collecting the figures, watching the cartoons (though I didn´t understand that much as it was in english and I was eight, nine years old) and all was about colourful fun, action, ninjas and the flair of all eighties action stuff hang in the air. Meaning - massive action, bullets and explosions everywhere but noone was seriously harmed, just like in A-Team, Knight Rider and all the glorious 80s stuff ;-)

Just like in this pic (one of the new IDW)
http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/2889/gijoe0dq6.jpg

And this is what I mainly expect from a Joe comic -colourful action, the more characters used the better it is. I´m not a fan of a restricted rooster.

At least these are my main thoughts about a Joe comic coming to my mind first - BUT after following the Image/DDP line the last years I must admit that more serious stories (with characters dying etc.) and more "realistic" (as realistic as it can go when talking about super-soldiers, Ninjas, BATs etc.) storylines are also a very good style of telling joe stories.

So I personally would hope that IDW brings a bit more fun and colour back to the Joes but I would also accept a more serious approach as long as it still has some of the scifi/fantasy aspects.