G.I. Joe Origins #5 Review

[Shin Densetsu]

G.I. Joe Origins #5 Review

The last issue showed Snake Eyes on the verge of infiltrating Chimera’s underground base. In this issue, we see Snake Eyes in action, coming to the aid of his fellow Joes.

The Joes continue to battle Chimera’s men down in the base. What I like about this is that each side is comprised of operators; all soldiers with covert ops backgrounds, arguably of equal skill. This isn’t some shootout with lasers and haphazard parachute drops, this is a battle between opposing forces where the outcome is unpredictable.

Stalker and crew are worried about Scarlett, not seeing a signal that she was supposed to provide. Duke says that they can look for her after the mission is accomplished(and at this point, I can see most of you wanting Scarlett to be with Snake Eyes, not this guy). I admit, I like that this was done as we can now see who deserves Scarlett more(if you think about what has gone on in G.I. Joe by Chuck Dixon).

We find out that Chimera has mislead some of his men, into thinking that what he is doing is for the greater good; to bring power to the people. It turns out that he is running a bigger scam than Bernie MJ(reference to Bernard Madoff). It’s a neat reference to current situations.

Snake Eyes continues his infiltration of the base, and after taking out a guard, climbs down. What I especially like about this sequence, is that the margins are white when he is above ground, and as he climbs down, a gradient is applied to the margins. For you ninja fans, Snake Eyes utilizes ninjutsu skills in during the infiltration. For those of you worried about him doing this, rest assured, it’s not overdone.

Chimera reveals plans that he has been working on for years, Poison Pen and Poison Gas. It’s great to finally know what this man has been up to all along. His plans have been a mystery until now. Both plans screw the world over, and the Joes can only stop one from activation…

Scarlett tries throwing liquid at Chimera’s face, right as Snake Eyes emerges. Unfortunately, Chimera dodges and Snake Eyes is hit in the face by the liquid; no amount of surgery is ever going to fix Snake Eyes’ face ever again. While Snake Eyes ends up looking like Ghost Rider, he continues to tango with Chimera. Scarlett comes to Snake Eyes’ aid, but that face isn’t going to be saved.

Snake Eyes dives for a shaft, taking Chimera with him. Meanwhile, the Joes find a pre-recorded message by Chimera, informing them of his Poison Gas/Pen plans. Breaker was introduced in Origins, and he comes into play, trying to stop Chimera’s plans, but can only manage to defeat one.

As Snake Eyes emerged from the shaft, alone, Scarlett comes to his aid and holds his battered body. As he falls into her arms, Duke emerges, shocked. Considering what happened earlier in this issue, and how Scarlett is towards Snake Eyes, I don’t think Duke has a chance with her. This event does explain some of the tension between Duke and Scarlett later on over Snake Eyes in present time.

This issue ended well. With only one of Chimera’s poison plans stopped, the Joes have something else to fight. The battle definitely isn’t over. Will we see Chimera again? If we don’t, just imagine just how much more menacing Cobra Commander might turn out to be. This issue is important as it finally sheds light on Chimera’s plans, and the brutality of his men. It also revealed important ties between the Joes, and aspects of their personality. Did anyone think that Duke would be willing to leave Scarlett behind until after the mission was accomplished? I didn’t, and now that I know he was, we can see why Scarlet would start leaning towards Snake Eyes.

Chimera definitely bears grudges against Snake Eyes prior to the Joe team being formed. I hope this is explained in the future because it’s intriguing. What made a former comrade turn against the other?

This issue ends with the Joes looking around at the base, saying it doesn’t look like a PIT anymore…

[vadersquest]

Excellent! As always, your reviews rock. I will have this issue son enough and I can see why they decided to keep this book going.

[kingphilbert]

Was this actually released today? My comic book store always gets Joe books and it wasn't on their invoice for this week when I inquired about it.

[Lone Star]

Originally Posted by kingphilbert

Was this actually released today? My comic book store always gets Joe books and it wasn't on their invoice for this week when I inquired about it.

Same here... the Diamond Comics Distributors website has this listed as "In Shops Wednesday 7/8/2009", but my local store didn't get them.

The store owner put in a call to find out what happened with the shipment, so hopefully I'll hear from her soon... sucks though, because I was really looking forward to seeing how this story arc ended. Origins has been my favorite of the new IDW releases so far. (With G.I. Joe: Cobra a close second.)

[iowajedi]

It was listed on IDW's page as coming out this week, but I haven't been able to verify it at my store yet. They had an issue a couple months back that arrived 1 week late for whatever reason.

[kingphilbert]

I feel like I rem that. An issue was die one week and came a week or two late. GI Joe Cobra 2 maybe.

[Fast_Draw]

Originally Posted by kingphilbert

Was this actually released today? My comic book store always gets Joe books and it wasn't on their invoice for this week when I inquired about it.

same here. I just got home. they didn't have it and it wasn't listed on their board of releases for today. actually, that list had no Joe releases on it.

[Snake Eyes-Joe Ninja]

I just got done at a hospital, and was EXTREMELY disappointed that BBTS is out of pre-orders for the Defense of Cobra Island... At least this issue made my day a tad better.

[Ultra Magnus 71]

Great review I am really digging this series.

[Mainframe]

Originally Posted by vadersquest

Excellent! As always, your reviews rock. I will have this issue son enough and I can see why they decided to keep this book going.

Dude, your avitar is creeping me out in a Pulp Fiction kinda way......