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02-17-2009, 06:47 PM | #1 |
VALKYRIE
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Over the rainbow where your mom is at son
Posts: 23,515
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This Review Contains Spoilers
G.I. Joe:Origins #1 Review Larry Hama makes his long-awaited return to G.I. Joe, with G.I. Joe: Origins #1, which hits shelves at the end of February. This highly anticipated issue is worth the wait! With unique artwork by Tom Feister & Mike Hawthorne and without the need for toy tie-ins, Larry Hama is unleashed! What immediately strikes out on the first few pages is Tom Feister’s crisp artwork. His unique style is something many of you will love. In a way it reminds me of vector artwork, but it isn’t. The clarity is good, the colors work well. The mix of strategically placed color holds and flow of the panels work in unison to provide a unique look for a G.I. Joe comic book. The use of color saturation is implemented well, taking into account the lighting of surrounding areas. This issue starts off with Duke and Scarlett onboard a C-130 transport plane. They are given a day to complete a combined exercise and mission. They must find out where they are upon landing, what their mission is, and how to accomplish it. They will literally be left, out in the middle of nowhere. Hawk and Stalker brief them and give them 2 code words; Scarlett’s code is BUICK, Duke’s is NLVCH They are then issued parachutes by Stalker, by way of him throwing the parachutes out of the plane. While they jump from the plane and chase their ‘chutes, narration is provided, describing how they can possibly get them. Stalker tells Hawk about the big risk taken by tossing the parachutes out, and making Duke and Scarlett chase after them. Hawk defends his decision, saying it is a “fast lane to a wash-out”. After Stalker jumps out with his parachute attached, Hawk lets him know that his ‘chute won’t work either. Hawk is stern, some may say brutal. Brutally efficient perhaps? It’s clear that he wants the best of the best, with no hesitation of putting his troops at risk during the tests. If you read G.I. Joe #0, you already have an idea of how Hawk is; nothing’s changed. Duke and Scarlett land, possibly in Nevada. At this point the artwork is done by Mike Hawthorne, and the transition is not smooth. The artwork does the job of telling the story, however it is a distinct difference from the first pages drawn by Feister. From here on, the art chores go back and forth between Feister and Hawthorne. For the sake of consistency, I would have preferred to see the entire issue drawn by Feister. The pages with more black ink are Hawthorne’s, while the pages with more colorheld lines are Feister’s. Stylistically, their styles are not drastically different, however there are distinct differences in line quality and approach. Feister’s lines tend to be more smooth, while Hawthorne’s tend to be more rigid. Elsewhere, there is a situation with a sniper, with ATF agents trying to take him into custody, along with an Army C.I.D(Criminal Investigation commanD). Agent and MP. It turns out that the sniper is a former army soldier who has been on the run for 7 years. Right when an ATF agent begins to talk, he gets shot in the head by the sniper. It also turns out that this sniper was one of the richest men in the country, but his pyramid scheme energy company fell to the ground a week earlier. He also murdered his family, then stole classified materials from the “skunk farm”, that the C.I.D. sorely wants back. In Nevada, Duke and Scarlett decide to hitchhike. A lady with a white van shows up. After Scarlett asks if Duke can come along, the lady thinks Duke and Scarlett are trying to carjack her, so she drives off with Scarlett inside. Duke chases after the van on foot. The lady flashes a gun at Scarlett, and tells her that she was an MP. Her name is Connie. Scarlett tells Connie that she is in the army too. Scarlett is then requested to recite the 5th general order, while a gun is to her head. Meanwhile, in Texas, the sniper annihilates some of the SWAT/ATF members sent to retrieve him. We learn that not only was he a doctor, he was also a green beret. In the van, Scarlett wrestles the gun away from Connie, and takes charge of the situation. The scene shifts towards Texas again, and with more revelations about the sniper. He was a psychologist, a genius who started to have breaks with reality. In his home, the C.I.D. agent and others find Goya’s “Saturn Devouring His Child”, with the face carved out. It is hinted that this could be the original painting, as the sniper certainly had enough money to buy it. Back in Nevada, the van starts veering off of the road as the MP continues to struggle with Scarlett. This sequence is designed and drawn particularly well. One big panel, almost taking up the whole page, split into three smaller panels, one small, the next one down being bigger, and the third being largest. These work to convey the passing of time, the larger the panel, the longer time passes, and the rear view window is drawn atop the middle panel to show what is going on from the inside. At the very bottom we see Duke in three small panels, quickly catching up to the van which has stopped. I was impressed by the panel designs on this page. It is a neat way of illustrating the sequence, and rather clever. The van stops, with Duke surprised. Connie decides to fix the van, and tells them how she realized that they weren’t out to steal her van. She seems to be familiar their mission/test, and gives them advice on how to pass. She doesn’t know what they are trying to pull off, and doesn’t want to know. Back in Texas, the ATF agents and crew struggle to apprehend the sniper. It turns out that existing photos of him are of no use. A week earlier, he was having plastic surgery at a small, specialized clinic. Turns out that the guy in the bed next to him was an airborne ranger, who’s face was disfigured in a covert operation. The ranger knew the sniper from a highly classified mission in Central America years prior. An explosion had occurred at the clinic, destroying all records and the surgeon who performed the surgery. So at this point, no one knows how the sniper looks anymore. The C.I.D. tells everyone else that they need to evacuate right away, as the sniper had stolen 200lb worth of plastic explosives from the skunk farm, only 20lb of which was used to blow up the clinic. The sniper reaffirms their decision to run, and calls himself a Chimera, ever-changing, elusive, and unknowable. We also see the face of Saturn from the painting worn as a mask by the sniper. If this is the man who eventually becomes Cobra Commander, then this is one of the most dangerous versions yet. If this isn’t, then this man is a credible threat that gives the Joes a very unpredictable enemy to take on. Back in Nevada, Connie tells Duke and Scarlett what NLVCH and BUICK stand for. NLVCH stands for North Las Vegas Community Hospital while BUICK stands for Burn Unit Intensive Care and bed K. Here they encounter a ranger who can hear, but cannot speak. This is the same ranger who was in the clinic next to the sniper. Duke starts second guessing if they are supposed to recruit the ranger. Meanwhile, the TV in the background broadasts news that the sniper has escaped, possibly on his own personal corporate jet. While the news plays, and Duke talks, the silent ranger writes a note, “get me out of here!” While Duke, Scarlett, and the ranger leave, the Connie faces off with someone disguised as a doctor with cryptic dialogue. We then see an explosion from the room that Scarlett and crew just left. They approach the van, and the ranger sees the fake doctor with a gun approach by his reflection in the side mirror. The ranger turns around and throws an IV back at his face. The doctor then says “Nice move Snake Eyes, but it will take more than a bag of saline to take me down!”. I got the hint it was Snake Eyes the moment I read about the disfigured ranger. Then when he was introduced as a man who couldn’t speak, but could hear. Snake Eyes then takes the IV stand and disarms the sniper. Duke starts punching the sniper, but Scarlett tells him to retreat and get in the van, since the authorities are on the way. Duke tells the sniper that he isn’t finished with him. In the van, Duke asks Snake Eyes if he wants in, and Snake Eyes responds by raising his hand. The last panel shows Stalker show up at the hospital, saying he is there to claim the body in the intensive care burn unit. He states that a hero is in there, and will be getting a special burial at Arlington. He goes onto say that the Department of Defense does not want his remains being desecrated by an autopsy. This issue leaves us with many questions. It seems like the explosion was planned, and in that respect, Snake Eyes’ former life/identity is finished, as he starts anew as a G.I. Joe. Yet, was the sniper’s involvement planned? G.I. Joe:Origins #1 proved to be an exciting issue to read. I highly anticipate future issues. The sniper/chimera definitely proved to be a dangerous threat. I hope his past is explained further. I want to know if he turns into Cobra Commander. If not, the joes have more than just Cobra to worry about. The sniper is a one-man war machine, very dangerous, elusive, and already knows who some of the Joes are. I want to know what finally made him snap. Those of you looking for a more mature G.I. Joe comic will be satisfied. When IDW announced that Larry Hama was going to pen G.I. Joe books again, some fans wondered if he still had it in him. This issue proves he still has it, and much, much more. The previous comics from the 25th anniversary comic packs don’t compare with this at all. I’m excited to see what else he has planned. I have a feeling we are in for a great, thrilling ride. |
02-17-2009, 06:56 PM | #2 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: May 2008
Location: michigan
Posts: 4,470
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wow! sounds very intense and interesting, cant wait!
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02-17-2009, 06:59 PM | #3 |
Trying to be a Eel
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Washington
Posts: 788
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Yes!! I can't wait for Wednesdy now.
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02-17-2009, 07:07 PM | #4 |
#voteblackjack
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Northwood, NH
Posts: 35,747
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Wow, that sounds awesome. Can't wait to pick it up.
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02-17-2009, 07:26 PM | #5 |
VALKYRIE
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Over the rainbow where your mom is at son
Posts: 23,515
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It is a very awesome read. Exciting from beginning to end.
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02-17-2009, 07:30 PM | #6 |
SON OF A MAD MAN
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NEW YORK
Posts: 808
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Nice
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02-17-2009, 07:30 PM | #7 |
Cobra Viper
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Lockport, NY
Posts: 451
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Sounds exciting!
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02-17-2009, 07:40 PM | #8 |
Hisstank.Com General
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,067
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Chimera is a Dr.? Isn't CC a Dr. in the movie?
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02-17-2009, 07:40 PM | #9 |
Master of Disguise
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Sarasota, FL
Posts: 4,757
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I wonder if the Sniper is Zartan? Either way sounds great. I can't wait to read it.
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02-17-2009, 07:50 PM | #10 |
VALKYRIE
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Over the rainbow where your mom is at son
Posts: 23,515
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Quote:
Chimera is a Dr.? Isn't CC a Dr. in the movie?
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