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HISS Tank Reviews GI Joe Infestation #1

GI-Joe-Infestation-1-003
HISS Tank brings you a review of GI Joe Infestation #1. So you've probably seen the preview for this issue, and you're probably wondering how it turned out. We've seen the 1st part of Infestation more than a month ago, but how well does GI Joe's involvement in Infestation go? Read on to check out the review!

GI Joe Infestation #1 Review

Credits
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Writer: Mike Raicht

Art by: Giovanni Timpano
Colors by: J. Brown

Letters by: Chris Mowry

Editor: Andy Schmidt
Assistant Editor: Bobby Curnow

Cover A
Art by: John K. Snyder III
Colors by: Jason Wright

Cover B
Art by: Giovanni Timpano
Colors by: J. Brown

Cover Retailer Incentive A “Blank Zombie Hand”
Art by: Gabriel Rodriguez

Cover Retailer Incentive B
Hand sketches by: Alejandro Germanico
Art by: Gabriel Rodriguez


The preview for GI Joe Infestation #1 in the pages of Infestation #1 suggested that GI Joe Infestation would take on a dark tone. This issue is indeed, decidedly darker than Infestation #1. Simply put, everything goes to hell for all GI Joe and Cobra operatives involved.

The Baroness sets the tone for this issue, as someone in her party is quickly killed in the first few pages, followed by the immediate capture of Psyche Out. Baroness and crew have raided the seemingly unassuming boat that Psyche Out and his team are sailing on.

Until this issue, we haven’t seen Psyche Out and Interrogator used much, so their roles in this issue are appreciated. It was also interesting to see how soldiers working under the Baroness react to her orders.

Baroness is portrayed as a ruthless Cobra operative, aided by Cobra Eels and Interrogator. Along the way, two new would-be Joes, Dolphin and Hound, are very briefly introduced.
We mentioned new would-be Joes introduced in this issue, but they aren’t the only new additions, as a new BAT design is shown. These BATs are worked on by Dr. Zych and Dr. Mitchell of Cobra. The BATs have surgical implants from animals to boost their sensory functions. While Mitchell is reluctant to perform the surgeries, Zych demands that the surgeries continue, for her own reasons….

It turns out that Psyche Out was transporting mysterious cargo, cargo that is of interest to the Baroness. Against Psyche Out’s warnings, the Baroness sends off the cargo to Dr. Zych to study.

What results is everything going south for everyone stuck on the Cobra Cottonmouth base, and possibly an unholy alliance formed for survival, in the next issue.

In some way, this issue is similar to Infestation #1 in that it’s unpredictable and that things go haywire for the main characters. This kicks things off well because the odds are against them, and this may force both GI Joe and Cobra forces to team up. Premises like that are usually entertaining.

The artwork was handled well, with J. Brown’s colors accentuating Giovanni Timpano’s artwork rather well. Timpano’s use of spot black inks is good, it aids in conveying the dark tone of the storyline. His rendition of the Baroness is rather appealing as well.

Overall this issue combines good artwork with an intriguing story and overlooked/underrated characters. It’s definitely a unique GI Joe comic worth checking out.
Credit: Shin Densetsu of the Hiss Tank Forums!
Views: 1,695
Additional Images
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Reply To Article DISCUSSION: (Jump To This Thread On The Boards)
Troynos:
Written by: Mike Raicht
Art by: Giovanni Timpano
Colors by: J. Brown
Letters by: Chris Mowry
Cover Art: A- John K. Synder III w/ Jason Wright; B- Giovanni Timpano w/ J. Brown
Assistant Editor:Bobby Curnow
Editor: Andy Schmidt



I wasn't sure how the Unlife virus set loose by Britt was going to affect the world of the Joes. I was kind of worried because the story would have little to no impact on the regular continuity if it introduced zombies into the world. I'm glad that they only went with a partial "infestation". No physical zombies, just the zombified artificial intelligence, the robots. The robots invade and their zombie programming takes over, causing them to take over a person (who had artificial systems in her), prototype BATs, and the Cobra facility.

Raicht and the IDW team have done a good job with this Infestation crossover. They've managed to make it still fit within the Infestation event but able to fit into the IDW Joe-verse as well. So this story could have deeper meaning in the Joe mythos then at first glance. Here's hoping that the second issue doesn't ruin that.

The story has Psyche-Out and some Joes, Hound and a new version of Dolphin (Dolphin is an existing Action Force code name) in a low tech sailboat trying to take something away. Cobra attacks and steals the "something", which ends up being a robot arm from the original Infestation world. This arm and it's tech managed to take over a Joe facility before it was stopped.

The low tech method of the Joes extraction and Psyche-Out's rule of no tech doesn't make sense at first, but once the reveal of the arm happens, it works and was a good way of foreshadowing what would happen later.

Raicht's script is very strong. He does a good job with the characters and it was nice to see the little touches he uses to bring this solidly into the IDW Joe-verse. The Interrogator, using the version created in Max Brooks' Hearts and Minds, is a nice way to connect the various Joe-verse stories.

This could have easily been horrible, with the Joes facing zombies, and not have much meaning on the rest of the stories. But the end result is a good story that can fit in well with the rest of the comics.

Timpano's art is solid. It starts off rough, the first couple pages aren't as strong as the rest of the book. His BATS are a bit featureless, so that will disappoint some fans, but he does do a good job with the background details and the animals. He even gives the two throw-away Joes distinct looks.

He's got a good grasp of storytelling, his panels flowing smoothly. His characters are well proportioned and there is no awkwardness to them.

The only negative might be with the coloring, as it's a bit too dark and in some cases a bit too overpowering.

G.I. Joe Infestation #1 receives
4 out of 5

A smart way to have Joe involved in the crossover allows this event tie-in to be connected to the overall Joe stories.
WVMojo:
I've bought all of the Infestation books so far and they are entertaining...I haven't read any of the other books from IDW, and I doubt I will start, but it's a nice little collection to have especially for zombie fans.

Did you pick up the Infestation Sketch Book? Awesome concept art in there of Cobra Commander, Snake Eyes, and Baroness.
South Texas Joe:
Just finished reading. I was a little disappointed that they didn't actually fight zombies but I think Troynos hit his review right on the head. Overall its a good read.
skilkie:
hey troynos, how come you don't post your reviews over on idw's site anymore? they are missed.

(this is machete phil from that site, btw)
Stormgard:
I liked this more than I thought I would. Solid work.
Troynos:
Quote:
Originally Posted by skilkie View Post
hey troynos, how come you don't post your reviews over on idw's site anymore? they are missed.

(this is machete phil from that site, btw)
I'll start doing it again. Been so busy that I don't have time to hit up as many sites as I used to.
Breakerfan:
From seeing this I may actually check it out. I was worried it would be a book filled with zombies and then snake eyes would cut them all to pieces while other joes sat back and gasped or died. I didn't need anymore of that drivel.
Troynos:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Breakerfan View Post
From seeing this I may actually check it out. I was worried it would be a book filled with zombies and then snake eyes would cut them all to pieces while other joes sat back and gasped or died. I didn't need anymore of that drivel.
Thats what I was afraid of.

On one hand it would have been kind of okay to see the Joes take on some zombies, even see some Joes become zombies. But on the other, that would have meant the book wouldn't have any bearing/meaning to the regular continuity. Which would have been okay but would ultimately have been a meaningless book.

So I'm glad they found something in the middle. There's still part of the Infestation "plague" but it's a part that can work with the stories of the regular Joe books.
 

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