| IDW GI Joe OPERATION HISS #2 Reviewed |
| Posted on 03-16-2010 at 11:19 PM by Shin Densetsu | |  | While the OPERATION HISS web cartoon is aimed at a much younger audience, IDW is giving something to us older fans in the form of the GI Joe OPERATION HISS comic mini-series! Featuring the debut of Major Bludd, possibly some new Cobra troopers, and other familiar faces, this series is the official sequel to Rise of Cobra and shows what takes place between the 1st movie and GI Joe 2.
M.A.R.S. facilities abandoned! A "new" group called the Venom PMC! One one-eyed mercenary and perhaps a sneak peak at new Cobra attack vehicles! How did G.I. Joe OPERATION H.I.S.S. #2 turn out? Click on the discuss button to read on and find out!
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| Shin Densetsu: GI Joe OPERATION HISS #2 Review
GI Joe OPERATION HISS is the official sequel to the GI Joe Rise of Cobra movie and shows the events that occur between the 1st movie and GI Joe 2. After seeing the movie last year, and reviewing the IDW comic adaptation, I found that the IDW version featured stronger characterization than it's onscreen counterpart. In addition, certain events shown in the comic adaptation did not make it into the movie. Quite honestly, had they been implemented in the movie, the movie would have been stronger in my opinion. As such, I have been looking forward to the OPERATION HISS mini series for quite a while now.
The covers are hand drawn, not the photo covers that were on the Rise of Cobra comic adaptations. The covers are pretty cool, my favorite being the one that shows Major Bludd, and possibly a sneak peek at an upcoming Cobra vehicle.
This series is written by Brian Reed, with art by Agustin Padilla. Now Padilla may sound familiar, and it's because he is the penciler for the upcoming GI Joe #155-1/2! I don't think you'll be disappointed with the artwork. It's fairly detailed, and uses a lot of spot blacks. I like ink a lot, however the only criticism I have here is that the inks are rough in some places. For example, when the Joes initiate a parachute drop on pages 8-9, the texture applied to the parachutes look out of place. Also, throughout the book, there are random spots of ink spread throughout. At 1st I thought they were there for texture, but then I realized they are on parts where they just stick out.
Also on page 3, the C-130 shown has camouflage applied without taking into account the curvature of the aircraft. The camo looks flat. Other than those criticisms, the artwork is good, and a definite improvement over the comic adaptation from last year.
The story so far is intriguing. It is far more mature, and exponentially better than the OPERATION HISS web cartoon which premiered a few weeks ago. Unlike that cartoon, this comic is aimed at older fans like us. Also noticeable, is the lack of not-so-subtle attempts at humor, which was prominent in the movie. You'll see none of that here! Everyone is probably worrying about Ripcord trying to crack a joke in a heated situation. Yet he cracks none whatsoever here.
The Rise of Cobra movie was widely known as a pop corn flick but OPERATION HISS goes in a different direction, which I think fans will appreciate. The Joes are after a group called the Venom PMC(Private Military Corporation), and are trying to figure out why certain M.A.R.S. facilities have been abandoned. With the introduction of Cobra out of the way in the 1st movie, we can now see what Cobra is truly like. Considering how IDW is handling Cobra in their non-movie continuity books, I can't wait to see they will handle Cobra in OPERATION HISS!
it won't be a spoiler here to mention that Major Bludd makes an appearance, as his debut was hyped up during the press releases not too long ago. Of course everyone is wondering what he looks like, and if looks anything like the original. Well, his costume isn't a drastic departure from how we're used to seeing him. In fact, it comes across more as a modern costume for Major Bludd rather than a movie version. For example, it doesn't look as far away from the original design than the movie versions of Cobra Commander and Storm Shadow. Could this in fact, be a Hasbro design, set to be released in the Pursuit of Cobra line this fall?
Speaking of familiar designs, there is a certain Cobra trooper which shows up, that looks nothing like the Neo Vipers, and Viper Commandos from Rise of Cobra; it's more in line with what a Cobra trooper, or should I say Viper, should look like.
Overall I think fans will enjoy this series. It has some surprise appearances, and while the movie incorporated humor, this series incorporates more seriousness. This is essentially how most of us think the movie should have been handled. It's great to see a different take on the movieverse, and IDW has shown that they handle Cobra pretty damn well. It can only get better than here and I have a feeling that OPERATION HISS will end up having a more favorable story than the movie did. It's definitely worth picking up and I eagerly await issue #3! Troynos: Cool. Can't wait to pick it up. Shin Densetsu: Quote:
Originally Posted by Troynos  Cool. Can't wait to pick it up. | It's the strongest movie continuity book so far, up there with the Duke Prequel from last year. Snake Shadow09: is ss in issue 1? also any signs of ff or beachead? Shin Densetsu: Quote:
Originally Posted by Snake Shadow09 is ss in issue 1? also any signs of ff or beachead? | FF/Beachhead no. Storm Shadow, SPOILERS yes. There is no roof top fight scene with him either. He literally just makes an appearance and makes his presence known, but not in costume. Snake Shadow09: thanks for that, whats he wearing he his not in costume? once again thank you. Shin Densetsu: Quote:
Originally Posted by Snake Shadow09 thanks for that, whats he wearing he his not in costume? once again thank you. | He is in a business suit, costume won't show up until the next issue at earliest. Snake Shadow09: thanks but on the cover he has his roc costume. do you think down the line we will see guys like beachead and ff? enrico0819: Quote:
Originally Posted by Shin Densetsu FF/Beachhead no. Storm Shadow, SPOILERS yes. There is no roof top fight scene with him either. He literally just makes an appearance and makes his presence known, but not in costume. | My mistake.. although the preview pages that were shown are exactly the same as the one on the ROC comic book that came with the video game... I think they just borrowed the first few pages and made a new story... the comic book that I read served as a preview to the video game... It even showed Duke wearing his classic ARAH costume... Scarlett actually made fun of him... Nemesis*Prime: Quote:
Originally Posted by Shin Densetsu The covers are pretty cool, my favorite being the one that shows Major Bludd, and possibly a sneak peek at an upcoming Cobra vehicle. | I've seen all the covers for upcoming issues of this series, but I don't remember seeing anything on any of them that offered a sneak peek at any COBRA hardware?
Anyway, great review and look forward to getting my copy of the 1st issue of this series this weekend. I'm looking forward to this series as well. Frankly I think IDW has poorly handled COBRA in their main series and am hoping they present the organization and its various characters, troops and war machines in a better way. Shin Densetsu: Quote:
Originally Posted by Snake Shadow09 thanks but on the cover he has his roc costume. do you think down the line we will see guys like beachead and ff? | Covers are not always indicative of what occurs in the interior pages. Will Storm Shadow appear in costume? Most likely later on, but his presence in the 1st issue isn't in action; it's a re-introduction. As for Beachhead and Firefly, I don't know.
Quote:
Originally Posted by enrico0819 My mistake.. although the preview pages that were shown are exactly the same as the one on the ROC comic book that came with the video game... I think they just borrowed the first few pages and made a new story... the comic book that I read served as a preview to the video game... It even showed Duke wearing his classic ARAH costume... Scarlett actually made fun of him... | It's possible. Though I will say that Duke doesn't show up in his classic ARAH uniform at all, and Scarlett doesn't joke him.
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Originally Posted by Nemesis*Prime I've seen all the covers for upcoming issues of this series, but I don't remember seeing anything on any of them that offered a sneak peek at any COBRA hardware? | The new vehicles are on the variant cover with Major Bludd, on the bottom. Nemesis*Prime: Quote:
Originally Posted by Shin Densetsu The new vehicles are on the variant cover with Major Bludd, on the bottom. | OK, found it. It was on Corroney's homepage.
Now THAT's a bad ass cover. Although the vehicles look like the armored transports used by NATO in the beginning of ROC, just in black with COBRA markings. Snake Shadow09: Quote:
Originally Posted by Shin Densetsu Covers are not always indicative of what occurs in the interior pages. Will Storm Shadow appear in costume? Most likely later on, but his presence in the 1st issue isn't in action; it's a re-introduction. As for Beachhead and Firefly, I don't know.
It's possible. Though I will say that Duke doesn't show up in his classic ARAH uniform at all, and Scarlett doesn't joke him.
The new vehicles are on the variant cover with Major Bludd, on the bottom. | what does your heart tell you? BBQurious7: they kept the mouth on snake eyes nice job Snake Shadow09: Quote:
Originally Posted by BBQurious7 they kept the mouth on snake eyes nice job | it will be gone by the next movie me thinks. enrico0819: Hey Shin Densetsu, this is the rooftop fight I'm talking about...
 enrico0819: Quote:
Originally Posted by Shin Densetsu
It's possible. Though I will say that Duke doesn't show up in his classic ARAH uniform at all, and Scarlett doesn't joke him.
| 
From what I can see on the very first panel, Duke is wearing his ARAH costume... From what I can read on the 2nd panel, Scarlett is sorta making fun of Duke... Troynos: According to Shin, those pages don't occur in issue #1. Maybe they will in #2.
The video game comic could have been made piece meal from existing pages of the HISS comic. enrico0819: Quote:
Originally Posted by Troynos According to Shin, those pages don't occur in issue #1. Maybe they will in #2.
The video game comic could have been made piece meal from existing pages of the HISS comic. | The video game comic came out about a month after the movie was shown... I think what they did was, they took all the pages of the video game preview comic and distributed them to issues 1 and 2 of the Operation Hiss comic... That's my theory... Troynos: Who's credited on the video game comic? ULTRON: sounds awesome,how longs it been out? WildWeasel: Quote:
Originally Posted by Troynos | Wrong, you almost had it right. Shin reviewed and is talking about Operation HISS #2. The issue that came out today is issue #1 it is a complete reprint of the free exclusive comic that was available from Game Stop for the video game. Major Bludd is NOT in the first issue at all. He appears in the second. Reed did NOT expand the first issue to take place over 2 issues, there is only a tiny addition to one word balloon and the omission of the video game code in this reprint, but the rest of the contents of the book is the EXACT same as the free exclusive one. If you read the issue number on the cover with Bludd (one with the trade dressing), you will see it says #2, NOT #1. ZARTAN.uk: sounds good,i cant wait to pick up my copy from the comic book store.aint bought a joe comic in years and years!!!! Snake Shadow09: did issue 1 and 2 come out in the same day? enrico0819: Quote:
Originally Posted by WildWeasel Wrong, you almost had it right. Shin reviewed and is talking about Operation HISS #2. The issue that came out today is issue #1 it is a complete reprint of the free exclusive comic that was available from Game Stop for the video game. Major Bludd is NOT in the first issue at all. He appears in the second. Reed did NOT expand the first issue to take place over 2 issues, there is only a tiny addition to one word balloon and the omission of the video game code in this reprint, but the rest of the contents of the book is the EXACT same as the free exclusive one. If you read the issue number on the cover with Bludd (one with the trade dressing), you will see it says #2, NOT #1. |
Where's Shin? I told ya so! sonoftimmy: Bought issue 1 and read it last night it was good. Looking forward to issue 2 next month.
Two highlights for me were: The Viper helmets are outstanding hope we get a figure in the new toy line with those heads. Also really like Scarlett's head and slight mods to her Reactive Impact Armor uniform, hope we get her in a figure as well. Snake Shadow09: lets hope ff and beachead show up soon. delta1974: how can issue 2 be out already? went to the local comic shops yesterday and all they recieved was issue 1.if it is out then diamond screwed the shop owners again just like with cobra 2 issue 2 last week.if thats the case then i am done with comics completely. WildWeasel: Quote:
Originally Posted by delta1974 how can issue 2 be out already? went to the local comic shops yesterday and all they recieved was issue 1.if it is out then diamond screwed the shop owners again just like with cobra 2 issue 2 last week.if thats the case then i am done with comics completely. | Operation HISS #2 DID NOT come out this week! Only issue #1 was available. Shin reviewed an advanced copy of #2 thinking it was #1.
Also, last weeks delay of Cobra II #2 wasn't really Diamond's fault. There has been a couple (1 | 2) of accidents over the last 2 (or 3) weeks now, due to the weather we have been having. One of the drivers crashed and I believe he died too. Needless to say, all the books were destroyed. From what I've been told it was a ton of Marvel books and independents such as IDW. This affected the North/North East receiving books out of the Indiana (I think it is Indiana) hub. Troynos: Quote:
Originally Posted by delta1974 how can issue 2 be out already? went to the local comic shops yesterday and all they recieved was issue 1.if it is out then diamond screwed the shop owners again just like with cobra 2 issue 2 last week.if thats the case then i am done with comics completely. | Diamond can't control the weather. Owners not receiving Cobra II #2 was not something they had control over.
Diamond Comics warns of possible delays for comic shipments - Comic Book Resources Snake Shadow09: so when does issue 2 come out? Irid70: I've written a review of this issue for Pendragon's Post, where I write semi-regular comic and occasional film reviews.
I wasn't kind to it; I enjoy the art style, but to me the characterization of Hawk in particular, and the indefensibly stupid operation he's put into place, really make it break down for me. enrico0819: Where the hell is Shin? Looks like he choked on his own words when he cried "Bull$#!!" to what I said about SS and SE's rooftop fight and Duke wearing his ARAH costume... Snake Shadow09: i just picked up issue one and ss is in costume and he fights se... enrico0819: I don't see Shin Densetsu posting in this thread anymore... He was so sure there was no appearance of Storm Shadow in costume... He didn't believe me when I said I already read that issue several months ago... Shin Densetsu: Quote:
Originally Posted by enrico0819 Where the hell is Shin? Looks like he choked on his own words when he cried "Bull$#!!" to what I said about SS and SE's rooftop fight and Duke wearing his ARAH costume... | Quote:
Originally Posted by enrico0819 I don't see Shin Densetsu posting in this thread anymore... He was so sure there was no appearance of Storm Shadow in costume... He didn't believe me when I said I already read that issue several months ago... | The issue that was available was mislabled as issue #1 when in fact the issue that I read and reviewed was issue #2. Not that I give a damn if you read issue #1 months ago. Cool, you read it, I haven't. As for choking on words? Looking for internet praise much? Wow. No. I mean, it's not like I'm bragging about reading issue #2 and pointing out how you have yet to read it and won't be able to read it for another month or so. Who cares. The thread title and news post was changed to reflect the issue number. Everything stated in my review pertains to issue #2. enrico0819: Quote:
Originally Posted by Shin Densetsu The issue that was available was mislabled as issue #1 when in fact the issue that I read and reviewed was issue #2. Not that I give a damn if you read issue #1 months ago. Cool, you read it, I haven't. As for choking on words? Looking for internet praise much? Wow. No. I mean, it's not like I'm bragging about reading issue #2 and pointing out how you have yet to read it and won't be able to read it for another month or so. Who cares. The thread title and news post was changed to reflect the issue number. Everything stated in my review pertains to issue #2. | I was not looking for internet praise... I just didn't like how quickly you dismissed what I said as untrue because it was very unlikely... You immediately said that it was for a different continuity even without asking any questions... You do realize that the Tank is one of the few online communities who are not troll-infested... I haven't seen anyone lie or fool someone here... Snake Shadow09: come on guys, lets not start flame wars. Troynos: It was a simple mistake that anyone could have easily made. There was no indication given previously by IDW that Operation: HISS #1 was going to be a reprint of the comic that came with the video game. So it was logical to assume that they were two different things especially where #2 seems to start off like a #1 would and the copy of #2 was labeled #1. Shin Densetsu: Quote:
Originally Posted by enrico0819 I was not looking for internet praise... I just didn't like how quickly you dismissed what I said as untrue because it was very unlikely... You immediately said that it was for a different continuity even without asking any questions... You do realize that the Tank is one of the few online communities who are not troll-infested... I haven't seen anyone lie or fool someone here... | Look I never intended to make you look like a liar or fool. By the same token, the eagerness to call me out and assume that I wasn't posting in this thread just because of the mislabeling issue was unnecessary. The copy I got was mislabeled and that's where the confusion stemmed from. The news post and review have been edited, as stated before, for the sake of accuracy and to avoid further confusion. Shin Densetsu: Quote:
Originally Posted by Troynos It was a simple mistake that anyone could have easily made. There was no indication given previously by IDW that Operation: HISS #1 was going to be a reprint of the comic that came with the video game. So it was logical to assume that they were two different things especially where #2 seems to start off like a #1 would and the copy of #2 was labeled #1. | True on both counts, and #2 definitely could pass as a #1 judging by the way it was written. |
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