| IDW's G.I. Joe Origins #3 Reviewed! |
| Posted on 04-21-2009 at 01:30 PM by Shin Densetsu | Social Bookmarks | RSS Feeds | The next installment in the origin of G.I. Joe has been reviewed! The 3rd issue of G.I. Joe Origins by IDW sees the initial team of joes formed for the first time, and the introductions are short as Chimera ups the ante in no time!
Snake Eyes finds a toy to play with, and it isn't Scarlett! See more joes vie for her affection, irritating Duke in the process!
What else does this issue have in store for us, and how did it turn out? Find out by clicking the discuss button below!
| | Credit: Shin Densetsu of the Hiss Tank Forums! | Views: 1,110 | | Shin Densetsu: G.I. Joe Origins #3 Review
Larry Hama and Mike Hawthorne(with color assist by Erik Swanson) bring us the next chapter in the origin of G.I. Joe. The alternate cover by Andrea Divito is impressive; it shows the heavy gunners of the G.I. Joe team, Heavy Duty and Rock ‘n Roll.
The very first thing that caught my attention when reading this issue was the artwork. It is the most polished of the 3 Origins issues out so far, and as a result, the clarity is highest here than in previous issues. Mike Hawthorne along with Erik Swanson did a very good job in keeping the artwork consistent all throughout the book. It does not go back and forth like the 1st issue and builds upon the improvement we witnessed in the 2nd issue.
Many of the panels overlap each other, adding more depth to the design of the pages. This is especially effective when a flashback sequence is shown with Chimera. The panels taking place in present time are on top, with the flashback panel being colorheld and in the background, primarily in grey scale. This provides depth not only in the panel design but with regards to color as well.
Chimera continues his rise to power and quickly gains more destructive weaponry. As a result, the G.I. Joe team heads toward Nevada in an effort to try to stop him. I get the feeling that this operation will not end well as it does seem like the odds are against them. This issue marks the first time that some of the joes are even introduced to each other.
The joes are going to face Chimera for the first time as a team, and this is exciting because now we will see how they stack up against him. This provides more to look forward to in the upcoming issues.
In a meeting with potential recruits, we see the Chimera escorted by someone who I think is Storm Shadow. Judging by how he handles the “introduction”, perhaps he is. If this is the case, perhaps the Storm Shadow we are seeing is willing to kill to hide his true reason for helping Cobra or Chimera. Or perhaps he is just a legitimately evil character(I sure hope not!). We don’t know for sure if he is just a guard or actually is Storm Shadow, and I think we’ll find out soon.
Snake Eyes talks with an old army vet(motel owner) that isn’t on a joe team but helps out. A sword on the wall of the motel catches his eyes, and the motel owner says it is from World War 2 and isn’t worth anything. A symbol is described, and the sword sure seems worth something to a silent joe in particular….
The joes land in Nevada soon after Chimera gains access to a secret base that makes him exponentially more powerful than before, while at the same time covering his tracks. The impending battle is not going to be easy for the joes.
As the issue ends, we see Snakes fixated on the old sword. I think we are in for a huge treat when the joes take on Chimera and his forces in the next issues. Chimera has the means to attack with a large scale and the joes don’t!
Chimera has proven to be highly intelligent, resourceful, and deadly. Imagine, if this guy isn’t the man who becomes Cobra Commander or isn’t even affiliated with Cobra, imagine how much more deadly Cobra actually will be! Troynos: I hope they keep Storm Shadow evil. Shin Densetsu: Quote: |
I hope they keep Storm Shadow evil.
| I hope they don't. Storm Shadow has generally been a tragic hero who has to live a lie to tell a truth. If you take that away, just make him some evil ninja, he's just a generic evil ninja clad in white, and that's boring. It's his whole battle with his internal demons and the fact that despite being heroic, he isn't perfect, that makes him a character with a lot of depth. That's the appeal for him.
Making him just some evil ninja in a white costume, just so Snake Eyes has a polar opposite in a different color, makes him no different from the generic evil ninjas from the 80's ninja craze movies. Snake Eyes-Joe Ninja: Seriously getting tired of the Scarlett/Duke thing. Not my cup o tea. It's almost like they're trying to ween her off SE. Movie, Resolute (maybe) and now the comics? I like my SE/Scarlett relationship, thank you.
Oh, and SS needs to be a tragic character, not a pri**. Shin Densetsu: Quote:
Seriously getting tired of the Scarlett/Duke thing. Not my cup o tea. It's almost like they're trying to ween her off SE. Movie, Resolute (maybe) and now the comics? I like my SE/Scarlett relationship, thank you.
Oh, and SS needs to be a tragic character, not a pri**.
| In Origins, I think we will see how Duke and Scarlett get together and eventually break. You can tell by the regular joe title that Scarlett is not going back to Duke and that she can't help but assist Snake Eyes.
I have a feeling Snake Eyes will win her over by not trying too hard, and Duke will be irritated because of this(it's obvious that he doesn't want Scarlett to go to Snake Eyes in the main title, while in Origins, the tension between he and Scarlett is pretty high, you can tell Duke and Scarlett won't last long as a couple). shlappyguy: So what new Joes do we meet besides Rock n' ROll and Heavy Road Duty Block? Steel Brigade: Does this come out 4/22/09? Shin Densetsu: Quote: |
So what new Joes do we meet besides Rock n' ROll and Heavy Road Duty Block?
| Possibly Storm Shadow, but it's vague so far and he might not be a joe at first(bodyguard next to Chimera).
Quote: |
Does this come out 4/22/09?
| Yes Steel Brigade: ^ Thanks Shin, I didn't see it on the comic list at Comic Book Jones so I thought I'd ask. Great review & I can't wait to see the art!! shlappyguy: Quote:
Originally Posted by Shin Densetsu  Possibly Storm Shadow, but it's vague so far and he might not be a joe at first(bodyguard next to Chimera). | Thanks. I picked up the first two issues, but I'm undecided on whether I'll be picking up any more. I'm frustrated by the Duke-centricness of it all, and the ongoing lack of Clutch. Shin Densetsu: Quote: |
I'm frustrated by the Duke-centricness of it all, and the ongoing lack of Clutch.
| You might start seeing Snake Eyes more often in the next issue, as some of the emphasis was shifted towards him in this issue. I have a feeling he might be used as a deus ex machina. RolandofGilead: Quote:
Originally Posted by Shin Densetsu You might start seeing Snake Eyes more often in the next issue, as some of the emphasis was shifted towards him in this issue. I have a feeling he might be used as a deus ex machina. | I'm sure those very words will be etched on his grave in Arlington. xFlintx: I'm waiting for the TPB's because I have to watch my money, but all the titles sound excellent right now. AlleyViper559: i like the whole Duke/Scarlett thing...good to see a bit of variance for a change....to me the whole SE/Scarlett thing was a bit tired..as for the rest of the books..it's a damn good read so far. iowajedi: Quote:
Originally Posted by Shin Densetsu Possibly Storm Shadow, but it's vague so far and he might not be a joe at first(bodyguard next to Chimera).
Yes | I just went to my comic store and it wasn't there. They didn't receive any new Joe books this week but have carried all of the titles/issues thus far. Any idea if this was delayed?
Shin - how did you get your copy a day early? Fast_Draw: Quote:
Originally Posted by Shin Densetsu Yes | ugh, now I need to run out! Fast_Draw: oh, so is this for sure out today? I can't find a release date and the poster before me said the store they went to didn't have it. I thought they were always slated for the last Wednesday of each month? Steel Brigade: Quote:
Originally Posted by iowajedi I just went to my comic store and it wasn't there. They didn't receive any new Joe books this week but have carried all of the titles/issues thus far. Any idea if this was delayed?
Shin - how did you get your copy a day early? | Same thing happened to me, they didn't get any Joe books in today, they said try back next week. :( Fast_Draw: it must be next week. according to this site there are only 2 GI Joe releases for this week.
ComicList: - Preliminary ComicList for 04/22/2009
Quote:
GI Joe Best Of Larry Hama HC, $50.00
GI Joe #1 (New Dimension Comics Exclusive Sketch Cover), $44.99
| Shin Densetsu: Quote: |
I just went to my comic store and it wasn't there. They didn't receive any new Joe books this week but have carried all of the titles/issues thus far. Any idea if this was delayed?
| It was slated for this week, this kind of thing has happened with Diamond Comics/Previews before. A few months back, a G.I. Joe issue was sent to part of the US but I believe either the west or east coast didn't get shipments until the week after. QBERT: my comic shop as well....nothing. This is more than coincidence now.
They have had every issue, even incentives and variants until today. I think it's next week to be honest for us NorthEast guys. iowajedi: I'm Northwest - sounds like it was delayed on both sides of the country. Shin Densetsu: Quote: |
I'm Northwest - sounds like it was delayed on both sides of the country.
| That's weird man, usually if shipment is delayed on 1 side, it's out on the other, This is the first time where it's both. Shin Densetsu: This issue is set to be released later today, I hope all comic shops receive it. I expect to see Snake Eyes use his new "toy" in either the next issue, or #5. Shin Densetsu: Were any of you able to pick this issue up today? Fast_Draw: yes, but I had to go back in the afternoon as they didn't have it in the morning. funny thing is they had it listed as #4 on their board that listed new releases for 4/29. COL Abernathy: I got the feeling that "Bob Light", who seems like an older version of Wild Bill, is not who we think he is.
C'mon... "BOB LIGHT??" That's gotta mean something.
Robert Lite?
Low Light?
It's gotta mean SOMETHING... :l:l:l: It does mean something. Apparently Larry Hama loosely based Snake-Eyes on a real life Vietnam vet named Bob Light. Wish I knew more... zuludelta: Quote:
Originally Posted by COL Abernathy I got the feeling that "Bob Light", who seems like an older version of Wild Bill, is not who we think he is. | Quote:
Originally Posted by :l:l:l It does mean something. Apparently Larry Hama loosely based Snake-Eyes on a real life Vietnam vet named Bob Light. Wish I knew more... | From an old Larry Hama interview:
Quote: | Larry Hama: Snake-eyes is loosely based on Sgt. Bob Light of the 1st Air Cav, God bless him, wherever he is. Ron Wagner claimed that his version of Storm-Shadow was based on me. Suffice to say, that Ron's version is idealized and flattering!
| Shin Densetsu: Ron Wagner's version of Storm Shadow? Is he talking about a specific costume design for Storm Shadow?
Interesting about Bob Light, thanks for bringing that up guys. I wonder if that was also the same air cav member that Wild Bill was based off of. zuludelta: Quote:
Originally Posted by Shin Densetsu Ron Wagner's version of Storm Shadow? Is he talking about a specific costume design for Storm Shadow? | I'm pretty sure he's referring to Storm-Shadow's appearance in issue #67. I don't have the comic on hand right now, but near the end of the book, when Storm-Shadow is giving this talk to Billy about his views on violence, he really looks like Larry Hama, complete with 80's styled hair.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shin Densetsu Interesting about Bob Light, thanks for bringing that up guys. I wonder if that was also the same air cav member that Wild Bill was based off of. | I always thought Wild Bill was based on Captain Kilgore from Apocalypse Now. |
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:39 AM. | |
