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03-12-2009, 08:54 PM | #1 |
Hisstank.Com General
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G.I Joe Origins#1
Shin Densetsu's 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. Cover A (Standard Version) Cover B (Dorman Variant) Cover C (DYNAMIC FORCES Variant) |
03-12-2009, 08:58 PM | #2 |
Hisstank.Com General
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G.I. Joe Origins#2
Shin Densetsu's review: In this issue, we learn a bit more about Snake Eyes. He is featured on the variant cover, looking ready to kill. A fair warning for you Snake Eyes fans, he isn’t active in this issue. While we do learn more about him, he is just laying in bed. I realize that many of you on the boards have thought Snake Eyes would be blazing into action very soon. I don’t anticipate this happening until we see him on a regular(non-variant) cover, like the last issue of Origins. The issue starts off with a nosy doctor examining Snake Eyes. Right off the bat, we see the “I’Ching” hexagram, the Arashikage clan symbol, on his forearm. The dialogue in these first panels serve to introduce the reader as to why Snake Eyes may have such a thing on his arm. For those of you who are new to G.I. Joe comics, this works in your favor. While the doctor makes observations on Snake Eyes injuries, the artwork shifts towards grey scale, first through Snake Eyes’ lenses, and then we see a flashback through his eyes. This was a clever shift in colors, and is a neat way of starting a flashback scene. The Chimera appears in this flashback, as he taunts Snake Eyes he starts stating the obvious, showcasing an over the top attitude. Some of you might be used to it from the last issue, I wasn’t expecting it, so I thought it was funny. In the last issue he spoke cryptically at times and it was obvious that he wasn’t a good guy, but he didn’t come off as a guy who would be like “HAH Look what I’m going to do!”. The flashback sequence showed how Snake Eyes got more injuries in the clinic where the Chimera was staying, in the last issue. The doctor apparently knows here Scarlett and crew are headed, and he isn’t supposed to know. Stalker shows up at a funeral in Arlington, seen with another soldier. At first I thought he might be a new joe recruit, but it turns out he was a friend of Snake Eyes. This soldier talks admirably about Snake Eyes, and for the first time we find out why he may have gotten the codename, Snake Eyes. This is good because we barely know anything about Snake Eyes at this point. I hope we find out how exactly he earned the codename later on. We are treated to a flashback of Scarlett’s past, with her looking back, almost as if looking at the panels behind her, in blue. This was done effectively, I did a double take to make sure I was catching everything. It’s a creative way of showing a character’s introspective. At the end of the flashback, we still see Scarlett looking back, with her face in regular color, different from the blue of the flashback sequence, showing that we are now in present time. A new joe is introduced, and while yes this guy is Roadblock, for legal reasons he is called Heavy Duty here. He is on a discreet recon mission that is anything but discreet, by the way he is carrying himself. He disregards some of what Hawk says, and with that we have our first rebel Joe. With this tension, this leaves something to be explored further in upcoming issues. In Snake Eyes room, 2 would-be robbers shows up, and one of them has a ranger tattoo on his arm. After seeing Snake Eyes’ silver star, the ranger has 2nd thoughts. Now I wonder, is this ranger going to be a future G.I. Joe member? I kept looking at his other tattoos, thinking that maybe this is Storm Shadow, or another familiar face, typically connected to Snake Eyes. He has no Arashikage symbol on his forearm, just a tattoo of a spider web. We don’t see much of the Chimera in this issue, but he does appear again towards the end, as he goes about his plan to gain power. This issue introduced a new joe, and perhaps more. Could Snake Eyes’ comrade at the funeral become a future joe? How about the ranger who had 2nd thoughts about robbing Snake Eyes? The Chimera shows more of his intelligence, and cunning personality. The artwork in this issue was consistent all throughout, it does not suffer from the abrupt, back and forth shifts shown in the last issue. The colors are handled well and the transition to flashback sequences is executed seamlessly. Those sequences are the highlights of this issue. The clarity of the artwork is high all throughout, nothing distracting and the flow from panel to panel is smooth. The story was written in a way that both new Joe fans, and old can appreciate. Not all fans know what the “I’Ching” hexagram is, or where it’s from, but in this issue they’ll know. A serious tone is maintained all throughout, Hawk is always on edge, and the only thing close to campy was the Chimera’s dialogue in Snake Eyes’ flashback. Even then it’s not as over the top as to be downright ridiculous. You never get the feeling that the Chimera is a one-dimensional joke. If the Chimera isn’t Cobra Commander, then just imagine how much more of a threat Cobra Commander will be. |
03-12-2009, 08:58 PM | #3 |
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G.I Joe Origins#3
Shin Densetsu's 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! |
07-17-2009, 01:42 AM | #4 |
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G.I. Joe Origins #4 Review
Shin Densetsu's review: This issue has the Joe team fighting together, in an action packed installment of G.I. Joe Origins. This issue is brought to us once again by the team of Larry Hama and Mike Hawthorne. In previous issues, we’ve seen the origins of some of the Joe team members. We’ve seen the origin of Chimera, and his rather quick build up of his own militia. The last issue saw the Joes about to invade Chimera’s hideout(an abandoned military base). The Joes invade Chimera’s hideout, and we get to see how they function as a team, in battle. The backgrounds, lighting, and page layout switch from light to dark, accentuating the calm moments outdoor, and the intense action indoor, within the base. The page borders are switched from white to black when showcasing the battle within the base. This is a design element used very well, enhancing the sense of atmosphere within the panels. Chimera’s henchmen, though in plain clothes rather than uniforms/costumes, manage to look evil at first sight. The heroes and villains are obvious in this book, just by looks alone. Good work by Mike Hawthorne on facial expressions and on the designs of the henchmen. Chimera’s men include a trigger happy guy named Cahill. He wants to throw a grenade at the Joes, but another henchman warns him that the crates around them all contain explosives. This issue shows a few deaths, enhancing the sense of realism in battle, and the villainy of Chimera. We see Stalker, and other Joes taking out Chimera’s henchmen in quick, and brutal succession. Scarlett even shoots one in the eye with her crossbow. A hostage situation is shown, that ends rather quick…proving that the government and the Joe team are dealing with a foe unlike any other. Scarlett, unaware that the place is surrounded by explosives, is about to throw a grenade at Chimera’s men but is cornered by him at gunpoint. A hand to hand battle ensues, and it looks like Snake Eyes might end up saving the day for her(judging by his arrival onbase immediately afterwards, and might explain why she is attached to him in the G.I. Joe book by Chuck Dixon). For you Snake Eyes fans, he does appear in this issue, but isn’t involved in the action…yet. He is shown springing into action, at a personal cost…. Nonetheless, I can already see fans wanting to customize Snake Eyes as he appears in this issue. It’s definitely a different look, but still immediately recognizable as Snake Eyes. It’s a neat “costume”, and I like how it came together in this issue. The issue ends with a cliffhanger. It’s a solid issue, the clarity and quality of artwork shown in the last issue, is consistent here. The switch from dark to light colors for the pages and borders was a brilliant decision and timed well with sequences shown in the panels. This is the most action packed issue yet, and definitely worth picking up. |
07-17-2009, 01:56 AM | #5 |
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G.I Joe Origins #5
As the Joes close in on Chimera's stronghold, an unbelievable new surprise is waiting for them. Meanwhile, Snake Eyes begins to do what he does best—and you wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of this skill, trust us Shin Densetsu's Review: For the full review please click the link http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-jo...5-review.html# |
09-07-2009, 07:50 PM | #6 |
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G.I Joe Origins #6
The five-part series has become an ongoing, with rotating creative teams! On a mission to prevent a terrorist attack in a far-flung corner of the world, Scarlett’s former, civilian life and her new hard-ass life collide. Now, in the middle of a white-hot operation with the fate of millions in the balance, Scarlett decides which friend lives and which one dies Shin Densetsu's Review: For the full and exciting review please click the link http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-jo...6-review.html# |
11-09-2009, 03:20 AM | #7 |
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G.I Joe Origins #7
Why did Mainframe go AWOL in the first place and vanish to where the Joes could never find him? Get the whole backstory on what’s going on with the G.I. with the I.Q. while his adventure with Snake Eyes is going on the pages of the current issue of G.I. JOE’s monthly series Shin Densetsu's Review: For the full and exciting review please click the link http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-jo...7-review.html# |
11-09-2009, 03:22 AM | #8 |
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G.I Joe Origins #8
Larry Hama is back and he's joined by Italian sensation Andrea Mutti for part one of this three-part story continuing the earliest adventures of GI JOE! Construction on the Pit begins, Snake Eyes pays off old debts, and Scarlett is trapped in a van full of hostiles Shin Densetsu's Review: For the full and exciting review please click the link http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-jo...8-review.html# |
12-25-2009, 09:09 PM | #9 |
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G.I Joe Origins #9
The Joes track suspected terrorists to Paris and go into full-thrash throwdown mode. Snake Eyes has to take a commercial flight to Lockerbie, Scotland, and goes through customs and immigration with a very strange diplomatic passport. Meanwhile, Scarlett cracks a computer code and finds out where the terrorists are going to strike. Shin Densetsu's Review: For the full and exciting review please click the link http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-jo...-9-review.html |
03-17-2010, 04:23 PM | #10 |
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G.I Joe Origins #10
Larry Hama closes out his latest story arc with a bang! The JOES have to retake a U.S. Embassy that is under siege by terrorists, but they have to do it ultra-hush. An unlikely hero emerges to change the outcome and the attitude of the team |
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