[blackrazor1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by J James

Let's keep our eye on the prize: receiving a faithful, definitive, and fulfilling ending to the existing ARAH series.

They had that with #155, but decided to revive it.

[stopdead]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightwrite

GI Joe has always been diverse and included women. It's part of the entire brand.

Right, which is why I was suggesting that this group of 13 draw from that diverse group. Pick 13 of the most popular all-time Joes that also happen to be diverse. As I said before, my picks would be: Hawk, Snake Eyes, Scarlett, Stalker, Rock ‘n Roll, Duke, Roadblock, Gung Ho, Torpedo, Spirit, Wild Bill, Tunnel Rat, and Helix.

[J James]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightwrite

I think you are going to see a lot of books wrap-up, cleanly or not, in the coming months. DC just canceled Aquaman at #65 after an extremely successful film a couple of years ago. They seem to be pivoting to YA content (easy sales to stores and libraries; easier to adapt to streaming with retrofitted characters), bookstores, digital-first (then trade), and reprint collections. I’m sure G.I. Joe will exist in some sporadic miniseries, pack-ins with figures, reprints, and/or digital exclusives (probably tie-ins). But I think ARAH is going to wind down after #275. I hope I’m wrong, but the comic industry is in the beginning of a significant contraction as the effects of the pandemic really set in, money runs out (PP loans were probably helping), and parent companies look for areas to downsize. I know this sounds like doom and gloom, but I look at what so many other businesses are experiencing, and I can’t help but think how much more stress it puts on a boutique industry like print comics.

Writing and illustrating comics has been my number one focus for over a decade, but as of right now I'm pivoting towards something unknown for the first time ever.

[J James]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackrazor1

They had that with #155, but decided to revive it.

I love 155 too, but what I'm talking about is am end to the war with Cobra including permanent eliminations and resolutions to grievances. Which Joes and Cobras would live? Which would die? What happens to guys like Major Bludd, or Steeler? What does Stalker do with his life?

155 was a poetic work of writing but it was no masterpiece thanks to the art. It didn't resolve anything either, as far as the plot is concerned.

[stopdead]

I agree that 155 was too abrupt and I, too, found the art disappointing. When the time comes, I hope Larry can walk away from ARAH on his own terms. If that means properly wrapping up the series, then great. If that means he wants to hand the reigns over to someone else so the series can continue, I hope he has a say in that.

[deadman]

If I remember correctly, 155 was a "hey you got to wrap it up in this issue" story....it was done quickly to put an end to the series that no one knew was ending. Yes the art was disappointing....the whole end of the run was artistically disappointing in my opinion. Hopefully, if this iteration of ARAH comes to an end in the near future, Larry is given proper notice to tie it all up in a satisfying story

[stopdead]

All of this talk about Snake Eyes in the ARAH #274 thread got me thinking about how bogged down ARAH has become with unpopular story lines and character developments. I want to see ARAH continue AND I would ALSO like to see an ARAH reboot so we can start fresh without all of these...complications...

[samsson37]

I would take that challenge

[Adventure Fun]

Quote:

Originally Posted by samsson37

I would take that challenge

HEAR HEAR!!! Make it so!

[jlw515]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stopdead

What if IDW produced a new ARAH series based on the Hamaverse? Start by retelling ARAH #1 Operation: Lady Doomsday with no more than 13 well known Joes (perhaps a more diverse group than the Original 13) and a menacing (not bumbling) Cobra organization. Starting with issue #2, all of the stories are brand new, save for some important stories here and there (so maybe when #21 rolls around, retell that as well). Don’t ever bring in any new Joes (always keep it at 13), just new villains that are independent of Cobra. So maybe Zartan, Destro, and Major Bludd all exist in this universe, but instead they’re unaffiliated with Cobra so the Joes can have multiple adversaries. Hire a writer that will keep things fast-paced and fun (no political commentary). Maybe give Hama a Creative Consultant or Editor title to add credibility. Covers should correlate with the story inside (no pinup-style covers save for #1). And, lastly, I vote for Netho Diaz to draw the first 60 issues or so. ;)

I quit reading the extended Hama-verse some time back because it just seemed too worn out to me. The idea of keeping these post-Vietnam/1980s characters as if they are still in their prime just doesn't work for me.

I say reboot the whole thing, and draw upon elements of both the comic and the cartoons that worked best (kind of like DDP). I like your idea of incorporating issue 1 back into the story and having Issue 21 still as a "silent" issue - you've got to get out of my head! because that's a lot like what I would do if I ever get the time to work on a photonovel/dio-story.

The only thing I disagree with is keeping the team at 13. Maybe you could keep a core team at 13, but also work in other supporting members like Ace, Wild Bill, Heavy Metal, etc. (mostly vehicle drivers). Also, I would not make Hawk one of the 13. He would be outside of the core team as the Executive Commander. So, who would your core 13 be (I haven't read all the posts yet, so forgive me if you've answered this). Mine would be (not in any order):

1. Flint (Squad Leader)
2. Stalker (First Sgt)
3. Roadblock (Machine Gunner)
4. Dial-Tone (Communications)
5. Torpedo (SEAL)
6. Snake Eyes (Commando)
7. Gung-Ho (Marine/Grenadier)
8. Ripcord (HALO/Airborne)
9. Clutch (Vehicle Driver)
10. Low Light (Sniper)
11. Beachhead (Ranger)
12. Ambush (Recon)
13. Lady Jaye (Intelligence - and to break up the stag party)

Jason