[stopdead]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pankratiast

I sadly have to agree. I still enjoyed some of Larry?s stand alone issues because they read like the old Special Missions title but his multi issue story arcs were just weak. I don?t see how issue 300 can wrap up the story from where it is now but I want this era to end. Kill Sean and Dawn, cremate their remains, and destroy the brainwave scanner so they can never come back.

I want a new story with mostly recognizable characters like Chuck Dixon did in his IDW run before the company destroyed it. I appreciate what Hama helped create, but I am done with his version of Gi Joe.

All fair comments. I, too, am tired of many of these plot devices (brainwave scanner, blue ninjas) and characters (anyone without a codename, new characters) and would love for #301 and beyond to focus on the characters we know *and* love. I wouldn't mind seeing a few characters killed off between now and then, Sean and Dr. Mindbender being my top two candidates.

Hama isn't going anywhere and, all of the above said, I think ARAH without Hama involved in at least some capacity would be weird.

[IzzyTipsy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConanXXXV

This is just awful. Snake Eyes and Fake Eyes surrender because the guy is holding grenades and then immediately escape but not from gas. The writing is so bad. The art is barely sketches. I hope for a total reboot with the new publisher. Hama was great in the day but he's barely phoning it in now. Having to write for trades (5-6 issue arcs) is not his strong point. The last number of story lines could of been 2 issues, not the drawn out boring mess they have been.

It's odd. Khan already had them surrendered before, and then just decides to randomly walk away because it's not his problem...to do what? They're going to be on him in a few seconds!

This really feels like it's not actually ending and definitely this story is going past 300. Too much happening to end right now.

[ScottyHawkeye]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWOL

That didn't end well for him.

"I'm blasting off again."

[J James]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IzzyTipsy

This really feels like it's not actually ending and definitely this story is going past 300. Too much happening to end right now.

Don't forget how sloppy and abrupt the end of Snake Hunt was. Everyone arrived, got one or two panels in a group shot, then it was over and they were just eating on a bus.

So, Ghengis Serpentor Khan was pretty much the exact thing I was afraid he would become in this issue. He's just Serpentor who speaks a little differently. He had the chance to be unique.

Aside from the retread concerns, this is the first time in 145 issues we have seen The Commander threatened. I was looking forward to that. Now, though, it is kinda less than it could have been.

This could have been Overlord coming up in the Casino from the rank and file, instead...

[Aisle7C]

Agreed on the art in this issue. Verrry sub-par. I?ll say what I?ve said many times before: good, clean pencils and quality inks is critical to a good story. Bring back Whigham!

[stopdead]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aisle7C

Agreed on the art in this issue. Verrry sub-par. I?ll say what I?ve said many times before: good, clean pencils and quality inks is critical to a good story. Bring back Whigham!

Agreed. That said, even Whigham needs a good inker. I?ve seen his work without one. Same goes for Wagner. I’m a fan of Schoening because he inks his own work and it looks great.

I love the Bronze Age of comic artists for this reason. It also coincides with Joe’s heyday. I’d be ecstatic if the next publisher brought back that kind of art style.

[chuck x goren]

I haven't followed the exact details and logistcs for issue 301 and beyond.... but, I say end this "season", take some time off (6 months or so), then come back with some new stories and ideas.

The "Murder by Assassination" issues felt like a new "season" and breathed some life into the line. For a bit. The main storylines of the IDW relaunch has always seemed to circle back to the "techno ninjas" stuff that Hama seems to love: Brainwave Scanner, Blue Ninjas/Revanche, and Snake-Eyes.

I also liked:
-The "Special Missions" and "Untold Tales" arcs.
-The story with Major Bludd, Lady Jaye and Chuckles in Southeast Asia
-The arc in Sierra Gordo with the Terror Dromes and Grunt, circa issue 195-199.
-The "Secret Origin of Dr. Venom" issue.

I'm probably forgetting a few, but the rest I can take 'em or leave 'em.

[Aisle7C]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stopdead

Agreed. That said, even Whigham needs a good inker. I?ve seen his work without one. Same goes for Wagner. I?m a fan of Schoening because he inks his own work and it looks great.

I love the Bronze Age of comic artists for this reason. It also coincides with Joe?s heyday. I?d be ecstatic if the next publisher brought back that kind of art style.

That?s a good point?a good inker is just as important. I have an original sketch of Zartan that Whigham did, and he did his own shading, etc. It?s the centerpiece of my nerd room. He and Mushynsky were my favorite duo.

And good point about needing a good story. I look back at I think issue #44 with Mindbender and the plant spores. I remember nine year-old me scratching my head a bit, but the art kept me there thanks to Whigham and Mushynsky.

[stopdead]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck x goren

I haven't followed the exact details and logistcs for issue 301 and beyond.... but, I say end this "season", take some time off (6 months or so), then come back with some new stories and ideas.

The "Murder by Assassination" issues felt like a new "season" and breathed some life into the line. For a bit. The main storylines of the IDW relaunch has always seemed to circle back to the "techno ninjas" stuff that Hama seems to love: Brainwave Scanner, Blue Ninjas/Revanche, and Snake-Eyes.

I also liked:
-The "Special Missions" and "Untold Tales" arcs.
-The story with Major Bludd, Lady Jaye and Chuckles in Southeast Asia
-The arc in Sierra Gordo with the Terror Dromes and Grunt, circa issue 195-199.
-The "Secret Origin of Dr. Venom" issue.

I'm probably forgetting a few, but the rest I can take 'em or leave 'em.

We don't know anything about #301 and beyond at this point except that Larry stated last month that he was writing #301 for the new publisher, which suggests to me that we'll see it sooner rather than later. January solicits are next month--maybe we'll know something then.

Most of the issues you like are the single issue stories as opposed to the arcs. I agree--this is Hama's strength and I hope the next publisher plays to that. Arcs tend to be problematic for Hama's page-to-page writing style. Arcs need to be planned out and Larry doesn't plan.

The problem I have with many of those issues you list, however, is the really bad art. I really hope that the new publisher is committed to employing a great artist.

[AWOL]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stopdead

Most of the issues you like are the single issue stories as opposed to the arcs. I agree--this is Hama's strength and I hope the next publisher plays to that. Arcs tend to be problematic for Hama's page-to-page writing style. Arcs need to be planned out and Larry doesn't plan.

Very true.

I also don't like how the TPBs are formatted. Each issue/chapter doesn't have it's cover in front of it. Instead, all the covers are thrown into a gallery in the back of the book.