[vxc961]

So, I debated posting this in my ?what should I subscribe to while ARAH isn?t published? thread, but decided it might deserve its own.

In searching for something to read after ARAH 300, I dug up my copy of Paul Allor?s run. I remember seeing the covers to these issues during the Covid pandemic (when I started collecting comics again) and thinking ?meh??

I?ve read the trade ?World on Fire? for two days and Im already through issue eight. I?ve scrubbed this message board and been impressed with Paul Allor?s sincerity and the quality of his writing!

Somebody said (derisively, I think) that it?s like GI Joe meets Red Dawn (the 1984(?) movie). I actually love this take! I love seeing Joes as the underdogs, and a mix of new interpretations of old Joes and new characters for the comics. It?s turned into one of those rare comics where I actively try to squirrel away time to get through issues.

Years ago, seeing the cover art intrigued me, but it didn?t seem like my thing. I found the Chris Evanhuis art to be really good though?his panel layouts were inventive, and some of of the images, such as Joes jumping off a bridge in issue 4(?) have really stuck with me.

Im surprised Allor?s run hasn?t gotten more comments here, and I suspect it was cancelled due to the pandemic and competing with ARAH?s already not-fantastic numbers.

In looking through these boards, some people have criticized Allor for changing white-males to other ethnicities or identities. I?m fine with that.

Anyway, if anyone is on the fence, I haven?t enjoyed any comic, let alone a Joe comic, as much as this in a long time! I?m really surprised this was cancelled.

[ozzie92]

I thought it was pretty good myself, although gender/race swapping is not needed when there are PLENTY of established characters of various genders/races to use. Still not a big deal to me, and I’d love to see his work on Joe continued.

[Breakerfan]

I was also a fan of it. I seem to remember Ozzie and I were the only ones here who did like it a lot. To me, it had great potential for character development and was heading in a really interesting direction. I guess for most people, it was just too different from the normal expectation of a Joe comic, which is fine, to each their own. To be fair, there were several folks who said it would have been better if it didn't have the title GI JOE and was something else entirely. I liked it for the fresh take on familiar characters and I just wished it was able to really grow into its own.

Adding on edit: It had my favorite take on the character of Major Bludd in any media and I miss not seeing that one develop the most.

[ozzie92]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breakerfan

I was also a fan of it. I seem to remember Ozzie and I were the only ones here who did like it a lot. To me, it had great potential for character development and was heading in a really interesting direction. I guess for most people, it was just too different from the normal expectation of a Joe comic, which is fine, to each their own. To be fair, there were several folks who said it would have been better if it didn't have the title GI JOE and was something else entirely. I liked it for the fresh take on familiar characters and I just wished it was able to really grow into its own.

Adding on edit: It had my favorite take on the character of Major Bludd in any media and I miss not seeing that one develop the most.

Right on!

[Dreadnok Twins]

I loved Allor's GI Joe too. The only sad thing was the series didn't last long enough to introduce Zarana & Zandar, who were definitely coming.

[AWOL]

Anyone remember his run in the Dixonverse? He took over for Van Lente, and introduced the characters, Siren and her son Isaac. (I have all the TPBS for sale)

[stopdead]

For me, it felt like someone created a comic with a set of characters then rebranded it as G.I. Joe in an effort to sell more copies. It wasn’t my jam.

[vxc961]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breakerfan

I was also a fan of it. I seem to remember Ozzie and I were the only ones here who did like it a lot. To me, it had great potential for character development and was heading in a really interesting direction. I guess for most people, it was just too different from the normal expectation of a Joe comic, which is fine, to each their own. To be fair, there were several folks who said it would have been better if it didn't have the title GI JOE and was something else entirely. I liked it for the fresh take on familiar characters and I just wished it was able to really grow into its own.

Adding on edit: It had my favorite take on the character of Major Bludd in any media and I miss not seeing that one develop the most.

Yeah, I really like his take on the characters; it's been a while since I really couldn't wait to read the next issue. The tough part for me is knowing I've only got a few more issues to go before it's all done!

I like Major Bludd a lot so far, and while I'm not in love with Mindbender, I like the approach. I'd love to learn more about some of the Cobras too (and of course the Dreadnok twins...).

I can see the criticism that "it's GI Joe in name only" or something, but I found that there was enough of the original characters in there, and that even the new characters acted like Joes would in that situation. I dig the espionage side of things too. Bombstrike is a character I didn't know too much about, I doubt she's many fan's favorite, but I enjoyed the take Allor had on her (although that issue's art wasn't my cup of tea, mostly because it was so different from the Evenhuis art.

I'll probably buy anything by Hama or with the ARAH suffix, but this book made me realize I was really ready for a fresh take on things. I know the Traviss run gets a bad rap too, but I'll probably try that after I finish Allor's trade. Then I'll do the Van Lente/Allor run--I guess I'm a bad Joe fan, but I have trouble keeping up with what titles fall where!

[AWOL]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vxc961

I know the Traviss run gets a bad rap too, but I'll probably try that after I finish Allor's trade. Then I'll do the Van Lente/Allor run--I guess I'm a bad Joe fan, but I have trouble keeping up with what titles fall where!

Traviss's run picks-up from Van Lente/Allor. The former is a very slow-burn.

[FunkyBunch]

Tim and I were talking about doing a deep dive Podcast episode on this book while we wait for ARAH 301...

It does deserve a re-read.