[AutoDecept]

It comes down to Duke vs. Cobra Commander, and after taking another nasty beating like he got from the BAT, Duke actually talks CC into defusing the brainwave bomb - and killing Dr. Monev - by appealing to his ego, making CC realize he only wants Cobra to win if he's the one in charge of it.

CC makes a dramatic exit by casually stepping off the roof of the MARS building, and then shows up unharmed in his next scene, raising the question of how much of him is still human.

Now that this first arc has established the core cast of the Joe vs. Cobra conflict, the setup for the next arc seems to be exploring greater connections between the Joe side of the Energon Universe and the Transformers side. On the Joe side of things, we get the reveal of Hound that was unfortunately spoiled months in advance; on the Cobra side, CC finally lets Destro know about Megatron and reveals a spherical object that is apparently core to his plans, similar in appearance to the Matrix of Leadership's core.

[Rares]

I'm honestly surprised Dr. Monev was killed so quick, it seems the Joe comic really is going the same route as Transformers, characters can die pretty suddenly in the war zone. Though perhaps I should've known that by now with Rock n Roll.

Again, really got to praise this version of CC. I love that he wasn't afraid of dying, but he is afraid of not seeing his plans come to fruition. Absolutely selfish. As for the cyborg element, he definitely appears to be enhancing himself quite a bit more. In the CC miniseries, it appeared the scarabs were forming around his arm like Iron Man armor, here it's completely merged with his skin. What an absolute spit in the face to Cobra La, and I find that interesting because it really shows this version never really gave a shit about the culture of Cobra La. Like Nemesis said, it really was never his home. The further development of Cobra La is definitely something I'm interested in most here, as its clear they're keeping very close tabs on him, and I believe it was alluded to that Nemesis Immortal isn't dead, referencing his name.

For those of you who have just been reading G.I. Joe, CC having a potential Matrix is very concerning if you haven't read the Transformers issue from this month. In that, it was revealed that multiple Matrices do exist, and in a flashback Megatron was subjugated with one, which was different from Optimus's traditional one. Megatron was then granted this ability to subjugate others, and in his gun mode, he can essentially mind control people to follow him. (I hesitate to call it true mind control, as what has been seen seems to suggest they still have their mind in tact, however they are being forced to do what is commanded of them) That however gave off a purple light, whereas this is blue. That being said, if CC studied Megatron so intensively, he must be aware of Megatron's powers. Connecting the dots, it's possible to see CC gaining inspiration for the brainwave bomb from this knowledge.

Also, no Dreadnok stuff this issue. Sure they'll come soon, since there hasn't been any hints about the Zartan mystery for a while.

Honestly I think I'm most surprised this issue didn't end with a Snake Eyes tease. Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying other characters in the spotlight, I'm just surprised.

[Airstab]

Isn’t Zartan teased on a variant cover for next issue?

I enjoyed this issue - not sure I think they stuck the landing though. I loved the art and colors.

[Rares]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airstab

Isn?t Zartan teased on a variant cover for next issue?

I enjoyed this issue - not sure I think they stuck the landing though. I loved the art and colors.

This one? I thought it was one of Bludd's men that we saw before in Duke.



Pic won't load embedded, but pic of bludd's men in the background here. https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/gi...20240507232415

[FunkyBunch]

Correct those are bludd
'S bloodhounds. But at 1st glance it does look a lot like Zartan so I get the confusion.

[J James]

I really dislike this striped padding look for Beachhood.

This issue was a fun fight between Duke and Cobra Commander. I appreciate that this Cobra has some ooompf, and this Cobra Commander is really weird and creepy.

[FunkyBunch]

New Talking Joe episode! GI Joe # 6 review.

Recorded as talking heads video on YouTube https://youtu.be/-rqThlTTlnY

Or as a more tightly edited audio only version on all the normal podcast platforms!

[Josh Z]

I'm loving how Skybound is handling G.I. Joe. This was another great issue.

The FCBD Energon Universe special has a Clutch & Hound story that follows up directly from the ending here, and officially establishes that another famous '80s toy property is also part of the Energon Universe.