G.I. Joe #14: Car-Hopping Action

G.I. Joe #14 continues the shocking team-up between Duke and Cobra Commander as they race away from the Dreadnoks, who are seeking revenge on Cobra Commander after the events of his miniseries. As the reluctant alliance unfolds, writer Joshua Williamson begins breaking down the interpersonal dynamic between these sworn enemies, showcasing the unexpected camaraderie that arises out of necessity. By the issue’s end, a surprising character appears, one who promises to deepen the conflict and raise the stakes even further.

While the previous issue kicked off this arc by explaining how these enemies came together, G.I. Joe #14 dials up the action, sending the series in a decidedly Mad Max-esque direction. This includes the Dreadnoks’ wild costumes and over-the-top vehicles as they pursue the protagonists. One of the more exciting elements of this sequence is how Duke and Cobra Commander display their physical prowess while taking on their adversaries. As the vehicles close in, Duke frees Cobra Commander from his handcuffs, and the two begin leaping between enemy rides in an action scene that feels heavily inspired by both Mad Max and The Fast and the Furious.

Amid all the high-speed chaos, the issue briefly shifts back to the G.I. Joe home base, where we learn that part of the team is currently in Chicago dealing with the aftermath of Transformers #24. While this moment is small and delivered through fleeting dialogue, the implications are huge, it suggests that these characters are finally crossing paths with the Autobots from the Transformers series. Anyone reading Transformers will know that a squadron of Autobots remains in Chicago assisting with the cleanup, so this either means the crossover is happening off-panel or it’s a tease of what’s to come.

The issue closes with Destro assuming control of Cobra, a development that immediately makes the other leaders uneasy. Once again, it’s a moment that hints at the broader future of this universe and of the series itself. The biggest implication comes from Destro’s decision to open Cobra up for business, promising to turn them into a much more public organization. While Cobra Commander’s eventual return all but guarantees a power struggle between the two warlords, it will be fascinating to see how Cobra evolves, and what the lasting ramifications will be.