G.I. Joe #15: Road Pig Dominates

G.I. Joe #15 picks up with Duke and Cobra Commander facing off with their newest, unexpected adversary. While locked up, the duo discusses some of the elements that have shaped this world and their conflict, shedding light on who they are deep within and what their place is in the greater Energon Universe. Meanwhile, the Dreadnoks are still in hot pursuit, and the only thing stopping them from reaching Duke and Cobra Commander is Road Pig.

Even though this issue is full of the kind of action that G.I. Joe fans have come to expect, it revels in its character-building moments. Pairing up Duke and Cobra Commander for this adventure was definitely unexpected, but one of the big questions on everyone’s mind has been how this adventure will help grow the bond between these two while also reinforcing why they are on opposing sides. Typically, these unexpected pairings would lead to some sort of respect that grows between adversaries, but with these two it does not make sense for there to be any sort of growing understanding. Thankfully, writer Joshua Williamson knows that this is not going to magically lead to these two becoming newfound best friends, and he writes some of the best expository dialogue of the series that helps these characters grow as individuals while also making them understand the motives behind each other.

Road Pig is the most unexpected introduction in this story arc, and G.I. Joe #15 does an excellent job showcasing his physical prowess. Road Pig plays against the typical expectations of a massive brute, the type of character who is often depicted as unrealistically strong at the cost of intelligence. In this case, Road Pig meets all the physical attributes of that trope but breaks it by staying articulate and acting with agency throughout the issue. His eventual run-in with the Dreadnoks showcases this further, leading to some great possibilities for this character moving forward.

While not a major focus in G.I. Joe #15, there are two other story beats that receive development. The first is Destro’s plan to turn Cobra into a worldwide arms dealer. This could have the most significant implications for this series, as Cobra Commander’s eventual return is going to cause major turmoil for the villainous force. The other story beat that gains traction here is Clutch’s decision on how to move forward with saving Duke. Anyone up to date on solicitations will know that immediately following this story arc there will finally be a confrontation between Duke and the Transformers. While this arc is solely focused on the Dreadnok War, it is great to see the foundation being laid for one of the parts of this Energon Universe that fans have been eager to see since it was announced.