G.I. Joe #25: It’s All Led to This

G.I. Joe #25 kicks off a brand-new story arc in the wake of everything that has happened over the last twenty-four issues (and then some, if you count the Free Comic Book Day specials and subsequent miniseries). In many ways, this feels like an excellent jumping-on point for new readers, while still providing plenty for longtime fans to sink their teeth into. A significant section of the issue recaps many of the series’ key moments, bringing readers up to speed before leading into the bombshell cliffhanger from the previous issue, which saw Baroness discover Hawk’s facade, giving her the leverage to potentially expose his secret. From there, the new arc wastes little time getting moving, setting G.I. Joe against Night Force while Cobra Commander makes good on his promise to promote one of his trusted lieutenants, by modifying Crystal Ball’s D.I.R.E. Tech, Cobra creates a horrifying new adversary who could prove to be a major threat moving forward.

Sometimes these oversized anniversary issues can become bogged down by unnecessary preamble, extended recaps, or inconsequential side plots, but thankfully, G.I. Joe #25 uses almost every page to meaningfully move the larger story forward. Yes, there is a double-page splash that recaps the events of the series up to this point, but it feels welcome here. Not only does it provide new readers with the necessary context, it also serves as a reminder for longtime readers of just how much has happened before this issue reaches a major culmination point for several ongoing plot threads.

One of the best examples is Night Force. As a team, they have been teased throughout the entire series, with writer Joshua Williamson gradually building the group in the background while breaking up major story arcs to show its members coming together. All of that groundwork finally pays off here. The revelation that Hawk has been keeping Night Force in his back pocket as a potential deterrent against G.I. Joe, should his secret plans go awry, adds another layer to his already complicated machinations. More importantly, it makes the team’s eventual arrival feel like the culmination of something that has been carefully constructed rather than a convenient plot device introduced at the eleventh hour. The payoff is excellent, tying together multiple storylines in a way that feels both satisfying and earned.

The central plotline explored here revolves around Hawk, who, after being caught in the act of killing Crystal Ball while attempting to protect his true identity as Zartan, tries to convince the rest of G.I. Joe that Baroness is actually responsible for the murder. Baroness knows something is wrong, but she also understands that she has little chance of proving her innocence while imprisoned. Her only option is to escape and try to clear her name from the outside.

What makes this storyline particularly effective is the amount of character work Williamson has invested in over the past few years. He has gradually developed relationships between Baroness and the various members of G.I. Joe, allowing multiple characters to understand her on a deeper level than simply seeing her as an enemy. As a result, when Hawk attempts to turn the team against her, several Joes immediately begin questioning his story rather than blindly accepting his accusations. Instead of simply being told that these characters trust Baroness, we have seen that trust develop over time, making their decision to come to her aid feel completely natural.

That is ultimately one of the biggest strengths of this issue: the payoff feels earned. After spending so much time establishing these characters and their relationships, Williamson is finally able to put those foundations to work. The resulting moment feels like the kind of scene audiences would applaud in a theater, not because it is necessarily flashy, but because the story has spent years earning the emotional response.

One of the biggest questions coming out of this arc is what Hawk’s eventual exposure will mean for the entire team. Zartan has been operating under his Hawk disguise for most of the series, and his influence has shaped many of the decisions made by both G.I. Joe and Night Force. Once the truth inevitably comes to light, what happens to the Joes? What happens to Night Force? More importantly, what purpose do either of these teams serve if Zartan is no longer able to manipulate them into pursuing the Energon he desires?

Those questions make G.I. Joe #25 feel like considerably more than just another anniversary issue. This genuinely feels like a turning point for the series, establishing the foundation for its next major phase within this increasingly interconnected shared universe. That transition is especially exciting because Cobra is becoming more powerful with every passing arc, gradually transforming into an increasingly formidable and seemingly unstoppable force. Meanwhile, the Joes are being forced to contend not only with Cobra’s machinations but also with internal espionage, mistrust, and the looming threat of Night Force.

There is a lot of momentum coming out of this issue, and Williamson does an impressive job of making the past twenty-four issues feel like they have been building toward this exact moment. The pieces are finally being moved into place, the alliances are becoming increasingly unstable, and the consequences of Hawk’s deception could fundamentally reshape the series. However this all plays out, one thing is certain: G.I. Joe will never be the same.