G.I. Joe #26: Blockbuster Worthy

G.I. Joe #26 picks up in the middle of the epic confrontation between G.I. Joe and Night Force, immediately delivering on the story arc’s promise of an all-out action showcase. Different members of each group are paired off throughout the battle, giving nearly everyone an opportunity to step into the spotlight and creating a series of top-tier matchups. While the issue is light on story progression, it more than makes up for it with sheer blockbuster action, as artist Tom Reilly fills each page with movement, impact, and all-out combat.

The issue does occasionally pull away from the battle to check in on some of the larger pieces moving behind the scenes. Hawk continues his plan to acquire more Energon while maintaining his carefully constructed ruse, with the sequence seemingly setting the stage for Scarlett’s return after she was pulled from her top-secret mission. We also catch up with Cobra Commander as he trains his newest soldier, Major Medusa, leading to an interesting revelation about the one thing that scares the seemingly fearless leader. Both sequences provide a welcome change of pace while reminding readers that the conflict between G.I. Joe and Night Force is only one part of a much larger story.

The battle itself is where the issue truly shines, thanks largely to Reilly’s fantastic artwork. He strikes an excellent balance between hand-to-hand combat and the wild science-fiction technology these characters have at their disposal. Some encounters are grounded, tightly choreographed fights, while others lean completely into the over-the-top spectacle of the Energon Universe. Despite the sheer number of characters and battles happening across the issue, Reilly keeps everything energetic and easy to follow, giving each confrontation its own identity.

Ultimately, G.I. Joe #26 knows exactly what it wants to be: a loud, fast, visually spectacular blockbuster issue. There may not be a ton of narrative movement, but the action is so consistently entertaining that it becomes the entire point. With Reilly delivering some of the book’s most impressive combat sequences yet and the story quietly setting up several developments for the future, this is a satisfying showcase of just how much excitement the Energon Universe can pack onto the page.