G.I. Joe #7: Night Force!!!

G.I. Joe #7 takes a sidestep from the end of the previous issue to introduce a new team within the G.I Joe universe, one that may not necessarily be bad or good, but will definitely be a thorn in the side of Joe’s. For those wondering what in the world happened to the giant cliffhanger at the end of the previous issue, you will want to look at the Energon Universe 2025 Free Comic Book Day Special for answers. That being said, this story does take a break from the main cast of Joes, so there likely will be a greater return to that cliffhanger outside of what was shown in the FCBD special.

This issue opens as all great action films would, with a smoking gun. The idea of a special forces unit called “Night Force” comes into discussion, leading to zero answers for the main heroes, but a shift to the side for a tale centered around Beach Head, an operative tasked with stealing a piece of acquired technology and weaponry from a very wealthy man in his fortified house. That operation goes just about as well as you would think, with Beach Head engaging in classic G.I Joe combat as his seemingly direct goal becomes more and more complicated.

Much like the other series within the Energon Universe, G.I Joe has done a fantastic job of worldbuilding within its own, fairly self-contained story. This issue follows in those footsteps by stepping away from the main story and telling a tale with significance to the larger world, regardless of if those impacts will be felt now or later. Comic book publishers need to look at the Energon Universe a little more closely as a prime example for how this should be done, because they are exceeding at it far better than anyone else currently.

Andrea Milana takes over the art duties here, having recently worked on another G.I Joe miniseries, Cobra Commander. Andrea’s art continues to feel right at home with this universe, pairing well with the series regular, Tom Reilly, and doing an equally excellent job of capturing the essence and tone of the original cartoon in this more mature adaptation. While the Energon Universe as a whole features everything from space fairing robots to warring planets, the G.I Joe universe must be able to hold its own in the way it depicts action and weight, and Milana does a fantastic job capturing that.