GI Joe #4: There Will Be Bludd

The best part about this new Joe title is that it’s consistently changing. Last issue, we had a pretty action-heavy book where GI Joe fought hard to take out, or at least damage, Cobra and this issue we get a feature-length look at one of the franchises most underrated characters. Author Paul Allor has done more for this character (who I’m not going to reveal because I try and keep all the reviews I do spoiler-free) in one issue than the whole history of the franchise has done in its almost 40-year history. Now that’s an accomplishment. Besides the amazing backstory he puts together, we get some of the day to day workings of Cobra and how they operate and pretty much what’s up with what they’re doing. Aside from that, there’s the introduction of a character that should’ve been brought to life a long time ago, and, as usual, there’s a fair amount of surprises. What I absolutely love is Paul Allor’s slow burn with this title. He is a master of pacing. Yes, there’s action and adventure and mystery and all the things that go into making a title exciting, but there’s no hurry to get to a certain place in this story. I’ve read versions of Joe where thirteen Joe characters and ten Cobra villains were introduced, all given storylines and a major battle takes place-all in one issue. With a mega-team book like this, characters can easily get lost very quickly. Allor is following the tried and true motto of “slow and steady wins the race” and let me assure you, he is definitely winning this race.

Speaking of winning, artist Niko Walter does a fabulous job penciling this issue. I can’t even begin to imagine what reading the script must’ve been like for this issue, and what Walter must’ve been seeing in his head. Whatever it was, he’s certainly translated it nicely onto the page. His style is pretty basic, not encumbered by unnecessary lines everywhere. That makes for a better, more fluid read for the book. I noticed that Walter used a lot of medium shots this issue, but that’s awesome because it makes his close-up shots so dramatic and impactful. A fantastic comic book from cover to cover!