GI Joe: A Real American Hero #269: Fully Loaded

The new GI Joe title by Paul Allors is a fantastic new interpretation of the franchise for a new generation of readers. It also hits a sweet spot with fans of the A Real American Hero version of GI Joe, but there is nothing like settling in with a brand new issue of GI Joe: A Real American Hero written by the Godfather of GI Joe, Larry Hama.

Right now we’re hip-deep in Cobra’s plan to use the Brain-Wave Scanner on what they think is the original Snake-Eyes, but is really the new Snake-Eyes, codename: Throwdown. Author Larry Hama weaves about eight subplots into this issue without overcrowding things as only he can. He’s a master of having multiple storylines going along and bringing them all together to an explosive conclusion. We’re almost halfway through this storyline, and things are really heating up for the Joes and Cobras, along with a few other members of the Joe Universe. What I absolutely love is the inclusion of so many characters in this issue. With a cast as big as GI Joe has, it’s easy for characters to fade away, but Hama finds a way to include almost all of them without it getting messy or confusing for the reader. Not only that, they all seem to get a decent amount of “screen time”. It’s hard to comment on the characterization or personalities in this title because it’s written by the man that created them.

Oh yeah!!!!!!!!! BRIAN ATKINS is inking this issue!!!! What a treat! The great thing about his brother Robert drawing GI Joe is just how accurate everything is, You can find an action figure for 99% of the characters in the book that looks JUST LIKE THE TOY!! His attention to detail is incredible and it’s not just limited to characters based on figures. Vehicles, backgrounds, architecture, Robert is right up there with the top artists working today. I’ve been fortunate enough to see Brian’s artwork, and I know it won’t be too long before he’s headlining his own book. Momma Atkins’ baby boys have got some REAL talent.

Read this issue more than once, but be careful, when I was reading it I could actually feel my heart beating faster. You know that saying “This one’s got it all!!!” Seriously: This. One. Has. It. All.