GI Joe A Real American Hero #289: She’s A Beauty

You’d think that after 40 years with the same writer a book, ANY book, would get stale. That might be true for everyone except Larry Hama and GI Joe A Real American Hero. Hama shines the spotlight on Agent Helix and Snake-Eyes (Dawn) and I was extra excited to learn this going in because a lot of my favorite Larry Hama stories have been focused on a small unit or even a single character. For example, issue #21 of the Marvel series, inspired hundreds of imitators and changed comics storytelling forever. This issue focuses on Helix & SE’s mission to find and shut down a Cobra factory that’s manufacturing what might be the most advanced B.A.T.S. ever. To make things even more tricky, they’ve got a local police officer who’s out to stop them. The dynamic between Helix and SE is fantastic, even though they have similar personalities. Both are no-nonsense, TCB-type personalities who play by their own rule. Hama gives them so intense action and adventure scenes that playoff really well, and will keep you hooked through the whole issue. 

I’m really liking artist Casey Maloney. GI Joe is very different from the smaller, personal projects that he’s done in the past, but that’s great because you get someone new and fresh on the book who gives it a slightly different vibe than it normally has, and he’s a breath of fresh air on the title. Editor Megan Brown definitely knew that Maloney was going to be a great fit on this particular issue because his art style fits so well with SN and Helix both, and on this adventure in particular. I hope we get to see more art from him on this book.