While I’ve fallen behind on some of the comics, I try to keep up to date on the G.I. Joe: Cobra title. Far and away my favorite Joe themed series, I’m constantly amazed by simply how intelligent the writing is. Mike Costa and Christos Gage manage to really delve into the idea of a shadowy terrorist organization like Cobra and really try to rationalize the concept and have it make sense. In the old school days, Hama just sort of accepted some things and expected the readers to do the same. Nothing wrong with that idea in the least, but I really like that this new generation of Cobra is trying to exist within a realistic world and the writing team is trying to breathe life and idealism into Cobra as a whole.
Issue #10 was refreshing. I had no major issues with the last story arc in this series, but it’s like spending the weekend at your best friend’s house when you were a kid. During that weekend, life was different, yet still fun, with some adventures. But then you get back home and go back to your own bed, and suddenly, everything just falls into place. The weekend was fun, sure, but there’s nothing like home, and getting thrust back into the Chuckles and Cobra Commander arc was like coming back home.
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G.I. Joe: Cobra #10
Written by: Mike Costa and Christos Gage
Art by: SL Gallant and Antonio Fuso
The issue starts off with a fantastic intellectual speech by Cobra Commander, describing to Chuckles the concept of cognitive dissonance, which immediately gives the Commander an air of superiority and the look of enhanced intelligence. This isn’t your 80’s Sunbow Cobra Commander, a stumbling, bumbling, prattling blowhard. This is a smart and sinister corporate mogul who, instead of building an empire on technological marvels, is quietly assembling a massive terrorist organization, and doing it a very smart and evil way.
The Commander seems to be leading Chuckles towards a forced escape attempt, all in a ploy to draw Chuckles deeper into the Cobra organization. We learn that Chuckles has been held for 2 months, treated more as a guest than a prisoner, and we get an idea of exactly how badly Cobra Commander wants him on his side.
Of course, throughout the process of this issue, Chuckles does escape, but as you could suspect, it doesn’t do much good, and he ends up where he started.
The entire issue seems like a 22 page mindgame, but in a good way, as we wonder what Cobra Commander’s true motivations are and try to figure out just how Chuckles is going to get out of this particular mess. We get some nice looks at the updated Crimson Guard, more Cobra Vipers, and the HISS Tank is certainly getting some love in recent days.
Costa and Gage continue to write captivating adventure and suspense stories, which just happen to feature the G.I. Joe cast of characters. Somehow they’ve made Cobra relevant in today’s society and managed to push aside the ridicule often afforded them due to the Sunbow treatment back in the 80’s. Fuso and Gallant’s art maintains the style of the series, and while that doesn’t fit with what everyone wants to see, I still think it serves the atmosphere well and works nicely in the context of this series.
Another great installment, and it’s great to get back into the Chuckles story arc again.
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