I know the last time I talked about the G.I. Joe: Origins 2-parter that introduced the IDW universe’s version of Ripcord, it sparked some debate, mostly because I supported IDW’s decision to try and mesh their universe with the film version of Ripcord, who, for Marvel fans, is a pretty critical character in the G.I. Joe mythos.
However, I still stand by my stance that for a current crop of G.I. Joe fans doesn’t necessarily understand or appreciate Ripcord’s place in history (for better or worse). So to me, it only makes some sense that a movie that earned 300 million dollars internationally at the box office and probably influenced a lot of people has some bearing on the “fringe” continuities. I mean, after all, even G.I. Joe: Resolute featured an African American version of Ripcord, and IDW ties in to all of it.
But what really matters to me here is the story, and this was a great conclusion to the story. Ripcord trapped in the jungle for two weeks, surviving off of bugs and reptiles, still manages to accomplish his mission just in time to be evac’ed by General Hawk and Scarlett, and then gets his introduction to the G.I. Joe team.
But the most important thing here, I think, is the way Beatty is able to write this Ripcord character to kind of cover all bases. There is a hint of the humorous tone that Marlon Wayans carried in the film, but it’s not as overbearing as it was there. This version of Ripcord cracks some jokes, and yes, he even casually hits on Scarlett, but the most important component of the two-part story is Ripcord’s ability as a special ops soldier and his resilience in the jungle. All in all, it was an enjoyable story, and this new Ripcord is able to walk that line between the Rise of Cobra universe, the Resolute universe, and this new IDW storyline. I’ve mirrored some images below, but the panels do pull from all parts of the story, so beware of minor spoilers.
IDW, well known in the comics world for taking full advantage of technology with their iPhone comic apps, has jumped on the iPad train as well, and announces that they will have fully functional apps for reading your favorite IDW comics (including G.I. Joe).
In fact, they’ve also uploaded a video demo of the iPad IDW app in action. Check out the embedded video below.
Comic Book Resources has been onsite for Wondercon 2010, and posted some news on the IDW Panel that happened yesterday. There wasn’t a wealth of G.I. Joe news, but Max Brooks was on hand to talk a little bit about Hearts and Minds, a limited series focusing on some Cobra and Joe characters in the new Joe universe:
“Brooks, the writer of “The Zombie Survival Guide” and “World War Z,” talked about “G.I. Joe: Hearts and Minds,” a five-issue miniseries he’s doing with artists Howard Chaykin and Antonio Fuso.
“Basically what I wanted to do was not do a linear story, but take a step back and examine the lives of certain Joe characters and certain Cobra characters,” Brooks said. Each issue will be divided into two stories – one about a Joe and one about a member of Cobra. Characters he’ll focus on include Major Bludd, Doc, Spirit, Blowtorch, Deep Six, Dr. Mindbender and a regular Cobra recruit.
“What would make someone join Cobra?” Brooks said, adding that he wanted to make them real terrorists. “I try to infuse mine with as much reality as Hasbro would let me get away with. And they let me get away with a lot.”
Brooks noted he grew up in the Reagan-era 1980s, a time of “harmless violence.” He said “G.I Joe” was perfect for that.
“There were a lot of lasers, a lot of explosions, but nobody ever died,” brooks said about the “G.I. Joe” cartoon. “A character named Roadblock used to rhyme his words, which they’re not doing anymore, thank God. But you kind of can’t do that anymore. Because America’s different. The times are different. We’re not only at war, but we’re in two separate wars. So you can’t do harmless violence.” Some of the issues he’ll tackle include medical malpractice, human evolution, science vs. religion and child development and sensory integration disorders.”
Sounds like an interesting experiment, and very cool to see a credible writer taking on some G.I. Joe duties. Looking forward to reading it.
Today is the official release day for G.I. Joe: Cobra II, Issue #3 (which becomes an ongoing series with Issue #5!), but already some sites are out there reviewing the latest installment, and early word on the street is damn good as expected. Check out the reviews below, and once I get my hands on it (hopefully today or tomorrow) I’ll post some of my own thoughts as well.
Be warned, these reviews most likely contain spoilers!
As I’ve said a number of times over the past two weeks or so, it took 15 issues, but I’m slowly getting drawn into the IDW G.I. Joe universe in a way I hadn’t been previously, and it looks like I’m not alone. Various sites across the web have already reviewed Issue #16, which hit comic shops yesterday. This issue appears to focus on the Cobra side of things, specifically the Baroness and the progress of the MASS Device. The writing is crisp, moves at a good pace, and we’re finally getting into the thick of things.
Of course, we started this whole MASS Device plotline over a year ago, and we’re just barely getting some payoff, but I suppose better late than never. Check out the following sites to see what they thought of the latest release:
It’s that time of month again, and IDW gives us their full solicitations for June of 2010. It looks like 2010 is going to be a big year for G.I. Joe in the comics world, even without a movie or a full run of action figures to keep hope alive. It did take me a while, but I’m finally becoming at least somewhat invested in the IDW universe. G.I. Joe #15 was a great read, G.I. Joe: Cobra has been fantastic (and is now an ongoing series!), and G.I. Joe: Origins has really been picking up steam as well.
June looks like it’s going to give us Zartan’s introduction to IDW in G.I. Joe: Origins, as well as a new take on Serpentor in G.I. Joe: Cobra. Really looking forward to it, and IDW is doing a great job filling the holes in what could have been a tame year, G.I. Joe wise. Click on the “Read the rest of this entry” link below for the full details, and thanks to The Terror Drome for the announcement. (more…)
