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redeyesinferno's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
geekwayne's review against another edition
3.0
'G. I. Joe: A Real American Hero - Vol 12' by Larry Hama is not the kind of tale for a casual reader of the series like me. It is full of the kind of crazy events I didn't think I'd see in a G. I. Joe book.
It's volume 12, so the story is well under way before you get to this volume. The Cobra Emperor, Serpentor, has been revived, and the Cobras have a giant robot that they plan to use to crush the Joes with. At first, I thought I was reading some sort of Transformers crossover. The Joes have a counter giant creature to fight it with, but it may turn out to be controlled by Cobra also. Before it all gets resolved, tragedy hits the team in a way that I didn't see coming and don't plan to spoil here (although the spoilers do abound even in the product description).
I liked it, but it felt like a big build up for kind of nothing. These two giant creatures square off, then it's pretty much over. Then the somber stuff starts and takes the book in a totally different direction. I felt played with a bit with this story, but, like I said, I'm only a casual reader, so maybe in the larger story arc, this makes more sense.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, IDW Publishing, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
It's volume 12, so the story is well under way before you get to this volume. The Cobra Emperor, Serpentor, has been revived, and the Cobras have a giant robot that they plan to use to crush the Joes with. At first, I thought I was reading some sort of Transformers crossover. The Joes have a counter giant creature to fight it with, but it may turn out to be controlled by Cobra also. Before it all gets resolved, tragedy hits the team in a way that I didn't see coming and don't plan to spoil here (although the spoilers do abound even in the product description).
I liked it, but it felt like a big build up for kind of nothing. These two giant creatures square off, then it's pretty much over. Then the somber stuff starts and takes the book in a totally different direction. I felt played with a bit with this story, but, like I said, I'm only a casual reader, so maybe in the larger story arc, this makes more sense.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, IDW Publishing, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
eddyfate's review against another edition
5.0
Another reread. In this volume we get into the real serialised action soap opera amazing that is Hama's GI Joe. Even an accidentally duplicated page and a fill-in issue can't bring this volume down.
jimmypat's review against another edition
3.0
A marked improvement over the first volume and I definitely recognize the G.I. Joe comics that I loved as a kid. What made G.I. Joe so interesting was that there was always a continuing backstory that Larry Hama wove through each issue, making it really compelling reading (at the time). Not to mention that the villains were a delightful bunch that were so much more intriguing than the heroes, who all come across as interchangeable nobodies (except, perhaps, for Snake Eyes and Scarlett).
Unfortunately, reading this collection now, the dialogue comes off as stilted and bloated - surprisingly much worse than other comics from this era. The plots (other than the ongoing drama within Cobra's ranks) are ridiculous and almost impenetrable. It's really hard to tell what is actually going on and why I should care. I found it to be a much better experience skimming this collection to get to the juicy bits of Cobra infighting than actually bothering to read every ridiculous thing each Joe said.
A mild recommendation based on nostalgia and the hope that the series continues to improve and that my memories are not totally warped.
Unfortunately, reading this collection now, the dialogue comes off as stilted and bloated - surprisingly much worse than other comics from this era. The plots (other than the ongoing drama within Cobra's ranks) are ridiculous and almost impenetrable. It's really hard to tell what is actually going on and why I should care. I found it to be a much better experience skimming this collection to get to the juicy bits of Cobra infighting than actually bothering to read every ridiculous thing each Joe said.
A mild recommendation based on nostalgia and the hope that the series continues to improve and that my memories are not totally warped.
dryden's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bryanborgman's review against another edition
5.0
While I'm a fan of the original Snake Eyes, I do like the new Dawn character... and I'm a huge fan of Helix!!
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
3.0
Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley.
I think, though I am not sure, that this volume includes some issues that haven’t been released in the main market yet, so I am going to try to avoid spoilers. But I clicked the spoiler button just to be on the safe side.
If you have read G.I. Joe as opposed to simply watched it, you know that in many ways the heart of the comic series has been Snake-Eyes and Scarlett. In this issue, as the title implies, so it’s not really a spoiler, seemingly kills off Snake-Eyes. You have to give Hama credit for making what is an extremely unpopular move, if the posts on the internet are any indication.
As someone who read Joe during its Marvel run and is finally getting back in to it, what unnerves me most about this issue isn’t Snake-Eyes death (if death it is, there are some strange clues in here), but the character of Scarlett, who while still strong here, seems a little weaker than in her Marvel run, and her reaction to Snakes’ death seems a bit off. And the whole Joes are nothing without Snakes seems a bit false considering who the Joes are.
Still, it’s not a bad comic and there is pretty of action. It’s great seeing Cover Girl get more play. The Joe remembrance of Snake-Eyes was particularly poignant, in particular with Stalker and his reaction as well as the use of Timber.
I’ll probably pick up Vol 13.
I think, though I am not sure, that this volume includes some issues that haven’t been released in the main market yet, so I am going to try to avoid spoilers. But I clicked the spoiler button just to be on the safe side.
If you have read G.I. Joe as opposed to simply watched it, you know that in many ways the heart of the comic series has been Snake-Eyes and Scarlett. In this issue, as the title implies, so it’s not really a spoiler, seemingly kills off Snake-Eyes. You have to give Hama credit for making what is an extremely unpopular move, if the posts on the internet are any indication.
As someone who read Joe during its Marvel run and is finally getting back in to it, what unnerves me most about this issue isn’t Snake-Eyes death (if death it is, there are some strange clues in here), but the character of Scarlett, who while still strong here, seems a little weaker than in her Marvel run, and her reaction to Snakes’ death seems a bit off. And the whole Joes are nothing without Snakes seems a bit false considering who the Joes are.
Still, it’s not a bad comic and there is pretty of action. It’s great seeing Cover Girl get more play. The Joe remembrance of Snake-Eyes was particularly poignant, in particular with Stalker and his reaction as well as the use of Timber.
I’ll probably pick up Vol 13.