G.I. Joe #23
“The Hunt for Energon” part 2
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Andrea Milana
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Cover Artist: Tom Reilly
In the original Marvel Comics run of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, we got a constant stream of new characters. This was because the toy line was still young, and Hasbro was continually cranking out new figures. In modern incarnations of the book, we don’t have that, so we don’t get original characters very often.
That makes the issues centered on new characters, like G.I. Joe #23’s focus on Risk, all the more special.
Nothing Ventured
In a title that features such a large cast, it can be tricky to focus on just one or two characters without the reader wondering where everyone else is. This current story arc is sidestepping that issue nicely. In a horror movie, you expect the characters to get split up, intentionally or otherwise.
The Joe and Cobra teams have been scattered by the mysterious green “monsters.” Destro and the Baroness find themselves as unlikely allies, while Risk seems to be the subject of Crystal Ball’s attention.
After a horror-tinged walk down memory lane, Risk finds himself fighting alongside Mercer. The two enemies make an effective team, until the Cobra operative is pulled away by the green monsters, leaving Risk to face Crystal Ball alone…
Nothing Gained
One of the main reasons why there are so few new characters created for modern G.I. Joe is because there were just so many characters; almost every specialty or gimmick has already been accounted for. That makes it hard to make someone new stand out. Until this current story arc, I felt like Risk was just filling the “arrogant jerk” role. Now I see that there is more to him.
That’s not to say he isn’t still a jerk. But now we understand there are reasons why he is that way. The idea that he grew up in a lousy home isn’t the core of who he is—rather, it’s the idea that he was so sure of his skills that he made a grave miscalculation, and everything since then has been to hide the fear that he’ll do it again. That is who Risk really is.
One of the things this new run of G.I. Joe has done really well is making the villains feel dangerous and threatening. You’re not going to find this Cobra Commander running a dude ranch (it really happened on the cartoon, go look it up). We can add Crystal Ball to the list of “I didn’t know this guy could be scary” now. I’m genuinely worried about what happens if we ever get a version of Serpentor.
I do hope that the arc doesn’t end with the obvious “Crystal Ball joins Cobra and they get his Energon.” Maybe he goes with Cobra but the Joes actually get away with the Energon? They need a win—for the good guys, they sure get beaten a lot. And I’m sure Duke would like to share some with his new friend Optimus—assuming, of course, the Energon gets past Hawk and the rest of the team even learns of it.
Adding to the secrets everyone in this book keeps, Baroness now knows that Hawk met with Destro. How will she use that knowledge? I really liked seeing her and Destro interact, given their history in previous incarnations of the book. I like that she still has her villainous reputation, but I do hope it doesn’t end up with her joining Cobra like always. I like seeing this other take on her.
Those are “later” issues, though. Right now, Risk needs to get past Crystal Ball and free the others from the villain’s clutches. If he can’t, then all the speculation is a moot point. Thanks to the backstory we learned this issue, I’m actually rooting for Risk now.
Allies of Convenience
Lots of interesting pair-ups this issue. Destro and the Baroness. Risk and Mercer. Joshua Williamson and Andrea Milana.
Williamson is juggling so many characters and storylines at this point, I imagine his office looks like Charlie’s conspiracy board from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It’s got to be a lot to keep track of, but it feels like he never misses a beat. Since the issue is mainly focused on Risk and to a lesser extent Mercer, they get the lion’s share of the characterization. Both men have more layers than initially assumed, and they play very well off each other. The horror atmosphere takes a bit of a backseat this issue, but at the same time it still doesn’t feel like your standard tale.
Milana’s artwork is the perfect fit for this story arc. The characters are all rendered in the somewhat cartoonish style that is the norm for this series, but with darker edges. The ghostly images haunting Risk, and the tentacled or snake-like creatures all have an unnatural look to them. Crystal Ball looks sinister shadowed at his control console, and when he “suits up” at the end of the issue he looks particularly menacing.
The colors by Lee Loughridge perfectly sell the horror atmosphere. Everything is draped in shadows, but not so dark that it’s unreadable. The various creatures all have an ethereal green glow that makes them stand out but not look silly. Even the glow of Crystal Ball’s monitors adds to the ominousness of his presence. This is very much a case where the color work can’t be called flashy by any means, but perfectly complements the art and adds to the overall atmosphere.
Face Your Fears
G.I. Joe #23 is another strong issue that gives needed backstory on Risk, while providing an effective horror-movie atmosphere and a menacing addition to the villainous cast. This book has a ton of balls in the air at any given moment, but Williamson is excellent at keeping track of them and making sure nothing hits the ground before he’s ready. This series has gained a ton of momentum in recent months. If that can be maintained, there’s no telling how far it can go.