G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #313 – Review

G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #313, by Image Comics & Skybound, brings the battle for Springfield to a close when Cobra Commander learns he’s no match for Destro.

Credits:

• Writer: Larry Hama
• Artist: Chris Mooneyham
• Colorist: Francesco Segala, Sabrina Del Grosso
• Letterer: Pat Brosseau
• Cover Artist: Andy Kubert, Tamra Bonvillain (cover A)
• Publisher: Image Comics
• Release Date: January 22, 2025
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Page Count: 32
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

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Analysis of G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #313:

Recap:

When last we left the Joes in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #312, Destro confirmed to all forces who converged on Springfield that he’s the man to beat. After taking out Serpentor with a drone strike and dispatching every member of COBRA in sight, Destro made his way to Cobra Commander’s bunker with the support of the Joes to end the conflict.

Plot Analysis:

In G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #313, Destro’s walk of dominance draws to its natural conclusion. The issue begins with Destro entering the lower levels of the Springfield Community Center, where Cobra Commander is protected inside a heavily fortified bunker. Six Heat- and Alley-Vipers patiently wait outside the bunker door with plenty of weapons and explosives to wipe out Destro as soon as he shows his metal face.

Outside the Center entrance, the Joe Ninjas and Dreadnoks patiently wait while they offer theories about what’s happening inside. Inside the bunker, Cobra Commander watches Destro’s progress via security monitors and decides he better suit up in his experimental combat armor. The assault begins when Destro tosses several smoke grenades at the Vipers and activates his cooling systems to mask his signature. The distraction gives him the advantage of taking out each Viper with a single headshot.

Soon, Destro emerges on the ground level, to the surprise of the Joes and Dreadnoks. His return is short-lived because a massive explosion from below clears any obstacles and destroys the armored door protecting Cobra Commander’s bunker. The Commander was protected from the blast by his suit, but his guards were killed in the blast.

Destro returns to the lower levels and challenges Cobra Commander to a fight for supremacy. At first, Destro lands decisive blows, but Cobra Commander answers by turning up the power on his strength-enhancing suit. The issue ends when it’s clear somebody forgot to read the owner’s manual.

First Impressions:

Short, sweet, and to the point. If issue #312 didn’t convince you Destro is the badass to beat, Larry Hama’s script in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #313 will seal the deal. Admittedly, the conclusion to the fight for Springfield feels small and personal compared to the build-up and scale of the conflict, but the outcome of the fight is reasonably satisfying.

Artwork and Presentation:

Chris Mooneyham, similar to Destro, is the one to beat when it comes to presenting a macho, dramatic, powerful set of visuals that hype up Destro’s badassery from panel one. Mooneyham uses shadows and silhouettes to emphasize Destro’s unspoken power at just the right points, and the action is cinematically excellent.

Art Samples:

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Story Positives & Negatives:

The Positives:

Writer Larry Hama determines the fate of Springfield by scaling down a massive offensive to a single fight that’s somehow no less powerful and engaging. Hama’s pacing, dialog, and sense of drama are on point, and the ending leaves no doubt as to who is the victor.

The Negatives:

Depending on your point of view, the positives could be interpreted as negatives when it seems Cobra Commander is ill-equipped to deal with a single man with an entire army at his disposal. Yes, their fight makes for great drama, but the extreme reduction in scale can be hard to swallow.

The Bigger Picture:

Series Continuity:

Is G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #313 truly the end of the battle for Springfield? According to the solicitation information for February 2025, yes. A brand new arc begins next month with a guest artist, Andrew Krahnike. We will, of course, be reviewing the next issue.

Final Thoughts:

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G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #313 brings the battle for Springfield to a close when Destro cements his reputation as the ultimate badass. Larry Hama’s script scales down the massive battle to a personal fight that leaves no doubt as to who’s the victor, and Chris Mooneyham’s art is a powerful complement to Hama’s brand of storytelling. That said, the reduced scale of the conflict as the finale may feel less powerful than desired by some readers.

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