G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #316, by Image Comics & Skybound on 5/7/25, finds multiple forces vying for leverage when the Joes greet a defector from Springfield, and Mindbender cuts a deal with Revanche.
Credits:
- Writer: Larry Hama
- Artist: Paul Pelletier, Tony Kordos
- Colorist: Francesco Segala
- Letterer: Pat Brosseau
- Cover Artist: Andy Kubert, Brad Anderson (cover A)
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Release Date: May 7, 2025
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 32
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #316:
Recap:
When we last left the Joes in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #315, the recon team who captured Dr. Mindbender and the frozen corpse of the original Serpentor finally paddle ashore on a Pensacola, Florida beach. The issue ended with Dr. Mindbender using suspicion to his advantage to escape capture, a tour of the repairs in the Old Pit, and the start of a new business arrangement.
Plot Analysis:
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #316 measures a shift in the balance of power after the Battle for Springfield. First, a family drives up to the gates of Camp Greer, looking for asylum. The dad of the family was a Crimson Guardsman who wanted to defect and earn protection in exchange for intel about COBRA’s operations.
Elsewhere, Dr. Mindbender finds his way to Baton Rouge to seek protection with Revanche in exchange for the genetic tech secrets Mindbender perfected and the body of a Serpentor clone. Alpha-001, the new master of COBRA Island, agrees. Meanwhile, the casino-loving tourists on the island have been cured of their mutant virus infection, sent home with memory wipes to avoid questions, and implanted with control chips for future use by Revanche. When Mindbender enters the debriefing station, he’s subjected to the “full treatment.”
The Joe Ninja Team is called in with a special mission. They will infiltrate Springfield, disguised as the defecting family. Lastly, Cobra Commander settles into his new position as Destro’s guest, but can he survive the Baroness’s wrath?
First Impressions:
It’s amazing how even a setup and transition issue is still entertaining, but writer Larry Hama makes it work. G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #316 builds on the Battle for Springfield to realign seats of power, establish new missions, and test loyalties.
Artwork and Presentation:
Paul Pelletier continues his winning streak. This issue looks as great as it reads. What sets Hama’s approach apart from other G.I. Joe writers is his steadfast adherence to military protocol and authenticity. Pelletier carries that vibe forward by giving each character a common look and feel that evokes military discipline but with enough uniqueness in their individual styles to be visually memorable.
Art Samples:
Story Positives & Negatives:
The Positives:
Larry Hama should know better than anyone how to incorporate high-tech sci-fi into a hard-nosed military story, so it’s no surprise you get exactly that. From the snappy military jargon to the melodramatic intrigue between an assortment of groups vying for the advantage in every situation, this issue reads like a handbook on military strategy in a good way.
The Negatives:
The sticking point of the issue is Destro, or rather, Destro’s ability to walk away from Springfield with a decisive victory, the woman he loves, and Cobra Commander in custody. At some point, you have to wonder why the greater Joe force didn’t step in to arrest practically everyone in the battle. It just doesn’t sit right.
Big Picture:
Series Continuity:
Since every comic review is somebody’s first comic review, we’d be remiss if we didn’t add the disclaimer about where this issue sits in G.I. Joe continuity. “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero” is the original series that sits in a separate timeline from the sub-title-less “G.I. Joe.” If you want to know which one is better, you’ll have to decide for yourself.
Final Thoughts:
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G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #316 finds multiple forces jockeying for power and advantage when the fallout from the Battle of Springfield continues. Larry Hama’s script is quintessential G.I. Joe goodness, even if it is a setup/transition issue, and Paul Pelletier’s artwork is a bunker buster.
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