G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO – SPIRIT, by Image Comics & Skybound on 4/16/25, follows Spirit when his animal conservation efforts lead to an abandoned research base with a terrifying occupant.
Credits:
- Writer: Leonardo Romero
- Artist: Leonardo Romero
- Colorist: Cris Peter
- Cover Artist: Leonardo Romero (cover A)
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Release Date: April 16, 2025
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 32
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO – SPIRIT:
Plot Analysis:
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero – Spirit begins with a skulk of foxes running through the forest, chased by something massive. The last surviving fox runs out onto a road where Spirit just happens to be driving by with a truck full of rescue animals. Spirit gathers up the fox for protection in his truck and sets off to find out what had the animal so spooked.
On the trail, Spirit and his trusty eagle, Freedom, spot massive pawprints that lead back to an abandoned research facility hidden in the woods. Inside the building, Spirit finds the remains of experiments that turned woodland creatures into mechanized monsters.
Suddenly, Spirit and Freedom are attacked by the giant beast that killed most of the skulk at the beginning of the issue – a bear turned into a cyborg killing machine. What follows is a fight for survival of the fittest.
First Impressions:
Leonardo Romero’s turn at the 5-part silent issue experiment from Image and Skybound may be the best example of doing silent issues the right way so far. Romero’s tale is clear, concise, action-packed, and communicates the story beautifully through the art as a complete tale.
Artwork and Presentation:
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero – Spirit is a silent issue, so all weight rests on the artwork to tell the story. Leonardo Romero pulls off the challenge well as the writer and artist with clean lines, solid backgrounds, well-done action, and an easy-to-follow narrative. On a side note, this is the first work we’ve seen since Leonardo Romero rolled off DC’s Birds Of Prey, and the uptick in quality between then and now is considerable. We did not like his work on BoP, but this issue is solid.
Art Samples:
Story Positives & Negatives:
The Positives:
Leonardo Romero’s tale of nature-run-amok is a winner in this 5-part experiment. The overall visual quality looks darn good, the story is communicated well through the action, the central concept is interesting, and the ending is satisfying.
The Negatives:
You have to suspend more than your fair share of disbelief in one area. When a ten-foot tall cyborg-bear swats your bald eagle more than once, that bird ain’t getting back up. Yes, Freedom is a tough old bird, but there’s tough, and then there’s ridiculous.
Final Thoughts:
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G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO – SPIRIT is the best issue in the 5-part silent issue experiment so far. Writer and artist Leonardo Romero steps up his game from his days on DC’s Birds of Prey for an exciting adventure with an interesting central premise and a fully developed narrative.
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