G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #308, by Image Comics & Skybound on 7/17/24, arrives at the big day as Serpentor launches his massive attack on Springfield, but it’s not what you think.
Credits:
- Writer: Larry Hama
- Artist: Paul Pelletier, Tony Kordos
- Colorist: Francesco Segala, Sabrina Del Grosso
- Letterer: Pat Brosseau
- Cover Artist: Andy Kubert, Brad Anderson
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Release Date: July 17, 2024
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 32
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #308:
Plot Analysis:
Larry Hama’s latest entry in the series finally dispenses with the planning and preparation to pull the trigger on the biggest offensive in recent G.I. Joe history. Was it worth the wait? Yes and no.
When last we left the Joes in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #307, the recon team who snuck onto Cobra Island got the stolen intel back to Joe’s headquarters by transmission, but the team was ultimately captured by enhanced cyborgs. Meanwhile, Serpentor took delivery of specially modified bombers from Revanche, Dawn received the bad news about her parents, and the real Zartan arrived in Scotland to warn Destro about his imposter.
In G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HER #308, we learn the recon team, (Muskrat, Multo, Helix, and Wetsuit) are taken back to the base on Cobra Island. The team is bound and blindfolded, but that doesn’t stop them from formulating an escape plan as soon as they’re tossed into a storage room.
Larry Hama kicks things off on an odd note by using the rule of proportions. The smarter our heroes are, the dumber the henchmen are. The Joes are actively communicating with each other and saying out loud how they know where they’re headed, purely by sound. If the Joes know where they’re headed, and the henchmen can hear them telling each other as much, what’s the point of having them blindfolded?
Back at the Pit, Duke gives mission orders to the Ninja team, led by Scarlett. They’re meant to use stealth to infiltrate Springfield and learn what’s happening. Consistent with issue #307, everyone on the team supports Dawn, knowing she has complicated feelings about returning to Springfield due to her parents’ deaths.
The Joes may be a crack military organization, but everyone has a heart of gold when one of their own is hurting. It’s nice to see everyone is so supportive, but there’s a hard-nosed side of this scene that makes you feel like it doesn’t quite ring true. If Dawn was truly compromised, would Duke really send her on the mission? My gut says not.
Back at Cobra Island, Serpentor and Dr. Mindbender gleefully tour the airfield, giving the word to launch their special Revanche bombers as the first wave of attack against Springfield. What’s so special about the bombers? They don’t carry bombs. The bombers carry enhanced mutant cyborg Cobra troopers, ready to be dropped from 5,000 feet into the middle of Springfield.
Admittedly, the modifications to the bombers at the heart of Serpentor’s plan are an unexpected and cool development. It’s a safe bet that nobody expected cybernetic mutants to plop down in the middle of their garden, which should make for a surprisingly effective shock-and-awe tactic. But does it succeed? Maybe.
What follows is a rapid-fire succession of scenes that keeps the assortment of teams moving in their respective directions. The recon team escapes their bonds and jumps the guards, performing a uniform swap to get to Dr. Mindbender’s lab unnoticed. Zartan, Baroness, and the Dreadnoks drive a non-descript truck carrying the Thunder Machine to Springfield. Scarlett and the Ninja team unwittingly pass Zartan’s truck, who are headed for the same destination. Lastly, the recon team gets the jump on Dr. Mindbender when he returns to his lab, but the surprise is on them when they find the good doctor has a special prisoner in cold storage.
The issue concludes with the start of Serpentor’s first bombing wave, but the mutant cyborgs quickly find Springfield is prepared for their visitors.
Overall, G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HER #308 has improved over the last several issues because the pregnant pause of anticipation for the big attack is finally over. Larry Hama keeps the myriad of subplots moving in the same direction while planting the seeds for more developments in the near future. Plus, the last page twist is yet another wow moment.
Artwork and Presentation:
To date, Paul Pelletier and Tony Kordos have done an excellent job since taking over from Chris Mooneyham. Every panel is well-rendered, dramatically constructed, and significantly enhanced by Francesco Segala’s coloring work. Unfortunately, some of the details get lost in the smaller panels with wider shots, but this comic looks great on average.
Art Samples:
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
Readers picking this title up new from Image may rightly wonder where this title fits in with the interconnected Energon universe. It doesn’t. This title remains a faithful, standalone continuation of the series from its time at IDW, which means there isn’t a Transformer or Energon cube anywhere to be found, and the G.I. Joe characters depicted in this series are effectively alternate versions of the ones in the Energon universe.
Final Thoughts:
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G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #308 begins Serpentor’s long-planned attack against Springfield with action, espionage, twists, and surprises. Larry Hama’s script expertly moves a myriad of teams into position for the big payoff, and the art team’s output is solid.
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