G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #314, by Image Comics & Skybound on 2/16/25, sends the Joes on a rescue mission to find a teenage girl and activist stolen by a terrorist group.
Credits:
- Writer: Larry Hama
- Artist: Andrew Krahnke
- Colorist: Francesco Segala, Sabrina Del Grosso
- Letterer: Pat Brosseau
- Cover Artist: Andy Kubert, Laura Martin (cover A)
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Release Date: February 26, 2025
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 32
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #314:
Recap:
When we last left the Joes in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #313, Destro cemented his reputation as the ultimate badass when he stormed the Springfield Community Center alone to take down Cobra Commander. The issue ended with Destro succeeding where the Joes had failed.
Plot Analysis:
In G.I. Joe: A Real America Hero #314, a new arc begins. Roadblock assembles a team led by Sherlock to a search and rescue mission in Trucial Abysmia. A 15-year-old activist named Lila Hadda was kidnapped by a terrorist organization as leverage over her progressive leader father. The terrorist group is led by Al Kawbra, a former COBRA operative and member of the Crimson Guard.
When the chopper arrives in the city where Haddad is held, they see a smoke signal flare from Mongoose to mark the landing spot. Mongoose infiltrated the town earlier and located the secure entrance to the terrorist group’s bunker. The team finds the entrance, a cafe front, and opens fire to go in hot.
The Joes infiltrate the base, fighting through a maze of hallways and locked rooms. The Joes eventually find Haddad, but she is enraged because her cover was blown. It turns out the kidnapped girl isn’t who the Joes thought. The issue concludes with Al Kawbra fighting a battle on two fronts when the firefight turns out to be personal.
First Impressions:
After a very lengthy arc that led to a battle on the streets of Springfield, Larry Hama’s quick one-and-done action mission is a refreshing change of pace in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #314. All the snappy military jargon, strategies, and tactics hit an entertaining stride. Plus, Larry Hama’s fast-paced rescue mission with a twist is a crowd-pleaser.
Artwork and Presentation:
Andrew Krahnke steps up to the plate as the guest artist, presumably to give Chris Mooneyham a breather while the series transitions from one arc to the next. On the whole, Krahnke’s artwork looks fantastic. The issue is comprised of almost all gun battles, staged in close quarters, so Krahnke has to make a plethora of dodging, ducking, and dying scenes look as authentic and dramatic as possible. On that count, he succeeds.
Art Samples:
Story Positives & Negatives:
The Positives:
For a one-and-done story, Larry Hama’s rescue mission with a twist is quintessential G.I. Joe. You get your mission layout with specifics, expert tactical maneuvering, military battle jargon, and a satisfying conclusion with heaps of badass attitude for good measure.
The Negatives:
There’s a point in the story where Al Kawbra is struck on the back of the head. The choreography of that attack and the probability that someone could sneak up on him in such close quarters seems unlikely. The movement breaks the suspension of belief just enough to take you out of the story. However, that small bit of choreography is a minor blip in an otherwise strong issue.
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
If you read last week’s G.I. Joe #4, you might be wondering where this series connects to that issue. It doesn’t. “A Real American Hero” is a separate series that exists in an alternate continuity, and never the twain shall meet.
Final Thoughts:
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G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #314 is a quick but enjoyable one-shot that sends the Joes into hostile territory to rescue a hostage, but not all is as it seems. Larry Hama delivers a fast-paced, action-packed tale with a surprising twist to keep you on your toes, and guest artist Andrew Krahnke delivers the goods with great action visuals.
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