Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

GI Joe: America’s Elite #31
DDP Comics
Powers & Bear

Part 7 of the World War III event has more of the same escalation we’ve seen in the past few issues. More characters enter the fray, more plot layers are revealed and some characters are presumed dead. There is a lot I can say about this story and this issue in particular that I don’t like, but the fact remains that this comic is extremely entertaining month after month. Can I really flaw something because I don’t like the direction or some of the decisions?

We begin with what seems to be a flashback for Rourke. He is talking to a buddy of his about the promises of Cobra. This either shows some insight into this character’s intentions or it tries to give some origin. I can’t tell which and I have a feeling it’s meant to be that way. This leads us to Rourke and Duke talking while on a ship. Duke tries to get out of him why he disappeared for some many years. More answers that could mean multiple things come out of Rourke. I would think he is still going to flip at some point.

Cobra Commander is interrogating someone over in Maryland. It turns out to be Lady Jaye’s killer, Dela Eden. Apparently, Cobra Commander is recruiting from the Red Shadows organization and they are willing to join Cobra. Again, this scrapes the boundaries of the various sides and I would suspect another flip coming down the road.

Meanwhile, the “America’s Elite” portion of the Joes are still pinned down in Malta. And the command unit of the Joes has escaped to Idaho. This unit comprises of Joe, Jane, Hawk, Sparks and Storm Shadow. Storm Shadow is helping to share information and planning their counter attack. In this, he reveals the prisoners that escaped and those that were killed from the previous issue.

This is an important part of the issue because it plays into the larger question of: do you kill off characters for the sake of a story or do you constantly allow them to escape gunfire and impossible situations as if they were Superman? I just don’t know which I would prefer.

This list that Storm Shadow produces epitomizes all that annoys me about this story. GI Joe spent a few issues rounding up some of the most important Cobra villians and sent them to prison. Almost all of that has now been undone with an escape, which in my opinion, comes way too soon after they were caught. Some of the escapees are: Firefly, Zarana, Wild Weasel and Skull Buster. Some of those killed include: Sei Tin, Overkill and Monkeywrench. So which would I prefer to see, death to be more realistic or cartoonish battles where nothing is really at stake? I don’t know, but both lists annoyed me equally. I guess that means I would have prefered that they stay in jail.

The Joe command unit decides that it must find Destro and Baroness to help with their efforts against Cobra.

Back in Malta, the Elite Joes try to figure out a way to escape. Again, we see a heavy firefight with no real danger of anyone getting hit despite shooting distances of about 20 feet. The plan is devised for Wild Bill, Gung-Ho and Spirit to sit behind a statue to draw Cobra’s fire while the others escape. An interesting scene as it smells of certain death for someone. Forseeing this makes me want them to get away and yet, I just complained that no one is getting hit with gunfire. Herein lies the dilemna with this arc.

Other points of interest in this issue are the return of Zartan and the Dreadnoks. Zartan is fairly steamed to find out about Monkeywrench’s demise. No word on how he feels about his sister getting out of jail. Also, Destro’s son makes the Queen of England and the Prince bow down to him in a chilling moment. We also see the likes of General Rey and other GI Joe members leading efforts around the globe.

In the end, Duke returns to New York City with a Cobra greeting and Eden is sent on a mission by Cobra Commander to kill Destro and Baroness.

A great issue again. The story moved at a fast pace and there was plenty of action and plenty of character subplots. This whole arc has had a solid and consistent flow to it. This issue was the first that I didn’t particularly like the artwork. I found the flashback sequence in the beginning to be too confusing as to who was who and I really just didn’t like how some of the characters were depicted, such as Eden. In all, it took nothing away from the overall enjoyment of the comic.

Despite my problems with death versus cartoon gun fights I loved this issue and can’t wait for the next one. I look forward to seeing how Destro ultimately plays into this as well as Zartan to a lesser extent. I guess with the list of escapees we could actually see a second Firefly-Snake Eyes fight in this arc. Although, I think I would prefer to see Storm Shadow just kill Firefly to end this vendetta. Anyway, this story has the potential to be one of the best GI Joe stories ever.

5 out of 5 geek goggles.