EN It’s funny how, in my most recent reviews of the Energon universe, I’ve repeatedly mentioned the near absence of any real connection between Transformers and G.I. Joe, while also considering G.I. Joe to be the weakest series within this shared universe.
Well, this volume changed all of that. It not only finally establishes a clear and unequivocal link between the two series, but also convincingly demonstrates just how strong G.I. Joe stories can be when they are well handled.
I loved it from beginning to end. G.I. Joe has fantastic characters that, when properly used, can produce very effective stories. Sometimes less is more, and this is a fine example of how, with just two parallel storylines, it is possible to create something genuinely solid and engaging.
Finally, special mention goes to the Baroness. She is a character I’ve always enjoyed, and I was particularly pleased to see part of the motivations behind her shift from Cobra to the Joes being explored.
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PT Engraçado como, nas últimas resenhas deste universo Energon, tenho referido repetidamente a quase inexistência de uma ligação efectiva entre Transformers e G.I. Joe, ao mesmo tempo que apontava a série dos G.I. Joe como a menos consistente dentro deste universo partilhado.
Pois bem, este volume veio alterar completamente esse cenário. Não só estabelece finalmente uma ligação clara e inequívoca entre as duas séries, como demonstra de forma muito convincente o potencial narrativo de G.I. Joe quando bem explorado.
Adorei a leitura do início ao fim. G.I. Joe tem personagens fortes e carismáticas que, quando bem utilizadas, dão origem a histórias muito eficazes. Aqui aplica-se claramente o princípio de que menos é mais: com apenas duas narrativas paralelas, simples mas bem construídas, consegue-se um resultado surpreendentemente sólido e envolvente.
Por fim, destaque especial para a Baronessa. É uma personagem que sempre apreciei, e fiquei particularmente satisfeito por ver aprofundadas algumas das motivações que explicam a sua mudança do Cobra para os Joes.
I once knew a guy named Richard Pounder. His rank was also Major. So, yes--he was Major Dick Pounder. And I had the same question about him, because I feel like he was probably more discreet when he was Private Dick Pounder...
Following the four miniseries that sets up a key component in Skybound’s Energon Universe, writer Joshua Williamson began the new G.I. Joe title that embraces the origins of its toy-based franchise, as well as moving forward with what it can do within this comics universe that is delivering more than just nostalgia. Whereas the first volume was purely a G.I. Joe versus Cobra story which concluded with Conrad “Duke” Hauser battling Cobra Commander, Williamson shifts gears for the second volume.
Whilst the threat of Cobra still looms large and there is the ongoing mystery of the transforming alien robots roaming around in Earth, Colonel Hawk sets up a new secret Joes team known as Night Force, of which Duke knows nothing about. Apart from the first issue here, in which we see Beach Head is recruited by Flint and Lady Jaye, as well as the final issue where Shooter gets recruited, the Night Force subplot feels more like a tease for subsequent arcs that could set up an interesting dilemma within the Joes.
The main storyline of this volume has the Baroness who is granted a break from the Joes on the condition that Cover Girl accompanies her, much to the Baroness’s reluctance. As the two fly to Paris for the weekend, they become targets of Major Bludd who is out for revenge on the Baroness. Introduced as a minor antagonist in the Duke miniseries, Bludd establishes himself as a great threat towards the two Joes as he is determined to break them in twisted ways, as well as allying himself with the falconer Raptor, who is another example of how outrageously toyetic this franchise can be.
By stepping away from the main Cobra conflict, it opens the door for different kinds of stories which allows development for characters like the Baroness, who has always been a villain throughout the decades-long franchise, now imagined as a Joe sets up a compelling arc about where her allegiance lies, especially when her conflict with Bludd takes a personal turn. Scarlet is arguably the most known female Joe, it is great that Williamson puts the focus on other players like Cover Girl whose backstory is explored on how she went from modelling to espionage, as well as having a fun buddy dynamic with the Baroness.
More so than the previous volume, there is some Transformers action with Clutch discovering that his Jeep suddenly transforms into the Autobot Hound. Similar to Void Rivals, the presence of just one Transformer adds excitement to the crossover appeal of this universe. As well as enjoying the human-robot relationship between Clutch and Hound, it causes more friction within the Joes as Duke with no awareness of Hound still perceives the Transformers as a mysterious threat that he witnessed in close combat.
With Tom Reilly stepping away from artistic duties on the book, Andrea Milana steps in, having previously drawn the Cobra Commander miniseries. Although his art isn't as polished as Reilly's work, Milana fits well into the high-octane world of G.I. Joe, crafting great action sequences through loose line-work and dynamic panel layouts. There is a change in the final issue with Marco Foderà doing the art, which is quite jarring, but the art is efficient enough.
By somewhat stepping away from the main narrative, G.I. Joe succeeds more in expanding both the world-building of this universe, as well as the distinct character arcs. That said, I’m excited to see more of the inner workings and conflicts going on with Cobra.
Read the individual issues, #7-11. This is a fun story, lots of action happening and lots of mysteries to solve. The issues go by way too fast, but I’m into the story and at the comic shop right away when new issues come out. I feel like this series is a powder keg ready to explode. The groups are coming out of the shadows and starting to clash. Can’t wait for the next volume!!
The Joe/Cobra conflict escalates in different ways, as Clutch and Hound break into an old MARS base to recover some Energon, and Baroness and Cover Girl go on a shore leave trip that brings them right into the crosshairs of an angry Major Bludd.
I still may not have any GI Joe frame of reference here (although I did know who the MASK guy was!), but I'm still having a ball here. Williamson's plot has a lot of moving parts, and that's without pulling the Transformers stuff in with it, but I never feel lost or overwhelmed. It might take me a second to remember who everyone is, but once I'm up and running again, I'm right back in the action.
Picking up after the last volume, Clutch has to deal with a recent discover and this new revelation really takes the focus of the main issue. The other main story focuses on Baroness and Cover Girl having a solo mission. There are some great character moments between the two women makes manages to be an entertaining (and not agonizing) B plot despite Clutch and his new friend feeling like the more immediate and important storyline.
This was a solid entry in the series, like most of the rest. Solid character building on the rest of the team that didn’t get their own volumes earlier. I also enjoyed the book ends with the new group, and while Cobra wasn’t as involved with this one, the whole thing worked to set them up for later well. These volumes always are laid out really well in a narrative sense. If I had to sum this one up, it’d be in Risk’s own words, “It was team building boss.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
maybe not as strong as the first volume, but volumes like this need to happen for the series to succeed. we get some time with side characters here, and some world building all around. I still thought this was really good, while it didn't match the hype moments from the first volume it stands on its own.
I liked this arc better than the first one. It focused mainly on Major Blood and he's an interesting villain with zero redeeming qualities. This arc didn't have the weird coloring of the first arc either where it looked almost like a misprint instead of a choice.
Ok volume. Cover Girl and the Baroness have a trip to Paris, Bludd returns, Raptor is introduced, we have side missions from other G.I.Joe, a Transformer is involved in one of them, Destro and Cobra Commander clash over their secrets.
Reads like absolute butter, just so much fun, and I'm not initially a GI JOE fan but jumped on the train after I read the EU's TRANSFORMERS and just thought it was awesome. Love Baroness coming into her own here and defending the lives of her parents, even if they'll never know it.
Bludd is a great villain. He keeps getting hurt badly but then comes back better than ever. Ravager is my favourite of the tape decepticons. Beachhead is dedicated to his craft.