G.I Joe: A Real American Hero #203


G.I Joe A Real American Hero 203 cover 2G.I Joe: A Real American Hero #203 is a perfect example of how to keep the reader engaged without an abundance of action. So, if you want nothing but gunshots and bloodshed, you might be disappointed.

The official description from IDW:

While G.I. JOE continues to adjust to their new circumstances, COBRA COMMANDER begins making his play to unite COBRA. However, his serpentine plot has many twists and turns, and with ZARTAN, DESTRO and BARONESS in the mix, the results may be unexpected—and dangerous! All the pieces fall into place in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #203!

Overall, this issue wraps up the set-up from the last issue well, before moving into a new action sequence and chain of events. At the same time, we also have a lot about Cobra going into hiding and some stuff about ninjas. I say “some stuff” because G.I Joe: A Real American Hero constantly tries to keep the Arashikage relevant, even in plots where they simply aren’t needed. It causes this issue to end on a whimper rather than a bang.

The best part of this issue has to be Larry Hama’s sense of pacing. He quickly moves from scene to scene, never staying too short or too long at any given point. The effect is a story that is never boring, nor does anyone scene outstay it’s welcome. Hama has a great working knowledge of the characters, helping to cut to the core of the matter before quickly moving on. The opening set-up between Zartan and Cobra Commander is a prime example – even if he does write the Commander as nothing more than an out of control child. There’s even a toilet joke.

Visually, there’s nothing new to report. S L Gallant offers some decent visuals, with pencils that offer plenty of detail in both the foreground and background of the larger panels, alongside some decent colors from J. Brown. There isn’t anything wrong here but neither is there anything that stands out.

All in all, this is a good entry for the series. While it doesn’t shake anything up, it does offer stable, decent read from start to finish.

OUR RATING
6.5
  • + Some interesting plot elements
  • + Hama knows how to write G.I Joe
  • - Nothing ground breaking
  • - Very so-so visually

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