G.I Joe: A Real American Hero #204 Review

Some issues feel very familiar, which isn’t always a good or bad thing. G.I Joe: A Rea American Hero #204 feels very much like one of these, but it’s nonetheless not a bad read.

The official description from IDW:

TORPEDO leads a dangerous G.I. JOE rescue mission in Olliestan, and the odds are stacked against the team—will they make the evac in time before they get overwhelmed? A tense game of cat-and-mouse continues in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #204!

After the last issue’s attempts to set up the plot, G.I Joe: A Real American Hero ‘204 offers up another elaborate set-piece of an issue. While it may be good, there isn’t anything unique. There’s a lot of dialogue for exposition and the plot bounces from the front lines to the command centre, with plenty more dialogue reflecting on the ‘men in the field’. At 204 issues in, this is a little tiresome, even when it is done very well.

I think the problem mostly lies in the writing. Despite what is meant to be a tense sequence of events, Larry Hama offers too much dialogue. While it slows down the pacing, the need to explain every detail lessens the impact when something does happen. Some people may like Hama’s attention to detail – it does easily feel like G.I Joe – but others will want a little less conversation.

Visually, it looks the same as it always has and there’s little room for experimentation. While other plot lines are touched upon, the majority of this issue takes place in two locations, both of which give J. Brown room for various moody blues and dark colors. S L Gallant’s pencils, on the other hand, do a fine job by themselves most of the time: here, the lack of visual color means they’re not the most prominent.

All in all, this issue is definitely for regular G.I Joe readers looking for more of the same, in which case they will be pleasantly satisfied.