Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
GI Joe Cobra #3
IDW Comics
Gage, Costa & Fuso
Here we have the best installment of this series by far. This issue gives more and more layers to Chuckles. Basically he becomes more of a bad guy all in the name of the mission. He kills some innocents in order to prevent more from dying. The comic sure doesn’t feel like a GI Joe comic which is both a good thing and a bad thing.
Chuckles finds himself being put in more of a position of influence within the organization. However, as he points out, we (and he) still have no idea what’s really going on. Beyond a few names here or there and blowing up some stuff, really little else goes on. It seems his injury and the overall predicament he gets put in during this issue ends up getting him promoted. It also doesn’t hurt that he seduces the boss’s girlfriend.
The overall plot thickens as Chuckles’ means of communication with Jinx and Hawk are completely cut off. He’s pretty much carrying on by himself hoping he is making the correct decisions. The comic ends with a horrifying choice for Chuckles to make as he crosses a line that seems to border on treason. This leaves open the question: how can he ever return to a normal life after his mission is complete?
The comic has all the elements of a spy novel. Chuckles becomes a villain in order to convince those around him of his allegiance. However, deep down, he’s still a good guy. Or is he? Chuckles is faced with a few difficult situations in this comic and he seems to always pick the path that make him more of a villain.
The thing that doesn’t fit with this story is that it just isn’t a GI Joe comic right down to Chuckles killing innocents and Americans. However, the edginess and the grotesque realism found here is more than any GI Joe comic ever achieved making it a welcome shift in direction. Without some Joe elements though, this comic feels like a James Bond type story using GI Joe character names.
This comic is good but does it feel enough like a Joe comic to meet the needs of your average Joe fan? Then again if you are new and are reading the main series are you going to find this series to be too far out in left field? Personally, I like a little realism in my GI Joe story. However, I need a little more about Cobra or something to make this feel like its taking place in the GI Joe universe. I’m interested to see how this mini series ends up. This is recommended.
4 out of 5 geek goggles
