Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
GI Joe Origins #4
IDW Comics
Hama & Hawthorne
Origins ramps up the action in this issue as the Joes invade the Chimera’s hideout. However, despite the heavy action and big gun battle the issue is completely stolen by Snake Eyes. While, he doesn’t throw a punch, shoot a gun or slash something with his sword he is simply the centerpiece of the drama in this issue. The issue isn’t a perfect one, but it does have a classic GI Joe feel to it despite all the other characters getting a little lost in the shuffle of the issue’s usage of Snake Eyes.
The issue begins with the Joe team surveying the “empty” base. While this is going on, Chimera is using his cameras to check out the Joes jockey for position above ground. While this might sound tame it is actually very complex. The two sides studying each other provide each side with a false sense of having the upper hand on the other. This sequence was very clever.
Then Snake Eyes busts in on a couple of local’s pool game. He needs help so he communicates with chalk on the pool table to illustrate what he needs. When the men agree to help Snake Eyes they want to see some kind of collateral for payment. Snake Eyes offers up his medal of honor which pretty much floors the men. This entire scene was brilliant. However, the best part of the interaction is how Snake Eyes “convinces” the men he isn’t a criminal or a fake. It’s outstanding in every way.
The issue then cranks up the action. Page after page the Joes battle it out with Chimera’s gang. Eventually the action becomes more hand to hand and Scarlett gets herself into some trouble with Chimera. There is a small scene with Snake Eyes at the end that is probably just at awesome as him convincing the men playing pool to give him a ride. This was Snake Eyes’ coming out party for sure.
The artwork is very good. The part of the art that made the issue so realistic was the shells flying out of the guns during the battle. I realize this is such a small detail but I found it to make the comic that much more special. I wasn’t crazy about the coloring, especially when the characters are in the dark or in shadows because it feels like it’s using a very limited palette.
The issue has some drawbacks though. The characters that end up invading Chimera’s base feel so generic. I realize they don’t have much of an opportunity to talk or show off any personality, but I literally lost track of which Joes went into the base and which, if any stayed topside. It really didn’t matter but I guess it just felt like the battle had no overall purpose to it other than it appeared to be largely a coincidence. I realize it wasn’t, but it just felt very hollow as if the importance was simply to find the base and not stop a known threat.
Overall this issue was very good. However, the Snake Eyes involvement almost made it seem like the entire plot and battle was just a setup to build up his character. I don’t think that’s a bad thing, but with the cast getting their “origin” in this arc it feels like they are all getting a little short changed. Still, this issue is definitely worth picking up.
4 out of 5 geek goggles
