G.I. Joe #9

Writer: Aubrey Sitterson
Artist: Giannis Milonogiannis
Colorist: Lovern Kindzierski
Published by: IDW

IDW has been doing some fun things with the properties they have under their umbrella currently. With their current company-wide Hasbro Universe event First Strike occupying other books, in G.I. Joe #9, we get somewhat of a prelude to potential involvement from this cast of characters. However, before we get to the crossover, we must first resolve the attempted breakout by the Cobras of The Baroness (who was captured by the Joes in a previous issue).

First off, I always enjoy when a comic includes a recap page for any new readers to the series (such as myself). The recap in this issue is not the most elaborate, but it gives you a good idea of what is happening. It is doubly helpful since Sitterson, right after the recap, goes straight into the action. The Cobras are here, and are ready to fight their way to The Baroness to free her.

With Duke as the only known quantity to try and stop this group of Cobras, it seems that they will easily get The Baroness back. Luckily for Duke however, that a new potential recruit makes his presence known, a man named aptly Spitfire (side note, I enjoy that Duke acknowledges his choice of codename with a nod to the Joes use of them).

The entire issue is essentially one big fight scene with Duke and Spitfire on the ropes until the rest of the Joes make an appearance - with a few surprises along the way.

As a new reader to the series, I have to say that this was an enjoyable issue to read. Sometimes, all you want from a comic is for it to be full of action while still advancing the storyline. Whether Sitterson and Milonogiannis can continue having fun with the book once they get roped into First Strike is still to be determined, but I can see them excelling in that regard.