G.I. Joe #4 (2014)
Written by: Karen Traviss
Art by: Steve Kurth
So here we are again, in the thick of it all. Unfortunately being in the thick of it all leads to a somewhat non-violent outcome in this battle. Or I should say that most of the tactics being played in this battle are psychological rather than physical, because no guns are going off at the moment. It was only odd because the last issue ended with a terrorist attack (a bomb, BOOM!) and this one ends with a discussion. Inbetween all the talking though, is ESPIONAGE, from like 3 different sides now. You have The Joes, COBRA, and radical mercs. All of them have the potential to throw down and make this comic book really bloody and explosive...but nothing yet. I'm hoping that all the build-up will pan out in the end, because if it doesn't...I'll be bummed.
That said, Traviss writes a very delicate web of deceit and backstabbing through these pages. The dialogue and the setups are awesome, but the one component that's missing is the action. There's room for it, I know there is. In this issue there was one fight and it didn't end with any explosions or gunfighting...I know it seems childish to want action in a G.I. Joe comic...see where I'm going with this? Don't get me wrong, I understand that there has to be a background story, but this comic is becoming tedious in some respects. The writing still shines through the pacing.
The art also shines through and you can tell that Kurth knows this because every setpiece becomes grander and grander as the comic goes on. In almost every one of my reviews of this comic I point out that Kurth's attention to detail is unmatched because of the small little things he hides in the background of every panel. This issue is no different and the little details shine far into the story. Things like newspaper clippings and photographs and weapons just out of reach create a visual backstory and loads of tension. I believe in Kurth's talent as an artist and I want to see more.
Good issue if you want all story and little to no action. The art is breathtaking.
Art by: Steve Kurth
So here we are again, in the thick of it all. Unfortunately being in the thick of it all leads to a somewhat non-violent outcome in this battle. Or I should say that most of the tactics being played in this battle are psychological rather than physical, because no guns are going off at the moment. It was only odd because the last issue ended with a terrorist attack (a bomb, BOOM!) and this one ends with a discussion. Inbetween all the talking though, is ESPIONAGE, from like 3 different sides now. You have The Joes, COBRA, and radical mercs. All of them have the potential to throw down and make this comic book really bloody and explosive...but nothing yet. I'm hoping that all the build-up will pan out in the end, because if it doesn't...I'll be bummed.
That said, Traviss writes a very delicate web of deceit and backstabbing through these pages. The dialogue and the setups are awesome, but the one component that's missing is the action. There's room for it, I know there is. In this issue there was one fight and it didn't end with any explosions or gunfighting...I know it seems childish to want action in a G.I. Joe comic...see where I'm going with this? Don't get me wrong, I understand that there has to be a background story, but this comic is becoming tedious in some respects. The writing still shines through the pacing.
The art also shines through and you can tell that Kurth knows this because every setpiece becomes grander and grander as the comic goes on. In almost every one of my reviews of this comic I point out that Kurth's attention to detail is unmatched because of the small little things he hides in the background of every panel. This issue is no different and the little details shine far into the story. Things like newspaper clippings and photographs and weapons just out of reach create a visual backstory and loads of tension. I believe in Kurth's talent as an artist and I want to see more.
Good issue if you want all story and little to no action. The art is breathtaking.
A Look Inside
