Snake Eyes #7
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Casey Maloney
Inked by Juan Castro
Colors by Simon Gough, Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Letters by Shawn Lee
Covers by Robert Atkins, Agustin Padilla, and Trevor Hutchison
IDW Publishing
Release Date: November 16th, 2011
Cover Price: $3.99

Writer Chuck Dixon got my letters. After a few disappointing issues, I am happy to report there is 100% more Snake Eyes ninja butt-kicking in Snake Eyes #7 than in the last three issues combined. THANK YOU, CHUCK!! Not only that, but this issue actually moves the Hunt for Cobra Commander story arc forward, as we’ve only got two more issues of G.I. Joe comics until we find out who’s going to be the new Cobra Commander!

There is SO MUCH action and story packed into this issue, that it actually feels like you’re reading about three issues’ worth of this title. A fan favorite character pops up in this issue and not only plays a really important role, it looks like he’ll be around for awhile and Dixon manages to make him almost as cool as Snake Eyes. Meanwhile, we got some great action and story movement from the Joe team as well. And some important bullet points are revealed in contest for control of the Cobra organization. Overall, a very solidly written comic. It’s got everything you would want in a Snake Eyes book.

I have to admit, artist Casey Maloney is growing on me. He handles action well and knows how to lay out a page, and while he’s not my first choice to pencil this book, he’s really coming into his own. Drawing a character that has no dialogue has got to be rough, but Maloney does an effective job at getting Snake Eye’s physically communication “skills” down pat, so that we can tell what he’s saying without having to read the other persons dialogue. Also of note, colorists Simon Gough and Romulo Fajardo, Jr. do a great job on the outdoor scenes in this book.

They don’t get much better than this! If you’re a regular reader of the GI Joe titles, this issue is a must-have. If you’re not, it still is. You can easily pick up on what’s going on and you’ll enjoy the issue for what it is and it doesn’t make you feel like you have to go buy a years worth of back issues. Great comic all around!!