G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #179
Written by Larry Hama
Art by SL Gallant
Inks by Gary Erskine
Colors by J. Brown
Letters by Neil Uyetake
Covers by SL Gallant, Herb Trimpe & Larry Hama
IDW Publishing
Release Date: June 6, 2012
Cover Price: $3.99

Very few comics can pick up right where they left off 20 years ago and still maintain the level of creative goodness that G.I. Joe A Real American Hero #179 does. I believe that’s due in part to the creative team, but also to the minds of the audience. All it takes is opening the cover and you’re right back where you were a couple of decades ago. Sure, you might have a kid or two, a family, a house of your own. But inside we’re all the same 10 or 12 year old kids that loved reading this book. The book hasn’t changed. We have. A little.

Every G.I. Joe fan needs to buy Larry Hama a drink. If for nothing else, for the fact that he’s just awesome. This issue is action from cover to cover. I’ll be honest with you, there’s not much Joe action here, it’s a Cobra-centric issue as the forces of Cobra take on the Blue Ninja Clan, with the help of a Joe or two.

It’s weird to find myself rooting for Cobra, but it’s a good weird. In past issues the Blue Ninja Clan had done some really despicable acts and Hama has done a great job of creating villains that you actually hate MORE than the regular villains in the series. Also, after all this time, Hama still gives up new little character bits that change our opinions of some of the cast. You don’t get that in X-Men, folks. Not by a long shot. And of course, the last page shocker is vintage Hama!!!

SL Gallant hits another home run with this issue. He’s got a great style that fits this book like a glove. It’s a fantastic combination of old school comic art, yet you don’t feel like some artist from two decades ago is drawing these pages. They’re fresh, yet familiar at the same time. His action scenes are beyond belief and the attention to detail is superb. It’s never too hard to follow and yet moves at a lightening quick pace.

What are you waiting for? Get this book already! It’s a blast!! You’re going to have to look long and hard to find another book that’s as full out entertaining and will give you this much bang for your buck. The only thing that could possibly make this book any better? Two words: SERGEANT SLAUGHTER!!!