Cobra Annual 2012: Origin Of Cobra Commander
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by S L Gallant
Inks by Gary Erskine
Colors by J Brown
Letters by Neil Uyetake
Covers by menton3 and Robert Atkins
IDW Publishing
Release Date: January 11, 2012
Cover Price: $7.99

I was very nervous about reading Cobra Annual 2012. Wasn’t looking forward to it at all. I’m a big fan of non-origin origins. I liked that in the Marvel Comics’ G.I. Joe series, all you knew about Cobra Commander was that at some point in his life, he was a used car salesman who went off the deep end. Another great non-origin was that of He-Man. All we needed to know about him, he told us in the cartoon’s opening. In the back of my mind, I was really worried that the new Cobra Commander would be a tortured soul who’s mother never loved him, his father beat him, and on and on.

Snake Eyes #9
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Alex Cal
Colors by J. Brown
IDW Publishing
Release Date: January 11, 2012
Cover Price: $3.99

Ever since I was a kid I have always loved G.I. Joe and when I heard that the comics were coming back, well I just had to start reading them again. It has been a rough time for our band of heroes since they resurfaced back in 2010 and they are just now reeling from the aftermath of the Cobra Civil War. Enter Snake Eyes #9 where we see our beloved heroes in action trying to stop Cobra from controlling a country in Asia known as Nanzhao. We learn that the country is a capital for the drug trade which begs to ask the question “Why is Cobra here?” Two Joe teams are sent in to investigate and take out the threat. I don’t want to go to far into detail, because let’s face it Snake Eyes #9 is just a fun book.

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!

Snake Eyes #6
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Casey Maloney
Inks by Juan Castro
Colors by Simon Gough, Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Letters by Neil UyeTake
Covers by Robert Atkins, Agustin Padilla
IDW Publishing
Release Date: October 19, 2011
Cover Price: $3.99

What I really like about Snake Eyes #6 is that it showed a different side of the Cobra Civil War storyline. There’s plenty of Joes and Cobras to go around, so it’s nice to get a little glimpse on what the coolest member of the GI Joe team is up to while the rest of the team is scrambling to hold their own and the forces of Cobra are launching all out war on the Joes.

What I liked most about this issue was the constant action. In the whole book there’s maybe one whole page of “talking heads” and that’s it. And that’s the way a Snake Eyes comic should be.

G.I. Joe, Vol.2 #6
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Will Rosado
Colors by Romulo Fajardo
Letters by Shawn Lee
Covers by Robert Atkins, Tom Feister & Will Rosado
IDW Publishing
Release Date: October 5th, 2011
Cover Price: $3.99

As much as G.I. Joe Renegades was supposed to be “the G.I. Joe cartoon you remember watching when you were a kid,” IDW Publishing’s G.I. Joe comic is the G.I. Joe comic you remember reading when you were a kid. Only now, it’s better, because you’re an adult (I assume) and you can enjoy it on a completely different level. And, the book has many levels. First, it features the toys, yes toys, you loved playing with when you were a kid. Second, it’s an all-out great action movie, and third, a solid, well put together comic book.