G.I. Joe: Snake Eyes: Agent of Cobra #5
Written by Mike Costa
Art by Paolo Villanelli
Colors by Joana LaFuente
Letters by Neil Uyetake
Edits by Carlos Guzman
Cover art by Paolo Villanelli & Joana LaFuente and Drew Johnson & Romulo Fajardo Jr.
IDW Publishing
Release Date: May 13, 2015
Cover Price: $3.99

Snake Eyes: Agent of Cobra #5 is stunning. That’s the good news. The bad news is, that’s pretty much all I can say about it without spoiling anything. Seriously, this is one of the hardest reviews I’ve ever had to writer. Every page of this book could be considered a spoiler. But, I’ll do my best.

There’s a reason that Mike Costa writes a lot of G.I. Joe comics. He’s really really good at it. So, if you’ve been keeping up on the title (which you REALLY should be), you know that Jinx and Billy are on the run from somebody’s who’s trying to kill them. This issue, we find out why and the answer will shock you and at the same time, it’s just flat out brilliant. PLUS….OK, this is impossible to keep up with at this point.

Molly Danger #1
Story & Art by Jamal Igle
Inks by Juan Castro
Colors by Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Letters by Frank Cvetkovic
Editor: Adam P. Knave
Action Lab Comics
Release Date: May 4, 2013
Cover Price: FREE!

The Molly Danger #1 comic is great place for fans of anything DIFFERENT to start with. And, I do mean DIFFERENT.

Written and drawn by Jamal Igle, this comic has something in it for everyone. Like super heroes? Check! Like giant robots? Check! Like angst and drama? Check and check! Igle has managed to include everything that you want in a comic without it seeming rushed or forced. The character of Molly Danger is a fun, playful, always looking for something to get into kind of girl. And boy does she find stuff to get into here! A charming comic that will have everyone smiling.

Danger Girl G.I. Joe #5
Written by Andy Hartnell
Art by John Royle
Layouts by Jeff Moy
Inks by Philip Moy
Colors by Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Letters by Neil Uyetake
Edited by John Barber & Scott Dunbier
Covers by J. Scott Campbell
IDW Publishing
Release Date: January 2, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Danger Girl G.I. Joe #5 is the epic conclusion to this fantastic mini-series. And I do mean EPIC! I honestly can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed a comic this much before. It’s like the first time that someone put chocolate and peanut butter together. It’s too good not to share with the world.

It’s no surprise that writer Andy Hartnell knows his Danger Girls. After all, he co-created them. BUT, what is surprising is that he knows the G.I. Joe characters so well. This book is what every Joe fan wanted. It’s an extension of the 80’s cartoon series. There’s no updating costumes…I mean, fatigues..for modern times. No black leather and black & gray camo. The Joes run around in their classic looks and you don’t even bat an eye at it. It’s totally believable, and acceptable at the same time.

KISS #6
Written by Chris Ryall
Pencils by Wagner Reis
Colors by Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Letters by Shawn Lee
Covers by Tom Jerman, Jamal Igle & Romulo Fajardo, Jr, and Sam Shearon
IDW Publishing
Release Date: November 21, 2012
Cover Price: $3.99

KISS #6 is the conclusion of “Kiss Meets the Phantom” story arc. When we last left the guys they were…girls. But, they were fighting a bunch of robots at an amusement park run by an evil scientist. And you thought KISS was just four guys that made awesome music!

Chris Ryall started this story by turning everything we know about KISS on its ear. This issue, he continues to do so. KISS #6 is straight-out rock and roll action! I’m not kidding, this issue has more action in it than most comics have in six issues. Beyond that, it’s amazing how he can keep the characters of KISS grounded in the humans that they possess, while mixing in a slight dose of the personality of said humans. I’ve read lots of books by Ryall, but I have to say, he could write KISS for the rest of his life, and I’d read it every single month. Shocks and surprises come out of nowhere and he does a fantastic job wrapping up the arc, while at the same time moving the overall story further into unknown territory. And he throws in some really interesting stuff with the Destroyer and She. It’s a great ending to a very entertaining arc in this title, yet, in some ways, it’s just the beginning.

KISS #5
Written by Chris Ryall
Art by Wagner Reis
Colors by Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Letters by Shawn Lee
Edited by Tom Waltz
Covers by Sam Shearon, Jamal Igle & Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
IDW Publishing
Release Date: October 24, 2012
Cover Price: $3.99

KISS #5 is a game changer. Seriously, folks. It takes the whole concept of KISS and turns it on its ear. Two words, kids: KISS GIRLS. That’s right, you wanted hot girls, you GOT hot girls! Not to mention The Phantom of the Park!

Writer Chris Ryall takes everyone’s “favorite” movie, KISS Meets The Phantom Of The Park, and puts a WHOLE new spin on it. The basics are still there, like the evil Abner Devereaux and, of course, the amusement park. I can’t tell you what a refreshing change of pace this is, and Ryall proves with this issue that the sky truly IS the limit when it comes to this comic. So far, it’s been very enjoyable, going from different eras in time watching the group take on the henchmen of the evil Destroyer, but this issue he makes everything fresh and totally different. Don’t get me wrong, we all love the group, but it’s nice to get a total 180 once in awhile. This book is something that you’re going to want to read at least a couple of times – it’s that good – and you’re going to make sure that you don’t miss anything. Maybe it’s my love of KISS or my love of KISS Meets The Phantom of the Park movie (c’mon, it was fun), but I honestly can’t remember enjoying a comic this much in a long time.