BotTalk Reviews

Creators : Larry Hama (writer), Pat Olliffe (artist), Francesco Segala (colorist), Sabrina Del Grosso (flatter), Pat Brosseau (letterer) Story : Cutter, Shipwreck, and Wetsuit are on the Killer W.H.A.L.E. Hovercraft assisting Deep Six as he investigates a sunken Russian submarine.  Ghostrider in The Phantom X-19 Stealth Fighter is providing air support when three Rattlers and a ASPID helicopter arrive with two Cobra Eels and a Hydro-Viper who head down to the sub as well.  Writing : Sometimes this is just what you need, a nice stand-alone issue with some good action and fight scenes.  The Russian sub may come up later down the road but for now, it's just a MacGuffin for our characters.  And we get nautical guys doing nautical stuff and a flier...flying!  Everyone is doing their role nicely and it all fits together in a nice, tight story.   Art : Art and colors are sublime in this issue. Olliffe does a good job with the action scenes and, between him and Ham...

Creators : Larry Hama (writer), Paul Pelletier (penciler), Tony Kordos (inker), Francesco Segala (colorist), Sabrina Del Grosso (flatter), Pat Brosseau (letterer) Story : Lift-Ticket and Wild Bill fly the Tomahawk helicopter through bad weather to deliver Shockwave and Rock 'n Roll to Snake-Eye's cabin to help Scarlett but are relived to discover he has been able to deactivate his implant on his own and they all head back to the Pit.  At the Pit, Dawn is trapped but begins to take out the cameras so the team has no clue where she is.  The Pit crew (Mainframe, Dial-Tone, Stalker, Duke) are able to contact Helix and Beachhead to get an update on Sean, who is attacking the Terror Drome.  Sean is driven off but Helix and Beachhead take out most of the remaining Cobras and create a truce with the remaining ones to stop Sean.  Snake-Eyes arrives at the Pit and confronts Dawn, using Arashikage abilities to help destroy her implant as well.  Meanwhile, in Darklonia, Sea...

Creators : Larry Hama (writer), Paul Pelletier (penciler), Tony Kordos (inker), Francesco Segala (colorist), Sabrina Del Grosso (flatterer), Pat Brosseau (letterer) Story : The Joe teams have to deal with three of its members (Snake-Eyes, Dawn, and Sean) having an "easter egg" leftover by Dr. Venom in the original Snake-Eyes' memory as they attack any Joes near them.  The crew at the Pitt (Duke, Stalker, Dial-Tone and Mainframe) are able to contain Dawn in the Pitt and inform Helix and Beach Head what's going on but can't reach Scarlett as Snake-Eyes attacks her.  Scarlett is able to hold him off and head outside but encounters a bear.  In Darklonia, Beach Head and Helix are able to trick Sean in taking out the blue ninjas and finally Snake-Eyes is able to overcome the programming.  Meanwhile, at Destro's castle, a certain raider of tombs discovers something. Writing : Again, I think it's pretty cool that Hama is pulling the Dr. Venom card after decades of...

Creators : Larry Hama (writer), Paul Pelletier (pencils), Tony Kordos (inker), Francesco Segala (colorist), Sabrina Del Grosso (flatterer), Pat Brosseau (letterer) Story : Doctor Mindbender and Alpha-001 start exploring the digital memories Dr. Venom downloaded from Snake-Eyes.  Dawn has returned to the Pit and suspects there is something hidden in the memories of Snake-Eyes (that were implanted in her mind by Dr. Venom) and Duke, Stalker and Mainframe all worry what might happen as Sean and the original Snake-Eyes also have those memories.  In Darklonia, Helix, Sean and Beachhead infiltrate the countryside to take down a Terror Drome.  In Colorado, Scarlett and Snake-Eyes are enjoying time away.  Then, Mindbender activates something and all three start attacking whoever is nearest.   Writing : I enjoyed the 4 separate but interconnected stories.  I also enjoy that a minor character from the original G.I. Joe run from 40 years ago still has an impact on the...

Creators : Larry Hama (writer), Andrew Krahnke (artist), Francesco Segala (colorist), Sabrina Del Grosso (flatter), Pat Brosseau (letterer) Story : In Sierra Gordo, the Joe team of Jinx, Dawn, Cover Girl, and Sherlock finish taking down a Terror Drome.  However, an explosion knocks Dawn around, revealing more memories from Snake-Eyes and Dr. Venom using his Brainwave Scanner on Snake-Eyes way back in issue 10.  On Cobra Island. Dr. Mindbender gets notified about these memories as well.   Writing : Hama easily wraps up the Terror Drome story while introducing a new problem for Snake-Eyes.  Hama introduced the world to Dr. Venom, Cobra's original mad scientist back in the early days of the comic's run in the 1980's and has continued to use the dead character and his brainwave scanner again and again.  He's a favorite villain that, while dead, just keeps coming back!   Art : It's nice to see Dawn without her mask on all the time in this issue.  Sometimes ...

Creators : Jorge Fornés, Dave Stewart Story : Firefly infiltrates a Soviet Union military base in the Sayan Mountains and while searching their computers for POWs, is almost captured by the Oktober Guard but is able to get away.  Later, he comes across an Afghan woman in a prison. Writing : This issue, another "Sssilent" issue, does a great job showcasing how dangerous Firefly has always been in the comics.  He has physical skills on par with the ninjas, is able to take down, silently, many of the soldiers in the base, plant explosives, and access computer systems.  The nice thing about this issue is we're not too sure who Firefly is actually working for in this issue.  Art : Some great art here.  First off, the Cobra Ice Snake (a high-speed, arctic attack vehicle with jaw snapping roll cage) makes an appearance, which is pretty cool when these vehicles from the end of the original ARAH toy run show up.  We also get some "video game" side-scrolling views as...

Creators :  Howard Porter, Romulo Fajardo Jr. Story :  After retrieving something from some G.I. Joe divers in the ocean for Cobra, Copperhead heads to a penthouse and looks depressed eyeballing a picture of simpler times.  He joins in a street dirt bike race and that leads him to the bayou and a poker game with the Dreadnok pirate, Zanzibar.  They fight over the game and this leads to an airboat race.  Copperhead is brutal during the race and eventually wins.  However, his victory is short-lived as he has another job from Cobra. Writing :  Part of the "Sssilent" issues this month, Copperhead focuses on the driver of the Cobra Water Moccasin toy, though we actually never see it in the issue.  Honestly, it is a bit tough to figure out what's going on in the issue.  Is Copperhead doing this for revenge?  To prove he's the best?  Is the penthouse his home or is he just raiding it?  Does he have a conflict with Zanzibar or are they...

Creators : Patrick Olliffe, Tom DeFalco, John Kalisz Story :  Zartan is spying on the Joes,  who are watching a new weapon, while he is being spied upon by Major Bludd.  Zartan infiltrates the Joes and is able to steal the weapon. However, he is then captured by Bludd and some Cobra forces.  Heading to ship, Zartan uses his guile and skills to escape before Cobra Commander shows up, followed by a contingent of Joes. Writing :  The third Cobra "Sssilent" issue this month, this one follows fan-favorite Zartan.  This story can easily fit into most Joe continuities.  We get to see a lot of Zartan's skills - his disguises, his fighting skills and, most importantly, his intelligence as he outmaneuvers everyone.   Art :  The art is pretty good in this one.  There are focuses on things you might not think are important but they come back to later.  And I enjoyed seeing a few late-series toys pop up - like the Shark 9000 (which the Joe team ...

Creators : Larry Hama (writer), Andrew Krahnke (artist), Francesco Segala (colorist), Sabrina Del Grosso (flatterer), Pat Brosseau (letterer) Story :  A Joe team comprised of Snake Eyes (Dawn Moreno), Cover Girl, Jinx, Down Range and Sherlock is on a mission in Sierra Gordo to check out a joint Cobra/Revanche operation.  While almost captured, they escape and infiltrate the pyramid, where control (Duke, Mainframe and Stalker are monitoring them) lose them due to inference.  They discover a Terror Drome built into an ancient pyramid and debate blowing it up as troops close in around them.  Writing :  We've circled back to teams of Joe's tracking down Terror Dromes in various environments.  This one is more of an infiltration issue.  The past couple of issues took a little break from this overarching story.  One thing that was done here was include an all-female cast for the main story.  Art :  Art is pretty good here though not quite up t...

Creators : Gabriel Hardman, Matt Hollingsworth Story : Cobra Commander is inducting two new troops into the Crimson Guard when the Joes attack with a massive force.  The Crimson Guardsmen fight through the Joes and out of the base into the swamp, continuously being chased by the Joes and the hazards of the swamp.  They finally are able to make it another base and attempt to escape.   Writing : Another issue in the Cobra "Sssilent Missions" series this month, paying homage to Larry Hama's famous "Silent Issue" way back in Marvel's original run.  Though without dialog, there is a lot going on in this issue, with the troopers trying to get away and them being relentlessly pursued by the Joe team.  It's also hard to tell if this is supposed to set in the standard Joe-verse or its own thing; some individuals are hinted at either being seriously injured or possibly killed. But the story is fun and it's just non-stop action, along with a few "oh yeah, ...

Creators : Joëlle Jones, Declan Shalvey, Mike Spicer Story : As Cobra Commander watches, the Baroness infiltrates an opera house and heads to the catwalk with a rifle.  She spots her target and Destro in the audience.  She fires a shot that bounces off Destro's armored head and races to a box to find her target gone.  She looks down and sees him running away but her target encounters Destro.  The Baroness catches up and she fights Destro.  The Baroness is able to get away and intercepts her target's date who is hiding a G.I. Joe document on her person.  Destro receives a picture of the target dead and a note with coordinates.  He meets back up with the Baroness in Paris at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée and they share a kiss.   Writing : A new series of "sssilent" issues, this time focusing on Cobra operatives.  Like all other silent issues, this one has no dialogue.  That makes it a bit tricky to place when/where this takes place.  Is it ...

Creators :  Larry Hama (writer), Andrew Krahnke (artist), Francesco Segala (colorlist), Sabrina Del Grosso (flatter), Pat Brosseau (letterer) Story :  A Joe team - Snake Eyes, Scarlett, Duke, Roadblock and Mongoose - are extracting a terrorist from Benzheen, near Trucial Abysmia.  They are ambushed by his terrorist cell and must fight them off while awaiting their evac.   Writing :  This story seems really basic and has some cliches.  In the beginning they talk about how easy it was before getting attacked.  Grenades are easily kicked back to the throwers; injuries that had a someone down a moment ago are overlooked and the bad guys seem to have not only unlimited numbers but really bad aim. This is a self-contained story, wrapping up in the issue.  Art :  Krahnke provides the art for the issue and does a really good job. He's not afraid to show a bit of blood on the injuries and does a really good job with the action sequences. One downside...

Creators : Larry Hama (writer), Chris Mooneyham (artist), Francesco Segala (colorist), Sabrina Del Grosso (flatter), Pat Brosseau (letterer) Story : A Joe team of Duke, Roadblock, Down Range and R.C. (Salazar, Hector M.) are observing a Borovian unit fighting against the Darklonian invasion and how drones, especially smaller ones, are being utilized on the modern battlefield.  At their destination they split into a sniper and drone team and work on taking out their targets (other snipers and armored vehicles).   Writing : I really appreciate Hama's not-so-subtle take on on-going world events in this issue.  The Darklonian forces are using older Russian vehicles and it takes pages right out of the current conflict in the Ukraine with the use of smaller, cheaper drones dropping explosives onto and into armored vehicles.  Hama also gives us a couple good moments with the snipers and telling us how'd they operate in a situation like the one set up in the issue.  On ...

Creators : Larry Hama (writer), Paul Pelletier (pencils), Tony Kordos (inker), Francesco Segala (colorist), Sabrina Del Grosso (flatter), Pat Brosseau (letterer) Story : Ace does a high altitude recon in the Sky Raven and discovers a satellite that might be a space station.  Duke and Stalker send up Payload, Sci-Fi, Lady Jaye and Countdown in the Joe's Defiant shuttle to investigate it.  Once in space, the station, controlled by Revanche, begins shooting at the Joes.  Lady Jaye and Sci-Fi are able to get inside the station and, by fighting the blue ninja, are able to take the station out.  However, Revanche does have other plans. Writing : This is a tight issue, focusing just on the space station.  I do enjoy it when Hama incorporates lesser-used Joes, like in this issue we get Law & Order, Countdown, Sci-Fi, Hardtop and Payload.  Three of those Joes are a very specific subset, dealing with outer space.  We don't get any other Joes on other mission...

Creators : Larry Hama (writer), Paul Pelletier (penciler), Tony Kordos (inker), Francesco Segala (colorist), Sabrina Del Grosso (flatter), Pat Brosseau (letterer) Story : Four different organizations - Cobra, the Dreadnoks, Destro's Iron Grenadiers and Revanche, all evaluate their current position and what they plan to do in the future.  Cobra has some key players back - Tomax and Xamot, Scrap-Iron, Overkill, Crystal Ball, Firefly, Copperhead and Major Bludd, who agree to help again.  Zartan asserts his authority over the Dreadnoks, while the Iron Grenadiers parade through Destro's town and Alpha-001 prepares itself for the next phase of its plans.  Writing :  This is an interesting story because it's mainly getting us up to date on what is going on in each organization currently and what they are planning on doing in the near future.  Cobra Commander's plans are the most established.   Art : Art is really something, a lot of opportunities to show off diffe...

Creators : Larry Hama (writer), Paul Pelletier (penciller), Tony Kordos (inker), Francesco Segala (colorist), Sabrina Del Grosso (flatter), Pat Brosseau (letterer) Story : Two Joe teams, on in a desert another in frozen arctic lands, are sent to investigate the construction of two Cobra Terror Dromes. Due to circumstances, both end up engaging with the Cobra forces there.  Writing : There is a few interesting things going on with this issue.  First is the contrast going on with the extreme environments the Joe teams find themselves in.  On top of that, each gets two pages so reading the book we keep going back and forth between these environments.  This isn't too jarring because the stories play out very similar.  Hama also takes this opportunity to use some less-used characters - Iceberg, Frostbite, Snow Job, Sub-Zero, Dusty, Mongoose, and Lightfoot.  I've always enjoyed when some of the lesser-known Joes get some time.  This issue is also pretty much...

Creators : Larry Hama (writer), Chris Mooneyham (art) Story : A high-tech blimp approaches the Pit as Snake-Eyes and Dawn return and put on their ear protection for small-arms training.  Before the Joe team can shoot it down, the blimp begins a sonic attack on the Joes, disabling most.  Dawn and Snake-Eyes then don jet packs and take the fight to the airship, eventually overcoming their foes. Writing :  This is a special "anniversary" issue of the original Silent Interlude (G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #21) which appeared 300 issues ago.  Like that original issue, this one has no word "balloons", however, Hama is able to craft an interesting story without using any text. Art :  Mooneyham is on top of his game in this issue.  With the story relying solely on his art, he really brings his A game.  Details are crisp and the colors are spot-on.  We can easily tell who each classic Joe character is and see some classic vehicles throughout the story. ...

Creators : Larry Hama (writer), Paul Pelletier (penciller), Tony Kordos (inker), Francesco Segala (colorist), Sabrina Del Grosso (flatter), Pat Brosseau (letterer). Plot :  This is a parallel plot, with both teams of Joes (in Springfield and on Cobra Island) attempting to escape and get back to headquarters while being pursued.  The Springfield team is attempting to get to the airfield while the Cobra Island team is trying to get to the docks to flee.  Thankfully, Duke and the command crew at the Pit are aware of the situations and send in air support.   Writing : Hama is bringing the action in this issue. The on-going chases while being attacked and trying to get away and both teams having to improvise against more heavily armed and armoured foes.  I did enjoy that he acknowledges sometimes toys and reality don't mix (as it's pointed out they can't fire the Stinger missiles with people riding on the back).  The only downside of such an action-filled issue ...

Creators : Larry Hama (Writer), Paul Pelletier (Penciller), Tony Kordos (Inker), Francesco Segala (Colorist), Sabrina Del Grosso (Flatter), Pat Brosseau (Letterer) Story : Things come to a head in Scotland, Springfield and Cobra Island.  The Springfield team needs to make a quick escape as does the Cobra Island team.  Meanwhile, in Scotland, Cobra Commander is trying to escape.   Writing :  Wow...this was not Hama's best work.  Part of it is all three narratives of this tale are the same.  Both G.I. Joe teams are made and need to escape while Cobra Commander is trying to escape Scotland.  On top of that, the Joes at the Pit are tapped into the Cobra feeds at various locations and know all of this is happening, which begs the question, why risk soldiers' lives when you already know what is happening.  Then the "we just happened to tap into a feed at a Scottish airport" at the right time to see a Cobra Hurricane VTOL Vertical Takeoff and Landing Jet...

Creators : Larry Hama (writer), Paul Pelletier (penciller), Tony Kordos (inker), Francesco Segala (colourist), Sabrina Del Grosso (flatterer), Pat Brosseau (letterer) Plot : At the Pit, Duke, Black Hat, Stalker and Mainframe monitor and support the various Joe teams.  In Springfield, Storm Shadow and Dawn sneak in through the tunnels and learn some important information about Cobra Commander.  At Cobra Island, Multo and Helix are able to disguise themselves to sneak into the casino to they can figure out who all of Revanche's sleeper agents will be while Muskrat and Wet-Suit spy on Dr. Mindbender meeting with Alpha-001.  In Scotland, Cobra Commander makes his escape, not realizing he's being spied upon.  Writing :  Hama is doing a decent job of setting up all his players for the big set pieces but sometimes the issues lack a lot of action.  We get a little bit with Dawn and Storm Shadow finishing off a cyborg from the invasion of Springfield.  However,...