Sunday, November 15, 2009

G.I. Joe: Origins #1

Title: G.I. Joe: Origins #1
ISBN: 9781600104978
Price: $19.99
Publisher/Year: IDW, 2009
Artist: Mike Hawthorne
Writer: Larry Hama
Collects: G.I. Joe: Origins #'s 1-5

Rating: 4/5

As I mentioned in my previous review, I was a huge fan of the original G.I. Joe material. The comics, published by Marvel, were the creative work of mastermind Larry Hama. When IDW claimed the publication rights to the G.I. Joe line, they enlisted Hama to create a new back-story for the G.I. Joe characters. And he did just that.
 
Origins is the tale of how the new version of the team came to being. No fancy headquarters. No depot of weapons and vehicles. And at this time, only 8 people in the team. Cobra hasn't been introduced, yet. You still don't get a good sense of what Snake Eyes is capable of, but that's all a part of the mystery that he is. You do get a sense that these people will be able to function well as a team.
 
Though IDW tapped Hama for new origins and stories for the G.I. Joe team, they didn't throwback to the old style of artwork from the 80's... which is good. Mike Hawthorne brings a fresh new appearance to some of our favorite characters. He successfully brought the characters from the 80's to the modern day.
 
I give G.I. Joe: Origins high marks for being able to draw the reader into the story and keep them wanting more. Hama was always good at this, and it's obvious he hasn't lost his touch at the art of writing. Combined with Hawthorne's artwork, this TPB is well worth picking-up a copy for your collection.
 
I'd like to take this time to apologize to anyone who is reading this and wondering if I will get to any reviews of something other than G.I. Joe. The answer is that I will. These have been the most recent TPB's that I've read, and so the experience is still fresh in my mind. I promise more diversity of the trades that I write reviews for soon. Look forward to reviews of the following titles:
  • Buffy: The Vampire Slayer
  • Angel: After the Fall
  • Sandman
  • Death
  • Spike: Shadow Puppets 

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