G.I. Joe Volume 2

Title: G.I. Joe Volume 2


ISBN: 9781600106095
Price: $19.99
Publisher/Year: IDW, 2010
Artist: SL Gallant
Writer: Chuck Dixon
Collects: G.I. Joe #7-12

Rating: 4/5

The trial of Scarlett. The return of Mainframe. Actual "evidence" of Cobra. IDW has really done a great job with this series. In this trade, we are also introduced to Cover Girl and Springfield. Again, this series is not your father's G.I. Joe from the 80's.

This trade still makes me want to collect the trades from the original Marvel series for nostalgia's sake. There are so many differences in the art and stories of the different eras. The art was more cartoon-like and the storylines were PG rated since comic books were primarily geared for kids. Now we have more adult themes of sex and violence. The terrorist threats of Cobra in the 80's was kicked under the rug as apart of the Cold War. Now, not so much.

Some storylines endure the test of time. The MASS device was an interesting concept that was lacking in the cartoon series. Chuck Dixon has removed the campiness that was associated to it from the cartoon and made it feel like this could seriously be something that scientists are working on. Thank goodness that Dixon works for the forces of good.

Now that I'm writing this, I went back to the history of my reviews and found that I haven't posted a review for volume 1 yet. My mistake. I'll post a follow-up later in the week. With all the G.I. Joe reviews I've done thus far, I can't explain why I missed volume 1.

SL Gallant's art isn't the best I've ever seen, but it does the trick for this series. His eye for the female form is a great deal better than for the male form, but then again... he knows who he's drawing for. I don't think there are too many women who are reading this title, nor would be interested. I guess that sounds a little sexist, and it's not meant to be. I'm simply playing into the stereotype of boys playing with their G.I. Joe figures and girls playing with Barbie. There will always be exceptions to that stereotype. My view is that whatever you like is good.

As for this trade, I recommend buying volume 1 first and then pick-up this one. This series... thus far... is a  keeper.