Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Tom Reilly
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Cover Artists: Tom Reilly; David Finch, Sandra Hope &
Adriano Lucas; Ryan Sook; Karl Kerschl; Travis Moore & Adriano Lucas; E J
Su; Tyler Kirkham
Editor: Ben Abernathy
Publication Design: Andres Juarez
Production: Ashby Florence
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: March 19, 2025
After rescuing Dr Monev, Duke said, “Never tell me the odds,”
and wished Risk had an Off switch. But when backup arrived, they came from
Cobra Commander, not Colonel Hawk. The soldiers turn Duke's team into a chain
gang, and the Cobra Commander has their first work assignment. Which member of
the Joes will become a test subject for Dr Monev’s Brainwave Bomb? And will
anyone care if everyone in the nation’s capital chants, “Obey Cobra”? Let's
grab our rifles, leap into G I Joe #5, and find out!
Story
Like Snake Plissken, Destro thought Duke was dead. The Joes
may wish Duke was dead, and Destro’s lieutenant Mercer is happy to oblige. But
Duke has an ace up his sleeve as Mercer pounds him mercilessly. Duke knows the
way his old buddy Clutch thinks. His stalwart focus on the mission, loyalty to
his team, and reverence for their fallen comrade win Duke respect as the Joes
battle Cobra’s forces in G I Joe #5.
The MARS Industries facility in Washington, DC, may be ideal
for Cobra Commander's operation. Still, Cobra Commander didn't secure Destro's
permission before taking over his base of operations. By relocating to the
nation’s capital, Cobra Commander jeopardizes Destro's agreement with the
United States military if anything goes wrong. Destro has scrambled for
leverage in their partnership, but Cobra Commander calls the shots. So when a
firefight breaks out in MARS, Destro hurries to quash it, lest he lose access
to Cobra Commander’s Energon.
If Destro rises as the most charismatic villain in G I Joe
#5, Cobra Commander proves the most effective. Cobra Commander demonstrates his
ability to sway people once again. He seeks out talented people lacking in
morals, uses them, and then discards them when they offer no more immediate
use. But Cobra Commander's approach loses him more than he gains as he perches
on the brink of his new world order. While he discards partners from a position
of strength, Duke wins admiration and loyalty amid a hopeless situation because
he empowers others in Joshua Williamson’s story.
Art
Mercer spreads his arms wide as the platform rises. Then he
unchains Duke and makes him kneel before Destro. Ripper, Chameleon, Scrap Iron,
and Cobra soldiers watch as Destro yanks Baroness by the hair. Destro covers
his features in a mask, and the Cobra Commander hides behind a shield. Yet Chameleon’s
mask, goggles, and long hair make her look the least Human as a taut
confrontation explodes into furious action.
Jordie Bellaire unleashes a limited color palette on Tom
Reilly's action in the MARS Industries Washington DC facility. Orange and pink
enliven the gray base, while red links Destro, Cobra, and the Crimson Twins.
Mercer and Duke glow blue as they greet the man in the blue and green mask.
Harsh overhead lights make Destro's medallion flare. Orange and red streak
through the air as crimson spurts and flows across faces. Yet Destro’s reflective
mask fades to gray when yellow energy crackles, white lasers burn through the
air, and Clutch’s face glows blue.
Rus Wooton fires black uppercase letters into white dialogue
balloons and narrative boxes. Words grow bold for intonation, change color, and
swell for raised voices in G I Joe #5. Sound effects enliven savage beatdowns,
a roaring engine, laser fire, and explosions while Clutch fires a handgun at
his childhood friend. Thanks to Image Comics, Skybound, and Hasbro for
providing a copy for review.
Final Thoughts
An inventor demonstrates why Congress questioned his ethics,
a bully shows his true colors, and Scrap Iron earns his name as Duke weakens
Cobra Commander’s coalition in G I Joe #5.
Rating 9.6/10
For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
