G I Joe #5 Review

 

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.