G I Joe #6 Review

 

Writer: Joshua Williamson

Artist: Tom Reilly

Colorist: Jordie Bellaire

Letterer: Rus Wooton

Cover Artists: Tom Reilly; Derrick Chew; Lorenzo De Felici; Karl Kerschl; Travis Moore & Adriano Lucas; Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer; Ivan Talavera; Clayton Crain; Rose Besch; Davi Go

Editor: Ben Abernathy

Publication Design: Andres Juarez

Production: Ashby Florence

Publisher: Image Comics

Price: $3.99

Release Date: April 23, 2025

 

Destro has Duke in his power once again. But Duke has an ace up his sleeve. Clutch has infiltrated Cobra. Duke's childhood friend alerted the Joes that the Cobra Commander was targeting Dr Monev and his Brainwave Scanner. Now, Clutch helps Duke and the team escape Destro's Washington, DC facility.

 

After lifting off in a stolen helicopter, the Baroness realizes Duke isn’t onboard. Can Duke prevent Cobra Commander from detonating his Brainwave Bomb? And will the United States function more efficiently if everyone in the nation’s capital chants, “Obey Cobra”? Let's grab our rifles, leap into G I Joe #6, and find out!

 

Story

Duke's investigation into Tyler Frost's death led him to Destro. He cost Destro dearly when he destroyed Destro's Colorado base. Destro barely survived a power struggle to retain control of his family’s centuries-old weapons business. After the Cobra Commander's manipulations, Destro hungers to kill the man who jeopardized his position with Cobra. But something more worries Destro in G I Joe #6. Cobra Commander is using Destro and MARS like disposable tools. Destro needs leverage on Cobra Commander to ensure he remains a valued partner and retains access to Energon. But he must ensure he and MARS survive if Cobra Commander's operation fails.

 

Destro told the Cobra Commander about Duke, so the man who controls Earth’s Energon supply understands the forces that drive the soldier. When they meet in G I Joe #6, Cobra Commander senses a potential partner. The Cobra Commander's argument that they are more alike than different reveals how little he understands Duke. As Duke strives to prevent Cobra Commander from detonating his Brainwave Bomb, Duke also fights for people's freedom to make their own choices.

 

In Joshua Williamson’s story, Cobra Commander knows war is coming. The only way to ensure the survival of the fittest is to unify the world under a central leader. Still, Cobra Commander isn’t putting all his eggs in one basket. He has plans within plans. And he parcels them out sparing, mixing truth with lies, to keep his friends close and his enemies frightened.

 

Art

After showing Duke's reflection on the Cobra Commander's faceplate, Tom Reilly celebrates each man’s journey on a double-page spread. As helicopters fly overhead, Duke and Cobra Commander confront each other on a rooftop. Cobra Commander remains calm amid the crackling energy and Dr Monev’s screams. His indifference to suffering enrages Duke, who demands he disengage the Brainwave Bomb.

 

When Mercer's troops attacked the Joes for the Cybertronian shard, Duke attacked Destro's henchman in a FANG gyrocopter. In G I Joe #6, Destro pursues the Joes in a FANG. Clutch's argument with the Baroness evokes their earlier confrontation in The Pit. Colors stream around Destro like a meteor shower, and his red diadem glows. Amid the violent clashing of Jordie Bellaire's limited palette, nothing sparks as much energy as Duke's gunfire revealing Cobra Commander's metal hand. As with Ash in Army Of Darkness, it was a necessary upgrade. Yet the gray hand that glows bluish-white symbolizes the Cobra Commander's

exile from his former home.

 

Rus Wooton fires black uppercase letters into white dialogue balloons and narrative boxes. Words grow bold for intonation and swell for raised voices. Cobra Commander speaks red letters while gazing at the United States Capitol. Sound effects enliven gunfire, laser beams, the thrum of power, and a moment that will change the Joes forever. Thanks to Image Comics, Skybound, and Hasbro for providing a copy for review.

 

Final Thoughts

Dr Monev created his Brainwave Scanner to protect Humans from themselves. Cobra Commander’s Brainwave Bomb is part of his grand design to protect Humans from the Cybertronians. While fractures weaken the Joes and Cobra, both groups also win. How much they win and lose is yet to be determined. Yet Cobra and the Joes are destined for transformation in G I Joe #6.

 

Rating: 9.4/10

 

For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.