IDW’s G.I. Joe Origins #3 Reviewed!

G.I. Joe Origins #3 Review

Larry Hama and Mike Hawthorne(with color assist by Erik Swanson) bring us the next chapter in the origin of G.I. Joe. The alternate cover by Andrea Divito is impressive; it shows the heavy gunners of the G.I. Joe team, Heavy Duty and Rock ‘n Roll.

The very first thing that caught my attention when reading this issue was the artwork. It is the most polished of the 3 Origins issues out so far, and as a result, the clarity is highest here than in previous issues. Mike Hawthorne along with Erik Swanson did a very good job in keeping the artwork consistent all throughout the book. It does not go back and forth like the 1st issue and builds upon the improvement we witnessed in the 2nd issue.

Many of the panels overlap each other, adding more depth to the design of the pages. This is especially effective when a flashback sequence is shown with Chimera. The panels taking place in present time are on top, with the flashback panel being colorheld and in the background, primarily in grey scale. This provides depth not only in the panel design but with regards to color as well.

Chimera continues his rise to power and quickly gains more destructive weaponry. As a result, the G.I. Joe team heads toward Nevada in an effort to try to stop him. I get the feeling that this operation will not end well as it does seem like the odds are against them. This issue marks the first time that some of the joes are even introduced to each other.

The joes are going to face Chimera for the first time as a team, and this is exciting because now we will see how they stack up against him. This provides more to look forward to in the upcoming issues.

In a meeting with potential recruits, we see the Chimera escorted by someone who I think is Storm Shadow. Judging by how he handles the “introduction”, perhaps he is. If this is the case, perhaps the Storm Shadow we are seeing is willing to kill to hide his true reason for helping Cobra or Chimera. Or perhaps he is just a legitimately evil character(I sure hope not!). We don’t know for sure if he is just a guard or actually is Storm Shadow, and I think we’ll find out soon.

Snake Eyes talks with an old army vet(motel owner) that isn’t on a joe team but helps out. A sword on the wall of the motel catches his eyes, and the motel owner says it is from World War 2 and isn’t worth anything. A symbol is described, and the sword sure seems worth something to a silent joe in particular….

The joes land in Nevada soon after Chimera gains access to a secret base that makes him exponentially more powerful than before, while at the same time covering his tracks. The impending battle is not going to be easy for the joes.

As the issue ends, we see Snakes fixated on the old sword. I think we are in for a huge treat when the joes take on Chimera and his forces in the next issues. Chimera has the means to attack with a large scale and the joes don’t!

Chimera has proven to be highly intelligent, resourceful, and deadly. Imagine, if this guy isn’t the man who becomes Cobra Commander or isn’t even affiliated with Cobra, imagine how much more deadly Cobra actually will be!

I hope they keep Storm Shadow evil.

I hope they don't. Storm Shadow has generally been a tragic hero who has to live a lie to tell a truth. If you take that away, just make him some evil ninja, he's just a generic evil ninja clad in white, and that's boring. It's his whole battle with his internal demons and the fact that despite being heroic, he isn't perfect, that makes him a character with a lot of depth. That's the appeal for him.

Making him just some evil ninja in a white costume, just so Snake Eyes has a polar opposite in a different color, makes him no different from the generic evil ninjas from the 80's ninja craze movies.

Seriously getting tired of the Scarlett/Duke thing. Not my cup o tea. It's almost like they're trying to ween her off SE. Movie, Resolute (maybe) and now the comics? I like my SE/Scarlett relationship, thank you.

Oh, and SS needs to be a tragic character, not a pri**.

In Origins, I think we will see how Duke and Scarlett get together and eventually break. You can tell by the regular joe title that Scarlett is not going back to Duke and that she can't help but assist Snake Eyes.

I have a feeling Snake Eyes will win her over by not trying too hard, and Duke will be irritated because of this(it's obvious that he doesn't want Scarlett to go to Snake Eyes in the main title, while in Origins, the tension between he and Scarlett is pretty high, you can tell Duke and Scarlett won't last long as a couple).

So what new Joes do we meet besides Rock n' ROll and Heavy Road Duty Block?

cool, thanks

Does this come out 4/22/09?

Possibly Storm Shadow, but it's vague so far and he might not be a joe at first(bodyguard next to Chimera).
Yes

^ Thanks Shin, I didn't see it on the comic list at Comic Book Jones so I thought I'd ask. Great review & I can't wait to see the art!!