Josh Williamson’s G.I. Joe run took a truly unique approach to the usual G.I. Joe/Cobra dynamic: while Cobra was a unified force of mercenaries, arms dealers and terrorists, the Joes were a ragtag unit in every sense of the word. Over time though, the reverse has happened as tension begins to flare within Cobra’s ranks while the Joes grow closer. G.I. Joe #10 is another example of this, as the Joes once again find themselves working together.
Where we last left off, Major Bludd had kidnapped Baroness and Cover Girl and forced them to fight each other as revenge for the injuries he suffered during the Duke miniseries (most of them at Baroness’ hand). Should the duo refuse, Bludd will send his associate Raptor after Baroness’s parents. This leads to a knockdown, drag-out fight between the two Joes. Meanwhile, Clutch works to get Hound more Energon, while Destro continues to question Cobra Commander’s methods.
It’s a hell of a balancing act, but Williamson manages to balance it with ease. Throughout the issue, he shows how trust, or a lack of it, is affecting both the Joes and Cobra. While Baroness is still working with the Joes, she shows her willingness to get ahead by any means necessary. While Clutch is trying to help Hound, he had to keep it from the team since all Transformers are considered to be deadly weapons. I also appreciate how over the top crazy Williamson’s made Bludd; from the very first page, it’s clear that he’s lost more than an eye.
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Andrea Milana also continues to deliver dynamic, brutal action throughout the pages of G.I. Joe #10. The fight between Cover Girl and Baroness feels like an actual fight; punches are thrown, wrestling moves are delivered with the right amount of force, and both of them are more than willing to fight dirty. In contrast, the scenes with Clutch and Hound start off fairly peaceful, then escalate once Clutch breaks into a Cobra stronghold to get more energon. But it does result in a truly epic page that is poster-worthy.
Lee Loughridge and Rus Wooton also deserve plenty of credit for how their colors and letters help shape the entire issue. Loughridge utilizes plenty of shadows throughout G.I. Joe #10, which builds up the suspense (and the dread). A moment where Destro breaks into Cobra Commander’s lab turns into full horror as the latter emerges from the shadows; the only thing the reader will see is Destro’s horrified reflection in the Commander’s helmet. Wooton’s lettering ramps up in intensity during the fight scenes, but I do love that he manages to replicate the same Cybertonian speech for Hound that appears in Transformers. It’s the little things that speak to the depth of the Energon Universe, and gives each character a distinct voice.
G.I. Joe #10 packs plenty of intense action and character work into its pages, while highlighting the trust – or lack of trust – between its various factions. It also ends on yet another cliffhanger that’ll make you wish you had the next issue, but that’s just how great Williamson and co. are at their jobs.
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