It’s such a shame to see G.I.Joe leaving IDW, if only because it makes the future of G.I.Joe A Real American Hero uncertain. The IDW run almost matched the 155 issue run from Marvel and it still retains the same insane core. With issue 298 Larry Hama sets up the endgame as a force of Joes lead by heads to Cobra Island to extract Scarlett and her team even as Destro’s Revanche forces prepare on another front.
The core of the issue focuses on Scarlett’s team as Dawn and Sean are captured after a great battle and hooked up to the brainwave scanner. The hope is that this is Larry Hama setting up a back door to reunite the long dead Snake Eyes’ memories and abilities and bring back the closest approximation to the Snake Eyes we know and love.
Crimson leader Laura seems to be playing all sides as she leads the Alley Vipers to take them down but later helps them escape. Scarlett leads a battle on the Cobra Island airfield reminding loyal readers of the Cobra Civil War. That battle was when Serpentor died. At the Cobra Casino we see his newly resurrected form as Genghis Khan has been brought back by Mindbender and claims Serpentor’s look and name just before taking down Cobra Commander.
There are so many pieces to this enjoyable puzzle, but artist SL Gallant and inker Maria Keane give all of it clarity and keeps are attention in every vital panel. This is the type of issue which makes one want to go back and reread all that lead to it. It’s a fun, frenzied brawl with old friends at every turn. Here’s hoping the Joes land somewhere that appreciates this team and allows them to continue on with this historic run well beyond issue 300.
Writing: 5 of 5 stars
Art: 4.6 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.7 of 5 stars
Overall: 4.8 of 5 stars
Writer: Larry Hama
Art: SL Gallant
Inks: Maria Keane
Colors: J. Brown
Publisher: IDW Publishing