With the rise of COBRA, tough choices have to be made. G.I JOE had their first encounter with the terrorist organization. It did not go well. General Hawk took notice and started making moves.
One of which is forming a team to work in the shadows. The cost of Freedom is too important to loose. This has resulted in the Night Force.
G.I. JOE #12 by Joshua Williamson, Marco Foderà, Lee Loughridge and Rus Wooten puts the spotlight on the force in a daring rescue mission.
Let’s take a closer look at how this plays out!
G.I. JOE #12 by Joshua Williamson, Marco Foderà, Lee Loughridge and Rus Wooten (Image Comics/Skybound)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Williamson teases the disconnect with Duke and Hawk early in the book. Being in the covert world of espionage, the writing shows what long game Hawk is setting up. The mission in Darklonia is vintage GI Joe. Readers watch as the narration by Beach Head sells Shooter’s importance. It helps new readers to understand her importance to what is being built with Night Force.
The scenes become brutal as Shooter is being tortured. Sprinkling in flashbacks only cements her will to win. Williamson does a fantastic job of hiding the spy tactics in these scenes. It carries over into the turning point of the story. Once here, pacing goes into overdrive. Readers see what Shooter does best. The scenes cement her skills while providing a transition to close. The pages wrap up the prior storyline while laying the foundation for the major event forthcoming. A solid issue before everything goes wild with the “Dreadnok War”.
Foderà steps in for art duties in this stand-alone. The opening back brings out the chess match between Duke and Hawk. It is subtle but their eyes give away how they’re breaking down the other’s truth. A two page splash brings Night Force to Darklonia. This brings Shooter into the spotlight. A Nine grid page shows her skills in action. This takes readers into an uncomfortable situation.
The interrogation scene is mixed with brutal punches and flashbacks. Loughridge’s coloring lets these panels pop. It offsets the darker tones used in the prison sequences. The close-ups of Shooter’s beaten demeanor tips off the punishment of the mission. This leads to a transition point.
At this stage, the bullets start flying (literally). Readers are treated to a thrilling escape. The closing panels turn to Shooter’s final shots. Panel structure is excellently staged to walk through her techniques. Her new teammates reactions are priceless before going to the closing pages. The Cobra Commander/Destro portion welcomes in a strong lead-in for the upcoming event. Readers are gifted a final page that speaks volumes of what is coming! Brace for it.
OVERALL GRADE: 8.8
Shooter’s introduction into the Energon Universe doesn’t miss. Williamson’s writing stages her debut with a bullseye. Foderà & Loughridge deliver a vintage spy story with the art. After the final page, there’s no way readers won’t be on the edge of their seats for the Dreadnok War.
Let me know your thoughts on G.I. Joe #12 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!