Growing up in the 80s, there were two cartoons that I’d set my schedule around, Transformers and G.I. Joe. I remember I’d have to run off the bus to get inside in time to watch and usually would miss a few minutes. In the age of VCRs, this was common. IDW Publishing in recent years has spun out various comics based on those two properties but none have completely captured the fun of the cartoons. Until now. G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Saturday Morning Adventures #1 nails the feel and look of the original comic in every way.
Written by Erik Burnham, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Saturday Morning Adventures #1 continues the animated series. The comic impressively feels like an episode in every war from the plot to the dialogue to the art. It’s absolutely fantastic and nails it down.
The story itself takes the goofy feel of the cartoon and delivers a new over the top scheme by Cobra. Cobra Commander has captured a genie and is using his wishes in an attempt to extort money from the world’s governments. It feels like the rather extreme and fantastical plots that were some of the fun of the comic series and the demand for $1 billion by Cobra Commander feels almost quaint at this point when the wealthiest person in the world is valued at over $200 billion. How is Cobra going to pay their bills with that little cash!?
Burnham nails down the dialogue which feels like it’s straight out of the cartoon. You can hear the voices repeat the lines like no time has passed and it’s all playing out on television. There’s that mix of seriousness and cheese the show balanced so perfectly and is on display here. There’s even a lesson at the end with classic computer!
Dan Schoening‘s art feels like it’s ripped from the animation cells. With color by Luis Antonio and lettering by Neil Uyetake, there’s a level of detail that’s beyond fantastic. Not only do the characters look like they’re straight from the animation you even get moments like a head turn that’s not all that realistic but would regularly show up on the small screen. Uyetake’s lettering too adds to the fun with Cobra Commander’s drawn out “s”, a detail that adds to the experience.
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Saturday Morning Adventures #1 takes me back the 35ish years and made me feel like a kid again. It perfectly captures the classic experience continuing it on with brand-new over the top adventures. It’s been a long time coming and I’m glad it’s finally here. This is a must get for fans of the classic cartoon.
Story: Erik Burnham Art: Dan Schoening
Color: Luis Antonio Delgado Letterer: Neil Uyetake
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy
IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics
Source: Graphic Policy
