Thumbprint #1

Private Mallory Grennan had done terrible things as an Abu Ghraib prison worker. After being discharged from the army, Mal thought she was leaving her sins behind to start a new life back home. But some things can’t be left behind — some things don’t want to be left behind.

Joe Hill is an amazingly talented writer (thank you captain obvious) and his previous work with Jason Ciaramella, The Cape, was a solid series. I had no idea what this series was about going into it, but coming out, all I can say is holy crap.

While on the surface this is a mystery, the comic also has hints of its dealing with the horrors of war, PTSD and atrocities committed during war. It mixes in real world events for this fictional tale.

But, the characters are the draw, especially Mal who has to deal with being a female soldier, and all that comes with it. Expectations on the battlefield and harassment from fellow soldiers. The fact that sexual harassment in the military is in the news now makes the comic more timely.

The comic mixes real world events with an interesting mystery possibly stemming from those events. Entertainment often is at it’s best when it’s a reflection of the real world and commentary on it, looks like this series is going that route and can’t wait to see where it goes.

Story: Joe Hill and Jason Ciaramella Art: Vic Malhotra
Story: 9 Art: 8 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

G.I. Joe #5

Homefront reaches its explosive conclusion—and we do mean explosive: If Baroness can’t hold the city of Warrenton, no one will! And the fate of the entire G.I. Joe team rests in the hands of its newest—and most inexperienced— member, Hashtag. What will she decide? Plus: The return of a fan-favorite Cobra character fans have been clamoring for since he first appeared!

I was a huge fan of the previous IDW volumes of G.I. Joe. The comics helped bring the grim and gritty to the cartoon series often throwing them into the modern era with story lines that were relevant in modern times and a more realistic tone.

With this third volume, this series falls more into the later years of the cartoon series with goofier characters. It’s not as much about covert action of a military unit but instead crazy characters each with their unique backgrounds and quirks. Compared to the other series right now, this falls in the campier end of things.

I read the first volume hoping it’d get back to the previous tone, but I prefer the older tone and that of the other series on the market. If you have fond memories of the cartoon series and want a G.I. Joe that reflects that tone, go for it. But me, I like the more adult version.

Story: Fred Van Lente Art: Steve Kurth
Story: 6.75 Art: 7 Overall: 6.75 Recommendation: Pass

G.I. Joe: The Cobra Files #3

Snakes and Tigers! Flint’s plan to trap the team’s new, elusive enemy may be crazy enough to work: offering up a target too irresistible to pass up, he thinks they can draw their opponents out. But when things start going south—fast—it’s up to Chameleon to salvage the mission. Will she put the team in danger in order finish the job?

This series keeps up the tone of the previous volume picking up directly from what’s come before and because of that, is the strongest of the three Joe series on the market. This covert team has an awesome premise working with captured Cobra agents and a deep cover that’s too entertaining to not be fun.

The story itself is interesting enough and flips long time Cobra characters in a new direction. It’s a nice blend of taking the old and giving it a newer spin that makes sense.

Over all the storyline picks up on what’s come before building off of the previous volumes interesting take on G.I. Joe and giving us an even more covert unit with an awesome cover.

Easily the best out of the three current G.I. Joe series.

Story: Mike Costa Art: Antonio Fuso
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review