G.I. Joe Reloaded

    (Devil’s Due, 2004-2005)
™ and © 2004 Hasbro, Inc.

Devil’s Due relaunches G.I. Joe and Cobra for the 21st century and in the process eliminates a lot of dated character designs, motivations, and histories that had been grounded firmly in 1980s politics. The new G.I. Joe is a counter-terrorist unit with no official government ties, and Cobra, instead of being stereotypically evil, says it aims to bring a promise of utopia to the world. Cobra Commander seems almost like an Antichrist figure in his attempt to deceive the entire world.

A great premise is brought down by confusing, muddled action scenes and poor dialogue. Ostensibly, a relaunch is a good time to eliminate clichés and stereotypes; unfortunately, this universe’s Roadblock is just as much of an offensive black stereotype as the last one. Why is it that the token black character is always the gun-crazy loose cannon?

It’s unsurprising that this new take on the G.I. Joe mythos involves terrorism; that was also writer John Ney Rieber’s main subject in his short-lived run on Captain America. This time around, he’s not nearly as heavy-handed in his political allegories, meaning the plot won’t be dated by next week.

— Steve Horton
Jump to issue:
  NotesWriterArtist
#1

March, 2004
Cover Price: $2.95
6 copies available from $0.75 		John Ney RieberEddy Barrows, Javier Saltares
#2

April, 2004
Cover Price: $2.95
3 copies available from $1.15 		John Ney RieberJavier Saltares
#3

May, 2004
Cover Price: $2.95
3 copies available from $1.28 		John Ney RieberJavier Saltares, Ron Lim, Jason Millet
#4


Cover Price: $2.95
4 copies available from $1.00 		John Ney RieberJavier Saltares, Ron Lim, Jason Millet
#5

July, 2004
Cover Price: $2.95
4 copies available from $0.65 		John Ney RieberJavier Saltares
#6

August, 2004
Cover Price: $2.95
3 copies available from $2.25 		John Ney RieberJavier Saltares
#7

September, 2004
Cover Price: $2.95
3 copies available from $1.25 		John Ney RieberDarryl Banks, Jason Millet
#8

October, 2004
Cover Price: $2.95
3 copies available from $1.75 		John Ney RieberDarryl Banks
#9

November, 2004
Cover Price: $2.95
3 copies available from $2.00 		John Ney RieberDarryl Banks
#10

December, 2004
Cover Price: $2.95
3 copies available from $2.50 		John Ney RieberJavier Saltares, Jason Millet
#11

January, 2005
Cover Price: $2.95
1 copy available for $2.50 		Chuck DixonNelson Blake III
#12

February, 2005
Cover Price: $2.95
2 copies available from $0.30 		Chuck DixonNelson Blake III
#13

March, 2005
Cover Price: $2.95
2 copies available from $1.25 		Chuck DixonNelson Blake III
#14


Cover Price: $2.95
2 copies available from $0.40 		Chuck DixonNelson Blake III