Advance Review — ‘G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero’ #309 Is An Action-Packed Issue From Cover To Cover

With all of its tech-specific language being spouted by all sides, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #309 feels like the quintessential G.I. Joe comic. Guns, ammo and military patriots all fighting against the agents of evil — well, Cobra —  and on multiple fronts. Making issue like is difficult to properly review as it’s an all-action issue with dialogue designed to reflect said action.

But, given this is a comic based on a toy line of military characters, it should come as no surprise that many an issue will focus on action over character development. And illustrating that action is guest artist Paul Pelletier. Something of a journeyman of an artist, with inks by Tony Kordos, while his style is miles apart from Chris Moneyham’s, Kordos inks do add a certain roughness to Pelletier’s smooth pencil lines, that keeps it in line, aesthetically, with Mooneyham’s style. And with so many different characters to illustrate, Pelletier does a remarkable job of keeping things moving but not overcrowding panels to the point the reader is confused. 

It’s a gung-ho issue that’s unashamedly action-packed and a thrill to read as a result. Larry Hama may be an old hand at writing G.I. Joe, but this new series feels fresh and original with all the tropes of a good G.I. Joe comic to appeal to the fans, both old and new. 

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #309 is out now from Image Comics