Gi Joe #7 is the beginning of a new story arc, but once you open the comic you might think you’re reading another series in full. For one thing, it doesn’t focus on the massive revelation that Duke and his team, or Gi Joe #6, has closed. Instead, Gi Joe #7 is a seemingly solo story focused on Beachhead as he is dispatched on a mission to infiltrate the home of a wealthy collector and retrieve his mysterious package. Despite Beachhead’s skills, he must fight a group of skilled mercenaries… and his mission moves south as soon as the Cobra army appears.
The introduction to Beach Head is intended to reintroduce Night Force, a classic team of GI Joe operatives who pull off secret missions. What distinguishes this version of Knight Force from its original incarnation? That’s a very secret, Duke and his team don’t know about it. Even General Hawk gets a cover girl when she asks about it. This is another way Joshua Williamson continues to update some of the GI Joe myths. He shows how organizations like Jaws work (relatively) in real life, adding wrinkles to the story to make it even more interesting. It is also paying back the plot thread that Williamson set for the 2024 Energy Universe Special.
Williamson also pays homage to the “Silent Mission” story: A Real American Hero #21 written and illustrated by Gi Joe Lore: Larry Hama in Gi Joe: A Real American Hero #21. Certainly, this issue is not completely silent. Because there is still an explosion of dialogue. But the majority of that dialogue is internal and we are looking at how Beachhead methods work for our readers. Williamson also gives readers more insight into his personality. He is reluctant to train others. That means training alternatives. He says that the mission departs without a hitch means things are about to move south (that leads to the arrival of Cobra forces). I hope Williamson takes this approach to more characters by the end of the issue that I wanted to see more Beach Head.
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Gi Joe #7 has seen not only changes in the character, but also changes in the artist since Andrea Milana stepped in to explain this new story arc. Milana brings the same tension he did in the work of Commander Cobra, especially in the introduction to Beachhead. It was quiet, until two Mercks patrol the sandy beach, until he leapt out of the cover and put a bullet on his head. It was an incredible moment, and even more so by the fact that Lee Laughridge has almost kept everything in the shadows. Loughridge continues to use darker colour schemes throughout the issue, except for the bright white Rus Wooton caption.
Gi Joe #7 kicks off the latest story arcs in a unique way, expanding the world of Energon Universe while moving to different characters and new artists. The title isn’t even a year yet, but Josh Williamson still knows how to get fans crazy.
“Gi Joe” #7 introduces new teams and new mysteries
Gi Joe #7
Gi Joe #7 kicks off the latest story arcs in a unique way, expanding the world of Energon Universe while moving to different characters and new artists. The title isn’t even a year yet, but Josh Williamson still knows how to get fans crazy.
Williamson’s script peers into Beachhead’s state of mind, bringing a unique spy story.
Milana maintains a stable fusion of action and suspense.
The Lee Loughridge holds the spy elements in a dark color palette at the front and center.
A unique way to start a new story arc.
Those who haven’t read Energon Universe Special since 2024 may get a little lost.
