Image Comics reviews 7/2/25 – Bitter Root: The Next Movement 4, GI Joe: RAH 318
GI Joe: A Real American Hero 318
GI Joe RAH 318 has a number of strong subplots playing out with writer Larry Hama bringing some layered excitement to the series.
The Cobra Island observation team of Wet Suit, Muskrat, Helix and Multo are keeping their eyes on Revanche, who are replacing the Cobra Casino patrons with cyborgs under their control. If the sleeper agents return to their homes, Revanche could influence events happening on a worldwide scale.
Further complicating that mission is the revamped Dr. Mindbender, who got a Revanche makeover thanks to chips they implanted. Mindbender is fine with it provided he retains his lab so he can continue his work perfecting Serpentor.
Another infiltration mission is playing out in Springfield as the Ninja Team is assuming the lives of a Crimson Guard and his family who have defected and seeking protection. Jinx has to masquerade as a pre-teen girl while Sean has to assume the role of a near invalid grandfather.
Hama provides some fun character beats with the two Joe teams and potentially hints at a new romance brewing between a pair of Joes. Additionally. Cobra Commander begins his escape from Destro’s clutches. Cobra Commander doesn’t realize that Destro is well aware of his escape thanks to an implant he secretly placed in Cobra Commander’s brain.
If there’s any concern with this issue, it’s that Hama has mirroring subplots playing out: two Joe infiltration teams with half the unit undercover and two secret chip implants in two Cobra high ranking officials. Hama is making it work so far, but their does feel like a sense of deja vu as the issue plays out.
The art from Paul Pelletier (with inker Tony Kordos) is on point as always. Pelletier is one of the most consistent, reliable artists in comics. His style is a terrific fit for G.I. Joe with his clean linework and easy to follow layouts. Colorist Francesco Segala matches the colors nicely with the mood of that particular moment while letterer Pat Brosseau ensures the dialogue is neatly arranged.
Mirroring subplots aside, Hama continues to make A Real American Hero an exciting read while incorporating a larger cast than usual. Of course some fan favorites don’t get as much ‘screen time’ thanks to the constant presence of the Ninja Force, but it’s nice to see another squad getting semi-regular status on the title beyond the various Cobra/Revance/Destro machinations.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10