G.I. Joe, Doomwar among recent comic book reviews

IDW’s reprint series of “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero” begins in “Classic G.I. Joe vol. 1″  with issues 1-10 from the original Marvel Comics run.

This introduces Duke, Scarlett, Snake Eyes and several others from the original Joe counter-terrorism military team.   Issue #2, which features the first appearance of the freelance operative Kwinn, became notable in collecting circles for its relative rarity — the “G.I. Joe effect” became a collecting term for a second issue becoming more collectible than the first.

The stories are enjoyable, if dated, especially for those who were young Joe fans at the time.  The foundation set by writer Larry Hama here kicked off one of the most successful comic-book tie-ins to a toy line ever created.

Doomwar 1-6
Collected this May, “Doomwar” features Doctor Doom going to all-out war with the Black Panther’s Wakanda, fomenting a revolution from malcontents inside the nation.   Doom has his eyes on the nation’s vibranium, a rare, indestructible metal that Doom also believes to have mystic properties.   The Panther escapes the country just in time, but must leave his wife, Storm of the X-Men, behind.   With help from the X-Men and the Fantastic Four, T’Challa must regain control of his country, ideally without killing his own countrymen, and thwart Doom’s plan.  A well-done, action-based story by Jonathan Maberry and Scot Eaton.