Written by Ryan Ferrier
Art by SL Gallant; Brian Shearer; James Brown; & Robbie Robbins
Cover Art by John Cassady & Paul Mounts
SUMMARY:
This untitled first issue of the IDW Publishing/Dynamite Entertainment four-part mini-series was published for February 2018. In Siberia, Col. Steve Austin’s covert OSI hostage retrieval mission is a trap. COBRA overpowers and captures the Six Million Dollar Man. COBRA assigns Dr. Mindbender to transform Austin into their new assault weapon. In the Utah desert, Hawk and the U.S. President guide the Canadian Prime Minister and the Mexican President on a tour of G.I. Joe’s ‘Pit’ headquarters. Protecting an in-flight caravan of foreign dignitaries over the North Sea, the G.I. Joes aboard Air Force One reel from a COBRA airborne assault led by a brainwashed Austin.
Note: For the four variant covers, the other art teams are: SL Gallant & James Brown (Cover B); Michael Adams (action figure Retailer Incentive); Jerry Ordway & Hi-Fi (Retailer Incentive); and John Cassaday (black-white-and-red ComicsPro version of the main cover).
REVIEW:
This inspired premise has loads of potential. Supported by above-average artwork, writer Ryan Ferrier’s first chapter doesn’t reveal too much, but it would make a great start for an animated film. To his credit, Ferrier seamlessly incorporates Austin and Oscar Goldman’s Office of Scientific Investigation into G.I. Joe continuity, as it makes sense that G.I. JOE and COBRA would know of Austin’s legendary bionics. Leaving off with a cliffhanger, G.I. Joe vs. the Six Million Dollar Man # 1 is a solid thrill ride worth experiencing.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The issue’s front inside cover provides thumbnail images of all five covers, as a brief introduction setting up this issue’s storyline. There is a February 2018 listing of on-sale IDW comics & books. A glossy full-page cover reveal (Steve Austin vs. Snake Eyes) of the next issue is also included. Glossy full-page ads also hype Transformers/G.I. Joe: First Strike; G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero # 246; G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero trade paperbacks volumes 1-17; Dynamite’s female Green Hornet (in a two-page spread); and The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Man, and The Bionic Woman trade paperback series.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
