G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview
Thursday, September 7th, 2017 3:56AM CDT
Category: Comic Book NewsPosted by: Bounti76 Views: 12,272
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Also coming to us via notice from Seibertronian Soundwave902 is the preview for G.I. Joe's First Strike one-shot. Available on September 30th, please find the images mirrored below, and let us know if you'll be picking up this issue!
As Scarlett heads off to Cybertron to confront the events of First Strike, her G.I. Joe team on Earth faces an unusual enemy… V.E.N.O.M.! With the help of a former M.A.S.K. member, G.I. Joe looks to put an end to Miles Mayhem’s sinister group once and for all, in the Greatest Crossover One-Shot Of All Time
Credit(s): iTunes
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Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1909031)
Posted by Big Grim on September 7th, 2017 @ 7:05am CDT
Posted by Big Grim on September 7th, 2017 @ 7:05am CDT
Has it been adequately explained why the hell Venom has the Rhino Rig? That's a MASK vehicle, operated by Bruce Sato. I assume the goon with the cyborg head is Cliff Dagger, who ought to be operating the Jack Hammer.
Confusion.
Confusion.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1909082)
Posted by ScottyP on September 7th, 2017 @ 12:05pm CDT
Cliff Dagger was introduced in the MASK Annual and does have the Jackhammer, but he hasn't been used in several months.
Posted by ScottyP on September 7th, 2017 @ 12:05pm CDT
In this continuity, Miles Mayhem had all of the vehicles built based on Cybertronian tech derived from Blitzwing. The Rhino was given to Bruno Sheppard, who has the half metal face in the pages above. Sheppard has beef with Matt Trakker because Trakker focused on a mission instead of saving him from the fire that messed up his face.Big Grim wrote:Has it been adequately explained why the hell Venom has the Rhino Rig? That's a MASK vehicle, operated by Bruce Sato. I assume the goon with the cyborg head is Cliff Dagger, who ought to be operating the Jack Hammer.
Confusion.
Cliff Dagger was introduced in the MASK Annual and does have the Jackhammer, but he hasn't been used in several months.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1909111)
Posted by Daniel Adkins on September 7th, 2017 @ 3:09pm CDT
The Jackhammer is actually Julio Lopez's vehicle in this continuity. Dagger hasn't been shown to have a personal vehicle yet.
Posted by Daniel Adkins on September 7th, 2017 @ 3:09pm CDT
ScottyP wrote:In this continuity, Miles Mayhem had all of the vehicles built based on Cybertronian tech derived from Blitzwing. The Rhino was given to Bruno Sheppard, who has the half metal face in the pages above. Sheppard has beef with Matt Trakker because Trakker focused on a mission instead of saving him from the fire that messed up his face.Big Grim wrote:Has it been adequately explained why the hell Venom has the Rhino Rig? That's a MASK vehicle, operated by Bruce Sato. I assume the goon with the cyborg head is Cliff Dagger, who ought to be operating the Jack Hammer.
Confusion.
Cliff Dagger was introduced in the MASK Annual and does have the Jackhammer, but he hasn't been used in several months.
The Jackhammer is actually Julio Lopez's vehicle in this continuity. Dagger hasn't been shown to have a personal vehicle yet.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1909116)
Posted by Va'al on September 7th, 2017 @ 3:38pm CDT
Adkins with the rescue.
Posted by Va'al on September 7th, 2017 @ 3:38pm CDT
Daniel Adkins wrote:ScottyP wrote:In this continuity, Miles Mayhem had all of the vehicles built based on Cybertronian tech derived from Blitzwing. The Rhino was given to Bruno Sheppard, who has the half metal face in the pages above. Sheppard has beef with Matt Trakker because Trakker focused on a mission instead of saving him from the fire that messed up his face.Big Grim wrote:Has it been adequately explained why the hell Venom has the Rhino Rig? That's a MASK vehicle, operated by Bruce Sato. I assume the goon with the cyborg head is Cliff Dagger, who ought to be operating the Jack Hammer.
Confusion.
Cliff Dagger was introduced in the MASK Annual and does have the Jackhammer, but he hasn't been used in several months.
The Jackhammer is actually Julio Lopez's vehicle in this continuity. Dagger hasn't been shown to have a personal vehicle yet.
Adkins with the rescue.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1909122)
Posted by Daniel Adkins on September 7th, 2017 @ 4:19pm CDT
Posted by Daniel Adkins on September 7th, 2017 @ 4:19pm CDT
Oh! And another thing.
The actual reasoning is even stupider than that. Bruno took the Rhino for a test drive, even though Matt told him not to push it too hard, resulting in the Rhino exploding. But when Matt tried to save him, the radiation in his Spectrum Mask reacted violently to the Rhino's power source (I think, honestly its kinda vague), so all Matt could do was stand there before Mayhem teleported Bruno, Sly, and Vanessa away in the explosion.
ScottyP wrote:Sheppard has beef with Matt Trakker because Trakker focused on a mission instead of saving him from the fire that messed up his face.
The actual reasoning is even stupider than that. Bruno took the Rhino for a test drive, even though Matt told him not to push it too hard, resulting in the Rhino exploding. But when Matt tried to save him, the radiation in his Spectrum Mask reacted violently to the Rhino's power source (I think, honestly its kinda vague), so all Matt could do was stand there before Mayhem teleported Bruno, Sly, and Vanessa away in the explosion.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1909135)
Posted by ScottyP on September 7th, 2017 @ 5:40pm CDT
Posted by ScottyP on September 7th, 2017 @ 5:40pm CDT
I had blocked that out of memory. The MASK book is so bad. I wish it weren't :/Daniel Adkins wrote:The actual reasoning is even stupider than that.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1909138)
Posted by Daniel Adkins on September 7th, 2017 @ 5:50pm CDT
MASK is a classic example of "incredibly awesome idea" that has consistently been executed poorly. The cartoon is terrible (though can edge into "so bad its funny" territory at times), the DC Comics were okay at best, and the IDW comic is pure dreck. MASK is honestly at their best in crossovers.
VENOM at least are more interesting than their heroic counterparts and I've loved Aubrey Sitterson's work on the Joe title, so I look forward to seeing what he does with the MASK characters in the First Strike tie-ins and G.I. Joe Unmasked. Maybe he'll be the one to finally make Matt Trakker an interesting character.
Also, the fact that the Baroness has evidently taken over as Cobra Commander is such a genius idea, I'm surprised it hasn't happened before.
Posted by Daniel Adkins on September 7th, 2017 @ 5:50pm CDT
ScottyP wrote:I had blocked that out of memory. The MASK book is so bad. I wish it weren't :/Daniel Adkins wrote:The actual reasoning is even stupider than that.
MASK is a classic example of "incredibly awesome idea" that has consistently been executed poorly. The cartoon is terrible (though can edge into "so bad its funny" territory at times), the DC Comics were okay at best, and the IDW comic is pure dreck. MASK is honestly at their best in crossovers.
VENOM at least are more interesting than their heroic counterparts and I've loved Aubrey Sitterson's work on the Joe title, so I look forward to seeing what he does with the MASK characters in the First Strike tie-ins and G.I. Joe Unmasked. Maybe he'll be the one to finally make Matt Trakker an interesting character.
Also, the fact that the Baroness has evidently taken over as Cobra Commander is such a genius idea, I'm surprised it hasn't happened before.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1909140)
Posted by Kurona on September 7th, 2017 @ 5:58pm CDT
Well, this company DID come close...
Posted by Kurona on September 7th, 2017 @ 5:58pm CDT
Daniel Adkins wrote:Also, the fact that the Baroness has evidently taken over as Cobra Commander is such a genius idea, I'm surprised it hasn't happened before.
Well, this company DID come close...
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1909143)
Posted by Daniel Adkins on September 7th, 2017 @ 6:09pm CDT
Posted by Daniel Adkins on September 7th, 2017 @ 6:09pm CDT
I still need to read TFvsJoe.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1909230)
Posted by Va'al on September 8th, 2017 @ 6:53am CDT
You do. You really do.
Posted by Va'al on September 8th, 2017 @ 6:53am CDT
Daniel Adkins wrote:I still need to read TFvsJoe.
You do. You really do.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1909466)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on September 8th, 2017 @ 5:24pm CDT
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on September 8th, 2017 @ 5:24pm CDT
Have they shown any more of Blitzwing? What happened with Astrotrain's head since I saw that in one preview of something
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1909474)
Posted by Kurona on September 8th, 2017 @ 5:50pm CDT
I think the heavy implication in the First Strike prelude was that he's now dead.
Posted by Kurona on September 8th, 2017 @ 5:50pm CDT
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:Have they shown any more of Blitzwing? What happened with Astrotrain's head since I saw that in one preview of something
I think the heavy implication in the First Strike prelude was that he's now dead.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1909475)
Posted by Daniel Adkins on September 8th, 2017 @ 5:51pm CDT
Blitzwing showed up in First Strike #0, which was set before Revolution. We still don't know what happened with him after that. Astrotrain's body was the MacGuffin in the MASK Annual, which has only been briefly addressed in First Strike #2. As of yet, we still don't know if there's any relevance to the event.
Posted by Daniel Adkins on September 8th, 2017 @ 5:51pm CDT
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:Have they shown any more of Blitzwing? What happened with Astrotrain's head since I saw that in one preview of something
Blitzwing showed up in First Strike #0, which was set before Revolution. We still don't know what happened with him after that. Astrotrain's body was the MacGuffin in the MASK Annual, which has only been briefly addressed in First Strike #2. As of yet, we still don't know if there's any relevance to the event.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1909479)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on September 8th, 2017 @ 6:00pm CDT
Which one? Astrotrain was all but confirmed dead when Arcee sliced and diced him
Huh. I was hoping maybe at least they had done something with Blitzwing rambling on while a captive, or that Skywarp was somehow involved, like being close to finding either of the triple changers whether alive or dead
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on September 8th, 2017 @ 6:00pm CDT
Kurona wrote:D-Maximus_Prime wrote:Have they shown any more of Blitzwing? What happened with Astrotrain's head since I saw that in one preview of something
I think the heavy implication in the First Strike prelude was that he's now dead.
Which one? Astrotrain was all but confirmed dead when Arcee sliced and diced him
Daniel Adkins wrote:D-Maximus_Prime wrote:Have they shown any more of Blitzwing? What happened with Astrotrain's head since I saw that in one preview of something
Blitzwing showed up in First Strike #0, which was set before Revolution. We still don't know what happened with him after that. Astrotrain's body was the MacGuffin in the MASK Annual, which has only been briefly addressed in First Strike #2. As of yet, we still don't know if there's any relevance to the event.
Huh. I was hoping maybe at least they had done something with Blitzwing rambling on while a captive, or that Skywarp was somehow involved, like being close to finding either of the triple changers whether alive or dead
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1909483)
Posted by Kurona on September 8th, 2017 @ 6:07pm CDT
Blitzwing. They used the talisman for... something on him, then the screen went black. He's either dead or he's returning at the end of issue #4 changed in some way for a surprise twist.
Posted by Kurona on September 8th, 2017 @ 6:07pm CDT
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:Kurona wrote:D-Maximus_Prime wrote:Have they shown any more of Blitzwing? What happened with Astrotrain's head since I saw that in one preview of something
I think the heavy implication in the First Strike prelude was that he's now dead.
Which one? Astrotrain was all but confirmed dead when Arcee sliced and diced him
Blitzwing. They used the talisman for... something on him, then the screen went black. He's either dead or he's returning at the end of issue #4 changed in some way for a surprise twist.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1909524)
Posted by o.supreme on September 8th, 2017 @ 9:43pm CDT
Posted by o.supreme on September 8th, 2017 @ 9:43pm CDT
So...What happened to Action Man? Sorry I didn't read the self titled series, so I have no idea why he's not in First Strike, I just hope when its all sais and done, TF goes back to the normal 2 books per month
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1909537)
Posted by Daniel Adkins on September 8th, 2017 @ 10:13pm CDT
Action Man has been hanging out with Kup, Ayana Jones, and Garrison Blackrock in Revolutionaries, which is the best IDW book on the shelves right now and if you're not reading it you are missing out on some awesome stuff.
Posted by Daniel Adkins on September 8th, 2017 @ 10:13pm CDT
o.supreme wrote:So...What happened to Action Man? Sorry I didn't read the self titled series, so I have no idea why he's not in First Strike, I just hope when its all sais and done, TF goes back to the normal 2 books per month
Action Man has been hanging out with Kup, Ayana Jones, and Garrison Blackrock in Revolutionaries, which is the best IDW book on the shelves right now and if you're not reading it you are missing out on some awesome stuff.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910051)
Posted by Va'al on September 11th, 2017 @ 3:54am CDT
Posted by Va'al on September 11th, 2017 @ 3:54am CDT
Coming up this week from IDW Publishing is the next chapter in the First Strike mini-series which will change - allegedly - the face of the IDWverse from now on - First Strike #3! Check out below a full preview of the issue courtesy of Comics Crusaders, and make sure to head back to Seibertron.com for a review after its release.
G.I. Joe, the Autobots and M.A.S.K. make their way to Cybertron to stop the siege and encounter the COBRA leader, but all is not as it seems! Will their arrival help or just bring more disaster?
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910080)
Posted by Randomhero on September 11th, 2017 @ 7:37am CDT
Posted by Randomhero on September 11th, 2017 @ 7:37am CDT
We really need a scene of Optimus apologizing to soundwave for blackmailing him. I know they're friends now and soundwave is pretty much his second in command but we need it
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910109)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on September 11th, 2017 @ 9:14am CDT
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on September 11th, 2017 @ 9:14am CDT
Heh, the twins made me smile there. Bout time too 
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910113)
Posted by o.supreme on September 11th, 2017 @ 9:22am CDT
Actually I have been reading Revolutionaries...I didn't even know AM was in there
...All I know is that its 3 months behind, and after waiting forever to see Predaking in IDW, he gets taken out like a chump in less than a minute...no not cool, glad this is ending, I guess issue #8 will reveal what happens to AM since he's not in First Strike, and I assume the self titled series ended...
Posted by o.supreme on September 11th, 2017 @ 9:22am CDT
Daniel Adkins wrote:o.supreme wrote:So...What happened to Action Man? Sorry I didn't read the self titled series, so I have no idea why he's not in First Strike, I just hope when its all sais and done, TF goes back to the normal 2 books per month
Action Man has been hanging out with Kup, Ayana Jones, and Garrison Blackrock in Revolutionaries, which is the best IDW book on the shelves right now and if you're not reading it you are missing out on some awesome stuff.
Actually I have been reading Revolutionaries...I didn't even know AM was in there
...All I know is that its 3 months behind, and after waiting forever to see Predaking in IDW, he gets taken out like a chump in less than a minute...no not cool, glad this is ending, I guess issue #8 will reveal what happens to AM since he's not in First Strike, and I assume the self titled series ended...
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910129)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on September 11th, 2017 @ 9:38am CDT
Action Man was my personal favorite of the hasbro brands. He was a cool kid, and I liked the relationship he has with Kup. Made me rename Flintlock into Action Man on his TR toy
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on September 11th, 2017 @ 9:38am CDT
o.supreme wrote:Daniel Adkins wrote:o.supreme wrote:So...What happened to Action Man? Sorry I didn't read the self titled series, so I have no idea why he's not in First Strike, I just hope when its all sais and done, TF goes back to the normal 2 books per month
Action Man has been hanging out with Kup, Ayana Jones, and Garrison Blackrock in Revolutionaries, which is the best IDW book on the shelves right now and if you're not reading it you are missing out on some awesome stuff.
Actually I have been reading Revolutionaries...I didn't even know AM was in there
Action Man was my personal favorite of the hasbro brands. He was a cool kid, and I liked the relationship he has with Kup. Made me rename Flintlock into Action Man on his TR toy
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910141)
Posted by Daniel Adkins on September 11th, 2017 @ 9:49am CDT
Action Man is going to be in the Optimus Prime and Revolutionaries tie-ins to First Strike.
Posted by Daniel Adkins on September 11th, 2017 @ 9:49am CDT
o.supreme wrote:Daniel Adkins wrote:o.supreme wrote:So...What happened to Action Man? Sorry I didn't read the self titled series, so I have no idea why he's not in First Strike, I just hope when its all sais and done, TF goes back to the normal 2 books per month
Action Man has been hanging out with Kup, Ayana Jones, and Garrison Blackrock in Revolutionaries, which is the best IDW book on the shelves right now and if you're not reading it you are missing out on some awesome stuff.
Actually I have been reading Revolutionaries...I didn't even know AM was in there
Action Man is going to be in the Optimus Prime and Revolutionaries tie-ins to First Strike.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910626)
Posted by Va'al on September 13th, 2017 @ 8:42am CDT
Posted by Va'al on September 13th, 2017 @ 8:42am CDT
With the third issue of the IDW Publishing Hasbro crossover First Strike out today - review coming soon, too, so stay tuned - we also have some additional information on some of the upcoming tie-in issues featuring the various titles involved: Optimus Prime, Transformers, G.I. Joe, M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand, the Micronauts and Rom. Check out the backmatter of the issue below, and join the conversation in the Energon Pub!
Welcome back, IDW Faithful! This month, we’re talking to writers John Barber, Christos Gage and Aubrey Sitterson about their First Strike one-shots featuring Optimus Prime, Transformers, G.I. Joe, M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand, the Micronauts and Rom!
Where do your stories take place around the First Strike event?
CG: Concurrently. Basically, while all the Cybertronian action is occupying G.I. Joe and Earth's other homegrown defenders, the Dire Wraiths see an opportunity to enact a new and exceptionally brutal attack on our world. But Earth isn't completely defenseless...Rom and the Micronauts are still around, and they're our only chance!
AS: G.I. Joe: First Strike and M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand: First Strike both take place concurrently with the main First Strike series. But while First Strike is set primarily on Cybertron, my two-parter with Ilias Kyriazis is Earth-based. With Scarlett and Roadblock both
off-planet, Shipwreck finds himself in charge of the team, and when a Cobra-backed V.E.N.O.M. attacks, things go about as well as you'd expect for someone with the codename "Shipwreck."
JB: Optimus Prime: First Strike starts during issue one of First Strike, in Colton's initial attack on Cybertron. That fight keeps going for the first few issues of First Strike, so it covers some of what's
going on during the whole battle—Optimus doing stuff you don't see in the First Strike comic itself, including a special attack on a particular Cybertronian character.
How is the status quo set up for the new series and new arcs coming out of the one-shots and First Strike?
CG: You're going to see the first encounter of any real length between Rom and the Micronauts, so we're laying the groundwork for them knowing of each other and working together. There are a
number of things Rom has in common with several Micronauts, which we'll touch on. And as the heroes come together, so too do the villains…
AS: Coming out of G.I. Joe #9, we've got a reinvigorated Cobra and a brand-new Cobra Commander, but we haven't really seen them in action yet. That changes in our First Strike issues, where Cobra begins piecing together a devious scheme that we'll see play out in the pages of our new G.I. Joe series, with art by the amazing Nelson Dániel! Additionally, with V.E.N.O.M. getting folded into the evil organization, G.I. Joe counters by bringing M.A.S.K.'s Matt Trakker onboard! and considering Trakker's particular set of skills, you'll be seeing some notable upgrades on the
team's equipment…
JB: These will bring in some of the characters and stuff that's been happening in Revolutionaries into the ongoing Optimus Prime series. We'll see where that leaves us in the next Optimus Prime arc, "The Dead Come Home."
If you could team up any two characters in the universe, who would it be? And have you done
it yet?
CG: I would love to do an entire series that is just Baron Karza and the head Wraith sorcerer, D'rge, being haughty frenemies. Which I guess kind of gives away that they meet up. Oops!
AS: What kind of question is this, when The Crown Jewel of the Hasbro Universe already features the most iconic odd couple duo in not just comics, but all of fictional entertainment?! I'm speaking, of course, of Rock 'N’ Roll and Skywarp.
JB: In the Hasbro universe? Kup and Action Man, and yes I have—right here, in fact!
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910647)
Posted by Tigertrack on September 13th, 2017 @ 10:10am CDT
Posted by Tigertrack on September 13th, 2017 @ 10:10am CDT
Said reviewing coming in....3...2...1...
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910658)
Posted by Tigertrack on September 13th, 2017 @ 10:39am CDT
Posted by Tigertrack on September 13th, 2017 @ 10:39am CDT
Meanwhile, on Cybertron...
Last Issue:
The Evil Colton-lition's attack on Cybertron continued and the purpose for their attack unfolded. In protecting the planet Earth, Colton and his crew of baddies from across the IDW-verse have decided to take matters to the extreme -and try to destroy or poison the only source of power and sustenance for the Cybertronians located in the core of the planet- effectively hoping to subsequently destroy the robotic population, and thus, the threat to Earth.
This Issue:
The journey continues with Evil Joe Colton and company making their way to the core of Cybertron. Enter the Scarlett led GI JOE team, Soundwave, the Victorion twins, and MASK members Tracker and Baker (without vehicles?).
The real focus of this issue is the continuance of the action from the previous two with the newly arrived group of JOES now making their way to find and stop Colton using Soundwave’s outlier abilities and prior knowledge of Cybertron. Seems like it should be ‘game over’ for the bad guys, but what, not quite? Do the bad guys still have another trick up their sleeve?
Ignore this random generic bad guy placed in an important spot in the image...focus on the real bad guy whose face is also covered...but by a helmet.
As discussed in previous reviews, there is another short story reflecting the gathering of the baddies, this time focusing on Colton going to see old Adventure Team buddy Miles ‘Mayhem’ Manheim. One feels renewed pain for Blitzwing, and perhaps gains a new level of understanding about Manheim’s level of cruelty, as they experience this part of the narrative. Even Colton has to take a step back when observing his cruelty. How was he ever a part of the Adventure Team, a team with goals that are mostly along the good spectrum?
You sir need help.
The Art:
The whole art team (as mentioned in reviews previously) continues to do a very admirable and enjoyable job presenting the human and Transformer characters in what are mostly action-packed scenes. Max Dunbar continues to do excellent work with humans in exciting action poses and expressions, but at times his Transformers seem a little bit flat -much less dimensional than his humans- or oddly proportioned. You might be able to blame it on that they are robots, sure, but Max certainly seems more adept at humans. I do love what he’s been doing, along with his buddies, Ander Zarate and Tom B. Long, in representing the excitement and sometimes desperation of the story the way they have. I imagine it’s pretty fun to draw, color, and visually emote, all the destruction and mayhem (pun intended) that they have been able to.
The Story:
Scott and Rodriguez continue to smash, bash, and crash us with all that is going on in the story, working to extend what could be a one issue battle across a few issues to set up the series. While it seems highly unlikely that this idea of Colton’s would work given the colonies and other possible sources for energon, I’m interested to see what happens now that we are past the incursion, and we know the purpose of Colton’s group. The baddies seem primed (another pun?) for some typical baddie back-stabbing, as we see the bonds that formed them loosening a bit, kept together to this point masterfully, by Joe Colton. The good guys as evidenced by the end of this issue, seem to be going the typical route of misunderstanding and over-reaction to the idea of a team up. I always remember my 80’s super heroes having to have a small misunderstanding battle, before realizing they had the same goals or ideals, and being able to team up (X-Men Vs. Avenger, X-Men Vs. Fantastic Four…). The council seems to be heading this direction with GI JOE. Similarly to how the governments and people of Earth are blind to the distinction between who are good and who are evil Transformers, it seems the same will possibly ring true of humans visiting/attacking Cybertron now. We’ll have to wait and see on that one until next issue though.
Never leave your toys around for someone else to pick up and play with.
Final Words:
I’m still really interested and entertained. I’ve said this before, but It’s really close to the GI JOE - Transformers that I wanted as a kid, and even adult. Not a one off mini-series meeting, but purposeful interaction that has repercussions into the existing individual stories. The master and student relationship of Joe Colton and Scarlett, and the growth of Colton’s character as not just this alien fanatic have been satisfying. Now add the fact that Soundwave and Scarlett are working together, and seeing similarities between their own situations —prior allegiances and ideals seeming to lose glamour and maybe legitimacy when the most meaningful person to them is gone or changed- is making for some really cool relationship pieces. Scarlett too is starting to see many things differently than she had during Revolution…
Speaking of characters, Soundwave has taken center stage again. He’s amazingly been turned into a very, very interesting character through all that IDW has put him through. He’s a whole lot more than a cool voice carrying a small army like he was in the G1 cartoon which made so many love him.
I can't tell if he's smiling under his faceplate or not...
I’m looking forward to seeing more of the bad guys personalities come out as they continue to pick at each other, and each of their ‘special skills’ is required to continue to or achieve the goal.
Very significant for Transformers fans!!! Soundwave shines, the twins not named Xamot and Tomax are becoming interesting, and Blitzwing, somebody needs to save Blitzwing…
LOST: voice cadence and rhythm belonging to twin business brothers, if found contact Xamot at Extensive Enterprises...
Variant cover is spot on. And I wanted to just ignore it...sneaky.
out of
Last Issue:
The Evil Colton-lition's attack on Cybertron continued and the purpose for their attack unfolded. In protecting the planet Earth, Colton and his crew of baddies from across the IDW-verse have decided to take matters to the extreme -and try to destroy or poison the only source of power and sustenance for the Cybertronians located in the core of the planet- effectively hoping to subsequently destroy the robotic population, and thus, the threat to Earth.
This Issue:
The journey continues with Evil Joe Colton and company making their way to the core of Cybertron. Enter the Scarlett led GI JOE team, Soundwave, the Victorion twins, and MASK members Tracker and Baker (without vehicles?).
The real focus of this issue is the continuance of the action from the previous two with the newly arrived group of JOES now making their way to find and stop Colton using Soundwave’s outlier abilities and prior knowledge of Cybertron. Seems like it should be ‘game over’ for the bad guys, but what, not quite? Do the bad guys still have another trick up their sleeve?
Ignore this random generic bad guy placed in an important spot in the image...focus on the real bad guy whose face is also covered...but by a helmet.
As discussed in previous reviews, there is another short story reflecting the gathering of the baddies, this time focusing on Colton going to see old Adventure Team buddy Miles ‘Mayhem’ Manheim. One feels renewed pain for Blitzwing, and perhaps gains a new level of understanding about Manheim’s level of cruelty, as they experience this part of the narrative. Even Colton has to take a step back when observing his cruelty. How was he ever a part of the Adventure Team, a team with goals that are mostly along the good spectrum?
You sir need help.
The Art:
The whole art team (as mentioned in reviews previously) continues to do a very admirable and enjoyable job presenting the human and Transformer characters in what are mostly action-packed scenes. Max Dunbar continues to do excellent work with humans in exciting action poses and expressions, but at times his Transformers seem a little bit flat -much less dimensional than his humans- or oddly proportioned. You might be able to blame it on that they are robots, sure, but Max certainly seems more adept at humans. I do love what he’s been doing, along with his buddies, Ander Zarate and Tom B. Long, in representing the excitement and sometimes desperation of the story the way they have. I imagine it’s pretty fun to draw, color, and visually emote, all the destruction and mayhem (pun intended) that they have been able to.
The Story:
Scott and Rodriguez continue to smash, bash, and crash us with all that is going on in the story, working to extend what could be a one issue battle across a few issues to set up the series. While it seems highly unlikely that this idea of Colton’s would work given the colonies and other possible sources for energon, I’m interested to see what happens now that we are past the incursion, and we know the purpose of Colton’s group. The baddies seem primed (another pun?) for some typical baddie back-stabbing, as we see the bonds that formed them loosening a bit, kept together to this point masterfully, by Joe Colton. The good guys as evidenced by the end of this issue, seem to be going the typical route of misunderstanding and over-reaction to the idea of a team up. I always remember my 80’s super heroes having to have a small misunderstanding battle, before realizing they had the same goals or ideals, and being able to team up (X-Men Vs. Avenger, X-Men Vs. Fantastic Four…). The council seems to be heading this direction with GI JOE. Similarly to how the governments and people of Earth are blind to the distinction between who are good and who are evil Transformers, it seems the same will possibly ring true of humans visiting/attacking Cybertron now. We’ll have to wait and see on that one until next issue though.
Never leave your toys around for someone else to pick up and play with.
Final Words:
I’m still really interested and entertained. I’ve said this before, but It’s really close to the GI JOE - Transformers that I wanted as a kid, and even adult. Not a one off mini-series meeting, but purposeful interaction that has repercussions into the existing individual stories. The master and student relationship of Joe Colton and Scarlett, and the growth of Colton’s character as not just this alien fanatic have been satisfying. Now add the fact that Soundwave and Scarlett are working together, and seeing similarities between their own situations —prior allegiances and ideals seeming to lose glamour and maybe legitimacy when the most meaningful person to them is gone or changed- is making for some really cool relationship pieces. Scarlett too is starting to see many things differently than she had during Revolution…
Speaking of characters, Soundwave has taken center stage again. He’s amazingly been turned into a very, very interesting character through all that IDW has put him through. He’s a whole lot more than a cool voice carrying a small army like he was in the G1 cartoon which made so many love him.
I can't tell if he's smiling under his faceplate or not...
I’m looking forward to seeing more of the bad guys personalities come out as they continue to pick at each other, and each of their ‘special skills’ is required to continue to or achieve the goal.
Very significant for Transformers fans!!! Soundwave shines, the twins not named Xamot and Tomax are becoming interesting, and Blitzwing, somebody needs to save Blitzwing…
LOST: voice cadence and rhythm belonging to twin business brothers, if found contact Xamot at Extensive Enterprises...
Variant cover is spot on. And I wanted to just ignore it...sneaky.
out of
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910662)
Posted by Va'al on September 13th, 2017 @ 11:04am CDT
Posted by Va'al on September 13th, 2017 @ 11:04am CDT
A very good review, too!
It's a book that is way more enjoyable that it was initially seen as (both from me and the fandom at large), and you make a very good show of why exactly it does that in the review. Well done!
It's a book that is way more enjoyable that it was initially seen as (both from me and the fandom at large), and you make a very good show of why exactly it does that in the review. Well done!
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910664)
Posted by Kurona on September 13th, 2017 @ 11:06am CDT
Posted by Kurona on September 13th, 2017 @ 11:06am CDT
I'm starting to get the feeling someone in IDW really, really hates Blitzwing.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910665)
Posted by Randomhero on September 13th, 2017 @ 11:06am CDT
Posted by Randomhero on September 13th, 2017 @ 11:06am CDT
I totally spaced out this was coming out. Not because I don't like it, I actually love this event but nothing else was out this week so it passed right by me. Looks like I got some reading to do today after work!
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910669)
Posted by Va'al on September 13th, 2017 @ 11:15am CDT
Lost Light 9 is also out today!
Posted by Va'al on September 13th, 2017 @ 11:15am CDT
Randomhero wrote:I totally spaced out this was coming out. Not because I don't like it, I actually love this event but nothing else was out this week so it passed right by me. Looks like I got some reading to do today after work!
Lost Light 9 is also out today!
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910671)
Posted by Randomhero on September 13th, 2017 @ 11:21am CDT
I stand by what I said Va'al
Posted by Randomhero on September 13th, 2017 @ 11:21am CDT
Va'al wrote:Randomhero wrote:I totally spaced out this was coming out. Not because I don't like it, I actually love this event but nothing else was out this week so it passed right by me. Looks like I got some reading to do today after work!
Lost Light 9 is also out today!
I stand by what I said Va'al
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910680)
Posted by ScottyP on September 13th, 2017 @ 12:01pm CDT
Posted by ScottyP on September 13th, 2017 @ 12:01pm CDT
I like what they're doing with the twins. Or maybe it's because they feel genuine in their involvement. Needs more any Laserbeak/Buzzsaw cracking wise.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910682)
Posted by Va'al on September 13th, 2017 @ 12:08pm CDT
I grumble at you audibly.
Posted by Va'al on September 13th, 2017 @ 12:08pm CDT
Randomhero wrote:Va'al wrote:Randomhero wrote:I totally spaced out this was coming out. Not because I don't like it, I actually love this event but nothing else was out this week so it passed right by me. Looks like I got some reading to do today after work!
Lost Light 9 is also out today!
I stand by what I said Va'al
I grumble at you audibly.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910683)
Posted by Kurona on September 13th, 2017 @ 12:15pm CDT
Posted by Kurona on September 13th, 2017 @ 12:15pm CDT
Sssso yeah, if anyone's gonna read this -- do not read the 'previously on' section. It's accidentally the previously on section for next issue -- hence spoiling everything in this issue before it even begins.
I love you, IDW, but... goddammit.
I love you, IDW, but... goddammit.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910684)
Posted by Randomhero on September 13th, 2017 @ 12:17pm CDT
Posted by Randomhero on September 13th, 2017 @ 12:17pm CDT
Va'al wrote:Randomhero wrote:Va'al wrote:Randomhero wrote:I totally spaced out this was coming out. Not because I don't like it, I actually love this event but nothing else was out this week so it passed right by me. Looks like I got some reading to do today after work!
Lost Light 9 is also out today!
I stand by what I said Va'al
I grumble at you audibly.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910752)
Posted by Daniel Adkins on September 13th, 2017 @ 7:09pm CDT
Posted by Daniel Adkins on September 13th, 2017 @ 7:09pm CDT
Hot off the heels of First Strike #3, we have the iTunes preview for First Strike #4! https://t.co/IWs661KSi7
And a preview for Micronauts: First Strike (MAJOR SPOILERS FOR WRATH OF KARZA #5) https://t.co/nc5bGW8FDF
And a preview for Micronauts: First Strike (MAJOR SPOILERS FOR WRATH OF KARZA #5) https://t.co/nc5bGW8FDF
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910829)
Posted by Bounti76 on September 14th, 2017 @ 3:56am CDT
Posted by Bounti76 on September 14th, 2017 @ 3:56am CDT
They just keep coming, these iTunes previews! September 27th will be a busy day for Transformers related titles, especially as they relate to the wider Hasbro Universe, in this case, the one-shot Micronauts: First Strike #1.
Please be aware that this preview contains big spoilers for Micronauts: Wrath of Karza #5, which isn't out until next week, so if you've been following that miniseries, read ahead at your own risk.
Please be aware that this preview contains big spoilers for Micronauts: Wrath of Karza #5, which isn't out until next week, so if you've been following that miniseries, read ahead at your own risk.
Rom, remaining on Earth as the events of First Strike take place, finds himself in a most unusual team-up… with Earth’s smallest heroes, The Micronauts! Together, these two forces must prevent a catastrophe on Earth even while Cybertron descends into chaos!
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910832)
Posted by Bounti76 on September 14th, 2017 @ 4:16am CDT
Posted by Bounti76 on September 14th, 2017 @ 4:16am CDT
And saving the Hasbro-iest preview for last, but certainly not least, we have the first three pages of First Strike #4! Wow, September 27th is just going to be packed full of comic-book goodness, isn't it? Make sure to pick this title up on release day and come back to the Energon Pub forums to discuss it when it's reviewed.
Captured by Transformers! Even with the Autobots on their side, G.I. Joe is in trouble! Starscream doesn’t trust anyone, much less armed humans who show up during Cybertron’s darkest hour and he’ll do anything he can to keep G.I. Joe under control—including let COBRA get even closer to their goal!
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910846)
Posted by Kurona on September 14th, 2017 @ 6:48am CDT
Posted by Kurona on September 14th, 2017 @ 6:48am CDT
God I need to start reading Micronauts again. The preview alone reminded me why I loved it so much.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910873)
Posted by dragons on September 14th, 2017 @ 8:19am CDT
Posted by dragons on September 14th, 2017 @ 8:19am CDT
like art its shame no comic stores around me to check out series
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910886)
Posted by ScottyP on September 14th, 2017 @ 9:00am CDT
Digital: comixology.com, iTunes, Amazon (Kindle e-delivery)
To order print books, I like midtowncomics.com
Disclaimer: that's US centric, if you're elsewhere I don't have instant recall for helpful resources
Posted by ScottyP on September 14th, 2017 @ 9:00am CDT
dragons wrote:like art its shame no comic stores around me to check out series
Digital: comixology.com, iTunes, Amazon (Kindle e-delivery)
To order print books, I like midtowncomics.com
Disclaimer: that's US centric, if you're elsewhere I don't have instant recall for helpful resources
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910920)
Posted by Big Grim on September 14th, 2017 @ 11:20am CDT
Cheers. I loved MASK as a kid. Firefly had to be my favorite vehicle though.
So not worth picking up?
I'm so far behind with TF and IDW issues.
Posted by Big Grim on September 14th, 2017 @ 11:20am CDT
ScottyP wrote:In this continuity, Miles Mayhem had all of the vehicles built based on Cybertronian tech derived from Blitzwing. The Rhino was given to Bruno Sheppard, who has the half metal face in the pages above. Sheppard has beef with Matt Trakker because Trakker focused on a mission instead of saving him from the fire that messed up his face.
Cliff Dagger was introduced in the MASK Annual and does have the Jackhammer, but he hasn't been used in several months.
Cheers. I loved MASK as a kid. Firefly had to be my favorite vehicle though.
ScottyP wrote:I had blocked that out of memory. The MASK book is so bad. I wish it weren't :/Daniel Adkins wrote:The actual reasoning is even stupider than that.
So not worth picking up?
I'm so far behind with TF and IDW issues.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1910976)
Posted by ScottyP on September 14th, 2017 @ 5:16pm CDT
Now the M.A.S.K. Annual somehow both ended up being awesome and being the only real significant link to TF stories through the run. I do recommend it, very fun read. This is probably because it's a loose retelling of MASK's pilot episode, "The Deathstone", only using this new IDW Hasbroverse.
Posted by ScottyP on September 14th, 2017 @ 5:16pm CDT
I'd say if you can get the trades later at a big discount (aka Amazon or through an inevitable digital sale), you probably won't hate it. That's as close as I can get in good conscience to recommending it.Big Grim wrote:So not worth picking up?
I'm so far behind with TF and IDW issues.
Now the M.A.S.K. Annual somehow both ended up being awesome and being the only real significant link to TF stories through the run. I do recommend it, very fun read. This is probably because it's a loose retelling of MASK's pilot episode, "The Deathstone", only using this new IDW Hasbroverse.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1911023)
Posted by Tigertrack on September 14th, 2017 @ 8:14pm CDT
Posted by Tigertrack on September 14th, 2017 @ 8:14pm CDT
GI Joe fans should at least sort of like MASK. Honestly. I didn't hate it, but I didn't buy a single copy either. Perks. Also, my comic store would have had to order it, and I can't get into that kind of committed relationship, with only a 'don't hate it' comic.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1911024)
Posted by Tigertrack on September 14th, 2017 @ 8:17pm CDT
Posted by Tigertrack on September 14th, 2017 @ 8:17pm CDT
Forgot to mention... Firecracker was my favorite as a kid, followed by Stinger and Volcano. Those toys were so fun... Lots of good stuff that I never had too. Bulldog, Razorback... And they even had a countach lambo... Lovely toys.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1911032)
Posted by ScottyP on September 14th, 2017 @ 10:17pm CDT
Posted by ScottyP on September 14th, 2017 @ 10:17pm CDT
I really like Firefly and Slingshot (Aerialbots separated at birth? :O ) but my favorite was Goliath. Finding it years after the line was over on clearance in a beat up box at the Friendly Center TRU in Greensboro, which was the next town over, is one of my fondest childhood memories for some reason.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1911168)
Posted by Bounti76 on September 15th, 2017 @ 2:36pm CDT
Posted by Bounti76 on September 15th, 2017 @ 2:36pm CDT
Dumb question Micronauts fans can answer:Shazraella "enerchanged" with (who it's assumed for now is) Antagony. Does that kill the fembot, or just kind of put her in stasis?
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1911175)
Posted by Daniel Adkins on September 15th, 2017 @ 3:14pm CDT
Hard to know. So far the only time we've seen a Microspacian enerchange with a Cybertronian was Baron Karza with the stasis-locked, near-dead body of Micronus Prime. But given that some of the Dire Wraiths that Karza enerchanged with during Revolution later showed up alive (Caleb Awan and Axiom in particular), I'd guess that Shaz enerchanging with Antagony wouldn't kill her.
Posted by Daniel Adkins on September 15th, 2017 @ 3:14pm CDT
Bounti76 wrote:Dumb question Micronauts fans can answer:Shazraella "enerchanged" with (who it's assumed for now is) Antagony. Does that kill the fembot, or just kind of put her in stasis?
Hard to know. So far the only time we've seen a Microspacian enerchange with a Cybertronian was Baron Karza with the stasis-locked, near-dead body of Micronus Prime. But given that some of the Dire Wraiths that Karza enerchanged with during Revolution later showed up alive (Caleb Awan and Axiom in particular), I'd guess that Shaz enerchanging with Antagony wouldn't kill her.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1911833)
Posted by Big Grim on September 19th, 2017 @ 12:26pm CDT
Hrm. That's a damned shame. Will keep an eye out though. Cheers Dude.
Posted by Big Grim on September 19th, 2017 @ 12:26pm CDT
ScottyP wrote:I'd say if you can get the trades later at a big discount (aka Amazon or through an inevitable digital sale), you probably won't hate it. That's as close as I can get in good conscience to recommending it.Big Grim wrote:So not worth picking up?
I'm so far behind with TF and IDW issues.
Now the M.A.S.K. Annual somehow both ended up being awesome and being the only real significant link to TF stories through the run. I do recommend it, very fun read. This is probably because it's a loose retelling of MASK's pilot episode, "The Deathstone", only using this new IDW Hasbroverse.
Hrm. That's a damned shame. Will keep an eye out though. Cheers Dude.
Re: G.I. JOE: First Strike #1 iTunes Preview (1911906)
Posted by ScottyP on September 19th, 2017 @ 10:14pm CDT
Posted by ScottyP on September 19th, 2017 @ 10:14pm CDT
Via PreviewsWorld, the 10-copy Retailer Incentive cover for the upcoming First Strike: Optimus Prime one-shot has been revealed. According to PreviewsWorld, this cover features artwork by Nick Bradshaw, and has been mirrored below.
Just for fun, and with its tenth anniversary upon us, why not check out the completely unrelated Seibertron.com gallery for the toy that shares the same name as this upcoming comic!
(W) John Barber (A) Guido Guidi (CA) Nick Bradshaw
With Cybertron under siege by Baron Ironblood's forces, Optimus Prime and Arcee defend their homeland! Caught in the middle is the human/Transformer team known as the Revolutionaries-and one of them has a secret that puts everyone at risk!
Just for fun, and with its tenth anniversary upon us, why not check out the completely unrelated Seibertron.com gallery for the toy that shares the same name as this upcoming comic!
/t-DSC01635.jpg)
