The awesome Michel Fiffe, who you perhaps best know for his work on his creator-owned series, COPRA, as well as his current work on Bloodstrike: Brutalists for Image Comics, is doing a G.I. Joe miniseries in February. It will be solicited in the next Previews, so be sure to order a copy at your local comic book store when it is solicited. It looks like it will be amazing. Anyhow, Michel wanted to talk about G.I. Joe a little, so here he is. - BC
I'll take any opportunity to go through some of my favorite G.I. Joe stories, especially when they were written by mastermind Larry Hama, who defined the original run from the very beginning and continues to evolve the saga to this very day. In anticipation for my upcoming mini-series, G.I. Joe: Sierra Muerte (Out Feb 2019), I want to chronologically spotlight the specific single issues from a less-notorious crop. As much as I'm into the classic "Silent Interlude" and the early Herb Trimpe designed tales, or the Michael Golden-drawn Yearbook material and the "body count" saga, this personal Top 10 inspired my own take on these characters. I want to note that while Hama is the heart and soul of these comics, he was backed by letterers Rick Parker and Joe Rosen, as well as colorists Andy Yanchus, George Roussos, and Bob Sharen.
1. #15 · "Red-Eye to Miami"
This one registers as the ideal G.I. Joe comic book. Drawn by Mike Vosburg & Jon D'Agostino, it's packed with action, danger, and laffs. It’s impressive how jam-packed these 22 pages are without feeling claustrophobic. Back when Snake Eyes was still a super enigma, to boot.
2. #26 · "Snake-Eyes: The Origin"
Re: super enigma. Never mind! The mystery revealed is doubly rewarding by having Larry Hama on art chores. Even though Hama designed the covers for the series, it was a rare treat to have him actually pencil an issue. Steve Leialoha'a masterful, complementary ink work is the secret ingredient, making this a pretty damn near perfect issue of G.I. Joe.
3. #34 · "Shake Down"
With the art team of Rod Whigham/Andy Mushynsky (both who worked on the next two on the list), this story transcends the vehicle genre. You get swept up in its momentum, a battle that’s punctuated by an ending you can't help but love. The striking Mike Zeck cover doesn't hurt.
4. #51 · "Thunder Machine"
Speaking of striking, John Byrne's cover stood out even in its tiny house-ad version. This chapter in the absurd soap opera of cruelty and triumph perfectly captures the layers of the Dreadnoks' comedic, terrifying craftiness. Extra points for a legendary throw down with Sgt. Slaughter.
5. #58 · "Desperate Moves"
Mainframe’s breezy, low-key confidence in the face of impossible expectations and life-or-death resistance underlines this story. It’s a tense study of survival, and it brilliantly seeds a future character; a prime example of how Hama used the long-running serial to his advantage.
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6. #64 · "Maneuvering For Position"
Mercilessly dropping you smack in the center of a sprawling saga, this issue is a testament to Hama's sharp, quasi-improv storytelling instincts. You can feel him spinning a lot of plates and never breaking a sweat. Drawn by Ron Wagner & Russ Heath, I have a soft spot for this one; it was one of the earliest comics I owned.
7. #91 · "No Simple Solutions"
Something about Tony Salmons' presence brought out the funny in Hama. There was always humor (and political commentary) in these books, but this issue in particular was extra sharp. There’s plenty of nail-biting fisticuffs to go around, with an excellent flow of violence and drama and hilarity all throughout.
8. #104 · "Hero of the People"
There's a chunk of Joe comics drawn by M.D. Bright, who's known mostly for his superhero work. He locked into a reliable rhythm, distinctive but never at the expense of the stories. Having said that, this issue particularly shines. Subplots galore, naturally, but this is Snake Eyes’ show.
9. #107 · "Enter the Night Creepers"
Ninja assassins on the hunt in nighttime Manhattan; it writes itself. Luckily for us, it's also drawn by Lee Weeks in the middle of a personal artistic renaissance by way of his lauded Daredevil run. I almost see this as a stealth DD piece, but its relentless, character-driven verve is Yo, Joe through and through.
10. #115 · "Counting Coup"
Penciler John Statema, a student of the Ordway House of Style, and then-regular inker Randy Emberlin, loaded this one up with a strange mood that fits this adventure’s tone. It’s a delicate and dangerous mission gone sideways, its conclusion summarizing the concept of an expansive comic book writing career. You can say that I’m reading too much into it, but I can’t help it. Comics bring that out in me.
Thanks, Michel!