G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #305 - Image Comics

G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO No. 305, March 2024

Focusing upon the various covert operations Serpentor Khan has put in place within his numerous enemies’ headquarters, Larry Hama’s narrative for Issue Three Hundred and Five of “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero” arguably does a good job in showing just how many pies Doctor Mindbender’s mutated creation has his dirty fingers in. True, many of the murderous madman’s cybernetically-enhanced agents come to a truly sticky end within the twenty-pages of this publication. But the sheer scale of his fiendish infiltrations is still breath-taking, especially once it's revealed that the grotesque-looking villain has even managed to penetrate both the Revanche facility in Baton Rouge, as well as Castle Destro.

In addition though, the American author also pens a genuinely moving scene for Dawn Moreno involving the Joe’s parents, who despite living well inside Cobra Commander’s community, still refuse to betray their daughter to arrogant neighbour Fred 23. The pair’s willingness to batter the Crimson Guard unconscious so as to allow their offspring to escape Springfield is extremely well paced, and will doubtless have many a bibliophile a little concerned as to whether the duo will actually manage to successfully “slip out of town tomorrow” before their assault-rifle toting prisoner can raise the alarm.

Equally well worth a mention is the tense action depicted when Spirit attempts to thwart a trio of Khan’s operatives trying to find the trap door down to the Pit. This already dynamic sequence is made all the more readable by having one of his foes pull the pin from a deadly nerve gas grenade during their struggle. Due to his opponent’s sinews and tendons having “been replaced by steel cable”, it does not look too good for Charlie Iron-Knife’s chances of permanently preventing ‘the spoon from flying!’ And yet, that is precisely what Lady Jaye attempts by shockingly unloading her entire side-arm into their assailant’s head.

Providing all these marvellous moments with plenty of convincing vitality are the layouts of Chris Mooneyham, who does a terrific job in showing just how increasingly concerned the supreme leader of Cobra has become following the revelation that his recent rally was witnessed by Mindbender’s traitorous minions. The artist also is excellent at showing the feelings Moreno’s family have for Snake Eyes III, with the somewhat elderly couple touchingly cuddling her just moments after they’ve savagely brutalised Fred 23 with a seriously winding body blow and lamp-stand across the bonce; “You didn’t think we’d turn you in, did you.?”

The regular cover art of "G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO" #305 by Andy Kubert & Brad Anderson