Free Comic Book Day - GIJoe 155 1/2

[Phil Kost]

G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #155½

This is what you really want! Larry Hama continues his original and ground-breaking G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero saga with the VERY NEXT ISSUE (but, you know, 15 years later).

from Newsarama

It's free, it's awesome, and it's ALL-NEW! Picking up from where the ORIGINAL G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO comic book ended, issue #155-1/2 is a core fan's dream come true! Featuring spectacular art from Agustin Padilla, Larry Hama continues his classic G.I. JOE run right here, and RELAUNCHES THE ORIGINAL SERIES!

[Cobra Commander 1973]

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/091210- ... unced.html

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"G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #155½

This is what you really want! Larry Hama continues his original and ground-breaking G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero saga with the VERY NEXT ISSUE (but, you know, 15 years later)."

Cover for comic (which is very cool)

http://i.newsarama.com/images/IDW-FCBD-GI-JOE-cover.jpg

[seanwalsh]

http://comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=24004

IDW Publishing - G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #155½

This is what you really want! Larry Hama continues his original and ground-breaking G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero saga with the VERY NEXT ISSUE (but, you know, 15 years later).

And CBR mentions that they believe this is an ongoing project and not just a FCBD thing.

.......

[HELLSTROM]

I will be getting this, BUT I really don't think it's going to boost sales to much and for too long. I will stand by that until the numbers prove me wrong. Not really too excited. It shows IDW has a lack of faith in their reboot and are trying to reel in all those people who bailed out on the reboot series. As it stands now I would rather then change some of what is in the main book they are doing now. Get rid of that MASS device and Destro trapped in a metal suit and that is a HUGE step in the right direction. All I can say to this is who cares? ( In my opinion anway. )

[Darth Cujo]

Part of me is very excited about this and the possibilities. But if it's more than a one-shot, then part of me wonders why IDW would go in this direction. It's totally counter to their initial plan and it seems awfully soon to deviate from said plan. I'm reserving judgement until we know all of what's going on, and I get to read the comic(s). But I still can't help but be excited about it! And the cover looks pretty darn cool. Do we know who did the cover?

Edit: D'oh! Just noticed the Trimpe/Mcleod on the cover!

All I can say to this is who cares? ( In my opinion anway. )

Really?! Even if you think it's a bad idea right now under the circumstances, can you really just say who cares? As a fan of the original series isn't this (like the blurb says) what we've always wanted? Even just a little part of you? C'mon Hellstrom!!

[HELLSTROM]

This IS what we got already. From DDP. It might be a few years down the line from Marvel #155, but it IS what we got from them. It's just that I was invested 100% in the reboot. It's a step backwards in my opinion. I also think it's a slap in the face to the DDP run IF and only IF they try to ignore that. If this works hand in hand with what DDP started and does not ignore or contradict their run? Then thats all well and good, BUT I would rather they fix a few things about the reboot instead of dropping a third continuity in the mix. It's as if they are trying to boost sales by dragging the ones who bailed out back into the fold and Really? They are not going to buy the reboot focused books and this. No, more then likely people that bailed, like for example jamar*, are only going to buy this series. How is that helping? You don't see them boosting Transformer sales by starting a new series picking up from either the Marvel TF series or what Dreamwave started do you? No. They are sticking to their reboot whatever current mess it might be. (I am not digging the "movified" robot designs in the new series myself.) That's my take on the whole mess. Does that help?

*Just for example. Nothing more intend.

[Phil Kost]

I concur with Hellstrom. (And said so over on the IDW boards)

I am anxious to read the story, but have no real interest in re-engaging myself into the Hamaverse. I felt it had two worthy fairwells (#155 and AE #36) and does not need any more additions or addendums.

I am no longer interested in what the comics did 20 years ago, I want to know what they will be doing 20 years from now. (This is not to say I do not enjoy reading the old comics, but this isn't the 80s or 90s anymore.)

[Rockhammer]

This IS what we got already. From DDP. It might be a few years down the line from Marvel #155, but it IS what we got from them.

No. What we got from DDP was gawd-awful. This (with Hama writing) will be glorious. It'll show the way DDP should have done it; it will be done right.

I for one, will be buying this and the reboot books

As I posted in the IDW forums:

OH MY FREAKIN' GAWD!!!!!!!!!
If this is the first of an ongoing that ignores the DDP books, I have died and gone to HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I never thought I'd actually see it in my time!
It must be some kind of one-shot. Heck, it is probably just that, like all the other 1/2 issues Hasbro put out with the toy two-packs.
But just the same, HOLY CRAP!
I am SOOOOOOOO looking forward to this! Man-oh-man-oh-man!!!!!!!
Truly, I don't believe my eyes... Is it April first? *looks at calendar*
I don't care if it is!!!! I want to believe!!!!
No DDP mess, Hama writing, continuing after 155... A dream come true!
While Agustin Padilla isn't my favorite penciller by any stretch of the imagination, he is nonetheless not a terrible choice.
I can't wait!

[HELLSTROM]

Just because Larry Hama did not write the entire DDP run is no reason to dismiss the DDP run. No way. His own DDP Frontline arc was garbage. It does not mean this new IDW series will be "golden" just because he is writing it. If you feel that way thats fine, but I do not agree with that at all.

[Antarctica]

All I have to say is why oh why
and then a big YES

First off, I don't like that IDW is doing anything in the Hamaverse. They created there own continuity and have spent 3 series developing it and getting us die hard fans into it. And now they give us something many of us would have preferred in the first place.

I love having Hamaverse stories but if they totally disregard the DDP stuff then that is completely wrong.

How i read the issue 155 1/2 as basically another issue to better wrap up Joe not the beginning of an on going series, just a one shot that is a half issue in the spirit of the ones Hasbro created with the comic pack ones.

Basically, my opinion is on the fence I love it and hate it.

[Jim]

Cover has been slightly updated from those posted here: http://www.comicbookresources.com/asset ... 484294.jpg

As for my thoughts:

I can't wait! Simple.

I don't think it undermines the work DDP did., that work will still be there for me to enjoy (or ***** about), and (I'm presuming) the new stuff from IDW will also carry on, so anyone that doesn't like the idea of this new book simply doesn't have to buy it. I'll be picking it up and seeing how it goes, and I'll also carry on getting the other new stuff.

[todd_m6d]

Until we hear more I'll just take it for what it is... another comic pack type fill in the blank issue.

I don't understand why IDW would want to add another continuity to their roster when we've already got the IDW reboot and movie line.

On the other hand I'm still excited to reading the issue and seeing what it's all about.

[Darth Cujo]

I am no longer interested in what the comics did 20 years ago, I want to know what they will be doing 20 years from now. (This is not to say I do not enjoy reading the old comics, but this isn't the 80s or 90s anymore.)

I don't think that's entirely fair. It will be a new comic done to todays standards. In a way it's no different than the other 1/2 issues, or Hama's frontline arc, or frankly where DDP started from, only it was 10 years, not 20. Though given IDW has their own continuity, I do see where you're coming from.

I don't think it undermines the work DDP did., that work will still be there for me to enjoy (or ***** about), and (I'm presuming) the new stuff from IDW will also carry on, so anyone that doesn't like the idea of this new book simply doesn't have to buy it. I'll be picking it up and seeing how it goes, and I'll also carry on getting the other new stuff.

A few years ago I would have disagreed, but given the number of continuities Joe now has (movie, resolute, old toon, marvel, IDW), I'm beyond the point of caring about the number of continuities. At this point, a revisiting of the old continuity, even if it completely contradicts DDP is just another continuity. If there's room for all the above continuities, there's room to go back and play around some more in the old Marvel one. Particularly if Hama is giving it a go. Just my opinion. Who knows it could be awsome fun or it could suck. I'm pretty excited to find out.

[Jim]

I think if it wasn't Hama writing it I would actually be saying "this is a stupid idea and will confuse people", but the fact they have got Larry to write it makes it a worthwhile experiment at worst and a great fun comic at best.

[seanwalsh]

After having a while to think about it......I find myself kinda torn and all over the place on what I think about this.

I'm probably gonna buy it, if it is in fact a new series.
It seems kinda disrespectful to DDP, in a way.
What COBRA did after GI Joe was mothballed is something I always wanted to see, and I think this is what that'll be.
It'd be interesting to see if Hama tackles the GI Joe Extreme thing, or other incarnations of Joe that preceded ARAH's return earlier this decade.
I like how IDW now seems to be embracing the old continuity, but not giving up on their own.
It'll be nice to see Cobra Commander again (has he shown up in Dixon's series yet?)

Mostly I'm in the positive, but I'm not as OMFG excited/anxious like I was when I read this stuff yesterday. "Cautiously optimistic" is my opinion (for now), I guess.