America's Elite Issue #22 Review

G.I. Joe America's Elite #22
Sins of the Mother, Part 2

Writer: Mark Powers
Pencils: Mike Bear
Colorist: Jean-Francois Beaulieu
Letters: Brian Crowley
Commanding Officer: Mike O'Sullivan
Cover: Clement Sauve & Stephane Peru
Military Consultant: Phil Kost

Cover

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America's Elite continues to pick up steam as we roll on towards World War III. Issue #22 really ramps up the action and intrigue, though the art does drop off a bit from the last issue. A mixed bag, all told, but still a great read and a highly recommended book in my opinion.

ISSUE SUMMARY

Like issue #21, this issue starts off a number of months in the past. After a couple of years of mystery, we find out exactly what happened with the Baroness, and how she ended up in captivity. Wraith callously hands her over to General Gibbs and the Jugglers in exchange for a full pardon for his crimes. The deal is accepted begrudgingly, but it is accepted, and the Baroness is taken into custody.

We rejoin the Baroness in Prague as she meets with an old family friend (who refers to her using an unusually original last name). They seem to be fairly friendly, when the Baroness asks his assistance in tracking down Halifax. He is somewhat reluctant until Anastasia tells him her next visit will be to his wife and child, and suddenly, he is eager to help.

Back at The Rock, there is another debriefing going on, laying out what went down in Brooklyn with Scalpel (in issue #21). The Baroness has been tracked to a remote cabin in Switzerland where she met Major Bludd, so the team prepares to leave to intercept. Before they take off, though, Roadblock expresses some curiosity as to why the Baroness isn't headed to Scotland to be with her husband. Speaking of which, the scene picks up in Scotland, in the MARS Headquarters where Destro and Alexander are having a discussion that is quickly interrupted by an Iron Grenadier. Destro is handed a phone and has a quick discussion with COBRA Commander, who apparently informs him of his child...and that the Baroness is alive and well. It's a short talk, but Destro is incensed.

Meanwhile in Prague, the Baroness has slipped into a nightclub, somewhat undercover. Halifax is also there, and receives a sudden phone call. Shortly, he is on the move. In Switzerland, the Joes are following the Baroness' trail and find what's left of Bludd's bodyguards at his villa there, but they ultimately hit a dead end. After all, Major Bludd is no longer in Switzerland, he's in the deserts of Saudi Arabia, meeting up with a group of fighters there led by the infamous Colonel Sharif! Sharif has made a few appearances throughout the Marvel G.I. Joe mythos, and his inclusion here is a terrific touch. They seem intent on blowing up some sort of oil refinery, but before we can find out their real motives, the scene shifts back to Prague. Halifax has donned the Wraith armor and the Baroness has put hers on as well...they meet in a cemetery, determined to end this conflict. Wraith would seemingly have the upper hand, but the Baroness has some tricks up her sleeve, and the last panel shows what looks to be a fatal gunshot between Halifax's eyes. Is this the end of Wraith?

PLOT

Mark Powers picks up right where he left off, with some pretty high octane intrigue and action. We get some nice holes filled in, like finally finding out how the Baroness ended up in custody. Speaking of the Baroness, she is after Wraith in a big way, hoping he'll lead her to COBRA Commander and her child. The pace is brisk, but easy to follow, and Powers continues with his solid writing. Issue #22 hops all over the globe from Prague to Switzerland, and even to Saudi Arabia, yet the story remains focused and easy to follow. Many different characters are introduced and tied together pretty effortlessly. I love how Mr. Powers is also able to bring in minor characters from the past (like Colonel Sharif) and seamlessly integrate them into current storylines. It just works.

This issue manages to fill in some plot holes, yet it also starts a few more branches of storyline, and it does it all exceptionally well. The final match up between Baroness and Wraith is handled relatively well, though I do wish Wraith had put up more of a fight. I know the Baroness had the contraption to disable his armor, but from a storyline conclusion perspective I do wish there was perhaps a fiercer battle between the two, rather than a button-push and a rock in the face. Still, it unfolded well, and the scenery for the fight was atmospheric and appropriate as well.

The best part of the writing is you can actually feel the paths of these characters intersecting ...COBRA Commander, Destro, the Baroness... Bludd and the Joes...you can see them all heading towards the big, brutal conclusion, which is a very good thing, since a lot of previous issues have seemed somewhat directionless.

From a writing perspective, this issue keeps up the high standards from Issue #21 and keeps the story moving. Very nice work.

ART

I do have to admit, though, that the art seems to take a bit of a downturn here. Nothing drastic, but it just looks a bit less refined and a little bit more "open ended" if that makes any sense. Issue #21 had a real clear, crisp pencil and ink look to it and flowed really smoothly. Issue #22, however, seemed a little bit more influenced by a painter's style and it just doesn't seem quite as crisp and nice. Mike Bear is still doing the pencils, and the foundation of the art is still very, very nice. But the style in this issue seems a bit less structured and defined as the last one, so I do take off a few points in the art department. It really isn't anything major, but I prefer the style we got in issue #21.

FINAL WORDS

Issue #19 was the first America's Elite title that really opened my eyes and made me smile, and it's been going back uphill ever since. This most recent issue keeps up those great standards and continues the Sins of the Mother storyline terrifically. The Baroness' motivation and her intense focus and desire all come through clear in the story and in the art. While this issue didn't rock my world as much as the last issue did, it still was a great, fun read opening all sorts of doors towards future plotlines and stories. I can almost sense a sort of "rebirth" of the Joe mythos, and I can't wait to see where the road takes me. I'm already eagerly awaiting issue #23, good work Devils' Due.

RATING (OUT OF 5)