Here is an interesting concept: go from being a Cobra to being a Joe. Is it worth everything you risk? Can you handle the new rules and protocol? How can you handle love? What mission objectives can be reached? All good question maybe we could get some answers following Chameleon once Cobra turned G.I. Joe.
Chameleon is talking to a therapist about her escape from Corbra and losing everyone she truly loves. This comes down to a few things, most notable is post-traumatic stress disorder caused by her escape and working with Cobra. She feels differently and ends the session to head back to work. She’s left wondering if the conversion was worth the red tape and crap she has to put up with or better putting up with the way Cobra deals with their traitors… a bullet. The Joes’ cover building is a casino in Vegas owned by the one man Lady Jaye has no respect for and the same man Chameleon was trying to escape from, but has found herself now working with… Tomax Poali. Tomax is trying to get some covert information from Clockspring who works the book and files for this G.I. Joe outfit. Clockspring refuses to help and tells Tomax he is not entitled to this information.
Chameleon heads to the casino to get sometime by herself. Clockspring stumbles up trying to talk to her and profess his love for her. He is interrupted as Chameleon has to go to a briefing where she ends up being questioned about being on the floor. Tomax has a mission for them to go get Copperhead, the commander of the Water Moccasins Cobra’s amphibious assault unit. Copoperhead has gone AWOL and has settled in Seattle. Chameleon being a familiar face should help bring him in.
The story it set up well, but still leaves Chameleon cold and distant being new to G.I. Joe. I think it does a decent job detailing how she feels and being a traitor and turning to the other side. You can feel the emotion she is torn with. Having Chameleon questioned was it worth it because of the shame, pity and resentment expressed during the process. The only real issue is there really isn’t any hook to get you in.
I did enjoy the art with the newspaper comic feel with the background shading, pixilation and crosshatching. It isn’t highly detailed but it makes the character actually fell real and not steroid muscle men and super curvy vixens. The monochromatic tones of colors of the greens, blue, and oranges used for the backgrounds work well to support the art and story.
This book captures the emotions of Chameleon and express what she is going through very well. She is the only depth to any characters in this story. It’s not a game changer and not for everyone but a better read than the other two G.I. Joe series I’m sorry to say. It’s not a roller coaster ride but not a kick in the gut disappointment either.
Score: 3/5
Writer: Mike Costa
Artist: Antonio Fuso
Colorist: Arianna Florean
Publisher: IDW publishing
Price: $2.99
Release Date: 4/10/13