Unbeatable Comics: Cobra #14

writer: Mike Costa
artist: Antonio Fuso

The brilliant thing about this book is that its publishing history has already completely altered IDW's G.I. Joes comics line, and that hasn't thrown it for a single loop.

The original story concerned a Joe operative working his way into Cobra.  When this approach was determined to breathe new life into the perception of the enemy, we got "Cobra Civil War."  Essentially, the underdog became mainstream.  How to compensate?  By turning its story in reverse.  Now Costa is exploring the possibilities of a Cobra operative working their way into Cobra.  Which operative, though?  Tomax Paoli, former Cobra power broker turned informant?  Or Erika La Tene, who's become Chameleon, a full-fledged Joe?

At the moment, Tomax and Chameleon are playing a little dance, and the Joes are forced to be partners.  last issue she tried to kill him.  Now she's taking away all the remaining perks from his former life.  At the moment, they're both pursuing the only leverage either has over Cobra, the hidden son of the assassinated Cobra Commander, a modern spin on the Billy arc from the original comics.  It remains a must-read simply to see how Costa does it.  Despite the baffling failure of Blackhawks, few are to the level of his execution.  It may make things easier to know that Fuso is currently making his artwork more action-oriented, which the introduction of Ronin may be helping.

Bottom line is, you're rapidly running out of excuses for not reading this book.