Cobra gets cold

So this one’s been a while in the offing, hasn’t it? Rumored basically since the days of the HasLab H.I.S.S. a few years back, the Arctic Assault H.I.S.S. is indeed real. It’s set to bring a little more frost to the series, following up on (or precede) the release of the Snow Cat in October of 2026. As with some of Hasbro’s other larger-scale items though, this one’s going to be made-to-order only.

What’s that mean? Well, it shakes out to mean that this new H.I.S.S. is a pre-order item only, and won’t have a general release. So if you want one, you’ll need to get your pre-order in before the window closes on January 4th. As for how ‘paired down’ this new release is from the aforementioned HasLab, the answer seems to be ‘not much’. While there are no electronics included and it seems to be a bit narrower overall, those look like the only real minuses.

The fresh reveal has the troop transport functionality from the crowd-funded item, rolling treads, and the gull-wing doored canopy. It even comes with a driver, a specially outfitted Viper who’s fully ready of the elements, plus “Snow Sabre” rockets.

Arctic Assault H.I.S.S. hits the tundra

The standout reveal of the weekend came from the G.I. Joe Classified Series, as Hasbro Pulse unveiled the Arctic Assault H.I.S.S. (High Speed Sentry) with a suitable driver to boot – a formidable and iconic cold-weather addition to Cobra’s motor pool. This meticulously engineered 15 cm scale H.I.S.S. is built for arctic warfare, boasting functioning treaded wheels, a gull-wing polarized canopy, rotating turret systems, and a rear cargo bay designed for troop transport.

Infused with narrative world-building straight from Destro’s own “engineering logs,” this version introduces structural enhancements like hexagonal cold-climate plating, Snow Sabre rockets, dual Hissruptor LZ-6 laser cannons, and a sleek, narrowed silhouette for improved manoeuvrability in icy terrains. The included Arctic Assault H.I.S.S. Driver completes the deployment, trained specifically for cold-weather action and airborne infiltration missions. At 50 cm long, this vehicle sets a new benchmark for Classified Series collectors – a centrepiece release designed to dominate any battlefield display.

Hasbro Pulse press release

Like we said above, the Arctic Assault H.I.S.S. is a made-to-order item. And its pre-order period is open for another 26 (+) days only, until January 4th, 2026. If you do want to lock one up for yourself, you’re going to want to do so within that period, since once the window closes, that’s probably it.

The Arctic Assault H.I.S.S. is priced in at $199.99 USD.

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You’ll be joining us soon (at Comic Con)

You know ’em, you love ’em, Cold Slither is most definitely back. Born out of the 80s G.I.Joe cartoon show, the fictional rock band has been in the midst of a full blown resurgence, thanks to Hasbro and Reigning Phoenix Music.

The rebirth has so-far seen a series of single releases, a full album announcement, and an action figure set that’s planned for SDCC (from Hasbro, natch’). But if you thought that was all that was happening, well you better think again.

The band of vipers will actually be taking the stage at Comic Con next month, and yes we mean as in ‘live action’. If you’re wondering who’ll be playing the parts of Zartan and his best ‘noks, we’ve got the full list of talent for you, and it’s members hail from some big time metal bands.

Rocking and rolling the Cobra way at SDCC will be:

• Zartan: Gus Rios, vocals/guitars (GRUESOME, UNION BLACK, LEFT TO DIE)
• Ripper: Matt Harvey, guitars (EXHUMED, GRUESOME, LEFT TO DIE)
• Torch: Ross Sewage, bass (EXHUMED, IMPALED)
• Buzzer: Andy Selway, drums (KMFDM)

The above stars will take the stage as Cold Slither at San Diego’s Brick by Brick, once again courtesy of Hasbro and Reigning Phoenix Music. The event will a 21 and over affair, fueled by a heady dose of 80s nostalgia and of course some hard rocking jams.

Event Details – Cold Slither Live @ SDCC

• Date: Thursday, July 24, 2025
• Time: Doors at 8 PM | Show at 9 PM
• Venue: Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave, San Diego, CA 92110
• Tickets: $35.00 plus service charges – available exclusively at Brick by Brick’s official website
• Capacity: 450
• Merch: Limited-edition show-only gear including an exclusive t-shirts, posters, LPs, CDs and collectible pin sets

Don’t forget that new single, and the full album pre-orders

While we’re getting wrapped up in live shows, let’s not forget the music itself, which gets a new drop this week with Thunder Machine. The latest single released by Cold Slither, Thunder Machine of course harkens back to the Dreadnoks favored ride of the same name.

And just like riding in that mean machine, this new track should get your blood pumping.

Done head-banging to Thunder Machine? If so, you might want to get that full album on pre-order. Open as of now, pre-orders for Cold Slither are available in two varieties (plus a pair of bundles), with CD’s and records. You can grab either from Reigning Phoenix Music, as well as “Amazon, Amoeba and indie record stores”, according to the label.

However you buy, both versions of the album look to be arriving on July 25th, along with the digital version, for those who prefer their music to live solely on their devices. If you’re going to be at SDCC though, you have a pre of additional options. Reigning Phoenix Music says that a San Diego Comic Con-exclusive “Zartan Chameleon Blue” will be up for sale at the Hasbro booth, and a “Blood Moon Red” vinyl variant will be stocked at the RPM booth.

As for the track list, you can check that out below.

Cold Slither – Track List

1. Welcome to the Swamp (Intro)
2. Cold Slither 
3. Knock ‘Em Dread 
4. Thunder Machine 
5. Zartan’s Revenge 
6. Snakes on the Bayou
7. Torched
8. Under the Dreadnok’s Spell
9. Master of Disguise
10. The Ballad of Buzzer
11. These Fluffies Are Fatal

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COBRA… again

We have to admit that when we saw the resurgent single from Cold Slither, we assumed it’d be a one and done experience. With the tune playing off of the classic riffs last heard in the G.I. Joe cartoon, Cold Slither was poised for a modern spin off into several new action figure offerings. But again, we kind of thought that’d be it for them, and oh, were we wrong.

Not only is Cold Slither back with a second single, but there’s a full album coming too, along with a pretty impressive slate of planned happenings. Those include not only the aforementioned collectibles from Hasbro and Super7, but also a comics appearance by way of a one-shot coming up from Skybound, and a “full-blown live event at San Diego Comic-Con” (according to the press release). Yow.

Whether you can make that show or not though, you can hear the brand new single Knock em Dread right now, via the player below.

An unapologetic throwback to mid-’80s heavy metal, “Knock Em Dread” surges with galloping rhythm, punishing drums, and anthemic energy. The line—“Thrashin’ and Fightin’, Dreadnoks for life!”—cements this track as a rebellious roar of loyalty, chaos, and untamed spirit. It’s a sonic gut-punch, roaring from the same engine of destruction that made their original hit a weapon of mass manipulation.

“Knock Em Dread” is the second release from the upcoming album Cold Slither, which sees Zartan, Torch, Ripper, and Buzzer reunited in an unexpected comeback chronicled in the upcoming rockumentary Band of Vipers. Once fractured by ego, disillusionment, and Cobra’s rise to power, the Dreadnoks find their way back to the music that started it all—with raw, unfiltered fury.

Reigning Phoenix Music press release

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You’ll be joining us soon…

If you’re a fan of the classic G.I. Joe cartoon, the you already know all about Cold Slither. Essentially a heavy metal band in the grand 1980’s style, Cold Slither took the Joe universe’s music world by storm, and entranced a generation of youth. Literally.

That was the plan of course, and we mean Cobra Commander’s plan, as the band wasn’t what they seemed at all. Well, maybe they actually were, since it’s fairly easy to tell that these hard rockers were actually Zartan and his original Dreadnoks in disguise. But while the Joe team foiled Cobra’s dastardly plot in the TV show, Cold Slither lives on.

This summer will actually see the theme continued in the form of an exclusive action figure box set from Hasbro, but before we get to that, there’s another treat in store. And as you can tell from the headline, that is a re-done single of Cold Slither‘s original hypnotic track… just uh, without the hypnotics.

The new tune comes courtesy of a partnership between toy giant Hasbro and Reigning Phoenix Music, and the result is pretty darn cool video that’s been animated by Costin Chioreanu.

Shake the world, and hit play

“Bringing COLD SLITHER to life through our partnership with RPM has been an absolute dream come true! As a child watching this fictional band on my TV screen, I never imagined I’d one day help transform them from animated rockstars into a tangible, sonic reality. From the meticulously crafted figures you can hold in your hand to the face-melting album we’ve created, G.I. JOE fans worldwide are about to experience something truly revolutionary this summer. This project bridges nostalgia with innovation in ways that will leave the community speechless—prepare for a musical assault that would make Cobra Commander proud!” shares Ben”BMac” MacCrae — Associate Brand Manager, Global Brand Development & Marketing at Hasbro. 

Reigning Phoenix Music General Manager and Co-founder Gerardo Martinez comments: “It is a dream come true to be able to work on this amazing collaboration with my favorite, and one that happens to be one of the most iconic brands in the world: G.I.JOE!  It is also a pleasure to work on this amazing project alongside some of my friends from Hasbro and be able to bring Cold Slither into reality in the most Heavy Metal way! Many of us have waited 40 years for this to happen but the wait is finally over. And a special thanks to Michael Charles Hill for writing the original COLD SLITHER episode back in 1985.“

“It’s programs like these that make Hasbro’s goal of creating Magic Moments truly come to life! What started out as a cult-classic episode from the 1985 series G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero has culminated into a fan program for the ages – inclusive of toys, comics, and of course, music. It could not have been made possible without amazing licensees like Reigning Phoenix Music who put their passion, expertise, and fandom into everything they create. We’re extremely excited for everyone to rock out to this single and we plan to reveal even more as we move closer to San Diego Comic Con. So, as the single echos, we hope… “you’ll be joining us soon!””  says Alyse D’Antuono — Hasbro’s VP of Global Franchise Strategy & Management for Action Brands

Hasbro press release

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Yo Joe

G.I. Joe first saw publication way back in 1982. And from those early days through the mid-90s, it had a home over at Marvel Comics. When that came to an end, the book kind of disappeared until the early 2000s, when it bounced about a little.

If you’ve followed the title, then you know that the license’s journey ended with IDW, who picked it up and ran with it, bringing back a full-blown continuation of the original A Real American Hero run. Sure, the publisher had other Joe books here and there as well, but ARAH was the main line title. As you can see though, that’s coming to an end with issue #300.

The closing out of the title comes as IDW loses the license altogether, though they’re ushering it out with a bang. Iconic Joe writer Larry Hama will be scripting the title, with art by SL Gallant, inks from Maria Keane, colors by J. Brown, and letters by Neil Uyetake.

Here’s a statement from the legend himself:

“I handed in the plot to G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #300, which is the final issue of the series for IDW, with a mix of sadness and amazement. Sad, that a storyline I began in 1982 is coming to an end, and amazement that it has lasted this long. “Back in 1982, it was common knowledge that a toy licensed comic lasted one to two years at the most, and toy companies were reluctant to let a series based on a toy line run longer than three years, lest they get stuck with warehouses full of unsaleable Cabbage Patch Dolls or Beanie Babies. Every year that G.I. JOE and Transformers made it to the next season seemed miraculous.

“I remember finishing the very first G.I. JOE story, and thinking to myself that that was it, those were all the ideas I had. I had no clue what to do for the next issue. 

“So I did what I’ve been doing now for forty years: I jumped into the deep end of the pool and wrote page one without any idea about what would happen on page two. Then I slogged ahead, page by page, until I got to the end.

“I’ve never been concerned about ‘plot’ or ‘continuity.’ Most of G.I. JOE is a long, continuous ret-con. My main concern has always been the characters, getting them to stand up and walk around inside their own universe. My second concern is visual storytelling—making sure the story is carried along in an impactful way by the succession of images. The words always come dead last, and that’s why I don’t identify as a ‘writer,’ but as more of a ‘penciler with a word processor.’

“I did 155 issues at Marvel, and they pretty much gave me free reign to do what I pleased. When IDW got the license, they wisely chose to turn me loose with my own methods, and I happily produced a run that is only five issues short of my Marvel run. The editors and staff at IDW have been incredibly understanding and supportive.In particular, they’ve been highly respectful and considerate of all my odd working methods and peccadillos. I’m thankful to all of them. Now, however, I have come to the end and it truly feels like leaving home, leaving characters that have been my friends for four decades—many of which are, in fact, based on my actual friends and acquaintances—and I can feel a real emptiness looming.

“Somehow, though, I suspect the story doesn’t completely end here, that the story will go on and the PIT will not be in mothballs for long. See you in the next incarnation!”

G.I. Joe writer Larry Hama

G.I. Joe issue #300 will have a total of 5 covers, including an amazing looking wraparound. That one will squeeze in a staggering 313 classic heroes and villains from the book’s run. So get out your magnifier.

Issue #300 lands on the racks later this year.

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An icon

There are a few categories where G.I. Joe, as a franchise, is more than notable as “iconic”. Actually, it’s almost any category of pop culture that you can think of. Toys, cartoons, comic books… Joe is a legend in all of them. Of course, you can’t say the same about movies, where the property has fallen puzzlingly short. And, for that matter, you can throw video games in with that.

Yes, I know there were some decent NES games released and a kinda/sorta cool arcade title. But honestly, this is G.I. Joe we’re talking about here, and there should be all kinds of great games for it stretched out across the console generations. But there aren’t.

For some reason Joe-parent Hasbro has never put any kind of emphasis on video game adaptations of the property. In fact, it’d gone silent all-together since the ill-fated movie game a few years back.

Now though, we have Operation Blackout, a video game based on the new action figure line… or maybe it’s the other way around.

Premise

Take G.I. Joe and bring him into the modern age. And by that, I mainly mean the cartoon version of Joe, and their nemesis’ in the terrorist supervillain organization known as Cobra. Unfortunately, the comics version, which started under the Marvel banner and is now homed at IDW, looks to have been too mature for what publisher GameMill and Hasbro wanted to do with the property.

That’s not the best in my opinion, and a missed opportunity. The fanbase for Joe isn’t young, in fact it’s pretty darn mature at this point. I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling like a matchingly ‘mature’ gaming take on the property could definitely have worked.

But nevertheless, what we have is essentially a modernized version of the weekday afternoon ‘toon from the 80s. That means laser guns, over the top action, and battles where nobody actually dies. A quick note on that last part – all of the enemies are Cobra BATS (Battle Android Troopers) or the Joe facsimile. Yeah, take all of those awesome Cobra vipers from throughout the history of the property (and thoughts of Steel Brigade and greenshirts for that matter) and ditch ’em.

But even so, and keep in mind I do say this as an older fan, the main story is actually really cool. The narrative unfolds with Cobra taking the Joes’ mobile HQ, the aircraft carrier known as the FLAGG. Yes, they actually win. Told you the story was cool.

From there, Cobra activates something called the Blackout Sphere. That kills all of the power on Earth, excepting theirs. No you’re not dreaming, Cobra rises up and takes the globe. But even that is a but of a ruse, as the story twists a bit and only slowly reveals itself. Action cuts back and forth through time, bouncing between Joe and Cobra viewpoints.

You’ll find a dozen total Joes and Cobras to play as, as well as a few vehicles to drive. Tack on an arena battle multiplayer mode, and away you go.

Presentation

Operation Blackout looks decent enough. It’s bright and colorful, and even has some nicely staged levels. No, the game isn’t going to knock your socks off in terms of graphics, but it’s a sight better than I had assumed it was going to be.

For the most part, the characters look terrific. The models that the main skins for each hero and villain feature are based off of the modern line of action figures, just with an animated look. So if you dig those, and you probably do if you’re a Joe fan, then you should like this too.

The levels themselves look good enough, with the same animated feel as the characters and some nice effects happening here and there. Though again I feel like there are a lot of missed opportunities.

Yes, there’s the FLAGG, but while there’s a Cobra Island, there’s no Terrordrome. G.I. Joe has a ton of playsets from the classic toy line and setting from the show that could have been used in the game. How about a larger, more structured version of the Battle Platform for a sea-based mission that also works in the WHALE Hovercraft and Cobra Hydrofoils?

With a property as big and expansive as G.I. Joe, there’s just so much to pick from that there isn’t a need to make up new stuff. And while I do understand the desire to let the creative team’s ideas take shape, working in more of what Joe is known for could only be considered a good thing.

I also want to mention the cut-scenes, which are mostly static and done like comic art. I have seen this a few times this year now in games, and I have to wonder if it’s done more out of necessity (thanks to covid keeping teams apart) than anything else. There is voice-acting, which is actually pretty decent, but the motion-comic style isn’t great otherwise.

Gameplay

If I was to boil Operation Blackout’s gameplay down to one phrase, it’d be ‘hit and miss’. The gunplay is actually pretty fun, with a number of weapons to make use of, some of which are really neat. What’s on the miss side though, is that Operation Blackout clearly wants to have a Gears of War-style cover system, and it just… doesn’t.

Dotted around most maps are cover points, behind which you can crouch and popup to attack. There’s no method to ‘stick’ to these points though, so you just kind of crouch down and do the best you can.

And by the way, the BATs will be doing that as well, the best they can. I’m not talking about taking cover, as most of them will just run up to you and open fire. And if you happen to be facing an enemy agent as a boss battle, that’s almost all that they do. So cover is completely useless in that case.

Aside from that, the melee is nearly pointless too, which is kind of a big deal. Remember that two of the biggest characters in the franchise are Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow, and both are mostly about close combat. Does Storm Shadow even use a gun ever in anything besides this game? I can’t think of an instance.

Other than that, controls are very straightforward and solidly done. You can jump, shoot, dodge, use special abilities that are extremely easy to miss with, and active-reload. Yep, active-reloads. OB has one more tribute to Gears.

Overall

Okay, so here’s the thing, there’s a lot with Operation Blackout that could have been better. But even so, I still had fun with it. That might be because I’m a huge Joe fan who’s not gotten a game since the movie-inspired one in 2009, or a good one since the days of the NES.

So yeah, I’m a bit starved, and I’d reckon that most G.I. Joe fans feel similarly. So if that’s you, then there’s probably a chance that you’ll find a surprising amount to like about this little game. If not though, and you’re just looking for a new action title to shoot your way through, then this one’s probably safe to skip.

G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout
Release Date: October 13th, 2020
Platform(s): Xbox One (reviewed), PS4, Switch, PC
Publisher: Gamemill
Developer: Iguanabee, Fair Play Labs
MSRP: $39.99 USD

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Unclassified

As far as fan-requested lines of action figures go, a 6″ G.I. Joe line might have been the most wanted ever. All that asking finally paid off earlier this year, when Hasbro announced the toys at Toy Fair.

Now months later, wave 1 is out there (sort of), and we have the official announcement of wave 2. I… guess? I’m wondering if there might be more to be revealed actually, since as full waves of action figures go, this is a disappointingly small one.

Wave 1 had a total of 5 figures, which is fine. Wave 2 though, as we see it now, only has 3. Well, 4 if you count a variant. Yes, we have a variant in the line already. And yes, it does seem a little soon for that. Honestly though, it is kind of a fun figure, and is definitely a niche fave of long time Joe fans.

Known as Pimp Daddy Destro since its intro at a Joe-Con years ago (in 3.75″ form), “Profit Director Destro” has a golden mask, and… dubiously designed clothing. He uh, he looks like a “Profit Director” alright. He also includes a stack of cash with a fiery effect coming off of it, which is admittedly pretty awesome.

Other than Laird McCullen, wave 2 also includes classic Joe Gung Ho, Cobra Commander (who we’ve seen already), and a Red Ninja. I have to admit that I’m a little shocked there’s no Cobra Trooper or Vipers of any type included, especially since we’ve seen the Alley Vipers on the promo poster. Then again, you never know, we might see them later in the year, or maybe wave 2 hasn’t been fully revealed yet after all.

Either way, I’m sure we’ll see some more Cobra’s before long. And it’s so far so good, as Joe’s new line takes shape.

You can pre-order all of the above from our friends at Entertainment Earth right now. As usual, if you order via the links here, BG will make a small commission from the sales.

• G.I. Joe Classified Series 6-Inch Gung Ho Action Figure
• G.I. Joe Classified Series 6-Inch Cobra Commander Figure
• G.I. Joe Classified Series 6-Inch Red Ninja Action Figure
• G.I. Joe Classified Series Profit Director Destro Figure

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Or should that be ‘second big event’?

Technically, I guess Revolution was the first big event book/series for the Hasbro-verse. That was the trigger, the crossover that actually merged the different toy line-based comics into one cohesive universe. And the push has apparently proved pretty successful, as IDW has announced a “season 2”.

Not content to simply carry runs through to a new year, IDW will be holding another major crossover. And yes, that means that the current runs on some of these books will be halted. It’s all to make way for First Strike, and it promises to be a doozy.

IDW’s Editor-in-Chief, David Hedgecock says, “This is what REVOLUTION has been building towards over the past year. It’s been an exciting first season of action in the Hasbro shared universe which laid the foundation for all-new stories and adventures, but now with FIRST STRIKE, we’re shaking things up and, once again, disrupting the status quo forever. It’s a perfect time for readers, new and old, to jump on board and join us for one raucously fun ride!”

A jumping on point, and plenty more

First Strike basically centers on the fact the Earth has been brought into a kind of galactic UN by the Autobots. Optimus Prime is right there are the fore for that of course, and there are more than a few people who aren’t crazy about having an alien in charge. People like GI Joe’s Joe Colton.

This August, General Joe Colton, the original G.I. JOE, will take the fight directly to the TRANSFORMERS home world of Cybertron in the Hasbro Comic Book Event of 2017 – First Strike!

This six-part, bi-weekly series will feature the talents of writers Mairghread Scott (TRANSFORMERS) and David A. Rodriguez (SKYLANDERS), with art by Max Dunbar (DUNGEONS & DRAGONS), and colors by Ander Zarate (MICRONAUTS).

Earth’s heroes have united after the explosive events of last year’s REVOLUTION! Bringing together G.I. JOE, ROM, the MICRONAUTS, M.A.S.K.: MOBILE ARMORED STRIKE KOMMAND, ACTION MAN, and the TRANSFORMERS, Earth has never been more secure now that it has become a member of the Council of Worlds due to Optimus Prime’s leadership.

But oversight and control isn’t what everyone wants; especially when that control is in the hands of alien forces…

So, does that mean that Colton is a villain? You’ll have to read the series to find out. And fortunately, that shouldn’t break the bank, thanks to how IDW has arranged things.

One-shots galore

Yes, this is a big old fashioned comic book crossover event. But unlike what you might see from other publishers, IDW won’t be continuing its current runs of books during it. Instead, the Revolution runs of these books will be concluding, and giving way to First Strike. FS will function as an entry for Season 2, which is a pretty slick idea, and keeps nicely with the television legacies of properties like Transformers and Joe.

That creates a spate of titles that’ll be hitting from August through December. The one shots tied into First Strike will be first, with the all-new #1’s coming around the end of the calendar year. And man, are the #1’s sounding interesting.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Things begin with the main First Strike series, which arrives with issue #1 in August. You can also expect a free #0 issue in September, which is also when the one shots begin.

Those will look a little something like this:

September

• Micronauts: First Strike, by Christos Gage and Chris Panda,
• G.I. Joe: First Strike, by Aubrey Sitterson and Ilias Kyriazis
• Optimus Prime: First Strike by John Barberand Guido Guidi

October

• M.A.S.K.: MOBILE ARMORED STRIKE KOMMAND.: First Strike, by Aubrey Sitterson and Ilias Kyriazis
• Rom: First Strike, by by Christos Gage and Chris Panda
• TRANSFORMERS: First Strike by John Barber and Guido Guidi

Also, and this is kind of cool, IDW says that the one shots are strictly for those fans who want more. So they aren’t 100% necessary to read, if you just want the basic First Strike storyline. Thumbs up there guys.

But what happens after that? Well that’s when things get really interesting. When the dust settles on First Strike, Season 2 begins. And again, the titles of Season 2’s books are as tantalizing as it gets for fans. We’ve only got two to go on so far though, so there’s more to come. First up, is ROM & The Micronauts #1. Pretty cool right? Nice little mash up there. Second? G.I. Joe Unmasked.

There’s a TON that could be read into that title. GI Joe is more or less a military superhero team after all, and they’re at the center of the events of First Strike. So I think it’d probably be fair to say that there might be more than meets the eye going on here.

What exactly, is a pretty big mystery still, though I can imagine a few things pretty easily.

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It’s a racing rumble on the kitchen table

How freaking cool does this look? Seriously, if you’re a fan of Micro Machines, it’s kind of obvious that this might be a game to check out. But then there are the G.I. Joe vehicles that are in there, and all the assorted Hasbro stuff in general. That Ouija board stage looks too awesome.

Oh, and lest you think that this might be a somewhat shallow racing/combat experience, consider the customization options. According to developers Codemasters, the game should offer plenty to keep you coming back.

“Players will quickly gain an affinity with a particular vehicle and find it suits their style of play,” he continued. “You can master one vehicle collecting all the 25+ customizations, but then have a whole host of variety choosing and mastering all the other vehicles in the game.”

There’ll be a dozen cars overall by the way. So there’s a nice little selection there too for the base rides. Past that, you can also expect a mixture of classic and new arenas to duke it out in. From the sounds of it, there should be a solid assortment. Art Director Stuart Campbell says: “New locations like the workshop complement Micro Machines classics like the games room and classroom. Dodging pool balls while trying to shoot a G.I. JOE MOBAT has never looked so good or felt so fun.”

So when can you expect to dig into all this mini-madness? That’s be June the 23rd, when Micro Machines World Series pulls onto the PS4, Xbox One, and Steam for the PC.

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Snake in the Grass

Officially part three of the Snake in the Grass story arc, GI Joe: A Real American Hero #232 is overflowing with action. However, it’s a little too much at times and the jumping around does seem to get in the way.

Things kick off with some nautical action, following Deep Six (sans classic deep dive suit) and Cutter. The pair are trapped within a Cobra BAT facility. It’s a complex that turns out the deadliest BAT’s in the terrorist group’s arsenal. Now, I would have enjoyed just staying there. But that’s not to be, as we quickly move to NYC for a storyline involving Storm Shadow. Well, him and a young girl who’s been imprinted with the memories of the deceased Snake Eyes (spoiler alert).

And if that’s not enough, we also move to a Cobra base under the desert sands (with a bunch of characters I’ve never heard of). That’s before we top things off with Duke, Roadblock, and others as they see action in the fictional middle-eastern country of Benzheen. Yep, as I said, it’s a lot.

A quick pace

As you might imagine with all that, this issue moves fast. Writer Larry Hama is a legendary comic book scribe, and I only have the highest regard for his work (especially as an old-school Joe fan), but the pacing seems off here. There’s just too much happening, and none of it has as much of a punch as it should. And believe me, there are some big moments.

Thankfully, even though it does feel rushed, the writing is as fun as ever. Hama knows his Joes and he knows them well. I guess he should, since he’s been writing them since the original Marvel run of A Real American Hero (which this book is a continuation of).

Working nicely with the script too, is the art of penciler SL Gallant. I’m not overly familiar with Gallant’s work, but everything here is done well. He brings clean lines and a classic ‘superhero’ style of comic book art to GI Joe. It fits really well, and he variates nicely between all the locales that the issue takes readers to. Not an overly easy task.

Revolution looms

I can’t help but get the feeling though, that there was an urgency to get storylines wrapped with this issue. It certainly seems like Hama was pushing things along gingerly, something that I’m not used to seeing. And I have to wonder if the reason for that is the oncoming Revolution event.

If you’re not familiar, Revolution is IDW’s first shared-universe. It’ll bring properties like GI Joe together with Transformers, Action Man, MASK, Micronauts, and more. All of them inhabiting the same universe. I love the idea, and what I’ve seen so far is extremely promising, so I’m all for it. What I don’t know though, is what’s happening to the ‘standalone universe’ Joe book that we’re talking about here.

If it’s going to stay separate and exist alongside something new, then I don’t get the need to wrap up four storylines in one issue. If not though, and the book is going to be replaced with a new one that’s in the new continuity, it makes a lot more sense. I just don’t know which of those options I’d prefer.

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