Casey Talks "G.I. Joe: America's Elite"

Primal · Jun 9, 2005

STRENGTH OF CHARACTER: CASEY TALKS "G.I. JOE: AMERICA'S ELITE"
by Dave Richards, Contributing Writer
Posted: June 9, 2005

The G.I. Joe-Cobra war is coming to a close. The Joes have experienced heavy losses and now they find themselves not only fighting the remaining forces of Cobra, but a new terrorist threat as well, the Red Shadows. The team is outgunned and wounded, but the G.I. Joe team won't back down, they'll step up and show the world why they are "America's Elite." The new monthly series, "G.I. Joe: America's Elite" written by Joe Casey with art by Stefano Casseli, launches this July from Devils Due Publishing with a special $.25 cent zero issue. Casey briefed CBR News on the new, more dangerous era for the G.I. Joe team.

What drew Casey to the monthly "G.I. Joe" book was the work of the title's previous writers. "Josh offered me the opportunity to take on the relaunch late last year. When he sent me the full DDP run that had been published up until that point, I was really impressed with how cool the series was," Casey told CBR News. "I give full props to Josh for bringing back this franchise with a true fan's passion. So, when a bar's set that high, the challenge alone gets me interested. The characters are great, the fans are a dedicated crowd, so I figured it'd be a fun ride."

When "G.I. Joe: America's Elite" begins, a year has passed since readers last saw the Joe team. The year allowed Casey to adopt more of a clean slate approach to the title. When the title begins, many new things are happening to the G.I. Joe team. "They've gone back to a covert status (which a few Joes jeopardize in the very first issue!), they've got a new CO and a new headquarters located in an American landmark" said Casey.

Casey would not reveal who would be part of the new team. "Readers will have to check out the book to find out the answers to those questions," he explained. "Seeing the new status quo is part of the fun."

The G.I. Joe team isn't the only ones entering a new era. The Joe's principal adversary, Cobra, has undergone a number of changes as well. "This is the only thing I can say about the current series-- the way it wraps up has an enormous effect on Cobra and their presence in the world," Casey said. "I think Cobra Commander is one of the coolest villains in comic books and one of the main things we've set out to do with the new series is to reinstall a sense of mystique to him. He should be the heavy hitter in the Joe's universe, the man that truly gives them pause. And, even more worrisome than when he is around... is when he isn't. Cobra Commander will end up being the obsession of more than one of the Joes."

Readers shouldn't expect to immediately see a huge number of former foes in "G.I. Joe: America's Elite." "Some of the Joes' adversaries are going to be placed on the shelf for awhile, at least for the first year," Casey explained. "One of my mandates has been to streamline things and provide a good jumping on point (yup, that old chestnut!) for any newcomers. Plenty of old favorites will be showing up for the party, but I'm keeping a tight focus so things don't ever spiral out of control. Sometimes, too many characters running around leaves no room for real drama."

There is one old enemy readers will definitely see in the pages of "America's Elite." "Destro is probably one of my favorite characters, from way back when I first saw the action figure that one of my childhood friends-- who was the G.I. Joe collector of our little clique-- got for his birthday," Casey explained. "Maybe because he's got a real Doctor Doom thing going for him. He's regal and evil at the same time. And, of course, the death of the Baroness has made him more driven than ever, but in a whole new way."

In addition to old threats the G.I. Joe team will also be battling new opponents. Casey said that expanding the Joe's universe was another reason for the relaunch.

The plot of the book won't be broken up into short multi-part arcs. "I haven't really been writing any of my comic books in 'arcs' lately," Casey said. "I think the whole 'Part 1 of X'-mentality has been burned out lately. Issue #0 kicks off a long story that will take many twists and turns through the first year of the series. Character relationships and old rivalries take center stage, accompanying catastrophic events that put the 'war' back into G.I. Joe as a 'war comic.'"

The tone of "America's Elite" will reflect what Casey feels is the book's most important elements. "Military-styled, hi-octane action plus deeper characterization and emotional drama," Casey said. "We want readers to get reinvested in the characters again. If we can do that, mission accomplished."

Casey hopes that the characters and their interactions will become the primary reason readers pick up 'G.I. Joe: America's Elite." "I think the main difference between the new series and previous volumes is that harder focus on character relationships. Sometimes readers of a franchise that's been around for awhile can start to care more about the characters because of their own personal attachment rather than the events that take place within the actual stories themselves. It's only natural and it's one of the great things about comic books, that kind of intense reader interaction and the way certain characters spark the imagination. What we're hoping is to get people talking about the actual stories again, seeing exactly what happens to these characters right on the page and getting caught up in it."
Click to expand...

View:
"G.I. Joe: America's Elite" #0, Page 8
"G.I. Joe: America's Elite" #0, Page 13
"G.I. Joe: America's Elite" #0, Page 14
"G.I. Joe: America's Elite" #1
"G.I. Joe: America's Elite" #1, Page 6
"G.I. Joe: America's Elite" #1, Page 14
Source: Comic Book Resources

Kickback · Jun 9, 2005

No offense ... but that looks like shyte.

"We want to focus on a core group of characters" = "Hasbro said we need to focus on the characters that are going to be toys" ... and "Cobra Commander not being around is part of the story!" = "Hasbro isn't releasing Cobra Commander in the new Elite line, so we can't use him."

Primal · Jun 9, 2005

The art reminds me of Defex.
EDIT: Just check, it's the same artist.

Anyway, here's a 5 page preview for Elite #0

Click images to enlarge.

Kickback · Jun 9, 2005

Still not liking it. *shrug*

Wingwolf77 · Jun 10, 2005

No different that what is going on with the new Transformers. Hasbro seems to be calling all the shots again. And they don't want to lose the old fans, so they try and sell it like it's just like the 80's brand.

ginrai · Jun 10, 2005

The Gijoe Comics been Shitty since Issue 27

Issue 25, Snake eyes Catches a GRENADE in the chest., and in issue 27 he is kicking the Crap out of a Ninja master.. All this after Brandon Jerwa PROMISED not to over used him. He has Since been the Sole Reason for 3 mini series, and the Entire Run of the main book bar a few issues.

Jerwa= Fanboy Hack. Should have Atleast moved Chuck Dixon over from Reloaded Series when they Canned that just as it was getting good..

They make this HUGE fucking deal about Chuck dixon coming to Write there books. He comes on in issue 10, and then they Shitcan it at Issue 14.

centurian · Jun 10, 2005

I bought every issue of the devil's due Joe run - but I'm not sure I'm going to even bother with this. Joe Colton' back from the dead and they've gone and turned shipwreck into a hobo - but at least he looks more womanly than scarlet does there!

I'm sorry but the last story arc was shit - and I can't honestly see this as being any better.

I know they intended this re-launch to be a jump on point for new readers - but I think I may well be jumping off. As far as GI Joe goes - I think I've lost the faith.

ginrai · Jun 11, 2005

I dont think thats Joe colton. I think thats some one all new.

centurian · Jun 11, 2005

The president calls him Colton on page 4 and then Joseph on page 5.

With all due respect to Joe Colton fans - I was begining to quite like sur.. General Rey.

Star Saber · Jun 15, 2005

hmm so storm shadow's back with the joes...
is this a decision by hasbro? they look so confused, first he's a cobra ninja, then gi joe, then cobra again, then back to gi joe? i mean seriously now...

ginrai · Jun 15, 2005

No Hasbro wants him to stay a Cobra last i heard.

I think its just More Fanwankiness on DDPs part.

Edge · Jun 15, 2005

well i picked up the 25 cent issue today and i dont think it was that bad from what i read. But i never really read the previous series so from a new guys point of view looks rather intresting.

Wreckgar · Jun 15, 2005

Yea, I spent a shiny quarter on this and have to say, it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. However it also didn't seem that promising. here's why...

SPOILER

- Hawk is going insane with rage against CC. He wants Duke to be his mole on the team so he knows what's going on as well as making it their mission to find CC.
- Flint is also insane from the death of Lady jaye. Almost killed a Viper.
- Storm Shadow is on the team? When did he turn good?
- Sipwreck looks like a bum.

The only good thing is seeing Joe Colton as acting general of the squad. A squad of 7. Which I think bites. I want to see beachhead, Rock n Roll, and the rest. Not just Flint, Duke, Scarlett, SS, Snake-Eyes, Roadblock. A team of the consistantly overused players. YAWN

ginrai · Jun 15, 2005

But did they explain how Joe Colton survived ? But then they Brought back Vance wingfeild.. a man we saw get Shot IN PANEL in issue 4 of the marvel series.

Wreckgar · Jun 15, 2005

Joe was said to be critically shot but survived. They mention this in the last issue of the previous series.

ginrai · Jun 15, 2005

ahh Ive not read either of them.. Ive made up my mind not to read the series again until Hawk is back walking.

wheeljack01 · Jun 17, 2005

In my opinion the image/devils due series has done pretty much nothing but piss on my favorite characters. Though i like how destro was handed in the series from time to time.

centurian · Jun 17, 2005

I deliberate haven't picked up the issue 0 out of protest of how frigging bad the last story arc was.

I've also deliberately avioded the spolier just in case I do pick it up at some point.

In not geting this, am I just cutting my nose of to smite my face? Or does it have any redemable features?

I'm still no sold on the idea of this "relaunch" - but if someone can shine a glimmer of hope my way I might be willing to part with 20p.

ginrai · Jun 17, 2005

well.. Quite frankly no.

From most of the people i talked to at my comic shop, Theyve been alienated by the Disgusting display in the last arc of Killing off anyone jerwa could get his hands on.

I think killing Lady jaye was just the straw that broke the camels back. This " Relaunch" Could actually loose them customers, becuase now that its not a continueing number, People dont feel the need to keep buying it even if its not very good.

Spartan-117 · Jun 18, 2005

So they went mental and killed everyone last time around? That's never a good idea. Despite that I think from the previews it looks pretty good, I've never really followed GI Joe at all and it looks like an interesting jump on point. Although I'm confused as to why Storm Shadow is listed as a good guy. I always thought he was a baddie.

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Casey Talks "G.I. Joe: America's Elite"

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Casey Talks "G.I. Joe: America's Elite"

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