So now we've seen the first footage of "G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra," and reaction in fandom circles has been decidedly mixed. And while I admit to being slightly thrown off by the plethora of skin-tight black outfits, there are a number of reasons why director Stephen Sommers' take on the iconic 1980's toy line may be worth standing in line for. And just so you know where I'm coming from, along with possessing over a hundred action figures, I own every "G.I. Joe" comic ever printed, including "Special Missions," "Yearbooks," the 3-D one-offs and the European printings of "Action Force." So yeah, I'm legit. But back to the film...
First and foremost, "Rise of Cobra" relies on Larry Hama's classic 155-issue comic book run as its source material, rather than the considerably more childish television show. Not only that, but Hama himself was hired as a consultant. As such, key relationships from the comic -- such as the link between Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow -- are carried over, and important details like Snake-Eyes staying silent are left intact. Having spoken to Hama, the godfather of "Joe" has an intense enthusiasm for the project and swears on its faithfulness, and as the man who single-handedly crafted my childhood, I take him at his word. Read more...
He’s one of fandom’s most celebrated characters, an honor-bound warrior upholding the virtues of an earlier time. And for a moment, he nearly sold his principals down the river simply to get a movie deal.