Customer Reviews

G.I. Joe - Snake Eyes: Declassified (V. 1)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

He's been the most popular, enigmatic, and certainly most mysterious member of the G.I. Joe team...well, forever. He is Snake Eyes and in Devil's Due's latest trade paperback, his story is finally revealed...mostly. This 192 page trade paperback collects the six issue Snake Eyes Declassified mini-series and is written by Brandon Jerwa, with art by Emiliano Santalucia and Robert Atkins. What Jerwa essentially does is take the pieces and fragments about his life from the near 25 year history of G.I. Joe comics written by Larry Hama and others, and weave them into a cohesive history and to lift the veil(almost) on this character. One of the best things that Devil's Due did with the book is list a source guide for each of the six issues noting where certain characters were first met and were events took place. For example, the source guide notes that Snake-Eyes' first job in a gas station was first mentioned back in G.I. Joe #10 from Marvel Comics.

We see him having his last dinner with his sister and parents before he's off to the frontlines. By this time he's already been through significant training. And we'll see him in action for the first time and the reservations that his fellow soldiers have about the man who already has earned a reputation as a soldier who gets the job done. The tragic events of his own accident, and the accident that would kill his family eventually push him into a dark life with a man who would go on to play a very important role in G.I. Joe history.

Snake-Eyes eventually finds his salvation with his friend Thomas Arashikage, of Clan Arashikage in Japan. Most of the middle of the story centers around his life and development with the clan as we see him develop into the character who would become Snake-Eyes. A lot of fabric and continuity is woven in here and I don't want to reveal too many of the details. In the introduction, long-time scribe Larry Hama says "these revelations are not what I would have done" although he doesn't make clear if he means the fact they were revealed at all, or how they were revealed. But Hama also notes that this is the point--to pick up the ball and run with it and ultimately let the fans decide.

I think Devil's Due truly gets it right with this story. They reveal much, but still keep much hidden. When Snake-Eyes visits the graves of his parents and sister, the last name is carefully covered by shadows or leaves, still maintaining some of the character's mystery.

Reviewed by Tim Janson

I read the Marvel series as a kid and loved it. I didn't like what Devil's Due did with the new series, but Snake Eyes: Declassified is a wonderful exception. All the random and scattered tidbits of his history from the Marvel series have been assembled in chronological order and weaved into a wonderful story, as well as a few neat surprises that better explain motivations of certain characters. In addition to the great story, the art is also high quality. A lot of time and effort was put into this. I highly recommend this. Not just for old fans, but also for newbies and anyone who is interested in a deep, complex, and emotional narrative.

I bought this as a gift for my bf's birthday. Snake Eyes is his favorite character in the GI Joe series. He said the thing he liked best about the novel was that it really helped flesh out the character's back story with previously unreleased information. He also really liked the art style and said it was very well done. He's difficult to please, but this gift hit the mark.

VERY GOOD READ. ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH. RECEIVED THE ITEM VERY QUICKLY. THIS IS A GREAT READ FOR GI JOE FANS.

A lot of fun, especially for someone who only followed the TV series. Great and interesting, despite little quirks here and there...don't get bent out of shape over the small stuff. Just enjoy it! And to see the history behind this guy makes everything that much more interesting when you read the main story.