G.I. Combat: J.T. Krul, Ariel Olivetti, Rob Leigh, Viktor Kalvachev

The Unknown Soldier: Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti, Dan Panosian, Rob Schwager, Rob Leigh

Alright, so I don’t know what’s going on with Olivetti. because that first page just looks really awkward and the characters are in positions, facing directions, or making facial expressions that are just wrong for the conversation. I was about ready to write it all off together when I turned the page and got to the war with the dinosaurs part. Here, things look much, much better. Stevens doesn’t look like he’s on the cover of a smutty romance novel, and the facial expressions are believable.

The dinosaurs look good too, apart from the cliche color designs and lack of feathers. Yeah, call me a loyalist, but the studies are proving it. So yammer all you want. Dinos had feathers. So…THEN…I turn the page AGAIN and I get dinos with feathers!!!

….WHAT’S HAPPENING? IS THIS BOOK READING MY MIND?

Every time! Something’s bleh on one page, and on the next, it’s fixed! The only thing that doesn’t make sense that wasn’t fixed was the territory thing. Dinosaurs were known to be very territorial. It was proven fact when the T-rex and the Spinosaurus fight over it in Jurassic Park 3. I’ve done my homework. So all of these dinos, herbivores like Stegosaurus and Triceratops, and carnivores like T-rex and some kind of raptor, are grouping together to attack the humans all at once. That…doesn’t make sense to me. It makes for a GREAT scene full of bitey-stabby, I’ll admit that, but it makes me wonder if something’s up. Like we’re supposed to go, “Hey, those dinosaurs don’t flock together!”

Now if only Stevens and Elliot would stop making the same growly faces at each other. >:(

Meanwhile, at the Ammmmmd, the Unknown Soldier is getting regenerative surgery. The military people ask where the proposed nanite reconstructors are, the doctor counters by saying she mentioned what happened to those in a document they must have missed. The military quips about the length of the document. Everybody guffaws…but military style…so, with stoic grouchiness.

Basically, the Unknown Soldier (i’mma just call him US from now— HEY WAIT A MINUTE!!) is getting the most technologically and medically accurate explanation to a “healing factor” I’ve ever seen. And a putty face. One he can use to look like anybody for two days. Somehow I think that time limit is going to play into future plots.

And…wow…that dream is, uh, CRAZY. Severely disturbing. And I suddenly question Panosian’s art when US’s son looks completely different between side-by-side panels. So US is sent on a test run with all his new…biological improvements? What the hell is he, the Bionic Man? Might as well be! See, I liked, last ish, how this was all about the pseudo-realism. How it was made to be like a normal, non-superhuman story. And then they made him a superhero. Instant healing? Hardened bones? A super memory? Not what I was expecting. He kicks ass, I’ll give him that. Reminds me of an Arnold movie.

…Well sonuvagun. It reminds me of an Arnold movie, and then they go and say there’s a biological weapon out there called “Crimson Jihad.” ….Are you serious? True Lies anyone? True Lies? Great movie, one of my favorites…but that’s a little too on-the-nose to be not on purpose. I asked both Justin and Jimmy whose idea that was, no response as of this writing. (Mr. Gray has informed me that it was coincidence. Cool, but a coincidence)

We’re given a killer twist ending, too.

G.I. Combat #2, the verdict: So each story feels a little longer than the first issue, which is good. But I honestly found myself enjoying Justin and Jimmy’s story better. Which was something I was NOT expecting at all. Especially given how they practically turned him into a metahuman. But darnit if it’s not so much fun to read!! I might…just might…be getting #3 now.

(Photo Source: iFanBoy)