I understand where you are coming from caboose. I felt the same way about the IDW main title the first 6 issues. I was highly disappointed with it and was just picking up issues hoping that it would finally be good, but the over-the-top sci-fi elements made me drop the book outright. I have picked up a few issues since (#13, #20-22), but I refuse to waste any of my hard earned money on a story that includes such a stupid plot device.

As for ARAH, I too am disappointed about the prominence of the BWS. While it isn't as ridiculous as the MASS device, the continued use of it is really going to grate on my enjoyment of the title. Thankfully I have enjoyed the rest of the story and am looking forward to Shannon's art, so hopefully things will improve instead of get worse. I freely admit that I give Mr. Hama much more leeway than Dixon, but that is because he has earned it. As long as the BWS use of a plot device ends with this storyline then I can deal with it. If it is going to continue on then I don't know how long I will be able to keep buying it. I don't like the fact that we have BWS-Snake-Eyes, but I can't lie and say it isn't intriguing. I mean he has already defeated the BWS on multiple occasions, the latest being the dreadful brainwashed ninjas storyline. Certainly not Mr. Hama's best work. Having Tommy free of it though is probably the greatest point so far and like Overlord I am hoping that we see the DDP Storm Shadow series version of Tommy.

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"He is a legend - his name whispered under the breath of a thousand enemies: SNAKE-EYES"

I don't have a huge problem with the BWS. It will certainly be interesting to see what happens to Destro et al when the BWS is finally put to bed.
As far as SE goes, I'm certain that he's "faking it" and not really under its power.
Regarding SS, I don't know how he and SE can co-exist as "good guys". I'd like to see him either killed off or be thrown in Blackwater prison as penance for his past transgressions.

The tone of the new IDW universe is more to my liking.

However, I'll take the BWS over teleportation anyday.

This is supposed to be a continuation of the old series, with its humor, crazy costumes and slightly far-fetched sci-fi.

I can't say they are the best stories, but if Dixon was allowed to take two years to get into full swing, then I'm willing to give Hama at least that...

I think some of you guys are overly disappointed, because you were already disappointed by the new universe.

What I feel is missing so far:

1. A greater sense of drama. The urgency to save SE might do it, but it feels like it doesn't really matter so far. I mean, we know he'll eventually go back to GI Joe.

2. Some revelation. Doesn't have to be ninja related, but throw something from the past into the mix. Like maybe Baroness/Venom or something like that that would explain her recent attraction to Billy.

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䷾ scryptic
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"The only way to bear the snakes is to become one." - Cobra Commander, Cobra Reborn