G.I. Joe: Hearts & Minds, A G.I. Joe Graphic Novel
Reinventing the great American military stalwarts of the G.I. JOE team as deadly, hardened special-forces troops taking on the cold, merciless terrorists of Cobra, Brooks� (World War Z, 2006) 10 vignettes reveal the deeper motivations of some of the supporting players from both sides�the grunts, if you will. Most interesting are the tales that peel back dark layers of an American dream gone rotten, skillfully touching on class, racism, and hideous ambition; creating more fully-rounded portraits of characters like Major Bludd, Spirit, Doc, and Cobra infantry recruits; and adding more overall depth to the mythology. Comics legend Chaykin�s gleaming art, with its strong, hearty figures, alternates with a more modern aesthetic provided by Fuso. Intended to flesh out established characters, the book presents themes that are universal enough to appeal to new readers as intriguing character studies and largely proves a swift and interesting read, though one with complex and sometimes troubling implications. Grades 10-12. --Jesse Karp