I'm not a fan of the espionage genre. James Bond films do little for me, and it's always been that way. You'd think someone who enjoyed the super-hero genre so much would dig a super-spy with impossible high-tech gear, but alas, it is not the case. On top of that, this spy comic boasts some obvious flaws, especially when it comes to pacing. Nevertheless, I enjoyed G.I. Spy, mainly because the hero is something of a schlub, but not farcicly so. Cosby's script is full of personality, and Haley's art brings energy that goes far beyond simply the explosive, flash action sequences. This is a high-quality, professional effort from a small, new player on the comics field, and I'm encouraged.
It's 1939, and World War II has yet to begin. Still, governments stand on the brink of war and made appropriate preparations. American Jack Shepherd made for a lousy soldier, but testing indicated he was better suited to serve his country in a different way: as a spy. His first mission takes him to Africa, where he meets his partner -- a sexy, sultry British spy with a lot more experience than him -- and where he finds a whole mess of trouble. The pair of spies discovers a Nazi operation in the Congo -- a dig in a makeshift mine for a mysterious mineral.
I'm honestly surprised Matt Haley hasn't been working steadily for Marvel and DC. He did some art for DC a few years back, and it was strong, entertaining stuff. The Joker book from DC's Tangent event stands out as a particularly strong effort that indicated the promise of a solid career in super-hero comics. I'm pleased to see him in action on this book. In some ways, his depiction of Shepherd is of the typical all-American hero, but he manages to make him seem ordinary at the same time. Haley's work here reminds me a bit of Pat (Spider-Girl) Olliffe's. Haley captures the period nicely, and the designs for the more extreme elements are sharp.
Cosby makes a conscious decision not to play things straight in this wartime spy yarn, but at the same time, he doesn't intend to parody the genre either. Ultimately, the goal here is to have some real fun. Yes, some of the writing is over-the-top. Furthermore, Cosby rushes through this first issue. He's trying to maintain an action-filled mood, but he seems to skip past a couple of opportunities to provide just a little exposition. It's easy to forgive, though, when the book is full of so much personality. G.I. Spy is the equivalent of a big-screen, PG-rated action flick.
Perhaps what makes this such an interesting and entertaining read is that it's easy to imagine oneself in the hero's shoes. He's not a picture of perfection. He screws up and he has no idea what he's doing. And he doesn't seem to care too much. He's a regular guy in an extraordinary circumstance, and it's that average-joe quality that makes him so easy to like and cheer on. 7/10
