The biggest disappointment for me with the final few issues of AE was definitely the artwork, after the rumors started that DD was losing the Joe license, the artwork took a serious dump. I still liked the WWIII storyline for the most part, but I too was left wanting for the ending, it was tied up too quickly, but that being said DD only had so many issues to do it in. I like the use of the plague, and they had more than a few classic characters, Scarlett, SE, Storm Shadow, Duke, Flint, Wild Bill, Gung Ho, Spirit, I didn't find the use of classic characters lacking at all. And in the entire DD run the only 'major' Joe killed was Lady Jaye, yes, they did kill off numerous 'secondary' Joes (though they may not be secondary in your Joeverse, in the Marvel and Sunbow 'verses they were) ie. Mainframe, Chuckles, Low Light.

Overall, I enjoyed the DD run, they kept the Joe's going, and yes it was hit and miss at times, but so was the Marvel run. I can only hope that IDW's retcon works for me. It has a good writer in Larry Hama, I hope he produces good stories.

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SILENT DUSTY

"...but for a soldier his duty is plain. He is to obey the orders of all those placed over him and whip the enemy wherever he meets him."
- General Ulysses S. Grant