G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #13

“Last Plane from Rio Lindo”

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciller: Mike Vosburg

Summary: Stalker, Breaker and Gung Ho dig in and try to find their way back home. Stalker is attacked by a Croc, but kills it after some humorous narration. The Joes set up camp in an abandoned Cobra installation, while Gung Ho sneaks into town and radioes the Pit. Hawk sends in an extraction team of Grunt, Rock n’ Roll, Scarlett, Doc and Torpedo. Torpedo swims down to the bunker and sees that it’s still intact. Meanwhile, Stalker and Breaker are being observed by a group of mercenaries, in town for the revolution festivities. The mercs meet another team of vagabonds, but this group is actually made up of disguised Cobras. The Cobras slowly take out the “regular” mercs, then move into the old installation. The Joes outsmart them with trenches and traps, then meet up with the extraction team. They all fight their way to the Rio Lindo airport, where Hawk and the C-130 scoop them up in dramatic fashion.

Back in Springfield, Destro reveals all kinds of plot swerves– Scar-Face was under hypnotic suggestion and the toxin was another red herring. Cobra wanted the Joes to find a briefcase in the abandoned installation. But unbeknownst to Cobra Commander, Destro had Scar-Face switch the planted information, to something that will lead to Destro’s own goals. As the issue ends, we “hear” a tapping coming from inside the sunken bunker.

Notes:

• This is the first time Destro is shown, fully. It’s a scene with the Baroness, where he reveals he’s doing all of this for her.
• Destro also requests that she call him by is “new name” of Destro. Kinda’ weird, since he found out years later that his full name was “James MacCullen Destro”. Maybe just going by “Destro” was new, but going by a last name is hardly unusual.
• Fun scene where the Joes all pile into a taxi cab for their escape and joke around a little bit.
• Scarlett is upset that they’re in Rio Lindo to rescue “three Joes”. She is visibly shaken that Snake-Eyes is “dead”.
• Everyone accepts the fact that Snake-Eyes is “dead” and moves on. One of the solider aspects that Hama would play up. You respect your fallen comrades, but not at the expense of your job as a soldier. Being a solider and following orders always comes first. You honor them by continuing on.
• The mercs mention that they were kicked out of the French foreign legion. Their names are “Emil” and “Richter”. More Devil’s Due fodder.
• Gung-Ho sneaks into town in the back of a pig truck, then recruits a taxi driver on the way back. Before they leave, he makes sure to give they a generous tip, all in American $100 bills.
• This issue has one of my favorite covers. The Joes driving into the C-130, while blasting at their pursuers through the rear windows.

Appearances:

Characters (with figures): Hawk, Scarlett, Breaker, Stalker, Gung-Ho, Rock n’ Roll, Grunt, Doc, Torpedo, Cobra Commander , Destro

Characters (no action figures, or “comic-only” characters): Baroness, Scar-Face

Vehicles and stuff (toys): none
Vehicles and stuff (not toys): C-130 transport

Firsties:
Characters: Torpedo

Rating: 3 Flag Points