G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #247

Summary

Dawn Moreno runs around Japan, with Snake-Eyes fully in control. She jumps into a Yakuza pool hall, where she tosses them around and makes off with part of their gun arsenal. Namely, coupla’ UZI’s and a sidearm. As she takes her leave on a train, she has a full-on Snake-Eyes flashback— probably in the GI Joe team’s first two years, as Snake-Eyes kicks massive tushy on an op. Back to the present, Dawn hops off the train and attacks a martial arts academy.

Harda, Lt. Knod and Sgt. Imai are still on the trail of Dawn. Harada recounts a brief history of the Japan government and the Arashikages. Plus all the “rumors” about the Soft-Master buying it, Tomisaburo (Storm Shadow) working with a terrorist agency, an American soldier who rose though the ranks (Snake-Eyes), the Red Ninjas, plus a “Strange European Assassin associated with the Red Ninjas” (Firefly).

At the Pit, Snake-Eyes II (Throwdown/Sean Collins), Scarlett, Stalker and Storm Shadow all agree to go to Japan and look for Dawn.

Notes

1. This is officially “Dawn of the Arashikage Part 2”
2. In the Snake-Eyes flashback, he has a different costume than what he wore in the first 3-4 years of the title. It has the Arashikage I-Ching symbol on his shoulder and his goggles are red. It doesn’t really matter, so make up your own explanation on how/why his outfit is different.
3. Since Duke is in the flashback, you cold surmise it takes place sometime in the range of issue 22 to 32.
4. Wild Bill’s there, too, along with an unidentified Joe as his co-pilot. Could be Airborne, Zap or even Lift-Ticket. For my money, I’ll go with Airborne.
5. I feel like I missed something— but who is Genji?
6. When Dawn speaks, she apparently has a raspy/creepy/spooky voice. As such, her word balloons are stylized differently.
7. I like that they didn’t forget about Firefly. I liked the idea of his connection with the ninjas, but not the way his return story played out, circa issue 125.
8. Hama has a somber reply in the letters column, about his own personal mortality and losing some friends, recently. He also mentions that a major Cobra character will die, soon.
9. I picked up the “Artist’s Edition” cover; cuz’ I’m a fan of crop marks and this version actually has a more rigid cover stock. It has nothing to do with the story, but neither did the regular version.

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Storm Shadow, Scarlett, Stalker, Snake-Eyes (flashback), Rock & Roll (flashback), Grunt (flashback), Duke (flashback), Wild Bill (flashback), Airborne? (flashback), Firefly (flashback).

Characters (comic only): Throwdown (Snake-Eyes II), Granny Demon, Dawn Moreno, Genji, Harada, Lt. Kondo, Sgt. Imai

Vehicles and stuff (toys): none

Vehicles and stuff (not toys): HUEY helicopter

Firsties:
Characters: none

Vehicles and stuff: none

Rating: 4 Flag Points