G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #303
Writer: Larry Hama | Pencils: Chris Mooneyham
Summary:
Led by Alpha-001 (in a creepy worm-like/snake-like form), Revanche flies in a helicopter to Cobra Island to propose an alliance with Serpentor Khan and his army of Cobra Zombie Weirdos. Alpha-001 shows off their new autonomous “Surgical Bot” which has upgraded 3 Blue Ninjas. To demonstrate their enhancements, the 3 Blue Ninjas make quick work of an upgraded B.A.T (the casino dealer version). Impressed, Serpentor orders some Vipers to enter the Surgical Bot and become Cyborg Cobra Vipers. Yet with the extra-extra upgrade of having “a life-like shell so the altered Vipers can pass for human”.
As they do, constantly, the Joes at the Pit are watching everything through their surveillance computers. It’s determined that Serpentor’s forces will not only attack Cobra’s Springfield, but the Pit as well. To keep ahead of things, Duke order a “sneak and peek” team to enter Springfield.
One week later, Dawn Moreno (presumably the “sneak and peeker” reunites with her parents in Springfield. Meanwhile, a group of Cyborg Zombie Vipers attack Snake-Eyes and Scarlett in their cabin. The duo take out all but one…and that one goes into “Kamikaze mode”. A hour later, Serpentor receives a garbled video feed, which apparently shows a dead Scarlett and Snake-Eyes. Impressed, her orders more cyborgs from Revanche.
Notes:
- With an hour lapse and the garbled video feed, you can safely assume that Scarlett and Snake-Eyes are alive.
- Yes, Snake-Eyes talks again. I wouldn’t expect any long monologues from him, though.
- Considering that we’re looking at a Cobra Island vs. Springfield vs The Pit set-up, I could see Destro somehow figuring into things in a cautious alliance with the Joes. He’s tech-savvy and, in the past, has shown that he can easily sneak into (and potentially wreck havoc with) Cobra facilities.
- Dawn’s parents are named: Oscar and Elena. They’ve been mentioned before, but is this their first actual appearance?
- They also appear to own a “Moren Plumbing” business, as evidenced by a van in their driveway.
- So wait, how are the zombie Cobras any different from, y’know, Regular Cobras? Aside from having a buncha’ scabs n’ junk on their bodies, they think and act like normal Cobras. I suppose they’ll be tougher to kill? Maybe?
- I’ve also lost track of how many upgrades and new models Revanche has performed. The Blue Ninjas (or the BATs) seem to be “newer and deadlier” every 6 issues…and they’re still destroyed.
- Typing “3 Blue Ninjas” reminded me of the cheesy 90’s kids movies.
- This issue includes a 4 page preview of Skybound’s “Cobra Commander” series, set in their Energon Universe. FWIW, it features CC in a pub, wearing gear reminiscent of his “Old Snake” look from the Transformers cartoon.
Appearances:
Characters (figures): Snake-Eyes, Stalker, Scarlett, Duke, Mainframe, Dial-Tone, Lady Jaye, Spirit Iron-Knife, Dr. Mindbender
Characters (comic-only): Serpentor Khan, Dawn Moreno, Oscar Moreno, Elena Moreno, Alpha-001
Vehicles & Stuff (toys): none
Vehicles & Stuff (not toys): Revanche helicopter
Firsties: none
