G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #170

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: S. L. Gallant

Summary:

Snake-Eyes, Billy and Storm Shadow officially meet the splinter Arahsikage clan in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. They are disciples of the “Middle Master”, the older brother of the Soft Master and Hard Master. The Middle Master (real name not mentioned, nor is it needed) was captured in “the war” and spent several months in a Siberian gulag teaching prisoners the Arashikage martial arts. A “tattooed giant” was the top student and, once the war was over, he returned to Russia to continue to spread the Arashikage way.

In the present, the “tattooed giant’s” son is the master of the Brooklyn clan. He warns Snake-Eyes and his pals that there are currently over 100 dojos like this around the world. However, there is a “serious threat” that is hunting down all the members.

Meanwhile, on the USS Flagg, Flint, Lady Jaye and Roadblock head off on a mission to capture Darklon. Destro and the Baroness also pay a visit to Cobra Commander in Broca Beach to ask about Darklon. Cobra Commander mentions that Darklon was in a protective bunker when Destro’s missile hit (circa issue 144). Since then, Darklon has been using his presumed death to his advantage.

Sneak Peek reveals a few more details about his time in Darklonia. His cover was to be a Canadian student on sabbatical. He spent over a year just getting the lay of the land. He was accused of being a spy by federal guards, but worked his way out of it, thanks to a local girl named Katya.

In the Chrysler Building, Jane easily takes out Firefly and Crystal Ball.

Notes:

• The Russian Arahikage took a hit for me, this month. I don’t mind the Middle Master and his clan too much but I do mind that there are “over 100” splinter groups around the world. Makes Storm Shadow and Snake-Eyes look like dolts for not knowing this. Also takes away some of the exclusivity of the Arashikage dojo.
   
• But if these 100 groups include the Red Ninjas, that would explain why they were so abundant in the Marvel series.
   
• Storm Shadow mentions that the Hard and Soft Master simpled said their older brother had “died in the war”. Or “nakunatta”, meaning he became nothing.
   
• The time frame for the Middle Master’s incarceration is open to debate. He was captured by the Russian NKVD, so that would place it in post-WWII and the Cold War. That’s a smart move, as it could potentially be anywhere from 1946 to the early 80’s.
   
• That’s probably why he’s mentioned as dying “in the War”. That could be WWII, Korea, Vietnam or any other conflict. For my money, I’ll say it was Vietnam.
   
• The “serious threat” that’s killing off Arashikages? No real reason, but my pick is Zartan or someone connected with him.
   
• The sequence with Flint, Lady Jaye and Roadblock is fairly boring, but might be of interest to people who claim to dig the “realistic military aspects” of the series. It includes a few panels of the crew testing their weapons off the back of the Flagg and preparing for the mission.
   
• No real action this month and I feel wishy-washy giving this ANOTHER 3 Flag Point rating. One advantage I had with recapping the Marvel series was that I knew how things would pan out and which plot elements were important. I don’t have that luxury, here, so it’s tough for me to gauge the impact of these events. This issue also feels like a buncha’ transitional stuff and the lack of action makes it seems incredibly ordinary.
   
• Flint’s crew briefly talks to an “admiral” on the Flagg. I’m assuming this is Keel-Haul and they still haven’t said his official codename in the series. However, he’s drawn to look a little like Dial-Tone with a beret instead of his usual admiral’s hat.
   
• Recondo is the door gunner on the Tomahawk transporting Flint’s crew. I think this is the first time we’ve seen him in quite awhile. Recondo was one of my favorite figures as a wee lad, so that’s why I’m mentioning it.

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Snake-Eyes, Storm Shadow, Roadblock, Flit, Lady Jaye, Lift-ticket, Wild Bill, Recondo, Mainframe, Chuckles, Sneak Peek, Cobra Commander, Destro, Baroness, Firefly, Crystal Ball, Darklon (cameo)

Characters (“comic-only”): Billy, Joe Colton, GI Jane, Middle Master, “Tattooed Giant”, Katya, USS Flagg support staff

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Tomahawk, USS Flagg, Skystriker (cameo), Terror Drome, Firebat

Vehicles and stuff (not toys):Background jets and helicopters on the Flagg.

Firsties:
Characters: Middle Master, “Tattooed Giant”, Katya

Vehicles and stuff: none

Rating: 3 Flag Points