G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #93

“Taking the Plunge”
Writer: Larry Hama
Pencilers: M.D. Bright

Summary:

At the Cobra Consulate, the Baroness and Zarana complete the brainwashing of Clutch and Rock n’ Roll. Zarana and the Dreadnoks head off to dump the two Joes on the Jersey shore, but Baroness tips off the Joes of their location, for spite and to make the rescue “look credible”.

Meanwhile, at the Bern Institute of Reconstructive Surgery in Switzerland (see issue 23), Dr. Hundtkinder has a new patient: Snake-Eyes. We finally see Snake-Eyes’ face after all these years– he appears to be without a left eyelid, has a bulbous eyebrow and four big scars across his grill. Hundtkinder is given a picture of Snake-Eyes before his disfigurement. Knowing Snake-Eyes is a Joe, he sneaks off to fax it an old friend: the Baroness. The Baroness freaks when he recognizes the face– it was the assassain who killed her brother in Vietnam, 20 years ago!

Notes:

• This is prelude to the Snake-Eyes Graphic Nov….errr, “The Snake-Eyes Trilogy”
• Also the unofficial kick-off to the ninth year of the franchise. In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t stick to
  the exact date when categorizing my “years”. I pick this issue as the bookend for 1990 because it’s a good change in pace and because “Special Missions” had just ended.

• The Big Reveal of Snake-Eyes face is something of a letdown. People had been freaking out whenever his mask came off, for years. But he just has one googly eye and some scars. Jonah Hex is more frightening.
• Why is Snake-Eyes getting plastic surgery? He wants to finally be able to walk down the street with Scarlett and feel the sunlight (and presumably her hair) on his own face.
• Scarlett actually says “I love you” to Snake-Eyes. First time she’s said that in the entire series. It was always implied and she probably said it, off-panel, before. But this is the first time those words have been in the script.
• When the Joes catch up to the Dreadnoks, a group of yuppie commuters begins hassling them, allowing the ‘noks to escape. Funny line: “Why can’t you military types do your rotten stinking business in other people’s countries, like you’re supposed to?”
• To complete the supposed “rescue” plan, the Baroness remotely detonates the Dreadnoks’ escape vehicle.
• The Dreadnoks drive an old 70’s van with an airbrushed barbarian, plus a Mr. Zoftig Ice Cream truck
• They also have a new favorite treat: Gummy Rats
• Zanzibar isn’t with the crew, so it’s possible that he’s still sitting in a jail cell, waiting for his lawyer to get him out.
• Aside from the development with Snake-Eyes and the long-awaited “Saigon” connection (the “Louis Pastuer” clue), this issue is pretty damn goofy. As most Dreadnok issues were.
• The Baroness and Zarana continue their wacky feud with a catfight and awful name-calling for the first five or six pages of this issue.
• To tip off the Joes, the Baroness calls Ft. Wadsworth (she’s been there, twice: issues 19 and 55). She knows it’s no longer their HQ, but that it has some connection to the Joes. Indeed, as soon as he starts asking for “Hawk”, the line is routed through to the Pit III for the Joes to listen in.
• It’s clarified that the Baroness and Zarana are running both the Cobra Consulate Building and Broca Beach.
• The telephone “on hold” music at the Cobra Consulate: “The mellow melodies of the Cobra Chorus, featuring their interpretations of the big hits of John Denver”. Damn…they’re EVIL!!!

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Hawk, Snake-Eyes, Scarlett, Rock n’ Roll, Clutch, Roadblock, Flint, Lady Jaye, Dialtone, Repeater, Lift-ticket, Baroness, Destro, Zarana, Torch, Ripper, Buzzer, Road Pig

Characters (“comic-only”): Dr. Hundtkinder

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Tiger Sting, Tiger Cat, Tomahawk, Cobra Mamba

Vehicles and stuff (not toys): Cobra gunship/transport copter

Firsties:
Characters: none

Vehicles and stuff: none

Rating: 2 Flag Points