G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #111

“Probe and Feint”

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: John Statema

Summary:

As Cobra establishes itself in Benzheen, the Joes begin to move in. Lady Jaye and Flint head the Armored Team, Wild Bill heads the Air Team, Stalker heads the Recon Team, while Scarlett appears to lead the Ninja Team. The ninjas are dropped in to mark targets, while Stalker’s crew observes. The Armor Team gets taken hostage by a group of Benzheeni freedom fighters.

The Emir of Benzheen whines to Hawk, and is more concerned about his personal property being damaged than anything else.

Meanwhile, Cobra Commander has re-considered the SAW Viper’s actions…and throws a party for him. The ninja team observes the SAW Viper hooping it up as the issue ends.

Notes:

• Ninja Team: Scarlett, Storm Shadow, Snake-Eyes, Jinx
• Recon Team: Stalker, Recoil, Ambush, Sneak Peek, Cool Breeze
• Air Team: Wild Bill, Lift-ticket, Dogfight
• Armored Team: Flint, Lady Jaye, Roadblock, Dusty, Rumbler… others??
• The Ninja Team is basically the first unofficial grouping of what would become “Ninja Force” in about two years. But it shows that Hawk is beginning to think of them as a separate, specialized unit.
• Stalker has mild conflict of philosophy with new Joe, Cool Breeze. Cool Breeze is full of hubris (word of the month: arrogant pride) and reminds me a bit of Mario Van Peebles’ character from “Heartbreak Ridge”
• Cool Breeze is a comic-only character. But you wouldn’t know it. He has a very detailed uniform, with distinctive glasses, a sword, metallic gloves, checkerboard patches and what appears to be a lady’s garter on his right arm.
• The SAW Viper tells CC: “I just killed five times as many Joes as you have in nine years!” He’s the only Viper with a pair of balls in the entire Cobra legions. Also, note his reference to “real time”, as that would occasionally be referenced throughout the book’s run.
• The Cobra Stinger appears with slight modifications: it appears to have stronger armor plating and looks more like a Hummer.
• Very dark color palette and heavy inks in this issue. Tough to get a clear picture.
• GI Joe Dossier is of Scarlett. With an original Adam Hughes picture. Yeah… kinda’ nice.

Appearances:

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Characters (figures): Hawk, Snake-Eyes, Storm Shadow, Scarlett, Jinx, Flint, Lady Jaye, Dusty, Rumbler, Roadblock, Wild Bill, Lift-ticket, Dogfight (not seen), Hot Seat (not seen), Stalker, Recoil, Ambush, Sneak Peek, Duke, Cross Country (cameo), Psyche-Out (cameo), Lt. Falcon (cameo) Cobra Commander, Tomax, Xamot, SAW Viper

Characters (“comic-only”): Cool Breeze, Faoud (Benzheen Freedom Fighter), Emir of Benzheen

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Hammer, Raider, Rolling Thunder, Thunderclap, Tomahawk, Locust, Mudfighter, Mobile Battle Bunker, Cobra Stinger, Cobra HISS II

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

Firsties:
Characters: Cool Breeze, Recoil, Ambush, Faoud

Vehicles and stuff: none

Rating: 3 Flag Points