G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #120

“Return to the Silent Castle”

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: Andrew Wildman

Summary:

Following up on his settlement with Cobra Commander, Destro gains custody of the Cobra “Silent Castle” in Trans-Carpathia. He and the Baroness fly in, while being observed by a team of Joes and new Cobra flunkies Slice and Dice (groan).

Cobra Commander reveals that he planted some unlockable commands in the Baroness’ head during her Brainwave Scanner interrogation. A Cobra Condor releases a signal and she tries to cave in Destro’s skull with a wrench. Destro stops the attempt, but they’re suddenly surrounded by Red Ninjas, Slice and Dice.

Notes:

• Destro mentions that he built the castle for Cobra… but it hasn’t been his property until now. Ties up my conundrum from issue 21, where I wondered WHY a Destro-owned castle would have incorporated a buncha’ snakes all over the thing.
• Lot of little continuity details, as Destro and the Baroness basically re-trace Snake-Eyes’ rampage from issue 21.
• Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow lead the Ninja Force on an infiltration/observation mission down a sheer cliff wall.
• Funny scene, where Dojo asks Storm Shadow if he hears something with the mystic Arashikage “Ear that Sees”. Stormie replies: “no, just a gut feeling”.
• Once again, Red Ninjas appear in the basement. They’re like roaches: they like to live in basements (see: issue 21 and Yearbook 3).
• When leaving Cobra, the Baroness gives Cobra Commander a good cock-punch. In his next scene, CC is seen seated with an icepack over his groin.
• First official mention of the county of “Trans-Carpathia”. A stand-in for “Transylvania”, but it’s an actual country. Within a year or two, we’ll find out that it’s bordering Borovia.
• Destro uses his helmet’s combat computer. His costume is getting more like Dr. Doom.
• The Joes are in cahoots with Destro and are observing the castle with his permission. If he misses his checkpoints, the Joes will rush in.
• Stalker appears in his old fatigues, the green camo. He had been wearing his “tundra ranger” get-up since issue 95 or so.
• Dusty appears like the second version of his figure: his 1991 “Desert Storm” get-up with the beret.
• As mentioned, Cobra Commander is back to his “pharaoh” suit. It seemed tough to draw for artists, as the headgear had weird proportions and you couldn’t tell where CC’s eyes were supposed to be.
• GI Joe Dossier is of Dr. Mindbender, drawn by Sam Kieth (“The Maxx”)
• Debut of penciler Andrew Wildman. He’s definitely from the “Image School” of drawing that was hot at the time (January 1992). The Baroness appears pretty curvaceous as a result (alhtough Whigham made her kinda’ curvy in his last arc). Wildman’s art gets crazier, as he becomes a complete Rob Liefeld clone within a year.
• This is issue 120, dated January 1992, the unofficial kick-off for the 11th year of the franchise. Official kick-off is next month, as the series debuted in February 1982. The extra issue was added when the title went bi-weekly in the summer of 1988.
• The 11th year is really when things went nuts for Hasbro. The figures and vehicles all become more “toy-ish”. Meaning they had missile launchers, large features, noise buttons and fairly unrealistic concepts. It’s like they were taking the imagination aspect away from kids. Not sure what prompted this, as I was a high school senior at the time and, aside from buying a few figures in 1991, I was pretty far removed from the toy side of things.

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Hawk, Snake-Eyes, Storm Shadow, Flint, Lady Jaye, Dusty, Stalker, Cobra Commander, Destro, Baroness, Slice, Dice.

Characters (“comic-only”): Red Ninjas

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Badger, Battle Wagon, Brawler, Cobra Battle Copters, Cobra Condor

Vehicles and stuff (not toys): Arbco Valdez

Firsties:
Characters: Slice, Dice

Vehicles and stuff: Badger, Battle Wagon, Brawler, Cobra Battle Copters

Rating: 2 Flag Points