G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #124

“Triptych!”

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: Andrew Wildman

Summary:

In an issue with three parallel storylines, the following happens:

– In Broca Beach, the new GI Joe Drug Elimination Force (DEF) storms into town. They trail the Headman and his Headhunters to a funhouse, where they run into a room full of unfriendlies.

-In the Gulf of Mexico, Flint and his new Eco-Warrior dolts fight Cesspool and his Sludge-Vipers on an offshore oil rig converted to a “toxo-lab”. Flint and Clean Sweep are shot down and captured.

-In Trans-Carpathia, the Ninja Force is still messing with the Red Ninjas. Snake-Eyes faces off against Slice and wins… but suddenly the “Red Ninja Warlord” appears from the mist and unmasks himself. Everyone’s startled to see who it is, but we won’t know until issue 126.

Notes:

• Fred’s wife reveals that she’s the one who tipped off the Joes to the Headman’s operation in Broca Beach.
• Cutter, now a member of the DEF, recognizes a Cobra Assualt Rifle.
• The DEF is officially: Bullet-Proof (leader and new guy), Cutter, Mutt & Junkyard and Shockwave. All of the older Joes have new uniforms. Well, except Junkyard.
• The “Red Ninja Warlord” survives a sword going right through his chest. A strange trick ninja that will return, circa issue 137 or so.
• No reasoning is given why the four Joes are suddenly christened the DEF.
• GI Joe Dossier is a two-page spread of the Brawler.

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Cutter, Mutt, Junkyard, Shockwave, Bullet-proof, Flint, Clean Sweep, Ozone, Snake-Eyes, Storm Shadow, Dojo, Tjbang, Nunchuk, Slice, Dice, Cesspool, Headman

Characters (“comic-only”): “Red ninja Warlord”, Ike & Mike (two Cobra flunkies in Broca Beach), Fred’s wife (dies)

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Battle Copters, Cobra Toxo-lab (loose interpretation)

Vehicles and stuff (not toys): none

Firsties:
Characters: Headman & the Headhunters, Bullet-Proof, Ike & Mike.

Vehicles and stuff: Cobra Toxo-lab

Rating: 1 Flag Point