G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #131

“Last Stand”

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: Andrew Wildman

Summary:

In the Pit, Tripwire sets off a large explosion which seemingly ends the BATs’ advance. Cobra Commander circles his Paralyzers around to the Pit’s giant cargo ramp… but Duke and the others pop up behind by way of…(groan)..the ventilation shafts. The Cobras are sent packing. Yet Cobra Commander doesn’t care… he filmed everything. The whole operation was just a demonstration to prove that the new Cobra Radar Suppressors could get past US radar.

On Cobra Island, Snake-Eyes is able to overcome the Brainwave Scanner’s programming and frees the rest of the Ninja Force with some goofy Arashikage Mindset voodoo. All five steal Firefly’s airliner and fly back home.

Firefly takes over the main Cobra Citadel, capturing Zarana and Cesspool. Cobra Commander arrives back at the Island…but decides to let Firefly KEEP the place. With all the money they’ll make on the new Radar Supressors, Cobra can afford to move to a nicer place.

Notes:

• One of my pet peeves and Rules of Action Yarns is proved once again: ventilation shafts can fit anyone and go anywhere!
• As far as Joe vs. Cobra “HQ fights”, this is probably the lamest of the series. Even Fred and Dr. Mindbender’s failed attack was more exciting.
• Torpedo and Outback both get nicked during the Pit assault, but the wounds aren’t fatal.
• Snake-Eyes’ mental overcoming of Firefly’s brainwashing is given an interesting visual. Snake-Eyes appears on the astral plane in 6 different versions: His four action fiigures, plus “Vietnam Snake-Eyes” and “Burn Victim Snake-Eyes”.
• For the first time in awhile, the Joes narrate their ammo loads while blowing away BATs.
• Cobra Commander’s decision to abandon Cobra Island and sell Radar Supressors shows his original motive for starting Cobra: make shitloads of money. He’s still the psycho libretarian he started out as.
• Here’s a trivial blast from the past: as the Pit’s cargo doors open up, out pop two Crossfires. The Crossfire was a somewhat rare radio-controlled vehicle from 1987. It debuts almost 6 years after it came out. As part of the radio-controlled gimmick, the two Crossfires are actually radio-controlled by the Joes, with no drivers.
• GI Joe Dossier is of Duke, but the picture looks very generic and could be any Joe in green fatigues.

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Duke, Repeater, Heavy Duty, Tripwire, Tunnel Rat, Dial Tone, Outback, Torpedo, Gung Ho, Mutt, Muskrat, Lowlight, Snake-Eyes, Storm Shadow, Dojo, Tjbang, Nunchuk, Cobra Commander, Firefly, Zarana, Slice, Dice

Characters (“comic-only”): none

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Crossfire, Cobra Paralyzer, Cobra Septic Tank (Cesspool’s refitted HISS tanks)

Vehicles and stuff (not toys): Cobra transport/gunship, Firefly’s airliner

Firsties:
Characters: none

Vehicles and stuff: Crossfire, Cobra Septic Tank

Rating: 2 Flag Points