G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #136

“Reversals and Betrayals!” (Part 2 of 4)

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: Andrew Wildman

Summary:

In a shocking turn of events, the Ninja Force sneaks up on the Night Creepers outside of the water tower and beats the crap out of them. They keep one Creeper for interrogation, who spills the beans about Cobra Commander’s new plan to go global.

Cobra reads a paper trail of Scarlett changing her insurance beneificary and bailing on the Joe team. Zarana and Road Pig find her skiing in the Swiss Alps and try to recruit her to Cobra. After a scuffle, she agrees to follow them.

The Joes stop another Night Creeper raid at Andrews AFB, while in Trans-Carpathia, Slice & Dice pay a visit to Destro and the Baroness. Cobra Commander and his troops arrive, take over the castle and convert it back to “Cobra mode”. CC makes an offer to both Dr. Biggles-Jones and Scarlett to join Cobra. They both agree.

Notes:

• More polybgaging. This issue came with a “Trouble for Scarlett” live-action Search & Destroy card.
• This issue features the LONG awaited debut of the Cobra Snow Serpents. First released in 1985, they finally appear in 1993…. albeit in their 1992 outfits.
• Tjbang, despite being the silent member of the Ninja Force who has never floated one word balloon, is shown speaking.
• They never said Tjband couldn’t talk…he probably could…it’s just that he never did. Characterization/continuity error.
• The really annoying screw-up with this issue is how the Night Creepers were able to find out all about Scarlett’s insurance policy, real name, and family members. Sure, they’re supposed to be supreme hackers, but it’s too easily presented. It’s like they just opened a phone book and the information was TOO easily displayed. If Cobra has been running around trying to trump the Joes for years, you’d think they would’ve used such information before. There should’ve been some level of security for the US government. It’s worse than tracking Tunnel Rat’s credit card info, circa issue 65.
• Only redeeming aspect in this issue is the confrontation between Slice and Destro. Destro is lounging around in his leisure wear and helmet…looking quite goofy.
  Slice:” That mask really doesn’t go with those tweeds”
  Destro: “Excuse me. I didn’t know we were having fashion critics for tea”

• Destro has gone back to his silver mask. But he’ll still wear his Iron Grenadier uniform (sans gold mask) occassionally.
• Road Pig is seen reading an issue of “X-men”.
• Destro and the Baroness are thrown into the same dungeon Scarlett was kept in, in issue 21. Destro again brings up the misnomer of “Dungeon”..since it’s really a sub-cellar.
• Cobra Commander’s offer to Dr. Biggles-Jones and Scarlett is based on their frustration with their sexist peers.
• Wildman’s anatmoy and human body proportions really begin to slide in this issue. The cover depicts Scarlett with inhuman curves and a gigantic ass.
• Cobra plans to move into the Silent Castle and make it their new HQ. They ditched Cobra Island awhile back.

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Snake-Eyes, Storm Shadow, Scarlett, Nunchuk, Dojo, Tjbang, Jinx, Duke, Roadblock, Cobra Commander, Zarana, Road Pig, Slice, Dice, Destro, Baroness

Characters (“comic-only”): Dr. Biggles-Jones

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Cobra Paralyzer, Cobra Ice Sabre

Vehicles and stuff (not toys): GI Joe C-130, Cobra gunship/transport copter

Firsties:
Characters: none

Vehicles and stuff: Cobra Ice Sabre

Rating: 1 Flag Point