G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #16

“Night Attack”

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciller: Mike Vosburg

Summary

The VAMP, RAM, MOBAT and (new) Dragonfly are running through Hawk’s robotic training course/target range, when the new Wolverine tank makes its debut. Along with its driver, Cover Girl and new explosives expert/mine detector, Tripwire.

Cobra has plans to poison US currency with Dr. Venom’s toxin, but they’ve already sent in a threat to attack the US Capitol. General Flagg calls up several divisions of the Army to guard the Capitol, but Hawk insists they’re wrong. The Joes, on their own, are left to guard the US Treasury Building. Cobra sends a fake fleet of remote-controlled toys to the Capitol, while they break into the Treasury. The Joes are there to meet them and fun ensues. The Wolverine saves the Joes’ bacon, but things quickly hit the fan. Scar-Face runs off on foot, while two HISS tanks attack the Wolverine.

Destro and Cobra Commander are in one HISS, with Major Bludd and the Baroness in another. As planned, Major Bludd aims his turret at Destro. The Baroness realizes this and crashes her HISS to save Destro. Her HISS bursts into flames, but Major Bludd escapes. Hawk, Clutch and Scarlett arrive in the VAMP to chase the last HISS. Hawk jumps onboard the HISS and starts pummeling Cobra Commander. Destro, in a daze since seeing the Baroness barbequed, suddenly comes to and dukes it out with Hawk. Cobra Commander debates on who to shoot…. but plugs three shots into Hawk. Hawk drops to the ground as the HISS gets away.

Notes:

• Remember: “Someone will DIE”. But nobody did. Baroness was thought to be dead (since she had no action figure, yet), but she survives. As we find out next issue, Hawk had the foresight to wear a bulletproof vest, on advice from General Flagg.
• Actually, it seemed like Hawk might croak. Around this time (late summer 1983), a few GI Joe vehicles had a special mail-in coupon in their boxes for the new “GI Joe Top Sergeant, Duke”. I had sent mine in, already. It was part of a tie-in for the soon-to-debut GI Joe cartoon, in which Duke was prominently featured (in place of Hawk, no less). Since I missed this issue (and several after it), I was going by the “someone will DIE” teaser, put two and two together and figured Hawk had bought it.
• This issue does a good job of mixing plot with toy tie-ins. The Wolverine and Dragon-Fly debut, but they’re worked in well. This issue was also promoted with another TV commercial (which was, in turn, modified to sell HISS and Wolverine toys).
• Scarlett seems a little abrasive towards Cover Girl. Saying “let’s see how she holds up in a real fight”. Scarlett had been the “alpha female” of the team (or Smurfette), but for the first time she’s not the only broad around. This rivalry was never continued, though.
• Hilarious scene inside the treasury building. Gung-Ho and Tripwire are there…but so is TORPEDO, in full scuba gear! Flippers and all. “We’re going to Washington DC…quick, get your flippers!!”
• Cobra moves into Washington under the disguise of “Arbco Moving Company” trucks.
• The Army forces at the Capitol are all cited as being from real establishments. Fort Dix, etc.
• Again, it seems like the poisoning scheme wasn’t the real motive. Cobra Commander just wanted to get Destro in a combat situation so Bludd could kill him.
• The Wolverine gets slammed into by a HISS tank. Remember this for next issue, when the Wolverine pops up in perfect working condition.
• Cover Girl was supposed to be a fashion model and all, but Mike Vosburg draws her like a 40 year old school teacher. Come to think of it, he did this with all of his women, as Scarlett looks to be pushing 40 as well.
• Poisoning the US currency is a very realistic terrorist plot. In fact, on 9/11, I thought of this story. At the time, I worked three blocks away from the US Mint in Denver and was afraid that it might be targeted. After all, they were attacking symbols of US commerce and government. I was at home, but called everyone at the office and told them to go home, due to our proximity to the Mint. Of course, around 2pm I calmed down and actually went into the office.
• Tripwire’s a klutz (akin to Clumsy Smurf) and drops his backpack of landmines into Rock n’ Roll’s hands. Tripwire says: “Them’s mines!” Rock n’ Roll says: “I know they’re yours, but what is this? A carrying case for over-sized hockey pucks?!”.
• This issue marked new cover decoration for all Marvel titles. The long “Marvel Comics Group” banner that stretched across the top was dropped and transformed into a bold face “MARVEL” typeface that sat in the corner box. Small modifications to the issue and cover price boxes, too.

Appearances:

Characters (with figures): Hawk, Scarlett, Breaker, Gung-Ho, Rock n’ Roll, Zap, Clutch, Torpedo, Wild Bill, Airborne, Steeler, Cobra Commander, Destro, Major Bludd

Characters (no action figures, or “comic-only” characters): Baroness, Scar-Face, Dr. Venom, General Flagg

Vehicles and stuff (toys): VAMP, RAM, MOBAT, Dragonfly, Wolverine, HISS
Vehicles and stuff (not toys): none

Firsties:
Characters: Tripwire, Cover Girl
Vehicles: Wolverine, Dragonfly

Rating: 4 Flag Points