G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #165

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: S.L. Gallant

Summary:

While Tunnel Rat and Tripwire defuse BAT bombs and assess damage on the surface of the Pit, overhead Ace engages a tardy Wild Weasel in an aerial duel. Ace is successful, apparently blowing up Wild Weasel and his Rattler, and saving the Pit from further bombardment.

In Manhattan, Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow confront Dr.Venom/Billy in the damaged skyscraper. Snake-Eyes uses the “Arashikage Death Touch” in a “non-lethal manner” to subdue Dr.Venom/Billy. That night, they sneak into Broca Beach and strap Dr. Venom/Billy into the Brainwave Scanner. Using the same techniques Venom used on Snake-Eyes, the two ninjas take Dr. Venom into the “attic” of his brain; full or personal memories along with “extrapolations on the consequences of your actions”. The attic slowly away and suddenly becomes the Arctic Ocean. A ghost form of Kwinn paddles up in his kayak and takes Dr. Venom away. As Venom screams and seeimngly disappears, back in the real world Billy returns to his normal self.

Notes:

• Probably the best issue since the re-launch. I figured Kwinn would appear in some form. Since Dr. Venom was basically Kwinn’s arch-enemy, this was a fitting punishment to put him away.
• Of course, since this was on the psychic plane, the opportunity is open to bring back “Virtual Venom”. For now I’m perfectly fine knowing that Kwinn is dealing with “the weasel”.
• The skyscraper that Dr.Venom’s helicopter crashed into, last issue, is being evacuated. Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow sneak back into the building by saying they’re first responders.
• In Dr. Venom’s psychic “attic”, we see an old Brooklyn Dodgers 1955 World Champions banner (the only Series the Dodgers won while in Brooklyn). Noted, because Dr. Venom’s old lab was located in Brooklyn– see issue 19 of the original series. Possible that Venom grew up in Brooklyn… which now tells me I should read his lines with a Brooklyn accent from now on.
• I think this was the first time Tripwire and Tunnel Rat have ever worked together, at least “on-screen”. They two seemed like a natural explosives team, so it’s strange that they haven’t before.
• During the Ace/Wild Weasel fight, both guys make sure to narrate aloud their manuevers and armaments.
• We see the two planes heading for each other, and then a big explosion from which the Sky Striker emerges. So it’s entirely possible that Wild Weasel ejected and is captured next issue.
• I think this was the first time Ace and Wild Weasel have faced off, one-on-one, since the famous issue 34, “Shakedown“. The series had a few aerial duel sequels over the years, but never with Ace and Wild Weasel in their main wings.
• Dr. Mindbender radioes Wild Weasel to drop his missiles on the “REAL Pit site”. So now Cobra’s acknowledging that they know where the Pit is. Let’s see how long until they forget, this time.
• Wild Weasel flips his visor up for one panel and we can see that he has a scar covering his right eye/forehead.
• IDW has been running 2 covers (plus a third sketch variant) for each issue. Only natural that the cover featuring the Sky Striker and Rattler (“Cover A”, shown above) was pencilled by aviation guru Herb Trimpe. Below Ace’s “Capt. Armbruster” designator is a secondary tag of “MSGT. Trimpe- Crew Chief”.

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Snake-Eyes, Storm Shadow, Stalker, Ace, Tripwire, Tunnel Rat, Spirit Iron Knife, Dr. Mindbender, Wild Weasel

Characters (“comic-only”): Billy, Dr. Venom (virtual), Kwinn (ghost)

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Skystriker, Rattler

Vehicles and stuff (not toys): none to speak of

Firsties:
Characters: none

Vehicles and stuff: none

Rating: 4 Flag Points