G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #167

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: S. L. Gallant

Summary:

Near the North Pole, a group of Joes arrive at the old Russian low-frequency radio wave station from wayyy back in issue 2. They get into a big skirmish with a squad of Cobra Wolf Ice Tanks and are taken captive. Their actions are being tracked by both Destro in Scotland and the Joes at the Pit. While three Joes are captured by Cobra (Frostbite, Iceberg and Cold Front), the fourth member of the team, Blizzard, sends a message to the Pit that he’s going after his teammates.

Meanwhile, Mainframe pay a visit to Joe Colton and Jane in the Chrysler Building to discuss improvements on the oribtal targetting system and laser. They discover some old orbitting satellites that all point to the Russian radio station.

Destro and the Baroness discover some surprising developments on Cobra’s part. As expected, they canceled all their MARS weapons orders and have now begun dealing with Darklon… ?!

Finally, “somewhere in the Southern United States”, FIRELY (seemingly returned from the dead) tracks down CRYSTAL BALL. With a crew of Night Creepers, they plan to assault the Chrysler Building to get back on Cobra’s good side.

Notes:

• If we thought Topside’s was overdue, well check out Blizzard’s debut! He was a 1988 characters who has waited 23 years to dappear. Cold Front was a 1990 character who; along with his “Avalanche” tank; is finally debuting as well.
   
• Initially, I thought this was Crystal Ball’s debut, too; but I then I remembered he made his only previous appearance in the awful Special Missions #24.
   
• This is the first time we’ve seen the original Snow Serpents. When they finally appeared in 1993, they were appeared in their second uniform designs (with orange furn). They’re now back to their original 1985 look.
   
• We finally see the full apparatus the Joes use to move their surface base. It’s a gigantic trawler, driven by Hardtop. I’m scoring it as “GI Joe Surface Hut Trawler”.
   
• Three big “return from the dead” appearances this month. First, Firefly, who was last seen being taken away by rogue BATs in 1993. We never saw his body, so there’s that explanation. However, he’s now back in his original (and awesome) 1984 costume. He’s also dealing with the Night Creeper, so his ninjas connections appear to be intact.
   
• Darklon’s tougher to figure. He was blown up by Destro in 1994. Destro even mentions this in this issue. But the Baroness counters that Darklon had converted his dungeon into a missile-proof shelter. Umm…okay, but we specifically saw him in one of his castle’s TOWERS when the missile hit. No-Prize Explanation: he had some sort of escape hatch. Lame.
   
• The third “return” is Destro’s Sgt. Major. Now, it could be a new guy with that same rank and title. But does it really matter? We saw Castle Destro blown to bits, but it now appears to be intact, fuly functioning with MARS personnel and no worse for wear. *fart*
   
• Fun joke, as Cold Front wonders if it should be “Cobra Wolfs” or “Cobra Wolves”. Really, what should it be? I would think “Wolves”, but “Wolfs” is used continuously in the story. Is it “Wolfs” because “Wolf” is a proper name in this sense? Similar to way a family with the last name of “Wolf” would be “The Wolfs”.
   
• The Joes mention that Blizzard is off in the Snow Cat, but that vehicle is not seen this issue.
   
• This issue was real close to having a “4 Flag Points” rating, since I’ve always liked the GI Joe cold weather stuff. What knock it down to “3” was the miraculous returns of Firefly and Darklon.

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Blizzard, Frostbite, Iceberg, Cold Front, Mainframe, Hardtop, Cross Country, Rumbler, Steam-Roller, Duke, Scarlett, Stalker, Dial-tone, Sci-fi (cameo), Low-light (cameo), Lady Jaye (cameo), Scoop (cameo), Firefly, Crystal Ball, Destro, Baroness

Characters (“comic-only”): Destro’s Sgt. Major

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Avalanche, Mauler (cameo), Cobra Wolf, MARS AGP (cameo), MARS Demon (cameo), MARS Razorback (cameo)

Vehicles and stuff (not toys):Cobra transport/gunship helicopter, GI Joe Surface Hut Trawler

Firsties:
Characters:Blizzard, Cold Front

Vehicles and stuff: Avalanche, GI Surface Hut Trawler

Rating: 3 Flag Points