G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #177

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: Ron Frenz

Summary:

After dropping off Storm Shadow at a hospital, the Baroness and Snake-Eyes head to Broca Beach to face-off with the Blue Ninjas. Cobra Commander exposes a fraud Siegie, then holes up in the Broca Beach Wax Museum to fend off the all-out Blue Ninja assault. Dr. Mindbender is sent to the other side of town to open up a warehouse of BATs, but meets up with Blue Ninjas armed with monofilament molecular sabers. The Baroness and Snake-Eyes save Mindbender’s tail and continue to fight the Blue Ninjas.

Meanhwile, Storm Shadow sneaks out of his hospital room and heads to Broca Beach in a Chevelle muscle car, being tailed by two policemen. Finally, the crew of Vipers returning from Maine run out of fuel and are forced to hi-jack a container ship in the Atlantic.

Notes:

• The Baroness is back to having the Cobra sigil on her outfit, after it didn’t apepar last month. No-Prize Explanation: she slapped it on, since she knew she was going to Broca Beach
   
• The Blue Ninjas inflitrate all of Broca Beach’s computer and communication systems, so Cobra Commander decides to send out false information and communicate with his troops face-to-face.
   
• A hospital nurse mentions that Storm Shadow had “several old gunshot wounds, some of which should have been fatal”, which is a little call-back to the time when Storm Shadow “died”, circa issue 49.
   
• Hilarious that BN-001 is leading in his command vehicle: an ice cream truck. One of the signature themes of the series, where the most unexpected cover is used.
   
• Just like Cobra Commander, last issue, the Maine Viper team shows actual emotion by flying home a full throttle since their families are endangered.
   
• Cobra Commander dons his new, upgraded battle armor, the “Sigma Six Series suit”. Cute reference to the “Sigma Six” toy line. The suit has a distinctive RED hood for CC; not sure if that was refelected in his Sigma Six action figure.
   
• Going back to my thoughts about the Blue Ninjas being tied into the original Fred– I’m thinking that there’s a possibility “BN-001” might actually BE the original Fred. That’d be a tough sell, since Fred’s body was left in the wilderness. I’d prefer if it was a member of the original Fred’s family.
   
• Along those lines, BN-001 couldn’t be Sean Collins, could he? We kinda’ assumed Sean would turn out to be a good guy, thanks to the tone of issue 155 and his portrayal as “Kamakura” in the Devil’s Due series. That would ruin the tone of issue 155 if it does turn out to be Sean.

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Snake-Eyes, Storm Shadow, Baroness, Dr.Mindbender, Cobra Commander

Characters (“comic-only”):BN-001

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Cobra Stinger, Cobra Rage

Vehicles and stuff (not toys):Cobra Transport Helicopter

Firsties:
Characters: none

Vehicles and stuff: none

Rating: 3 Flag Points