G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #190

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: SL Gallant

Summary:

In Southeast Asia, Lady Jaye is embedded as a humanitarian, helping the locals build rope bridges. It’s part of a plan to ferret out the local warlord– Generalisimo Tep — who shows up in his HIND helicopter, along with Major Bludd. Bludd recognized Jaye and intends to make an example out of her to teach the locals. Chuckles and Lowlight are watching the whole thing from a distance, but are unable to engage (shoot) Bludd because of bureaucracy at the command level.

Bludd holds Lady Jaye at gunpoint, intending to execute her. After several villagers plead for Lady Jaye’s life, mentioning the difference she’s made, Generalisimo Tep and Bludd reconsider and spare her. They take her away in their helicopter, then proceed to turn around and torch the entire village and its population. Chuckles and Lowlight arrive, too late. Chuckles makes the decision to ignore the rules of engagement and intends to kill Tep.

Notes:

• Althought this is set in Southeast Asia, Generalisimo Tep in not “Big Tep”, a villain who died back in Special Missions 18.
   
• Why the same name? I’m guessing “Tep” is a common name and Hama likes it. My linguistic skills suck, but it’s possible it’s a generic name, like “El Jefe”.
   
• For once, it’s comforting to see a villain (Bludd) actually recognize a member of the Joe Team, outside of their usual circumstances.
   
• I think this is the first time we’ve seen Bludd since… issue 108 or so? When he was in Borovia with Snake-Eyes and George Strawhacker.
   
• Bludd appears to be operating on his own, once again, independent of Cobra. But that could all change as the plot requires.
   
• Chuckles and Lowlight maquerade as members of the “World Health Initiative”
   
• Hawk is in brief scene, where he’s agruing with the DOD and State Department. Hawk: “it is my contention that when we commit to using our special operatives, we are also committing to supporting them”. Due to a government coup in the area, the Pentagon no longer wants to eliminate Tep and the Joes appear to be written-off or expendable.
   
• In the Pit cameo, it appears that Dogfight is walking around. Another “Pit Easter Egg”.

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Lady Jaye, Chuckles, Lowlight, Duke, Hawk, Stalker (cameo), Scarlett (cameo), Mainframe (cameo), Dogfight (cameo), Major Bludd

Characters (“comic-only”):Lan (presumably DIES), Generalisimo Tep, Sgt. Ustesevic (Tep’s flunky)

Vehicles and stuff (toys): none

Vehicles and stuff (not toys): MI-24 HIND-D helicopter

Firsties:
Characters: Lan, Generalisimo Tep, Sgt. Ustesevic

Vehicles and stuff: none

Rating: 3 Flag Points