G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #195

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: S.L. Gallant

Summary:

As the Joes break off into separate teams to begin their rescue mission in Sierra Gordo, they all come under fire by the local rebels. It becomes apparent to each team that they’ve just walked into a trap. Flint’s team finds an old Terror Drome, where the mysterious “terrorists” are keeping the hostages. The entire team’s communication suddnely goes out; even for those back at the Pit.

Pale Peony and Jinx try to leave Olliestan, but are spotted and subsequently engaged by three more cyborgs. Pale Peony is shot in the melee.

At the Pit, the remaining Joes piece things together, noting that the rest of the (non-hostage) dignitaries in Sierra Gordo, all worked with organizations with previous ties to Cobra. The Pit Joes then prepare to rescue the rest of the team. At Rancho Corba Acres, Cobra Commander mentions that this, indeed, is all his plan. He made a deal with the Blue Ninjas and has drawn-out, then trapped, the Joes in Sierra Gordo.

Notes:

• I’ll say it: this is the best storyline since the re-launch. Good use of characters and the recent sub-plots are coming together. Of course, my satisfaction depends on how it ENDS, as I’ll be furious if another off-screen deal is cooked up.
   
• Cobra Commander’s plan is a good call-back to his original MO, from way back in issue 1.
   
• The only four digniaties still alive or being held hostage are Pres. Sofia Velez, Grunt (Robert Graves), USMC Matthew Cooper and US Ambassador Huntly Pierce-Bryson. Fitz, Strawhacker and the rest are all running free.
   
• The Joes’ C-130 is blown up by the rebels. It appeared that no Joes were inside, however.
   
• The Joes’ “alpha team” sneaks through the yard of a retired couple. Somewhat reminisicent of the beach scene in issue 15.
   
• My favorite line— Mutt tells Junkyard: “woof discipline from here on!”
   
• Junkyard proves his worth, once again, by acurrately sniffing out and guiding the Joes through a minefield.
   
• The Joes land the C-130 at the Rio Lindo airfield, under the guise of mechanical problems. To help communicate with the airfield officials, it’s mentioned that Shipwreck is fluent in Spanish. Nice, because I don’t think the Joes language fluencies (usually listed on their old file cards) have ever played into a plot much.
   
• Grunt and Cooper both notice that the rebels are very robotic in their mannerisms.
   
• Two “rebels” are named: Ernesto and Julio. As these are probably cyborgs, it seems a waste for me to score them under “Appearances”.
   
• Ernesto is referred to as “Jefe”, once. But I don’t see this as a proper noun, rather just the literal meaning of “jefe”, which is basically “boss”.
   
• It’s revealed that Grunt and Lola had a kid– a little girl (un-named). News-teams find this out and swarm their home. As a slimy newscaster tries to interview the little girl, Lola decks him.
   
• Important to note that while Pale Peony is shot, she’s probably not dead. As recent shootings in this title have shown us.
   
• I think this is the first time “USMC Matthew Cooper” has been named, but we’ve seen him in previous issues since this story-arc began.
   
• There are a few more Joes at the Pit, but aside from Wild Card, Hit & Run and Lighfoot, there are no real distinctive markings to ID them. One is apparently a “snow trooper”, but we only see his back.
   
• The Pit Joes mention that it’s only “we few”. Sure, there are probably 50-100 more Joes that we could name, but you can No-Prize this and assume that these are the only ones on active duty, ready to respond.
   

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Duke, Hawk, Torpedo, Gung Ho, Dial-Tone, Leatherneck, Shockwave, Beachhead, Lady Jaye, Flint, Rock & Roll, Zap, Roadblock, Duke, Shipwreck, Mutt & Junkyard, Wild Bill, Payload, Lift-ticket, Ghostrider, Chuckles, Mainframe, Lt. Falcon, Grunt, Psyche-Out, Wild Card, Cross-Country, Spirit Iron-Knife, Jinx, Lightfoot (cameo), Hit & Run (cameo), Cobra Commander, Dr. Mindbender

Characters (“comic-only”): Lola, Graves’ daughter, Pale Peony, Michael Cooper, Sofia Velez, Dinah Lum, Haydn Strawhacker (cameo), Fitz (cameo), Cheng (cameo), Osenko( cameo)

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Tomahawk, Mudfighter, Tiger Rat, Phantom X-19, Night Raven, Cobra Condor, Cobra Liquidator, Cobra Terror Drome

Vehicles and stuff (not toys): GI Joe C-130

Firsties:
Characters: Graves’ daughter

Vehicles and stuff: None

Rating: 4 Flag Points