G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero #206

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: S.L. Gallant

Summary:

On a grocery run in Staten Island with Scarlett, Snake-Eyes thwarts an armed robbery because he’s a bad-ass. The pair then run into Sean Collins (son of Wade), walking past his old house. Using some faux government leverage, they’re able to get invited into the house and meet the current family. Sean sneaks down to the basement, where an old hidden room full of Crimson Guard supplies is still intact…and it appears somebody has been there recently.

Following a trail of breadcrumbs, the Joes dispatch Pale Peony and Jinx to a Revanche Robotics branch in Dublin, Ireland. They run into a new type of Revanche cyborg, who calls herself “921”. 921 knocks out Pale Peony and Jinx, then takes them away to be “decontrstructed”.

In the Pit, Duke is FINALLY shown what was behind the mysterious blast doors. First, we see colorful blue machinery hidden under tarps… but those are just being stored there because the space is available. The main focus of the area is apparently an intense research facility, all built around a giant eye! Yeah, a big old eyeball in the floor. The eye has shown more activity, recently.

Finally, Torpedo, Alpine and Muskrat pay a visit to the funeral of Dr. Burkhart. They present her brother (apparently a veteran) with a small medal of appreciation for the deceased.

Notes:

• Cobra Commander appears to be in full recovery, as he boasts to Dr. Mindbender (also in full recovery) that this Revanche stuff is part of his next plan.
   
• That’s 921 on the cover. Somewhat strange that “she” is show in samurai garb. When I saw the previews for this issue, I just figured it was Budo sparring with Jinx and Pale Peony.
   
• Chuckles is able to piece together Dublin as the location, due to bugging conversations between Cobra Commander and Dr. Mindbender about “Fair City”. Fair City is apparently the name of an Irish TV show. So even comic book heroes use Google.
   
• Umm, a giant eye?! Did not see that coming (no pun intended). Very Area 51-ish and I’m completely intrigued to see where this goes.
   
• Duke alludes to knowing what’s under the giant tarps. With their shape and colors, they appear to be Transformers. I’ve always bitched about the Transformers connections, but this is a good way to at least acknowledge them (if these are intended to be Transformers, that is). Think of it a back-door plot option that could be exploited, if necessary.
   
• Sean Collins did indeed pursue a successful military career. Stalker and Scarlett offer him a spot on the team.
   
• The medal that is given to Dr. Burkhart’s brother (Mike) has a symbol on it that resembles the GI Joe movie iconography. The eagle with the star.
   
• He’s called “Uncle Mike” and his nice is named “Mary Lou”. Right now it’s inaccurate to call them both “Burkhart”, since we don’t know the exact connection and if “Burkhart” was a married name.
   
• For what it’s worthg, Dr. Burkhart’s tombstone says “She put her beliefs into action”. Her lifespan is shown to be 1949-2014. That’s about accurate for her depicted age, but you really shouldn’t focus in on dates in ANY comic book. See: Reed Richards and Bem Grimm in WWII.
   
• We don’t see how Snake-Eyes thwarted the robbery, as you could imagine it was very similar to the back-up story in Yearbook #4. Scarlett’s reaction is almost identical. Just Snake-Eyes up to his usual tricks.
   
• In the past (80’s), I might’ve whined about the VAMP being out in the open and crusing the streets of Staten Island in broad daylight. Yet it has its turret removed and, nowadays, would probably not get a second look from anybody. The public would just think it’s “some army guys out in a Hummer”. In 1984 and issue 27 yeah it might’ve stuck out.

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Snake-Eyes, Scarlett, Stalker, Clutch, Duke, Mainframe, Psyche-Out, Lady Jaye, Chuckles, Torpedo, Alpine, Muskrat, Cobra Commander, Dr. Mindbender

Characters (“comic-only”):Joe Colton, Sean Collins, Dr. Burkhart’s brother (Mike), Mary Lou, 921

Vehicles and stuff (toys): VAMP

Vehicles and stuff (not toys): none

Firsties:
Characters: Mike, Mary Lou, 921

Vehicles and stuff: none

Rating: 4 Flag Points