G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero #210

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: S.L. Gallant

Summary:

Beneath the Pit, Roadblock is told he’s to be controlling good consciousness of the revised Serpentor. Before he’s fulled formed, Serpentor smashes out of his vat and goes on a rampage. Roadblock takes him out with the traditional bearhug.

A team of Joes: consisting of Throwdown, Cover Girl, Clutch, Outback, Bazooka and Dusty; are dispatched for a recon mission in Olliestan. They find a remote Revanche complex, heavily armored and sitting over an underground complex. Dr. Mindbender and Cobra Commander gloat that this is all part of their plan, again.

In Japan, Raymond meets up with “Demon Granny” and Storm Shadow. They’re pursued by a flying Blue Ninja cyborg, which they quickly dispatch.

Notes:

• A special page, in the back, talks about the unfortunate passing of artist Jeremy Dale. He was an artist on the 2008-2009 “Hasbro comics”, written by Hama and included in the two-pack action figure sets.
   
• For supposedly being advanced cyborgs in past issues, the Blue Ninjas are now rather easy to take out.
   
• Also, for a supposedly unknown ninja clan, it seems strange that there’s a bus stop called “Arashikage Yama”.
   
• Roadblock was voted to be the control factor for Serpentor by the rest of the Joe Team. The question was “which of your teammates do you trust the most to make the correct ethical decision in a crisis situation”? Everyone picked Roadblock, except for one Joe (we’re not told who).
   
• Roadblock contest the selection: “Waitaminute– some of that is prejudiced by the fact that I’m the guy who’s backing them up with the heavy firepower”.
   
• Serpentor is running around all starkers, with the conveninent shadows or smoke covering up “Lil’ Serpie”. He’s still minus his right eye… yet on the cover he’s shown missing his left eye. I chalk that up to a simple production error or accidental image flip in the publishing software. Besides, covers of any comic should never be taken as exact or “in canon”.
   
• There’s a seventh, unidentified, Joe in the C130’s cargo hold for the Olliestan mission. He’s sort of the jump-master for the mission and doesn’t hit the ground with the others. Due to the way he’s rendered and his role, I’m scoring this as “Ripcord”.
   
• The Wolverine is in the Olliestan mission, along with a “humvee”, which I’m scoring as the “Hammer”. It doesn’t have the side gun turrets, but “humvee” and “GI Joe” usually equals “Hammer”.
   
• Think this is the first time the Wolverine’s been in a “starring role” since… maybe its debut in issue 16-17? It was usually rendered as a background vehicle on big group shots. Feel free to double-check for me.
   
• Throwdown looks a lot like Lt. Falcon in terms of depiction (camo and a beret). I think he’ll eventually need a more distinctive look to stand out. I’d suggest giving him a “LRRP hat”– like Snake-Eyes had in Vietnam. Would be appropriate.
   
• Mindbender talks about more Crimson Guard models: Malcolm, Jennifer, Carlos, Tyler, Isabella, Jada and Amy.
   
• Cobra Commander is still depicted in his “retro hipster” get-up with the mustache and beret. I’d really like that to go away as his frequent look. Several fans have latched on to the belief that he really looks like that. I prefer to think it’s a silly disguise. CC always appears more sinister to me with his shroud or (even better) his combat helmet.
   
• Letters page has a fan asking about Siobhan, Scarlett’s sister from issue 102. Hama replies: “Siobhan doesn’t exist in my version of the GI Joe Universe”. Okay, that’s kinda’ frustrating, as most of modern “ARAH” chronology seems to be: “What Lary Hama Remembers”.
   
• Yup, another 3 Flag Points issue. This whole thing feels very transitionary and the entire arc would be better read in TPB or one sitting.
   

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Roadblock, Duke, Mainframe, Psyche-Out, Stalker, Clutch, Lady Jaye, Cover Girl, Wild Bill, Dogfight, Storm Shadow, Bazooka, Outback, Dusty, Ripcord, Serpentor, Cobra Commander, Dr. Mindbender

Characters (“comic-only”):Throwdown, Joe Colton, Jane, Demon Granny/Obake Obaasan, Raymond

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Wolverine, Hammer

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

Firsties:
Characters: none

Vehicles and stuff: none

Rating: 3 Flag Points