G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #227

(Cobra Nation: Part Two)
Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: SL Gallant

Summary:

Cobra Commander, Dawn and Destro have a tense, ridiculous and overly detailed stand-off. It ends with Cobra Commander agreeing to work with all the underlings/specialists, once again. Baroness is impressed with Dawn and offers to train her. Destro, Zartan and the rest aren’t completely stupid, as they still don’t fully trust Cobra Commander. Dr. Mindbender mentions that he has been using the Brainwave Scanner, again.

Snake-Eyes II is trained by the mysterious Arashikage guy to learn a higher stage of the Arashikage Mindset– “listening to wind and water”. It’s mystical energy that can be used for defense or offense. “It only lasts a few seconds and then it can’t be done for at least six hours”. So, sorta’ like the power-ups you get in a video game.

Bombstrike makes a HALO jump onto the Pit for no real reason. Wendy Ling-Torees appears to be putting the moves on Fred. Finally, Claire Hauser receives a phone call, re-routed from Benzheen. When she hears a certain phrase, she goes into a trance, seemingly a brainwashed sleeper agent.

Notes:

• Maybe I’m being too harsh, but the two pages with the Claire Hauser reveal save the book from being a total disaster.
   
• The phrase that triggers Claire is from the Quran (57:23)- “Despair not over matters that pass you by, nor be proud over favors bestowed upon you”. Thanks, Google.
   
• One other cool thing– Destro, Zartan and Road Pig have coffee at the Springfield Diner. The scene is used as a great visual homage to Edward Hopper’s famous “Nighthawks” painting. This one I knew without Google, thank you.
   
• The super-secret Arashikage Mindset power is a little too unbelievable. Would work in Hama’s old Iron Fist, but not here.
   
• The stand-off with Dawn, Destro and CC is just too ridiculous. CC keeps saying “Dawn” and everybody says that it’s an obvious code.
   
• Cobra Commander is in a theatre, watching a recent speech he gave. Interesting line, as he says: “The world will not tremble and cower before us! No, that is not our way… they will not even notice that we are firmly in charge!” That absolutely fits with Hama’s vision of Cobra.
   
• This first popped up, last issue, but Destro’s steel mask now has a scar over the right eye.
   
• Bombstrike sets up a “Forward Observation Post”, but it’s debateable if that’s a reference to the official 1984 “Forward Observer Unit” Hasbro toy/playset. I think it’s just the actual term.
   

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Duke, Bombstrike, Cobra Commander, Destro, Baroness, Dr. Mindbender, Road Pig, Zarana, Big Boa, Ripper, Torch, Buzzer, Thrasher

Characters (“comic-only”): Throwdown (Snake-Eyes II), “Trieste Arashikage”, Dawn Moreno, Wendy Ling-Torres, Claire Hauser

Vehicles and stuff (toys): none

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

Firsties:
Characters: none

Vehicles and stuff: none

Rating: 2 Flag Points