G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #254
Writer: Larry Hama
Pencils: Nietho Diaz
Summary
Destro is brokering an arms deals between MARS and Sheikh Ali of the country Qnrrh. He personally demonstrates a “tactical body armor system”, but the Sheikh isn’t sold, as he feels he has enough high-tech armaments and defenses.
The Sheikh is taking Destro and the Baroness on a tour of his well-fortified subterranean facility, when it’s suddenly attacked by HIND-E helicopters carrying a new breed of Android Troopers. Destro and the Baroness fight them off and the Sheikh agrees to do business with MARS, feeling that Destro set the whole thing up. However, on the ride home, Destro privately reveals that he did not arrange the attack. It was all done by the Sheikh’s brother-in-law, whom Destro had fed to Revanche. Destro knew all along, because “knowing is half the battle” (*groan*).
Notes
- Destro first mentions that the Sheikh’s brother-in-law is in exile in Rudatistan, then later mentions that he is in Pakistan. NOH Award explanation: for whatever reason, Destro fed Sheikh Ali deliberate misinformation by telling him the bro-in-law was in Rudatistan. Real explanation: Hama probably forgot and nobody actually EDITS comics, nowadays.
- It’s mentioned that Qnrrh borders Trucial Abysmia, Benzheen, and “other countries”.
- Destro seems to have fixed the little “scar” that was on his facemask.
- Also on-hand is Ali’s consultant, the German “Sepp Dietrich”, who provided most of the existing defense.
- Destro actually uses his wrist-rockets and wrist grenades. It seems he’s used those more, since the relaunch.
- Netho Diaz’s work is still just “okay” to me. I suppose because he reminds me of the style Devil’s Due used to frequent.
- Only issue, thus far, of this “Special Missions” arc that didn’t use flashbacks in some way.
- I almost downgraded this to 2 Flag Points, since it sorta’ feels like something that would’ve run as a back-up feature in a Yearbook or Annual. My least favorite “Special Mission” of this batch.
Appearances
Characters (figures): Destro, Baroness
Characters (“comic only”): Sheikh Ali, Sepp Dietrich
Vehicles and stuff (toys): none
Vehicles and stuff (not toys): HIND-E helicopters, SU-25 Frogfoots
Firsties:
Characters: Sheikh Ali, Sepp Dietrich
Vehicles: SU-25 Frogfoots
Rating: 3 Flag Points
Rudatistan… named after a friend of Hama’s IIRC
“Ron Rudat” was the name of the guy who drew the character portraits for the figures in the 80’s. A friend of Hama’s from Hasbro and, I think, the face of Leatherneck (just as Hama was the face of Tunnel Rat). It’s detailed in the GI Joe episode of Netflix’s “The Toys That Made Us”. “Rudat” was also the last name of Dusty in the cartoon…yet his figure’s file card listed him as “Tadur” (spelled backwards).