G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #267

Writer: Larry Hama
Pencils: Robert Atkins

Summary:

The embedded Vipers in Staten Island mobilize and attack the Fort Wadsworth Motor Pool. Sneaking in through hollow oil tankers, they fight their way into the Pit, then use gas to subdue and abduct “Snake Eyes” (Throwdown). A squad of Cobra Aspid helicopters quickly extracts the prisoner and the remaining troops.

In his control center, Cobra Commander is giddy and exclaims: “I can’t wait to strap him into the Brainwave Scanner”.

Notes:

• That’s the master plan? This reads like something I would’ve concocted for my own GI Joe stories, circa age 9. The tone of this entire issue seems more similar to the ridiculous “HiJacked Heroes” toy giveaway story.
• The Cobra troops enter Fort Wadsworth in hollow “RABCO” petroleum trucks.
• According to the Fort Wadsworth guards, “Yojo Petroleum” usually delivers fuel to the Motor Pool. Yes, that’s a silly name, but you can No-Prize it that it’s a shell company run by the military, strictly to deliver stuff to the GI Joe team.
• When the Cobra troops enter the Pit, they only go down one level…where the same Joes from last issue are still sitting in their training positions. This is odd, because it’s implied that at least one day has passed since then—as Julie the papergirl is back for another delivery. Unless you want to explain it that she’s circling back to deliver papers, whereas she was just collecting/billing before.
• With the Brainwave Scanner being involved, yet again, I’m thinking my old prediction about Dawn Moreno’s memories of the original Snake-Eyes being shuttled into Sean Collins/Throwdown will condense things into one “regular Snake-Eyes”.
• Hey, ya’d think MAYBE Cobra would remember that they captured Snake-Eyes and strapped him into the Brainwave Scanner circa issue 160?!
• The female Crimson Guardsman, Laura 343 is in charge of the Cobra operation.
• For my own sanity, I try to score all the various Vipers that appear. This issue has Night Vipers, Alley Vipers (v1), Frag-Vipers, HEAT Vipers, Techno Vipers and Toxo-Vipers (v2). At least I think it’s the V2 Toxo-Vipers… the ones with the pointy horns on their helmets.
• Really, the only thing that kept me from grading this an awful “One Flag Point” was the art. Atkins does a nice job. I really liked his shot of the Cobra Aspids flying, as well as the fun retro cover.
• You probably know this, but the cover is an homage to issue 54. Coincidentally (or perhaps intentionally), that issue also featured Snake-Eyes (disguised as Flint) getting captured and strapped into the Brainwave Scanner.

Appearances

Characters (figures): Stalker, Clutch, Rock and Roll, Scarlett, Budo, Bombstrike, Jinx, Helix, Cobra Commander, Dr. Mindbender (cameo)

Characters (comic-only): Throwdown/Snake-Eyes II, Dawn Moreno, Milo, Raymond, Laura 343

Vehicles (toys): HISS Tank, Wolverine (cameo)
Vehicles (not toys): Cobra Aspid

Firsties: None

Rating: 2 Flag Points