G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #269

Writer: Larry Hama
Pencils: Robert Atkins

Summary:

“Snake-Eyes” (Throwdown) is taken to the sub-sub-basement of the Springfield Community Center. Cobra Commander narrates all the security enhancements and obstacles, which will probably come into the plot when Throwdown escapes. Laura 343 is promoted and left in charge of the security detail.

Crystal Ball is disguised as a pizza delivery guy and finds out about Snake-Eyes’ capture. He also, randomly, delivers an odd pizza to a house by the Oktober Guard. Horrorshow has a “episode” and it’s revealed that the Guardsmen are Revanche androids.

Crystall Ball relayes the info to Zartan and the Dreadnoks. Zartan then sneaks into Revanche’s factory and frees Destro and the Baroness.

Cobra finally gets a bright idea, as they dispatch a Stellar Stiletto to destroy the satellite that directs the orbital laser from Joe Colton in the Chrysler Building.

At the Pit, the Joes are preparing to mobilize. At this point it involves talking about ammo… although CRANKCASE appears (yes another guy back from the dead, despite being killed in issue 109). In New York’s East Village, the “Arashikage and Friends” prepare to rescue Snake-Eyes. Finally, at Fort Wadsworth, Clutch, Stalker and Rock & Roll receive a visit from Wade Collins.

Notes:

• Okay, so Hama’s playing off the Oktober Guard as Revanche drones (which we mentioned as “Theory #3” in the recap for issue 264)… yet in the same issue Hama slips up again and brings back CRANKCASE!
• It seems strange that Daina and Horrorshow are playing along with the ruse that their deceased teammates are back with no suspicion. Makes them seem incredibly stupid—so you have to assume that they’ve been brainwashed by Revanche, or they are, in fact, playing along to figure out what’s really going on.
• Explaining Crankcase? Oh golly…
• Since it’s comics, you can make up the case that this is “Crankcase II”, his brother, son, nephew or some other BS. Or, this Crankcase is also a Revanche android, and the Joes are also playing along until they find out what’s going on.
• And here’s another curious case…it appears that HEAVY METAL may be in the background at the Pit. For now, I’m going to forgive that and assume it’s actually Wildcard. All we see is “guy with mustache and helmet standing by tanks”. He’s not addressed, nor does he speak, so fingers crossed that another worthless character hasn’t been re-spawned.
• With the “Storm Shadow android” still out there, I’m guessing there’s now an convenient way to bring back any dead character, or “clone” an existing character. Good to know. Once again, I’m guessing all these Revanche and Brainwave Scanner shenanigans bring back the “original” Snake-Eyes in Throwdown’s body.
• Oh, we also get the random debut of “Rollbar”. A guy that appeared with the “modern” toys, circa 2004.
• Thought it was a little funny that the security detail for the sub-basement(s) included HEAT Vipers. Yes, anti-tank guys are great at close quarter defense.
• In what may be a subplot, “Colonel Brekhov” appears to be wearing a Python Patrol shirt.
• Crystal Ball is working for “Braco Bros” pizza. Yet another Cobra anagram.
• There’s a guy in “laser trooper” gear at the Pit. I’m assuming it’s Grand Slam, since he’s working with the tanks and armor.
• The IDW editorial house ad says “on sale in October”. I’m guessing you can chalk that up to production delays or something. Unless IDW likes to promote their stuff 9 months in advance!
• I would’ve ranked this issue higher, but the unnecessary return of Crankcase just adds complications and eye-rolls. Right now, there is no explanation that would prove satisfactory. “He’s a Revanche android”, “he’s a new guy with the same code-name” or “he was on a super-secret undercover mission and is only now coming back, a la Sneak Peek”…. all would stink.

Appearances

Characters (figures):  Duke, Mainframe, Hawk, Stalker, Clutch, Rock & Roll, Steeler, Grand Slam, Crankcase, Helix (cameo), Scarlett (cameo), Budo (cameo), Storm Shadow (cameo), Jinx (cameo), Dial-tone (cameo), Rollbar (cameo), Wildcard? (cameo), Colonel Brekhov, Horroshow, Daina, Schrage (cameo), Stormavik (cameo), Dragonsky (cameo), Cobra Commander, Dr. Mindbender, Crystal Ball, Zartan, Buzzer, Destro, Baroness, Zandar (cameo), Road Pig (cameo), Thrasher (cameo), Ripper (cameo), Gwangahyde (cameo).

Characters (comic-only): Wade Collins, Throwdown, Dawn Moreno, Joe Colton, Jane, Raymond, Milo, Laura 343

Firsties: Rollbar

Vehicles (toys): HISS, Cobra Stellar Stiletto, Mauler (cameo), Desert Fox (cameo), AWE Striker (cameo)
Vehicles (not toys): Cobra Aspid

Firsties: none

Rating: 2 Flag Points