G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #275

Summary:

In a silent issue, everybody runs into crowds of Cobras and begins shooting. The Joes’ airborne team and ninja teams meet up with Snake-Eyes/Throwdown and shoot their way out of the tunnel between the Community Center and Hospital, but not before dropping some grenades to blow things up.

Outside, the Joes on the buses begin shooting Cobras. Zartan and the Dreadnoks show up and begin shooting Cobras. Destro’s Iron Grenadiers show up and begin shooting Cobras. The Oktober Guard robots begin shooting Cobras.

The Dreadnok Thunder Machine cuts a path through the Cobra legions and everyone drives away. Roadblock eats a cheeseburger. “Mission Accomplished”

Notes

• Yes, that’s your big finale.
• I’ll give them credit that it wasn’t the usual “oh, a DEAL has been made, let’s all walk away” trick that Hama likes to use.
• This was promised to include “every single member of GI Joe”…yet there are quite a few that didn’t make it in. Off the top of my head, I can think of Topside, Ambush, Mongoose, Fast Draw, Windmill, Salvo and Downtown. Some of those are deep cuts, but all have appeared in the comic. Ambush was even given a fairly big role as recently as #260. I’m sure there are many more.
• FWIW, Tunnel Rat gets nicked in the shoulder and rides away on the back of Zartan’s bike. The Oktober Guard all pile into Bongo the Balloon Bear’s van.
• In the middle of the firefight, we can see Lifeline in the middle of the bus. He’s the only person in this issue without a weapon. He’s seen clenching his teeth, expecting to be called into (medical) action soon. Totally appropriate for his character.
• Honestly, I question why this was a silent issue. Umm, because Snake-Eyes/Throwdown is rescued, and/or it’s tradition? Maybe? Just seems odd to have an issue that’s non-stop SHOOTING be given the silent treatment.
• So, those back-up transport trucks with tarps that were carrying the Joes’ vehicle? It appears only two of them were used: the MOBAT and the Mauler.
• Page 26 has two guys I can’t identify. Behind Alpine on top of the bus is some generic greenshirt. Could be Zap (sans Bazooka) or even Grunt (back with no explanation). In the window, next to Leatherneck appears to be…Ninja Force’s T’jbang? Or is that Blowtorch without his mask?

Appearances

Characters (figures): Duke, Hawk, Roadblock, Stalker (cameo), Storm Shadow, Clutch, Tunnel Rat, Scarlett, Budo, Freefall, Airborne, Muskrat, Torpedo, Budo, Lady Jaye, Wet-Suit, Mainframe, Cover Girl, Gung Ho, Heavy Metal, Steeler, Helix, Law, Dusty, Chuckles, Shipwreck, Crazylegs, Lifeline, Beach-head, Falcon, Flint, Leatherneck, Low-light, Psyche-Out, Frostbite, Alpine, Flash, Blizzard

Cobra Commander, Dr. Mindbender, Zartan, Buzzer, Torch, Ripper, Thrasher (cameo), Zarana (cameo), Col. Brekhov, Horrorshow, Daina, Stormavik, Schrage, Dragonsky, Destro (cameo), Baroness (cameo)

Characters (comic-only): Demon Granny, Dawn Moreno, Milo, Raymond, Throwdown, Wade Collins (cameo)

Vehicles (toys): MOBAT, Mauler (cameo), Destro’s AGP, HISS, HISS II, Dreadnok Thunder Machine

Rating: 2 Flag Points