G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #278

Writer: Larry Hama
Pencils: Dan Schoening

Summary:

An “Untold Tale” of Cobra trying, once again, to set-up Terror Dromes in Frusenland. This time, they’ve kidnapped Dr. Jen Tang, a geologist to help them.

As the story opens, the GI Joe team has already attacked a Terror Drome and saved Dr. Tang. As they are escaping, Cobra retaliates by chasing after them in Wolfs and Ice Sabres. With limited ammo and their individual skills, the Joes are able to take them out.

Notes:

• Nothing too flashy, story-wise, as this is a very straightforward “good guys vs. bad guys” plot. Yet for G.I. Joe, this absolutely works!
• The art looks very clean and similar to the Sunbow cartoon. Once again, this absolutely works for G.I. Joe. Frostbite and Low-Light look like they’re straight from an animation cell. Cover Girl and Dr. Tang even have the winter coats that female characters wore during snowy missions.
• Low-light deals the winning blows, as he makes two “impossible” shots on moving targets. He doesn’t get to show off his sniper skills very much, in the comics, so this was welcome.
• For what it’s worth, Frostbite seems to be calling the shots.
• Dr. Tang mentions that she was kidnapped while in Helsinki. Thus, you can surmise that Frusenland is located somewhere in, or near, Scandinavia. Which is probably where most of us have placed it.
• An un-named Snow Serpent in a “version 2” outfit orders the other Cobras around. Included are two “version 1” Snow Serpents, so you can make up some story that the different outfits indicate some sort of rank.
• No real time frame for this flashback, other than gauging who’s on the team. Frostbite says that Cobra has tried setting up Terror Dromes in Frusenland, before. So it’s at least after issue 68. The presence of the “Version 2” Snow Serpent and the Ice Sabres could bump the timeline requirements to the early 90’s….like issue 125 or so. But it really doesn’t matter, because this could even fit in as recently as a few years ago.
• The Snow Cat and the (BattleForce 2000) Dominator both appear to be bigger than their toy counterparts. The rear missile launcher deck of the Snow Cat appears to hold four people, easily. Also, the interior of the Dominator is a roomy cockpit that seats 3.
• For all we know, this particular Dominator could have been left in Frusenland, from issue 68-69. No mention is made of the deceased Avalanche or BattleForce 2000, though.
• The famous “ski-missiles” of the Snow Cat are used and prove pivotal in the fight!
• “Snow battles” between GI Joe and Cobra were always a favorite of mine, as a kid, so that boosts the rating.

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Cover Girl, Frostbite, Blizzard, Snow Job, Iceberg, Low-light

Characters (comic-only):Dr. Jen Tang

Vehicles & Stuff (toys): Dominator, Snow Cat, Terror Drome, Firebat, Cobra Ice Wolf, Cobra Ice Sabre

Firsties: Dr. Jen Tang

Rating: 4 Flag Points