G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #298
Scarlett, Helix and Jinx make it out of the Cobra Casino and rendezvous with Rock and Roll, Gung Ho and Roadblock. In what may or may not be a callback to issue 1 and “Hot Potato”, Rock and Roll chastises Scarlett for leaving Sean Collins and Dawn Moreno behind. Scarlett re-iterates that they’re parts of Snake-Eyes and she doesn’t plan on leaving the Island without them.
Back in the Casino, Dr. Mindbeder, Laura-343, Sean and Dawn all seem to be playing along with Genhgis Khan and biding their respective time, for different reasons. Sean and Dawn manage to escape, for a moment, but are re-captured due to knockout gas.
Meanwhile, Wild Bill lands the C-130 on Cobra Island, with some help from the Phantom X-19 Stealth and despite opposition from Cobra Imps and ASPs. Also, Cutter, Shipwreck and Deep Six are observing and approaching in the Killer Whale.
Finally, Genghis Khan is waltzing through the Casino and runs into Cobra Commander. Both are annoyed at each other, but Khan decks CC and garbs himself in Serpentor’s old costume. He stops Mindbender from strapping Sean into the Brainwave Scanner, saying there are “more important business to take care off– such as the immediate transfer of power. You will now all address me as Serpentor Khan! There are going to be some changes around here”.
Notes
- The landing sequence, the inclusion of some vehicles, and the quick confrontation between Cobra Commander and Serpentor, are enough for me to finally bump this up to 3 Flag Points from the 2 Point Doldrums. It’s not a great story, but with some real action occurring, it makes me want to read the next issue.
- Funny visual: a knocked out Alley Viper is seen in polka-dot boxers. That’s where Genghis Khan got his pants from!
- It’s revealed that Storm Shadow stowed away on the C-130. Of course he did.
- Another group of tourists arrive at the casino, including Wade Collins. The Vipers recognize him as a “Fred series” an let him pass. Presumably, it’s his wife and daughter that are with him.
- The name of the Cobra Casino cruise vessel is “Wakatakakage. The crack Option 38 Research Team (Google) tells me that’s the name of a current sumo wrestler. Unless there’s a deeper or more clever meaning that I’m missing.
- Alpha-001 is also watching things via BAT-cam.
- I think this is the first time the Cobra Imp missile tanks have had some real “main screen” action. I recall seeing them in the background during the Cobra Civil War (circa issue 75). So it’s cool to see them finally in a combat scene. Of all the …questionable… post-1985 Cobra vehicles, I always had a soft spot for the Imp.
Appearances:
Characters (figures): Scarlett, Jinx, Helix, Roadblock, Gung Ho, Rock & Roll, Stalker, Duke, Wild Bill, Muskrat, Cutter, Shipwreck (w/Polly), Cover Girl (cameo), Long Range (cameo), Clutch (cameo), Lady Jaye (cameo), Cobra Commander, Dr. Mindbender
Characters (comic-only): Throwdown/Sean/Snake-Eyes II, Dawn Moreno, Wade Collins, Mrs. Collins, Collins’ daughter, Multo, Laura-343, Genghis/Seprentor Khan
Vehicles and stuff (toys): Phantom X-19, Killer Whale, VAMP Mark II, Wolverine, Hammer, Cobra Imp, Cobra ASP
Vehicles and stuff (comic only): G.I. Joe C-130
