G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #3
“The Trojan Gambit”
Writer: Larry Hama
Penciller: Herb Trimpe
Summary: After raiding a Cobra stronghold, a deactivated Cobra robot is hauled away to the Pit for examination. Breaker, Clutch and Steeler examine it on the fifth (deepest) floor, while Snake-Eyes, Stalker and Flash pack up weapons on the 4th floor. Meanwhile, Hawk and Scarlett schmooze the crew of Fort Wadsworth at a tea social, on the ground level in the Chaplain’s Assistants Motor Pool. Surprise, surprise, the robot is remotely activated through chemicals and begins rummaging through the Pit. Due to all the shielding in the Pit, the robot has to make it to the surface where it can give out a homing signal to draw in Cobra Commander’s assault force. Pretty whimsical time, as the story serves as a “guide to the Pit”. The robot bursts into tiny bugs and the final one makes it to the floor grate of the Motor Pool. Scarlett conveinently squashes the bug to save the day. Running low on fuel and with no expcted signal, the Cobra force is forced to return home.
Notes:
- The cobra Trojan robot looks like an old Mad Scientist robot from 1950’s comics. Never seen or used again.
- Snake-Eyes has another Bad Ass Moment: he volunteers to personally clean everyone else’s guns. Reason being, he doesn’t want someone else’s gun to jam while they’re covering him.
- A Ft. Wadsworth officer asks Hawk how the Motor Pool can afford such a nicely catered tea social. Hawk replies: “Well, when we’re not transporting the chaplain to chapel, we’re out fighting international terrorists”.
- Another early theme: the opposition trying to locate their enemy’s base.
- The Cobra “snake” helicopters make their first (and maybe only) appearance.
- One of the few stories where the Joes have to protect their “secret identity”.
- The robot was scheduled to be examined by the “tech boys from Aberdeen”. Several references to Aberdeen throughout the early comics. One of the touches that made the comic seemed more “reality-based”.
- When leaving the Cobra stronghold at the beginning of the story, the Joes and their booty are transported away in disguised US Mail trucks.
- Zap mans the hydraulic lift again and seems to be the de facto operator of it. He also seems to have a reputation for being a jokester.
Appearances:
Characters (with figures): Scarlett, Hawk, Snake-Eyes, Flash, Stalker, Steeler, Breaker, Clutch. Rest of the team in background cameos.
Characters (no action figures, or “comic-only” characters): Cobra Commander. Cobra flunkies.
Vehicles and stuff (toys): VAMP, MOBAT, HAL, (cameos)
Vehicles and stuff (not toys): Cobra “snake” helicopters. Cobra Trojan robot (all Firsties).
Rating: 3 Flag Points
