G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #300

Writer: Larry Hama
Pencils: S.L. Gallant

Summary:

The cloned (and fully clothed) Snake-Eyes emerges from his vat. After first displaying loyalty to Cobra, he notices one of Scarlett’s throwing stars in the equipment, then suddenly switches back to his “normal” self by slicing away two Vipers and commandeering their rifles. Serpentor Khan and Dr. Mindbender continue to throw more (various) Vipers at him, while they consider detonating their “Mutant Zombie Virus Bomb”.

In the skies above, the Joes’ C-130 continues to circle in a racetrack pattern. They pick up a helpful transmission from the Cobra lab that carefully narrates the situation with Snake-Eyes. Scarlett and Stalker immediately parachute onto Cobra Island.

Elsewhere on Cobra Island, (a suddenly recovered) Wade Collins and Storm Shadow are fighting Vipers in the jungle. They meet up with Cutter, Shipwreck and Deep Six on the Whale, Laura-343 and Throwdown (“Snake-Eyes II”) then Dawn Moreno and Cobra Commander. Finally, Scarlett and Stalker join the crew and they all plow into the Cobra lab, in the Whale, via the back loading bay.

Scarlett is reunited with Snake-Eyes. However, Revanche recalls all of their advanced B.A.T.s, but order one to shoot down the C-130 with a Cobra Jet Pack. The C-130 is damaged severely and appears to be heading in a crash dive into the Cobra Casino. “To Be Continued?!”

Stop The Bleed (backup story)

A rather ….odd… illustrated Public Service Announcement concludes things. It’s about how to stop the bleeding on severe cuts. While the steps are included in a chart, in the back, the actual story doesn’t really show or detail the steps. It appears to be set in the Sunbow style (and perhaps, continuity), so we can look over the appearance of Doc. We’re also not scoring these characters under “Appearances”.

Notes:

• Huh.
• Honestly, if this were a regular issue–and not the supposed “final”– I would’ve maybe rated it a bit higher. While some things do tie up, predictably, it’s an odd cliff hanger to end the (IDW) series on.
• There are rumors that a new publisher will take over, and that Hama’s already in touch with them…. but who knows?
• It’s kinda’ funny how Hama’s writing style of characters constantly explaining everything plays into the story and allows the Joes in the C-130 to know exactly what’s happening.
• In a pretty big moment, Scarlett and Snake-Eyes embrace and are “reunited”. Scarlett mentions Snake-Eyes’ face and he says “Scarlett”. We, the viewers, don’t actually see Snake-Eyes’ face. It’s always blocked by something. Even by Scarlett’s ponytail, in one scene.
• When Serpentor Khan is asked about detonating the Mutant Zombie Virus Bomb, he compares it to “starting out on a grand new adventure”, foreshadowing the title’s potential new era.
• I think this is the first appearance of the “Cobra Jet Pack”. Umm…yay?
• Claire Hauser’s name is spelled as “Houser” in the back-up story.
• 5 additional cover images help to pad out the book.
• The main “COVER A” supposedly sets some unofficial record on the number or characters depicted on a comic book cover. Okay, but it’s incredibly packed, and almost looks like one of those “Magic Eye” posters from the 90’s. In fact, I think I see a schooner.
• For the most part, the cover depicts figures/characters in “waves” from bottom-to-top. The original 1982 Joes are on the bottom, the 1983 Joes above them, etc. It gets a little fuzzy around the 5th or 6th wave, as some characters blend in.
• It’s mostly based off of figures, up to 1992 or so. I’m not sure if the entire “Battle Corps” line seems to be in there.
• The animal sidekicks appear , up top. There’s Timber, Order, Junkyard, Max, Freedom, and even a crocodile for Croc-Master. So I’m a little surprised that we don’t see Gnawgahyde’s boar.
• There are also some “comic-only” characters, like Kwinn, Gen, Flagg, the White Clown, Dr. Knox, Dawn Moreno, and the Arashikage clan.
• Even some “cartoon only” characters— like the infamous Big Lob and….THE VIPER!
• In a call-back to the original 5-parter cartoon, the S.N.A.K.E armor suits appear to be coming out of cave walls. By they way…did the 1985 dark blue S.N.A.K.E suits ever appear anywhere, in the comics or cartoons?

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Snake-Eyes, Stalker, Storm Shadow, Scarlett, Duke, Wild Bill, Cutter, Shipwreck, Deep Six, Cover Girl, Jinx, Ghostrider (heard, but not seen), Roadblock (cameo), Lady Jaye (cameo), Cobra Commander, Dr. Mindbender

Characters (comic-only): Dawn Moreno, Wade Collins, BN-001, Laura-343, Serpentor Khan

Vehicles & Stuff (toys): Killer Whale, Cobra HISS, Phantom X-19, Cobra Jet Pack

Vehicles & Stuff (not toys): G.I. Joe C-130

Firsties: none

Rating: 2 Flag Points