G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #308
Writer: Larry Hama
Pencils: Paul Pelletier
Summary:
On Cobra Island, the Joe’s recon team is captured and tossed into a cell. Since tossing a prisoner in a cell never works (see: ANY issue with a “prisoner” in the past 12 years), the Joes are easily able to escape and gather hard copy intel. After subduing Dr. Mindbender and some “regular” Mutant Zombie Vipers, they find a basement freezer…which apparently contains a stasis tube with the body of…Serpentor? Complete with an arrow in his eye.
Meanwhile, everyone is heading to Springfield. Again. Serpentor Khan launches a stealth bomber attack on the town; all filled with enhanced mutant cyborg Vipers. When all the Vipers hit the ground, they’re opposed by… Cobra Commander in his silver/blue “Fred VII” armor?
Simultaneously, Duke dispatches a “Ninja Team” to Springfield. Led by Scarlett, it consists of herself, Snake-Eyes, Strom Shadow, Jinx and Dawn Moreno. Along the way, they unknowingly pass a “Mars Frozen Haggis” truck, with Zartan, Baroness, and the Dreadnoks inside.
Notes:
- The groan-inducing dialogue, above, is almost becoming an unintentional parody. “Enhanced Mutant Cyborg Cobra Troopers” sounds like something from the mid-80s when everybody was spoofing on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Adolescent Radioactive Blackbelt Hamsters and/or whatever that Samurai Snails book was.
- The Joes on Cobra Island use the tired and true method of “beating up the guards when they come to check on us” and swiping their uniforms. As they enter Dr. Mindbender’s lab, the doc asks: “aren’t you a little short to be a Viper?” A likely reference to Star Wars and Luke being a “little short for a Stormtrooper”. Har….har ?
- The frozen body of Serpentor? Again? I think Hama may have forgotten that the body was already used back in the “Death of Snake-Eyes” arc. Also involving the Big Eye in the Floor and other stuff.
- No-Prize explanation: Dr. Mindbender had more than one, or cloned several copies of the body. Yeah…but why keep the arrow in the eye? I’ve just about given up with continuity on this book.
- Seems a little odd for Cobra Commander to use the old Fred VII battle armor. Especially since the last time he wore it, he was KILLED by Fred VII. I feel like he’s had a few modern battle-suits that would’ve been an upgrade or a better option.
- I think it’s a Cobra Stinger in this issue, but it has a modified pick-up bed in the back. I’m scoring it as a Stinger, but if there’s an actual toy version of this, from the last 20 years, please let me know.
- May or may not be intentional, but the cell the Joes are thrown in resembles the Terror Drome’s jail cell, a little bit.
- The Springfield joke has escalated in the past months, due to the supposed “dog eaters” referenced by a real-life buffoon.
Appearances
Characters (figures): Duke, Snake-Eyes, Storm Shadow, Muskrat, Helix, Wet-Suit, Cobra Commander, Dr. Mindbender, Destro, Baroness, Zartan, Torch, Ripper, Buzzer
Characters (comic-only): Multo, Serpentor Khan, Dawn Moreno
Vehicles & Stuff (toys): Cobra HISS II, Cobra HISS, Cobra Stinger, Dreadnok Thunder Machine
Vehicles & Stuff (not toys): Revanche Stealth Bomber
Firsties: none
