G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #312

Summary:

Destro goes on a one-man-rampage in Springfield, first duking it out with Serpentor Khan. After a few rounds of fisticuffs, worthy of a superhero/supervillain fight, Destro uses a laser targeting sight in his mask to launch a missile strike on Serpentor Khan, obliterating him.

Serpentor Khan’s troops decide to assault the Springfield hospital, where they meet stiff opposition from the G.I. Joe Ninjas and the Dreadnoks. Destro then arrives, and takes out the Frag-Viper “sergeant”, who had begun leading the horse, last issue. The injured Baroness is then evac’d via a Dominator.

Destro, the Ninjas, and the Dreadnoks then head to the Springfield Recreation Center and Cobra Commander’s command bunker. The CC stand-in (in the battle armor) confronts Destro, but is taken out to Destro’s wrist rockers. Destro then tell the others: “I’d suggest you all step back to the other end of the parking lot, as there will soon be a quantity of flying debris”.

Notes

• Destro’s had some moments, over the years, but this is probably his biggest “Bad *Ass Moment” (to coin an old phrase I used to use around here, about 15 years ago). He single-handedly takes out all the “boss-level” baddies and turning the tide of the battle.
• It’s well-documented that I’ve never been a fan of Serpentor, but this was probably the best Serpentor death. He’s an egotistical weenie, talking about his conquests, then Destro blasts him with a missle strike. Not a gun, grenade or even a laser…a missile strike.
• Please keep him dead. Please. I don’t understand the recurring story of another Serpentor rebirth. Hopefully the clone that Mindbender has gets obliterated, too.
• Yet it seems rather odd to give the CC stand-in such a big spotlight, lately, then have him blown up.
• An enraged Destro, searching for Cobra Commander hollers: ‘where is the Glaikit Nyaff?” I had no idea, but figured it was Gaelic and had to look it up. Apparently, it means “stupid, foolish or thoughtless person”. I’d put it into my lexicon, but I’d probably mis-pronounce it, so I’ll just stick with “jackwagon”.
• He also uses “manky bampot” when fighting Serpentor; apparently another Gaelic word for “idiot”.
• Lamest word balloon of the month: Dawn Moreno says: “These cyborgs are already half dead. I’m just making them deader!”
• once again, it’s kinda’ neat to see the Dreadnoks riding their bikes and actually using their weapons.
• So…this mutant cyborg stuff hasn’t been great, but at least it seems like we’re heading for a “Season Finale” of sorts.

Appearances

Characters (figures): Snake-Eyes, Scarlett, Storm Shadow, Scarlett, Jinx, Destro, Baroness, Zartan, Torch, Ripper, Buzzer, Road Pig, Cobra Commander

Characters (comic-only): Serpentor Khan (croaks. Maybe.), Dawn Moreno

Vehicle and stuff (toys): Cobra HISS, Cobra Stinger, MARS Dominator, MARS AGP, Destro’s Despoiler

Vehicles and stuff ( comic-only): MARS VTOL plane

Rating: 3 Flag Points

Firsties: none