G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #33

“Celebration”

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: Frank Springer

Summary

While recuperating, Spirit Iron-Knife has Blowtorch and Ripcord sneak him out of the Pit to buy some medicinal herbs at a mall. While there, Spirit spots the new “Fred” and asks for an explanation. The Joes chase the Broca family through the streets of Staten Island, with the help of Bongo the Balloon Bear’s van. The Brocas eventually elude them. The Joes return to the Pit just in time for the grand re-opening celebration, with BALLOONS aplenty! At the celebration, General “Iron Butt’ Austin announces that 8 original Joes (Rock n’ Roll, Zap, Short Fuse, Flash, Breaker, Stalker, Scarlett, Grunt and Breaker) have all received promotions and will be the administrative staff of the new Pit. Furthermore, Hawk is now the full commander and the team is its own unit. Hawk passes field command over to Duke. Ripcord returns Bongo’s van and is startled that Bongo is a chick. They go out to dinner.

In Springfield, the big rally assassination attempt by Billy is thwarted by Destro. Destro may not like Cobra Commander, but he doesn’t condone patricide. Yup, it’s revealed that Cobra Commander is Billy’s dad.

Notes:

• Very stupid issue, with several transitions. Aside from “retiring” some of the original Joes, Marvel also transitions production of the comic over to their “STAR Comics” line with this issue. GI Joe wasn’t an official STAR comic, but it had the same ads and printing process. The printing process is upgraded with more vivid colors, but the kiddie ads can be a bit embarassing. This was the first time I started to feel “old” or immature for reading GI Joe comics. I was 10.

• In keeping with the new kiddie theme, it appears that ALL of the letters in the letters column were written by kids 10 and under.
• In the letters page, it’s announced that there will be a daily GI Joe cartoon in 1985.
• They also plug the new GI Joe Yearbook that was released around this time. I won’t be reviewing that, since it was just a reprint of the first issue along with a cover gallery and a two page article about the cartoons. Had a cool cover, though.
• Cobra Commander as Billy’s dad is very reminiscent of Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. Billy had no idea that CC was his dad until Destro told him. There’s a lot of backstory to Billy and CC that was never covered.
• Before the big Cobra ceremony, Baroness has an argument with Destro about trust. To show that he trusts her, Destro removes his mask and she faints. We don’t see his face, but this fueled speculation that Destro was hideous. But as we found out years later, Destro was a normal looking dude.
• When Bongo picks up the Joes, Fred’s kids shout: “look! They’ve got a bear helping them now!!”. That’s hilarious.
• So much for the secret ID thing, again. The Joes drive the VAMP to the mall.
• Spirit appeared very stoic in the Sierras, but he’s cracking jokes with Ripcord and Blowtorch
• Just to remind us that he’s still around, Clutch asks Cover Girl and Scarlett to become a mud wrestling act that he’ll manage. Yeahhhh…they don’t go for it.
• Scarlett mentions that she had a talk with the Soft Master, off-panel, and learned a lot about Snake-Eyes’ past.
• Bongo seemed like a throwaway character, but she soon returns and is worked into the plot.
• During the chase, a car dealer sign reads: “Honest Hama’s”

Appearances:

Characters (with figures):Entire Joe team up to this point. Cobra Commander, Storm Shadow, Zartan, Torch, Ripper, Buzzer, Baroness, Destro, Major Bludd

Characters (“comic-only”): Billy, General Austin, Bongo the Balloon Bear, Fred, the Broca Family.

Vehicles and stuff (toys): VAMP, APC, MOBAT (all cameos)
Vehicles and stuff (not toys): Bongo’s Balloon van

Firsties:
Characters:none
Vehicles: none

Rating: Rating: 2 Flag Points