G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #47
“Sea Duel”
Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: Rod Whigham
Summary
Hawk arrives with reinforcements in the Gulf of Mexico to rescue Snake-Eyes. Hawk himself leads new Joes Beahchead and Wet-Suit on the Devilfish attack boats. Dr. Mindbender counters with his new Sea Sleds. Storm Shadow and Snake-Eyes fight their way off Cobra Island. They get separated when their hydrofoil blows up, but Snake-Eyes makes it to the Joes. Storm Shadow makes it the beach of Cobra Island….where the Baroness promptly shows up and plugs three shots in him! Storm Shadow falls to the beach, dead.
Meanwhile, the disguised Rip-cord and Zartan are both taken into the bases of their respective enemies.
Notes:
- This is the official kick-off for the FIFTH (1986) wave of GI Joe crap. A “toyjam” issue, with its own commercial. The fifth wave was the first one that really disappointed me. Usually, I geeked out for everything they released, but this round left me apathetic. Too many new characters seemed to be straight-up replacements for old ones (Iceberg/Snow-Job, Leatherneck/Gung-Ho, Wet-Suit/Torpedo, Lifeline/Doc, etc). Several of the new character and vehicles designs seemed weak, as well (the HAVOC, Devilfish, Cobra Sea Sleds, Cobra STUN, etc).
- This was also the first year, for me, when it suddenly became “uncool” for kids my age to follow GI Joe. I turned 12 in 1986, so I was starting to grow out of it. But I still followed it, albeit secretly. I would get nervous whenever I walked into Target and bought new figures— didn’t want my classmates to catch me buying TOYS!
- Destro says that Dr. Mindbender’s ramblings remind him of Major Bludd. Cobra Commander says: “that idiot Bludd thinks that proust rhymes with Faust!” Bludd’s poetry was one of the ongoing jokes of the series.
- The Devilfish is drawn differently from its toy counterpart (and the cover). It has two big “wings” sticking out on each side.
- The Sea Sleds are called “Torpedo Transports”
Appearances:
Characters (figures):Hawk, Beachhead, Wet-Suit, Snake-Eyes, Rip-cord, Quick Kick, Alpine, Cutter, Doc, Flint, Spirit Iron-Knife, Shipwreck, Wild Bill, Ace, Lady Jaye, Bazooka, Barbeque (cameo), Clutch (cameo), Breaker (cameo), Storm Shadow, Destro, Cobra Commander, Baroness, Dr. Mindbender, Zartan, Torch, Ripper, Buzzer, Firefly
Characters (“comic-only”):none
Vehicles and stuff (toys): WHALE, Devilfish, Dragonfly, Vamp Mark 2, Cobra Hyrdofoil, Cobra Stinger, Cobra HISS, Cobra FANG, Cobra Sea Sled, Cobra Ferret, Cobra Firebat
Vehicles and stuff (not toys): GI Joe C-130, Cobra transport helicopter (dif’t from the one in Yearbook 2)
Firsties:
Characters:Beachhead, Wet-Suit
Vehicles: Devilfish, Cobra Sea Sleds
Rating: Rating: 3 Flag Points
