G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #5

“Tanks for the Memories”

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciller: Don Perlin

Summary:

To prove a point to the Joint Chiefs, General Flagg has arranged for Steeler, Clutch and Breaker to drive the MOBAT in New York City’s Armed Forces Day Parade. At the Pit, the three are cleaning up their tank and give the readers a tour of all its special features….while trying to impress Scarlett. Cobra finds out about the MOBAT’s presence through a tap in airport security (hmmm) and decides to schedule a visit. Disguised as the “Springfield Drum and Bugle Corps” (who Breaker admits is the “worst marching band he’s ever heard”), Cobra tries to capture the MOBAT in the midst of the parade.

The Joes lead the Cobras on a chase through midtown Manhattan, managing to hide their large tank and evade pursuers. Depsite having no live ammo, they capture the Cobras by making creative use of the tank’s external soundsystem and Breaker’s bubble gum (they broadcast a loud “POP” and tell the Cobras that it was a warning shot. They immediately surrender). Clutch even locates Cobra’s local base– directly beneath the grandstand of the Joint Chiefs! Clutch crashes the MOBAT into the grandstand, and out pop a gaggle of Cobras, plus Cobra Commander and the Baroness. General Flagg has a face-to-face showdown with the head snake, but hesitates since the Commander is standing amidst a Girl Scout troop. Cobra Commander grazes Flagg in the temple with a bullet and makes his escape. When Flagg, a former marksman, is asked by Clutch why he didn’t take the shot, Flagg simply whispers: “that’s because we’re the good guys”.

Notes:

• This may have been the only time General Flagg and Cobra Commander were face-to-face with each other.
• This was the second issue to have its own animated commercial. In addition to the MOBAT, it was re-worked to sell the new Cobra figures that would be arriving, soon.
• Both Steeler and Clutch enjoy flirting with Scarlett.
• When Steeler is showing off the MOBAT’s computers, Scarlett asks him: “Can I plug in a PAC-MAN cartridge”? Definitely 1982.
• The Baroness has her beauty mark–which disappeared for the second half of issue #1
• The way Cobra delivers information from the airport to Cobra Central is interesting. Shows that they have undercover contacts all over the country. Somewhat disturbing.
• The Cobra courier, at one point, delivers the information to a “Mrs. Hood”
• The password to get into Cobra Commanders’ main bunker is “the mongoose, too, must die”.
• Cobra Commander is seen shooting target practice dummies of Stalker, Snake-Eyes and Scarlett.
• Most importantly, this was the first mention of “Springfield”, Cobra’s true base of operations. A member of the grand stand jokes: “which one? There must be a Springfield in every state”. I still say the Simpsons ripped off G.I. Joe with that town name.
• While the first few pages are a tour of the MOBAT, they’re not a toy advertisement. The MOBAT toy only fit one guy, waist-deep, in its turret. In the comics, the MOBAT seats three men fully and has room to spare.
• -Funny moment where Steeler is using the MOBAT’s telescope functions to “keep abreast of the rear guard situation”– which means he’s checking out a majorette’s ass.
• Once again, Cobra is using subterfuge in their tactics. More proof that they weren’t just an “evil army that attacks ya'”
• Second spotlight on the “MOBAT team” of Steeler, Clutch and Breaker. These three always seemed to appear together in the early issues.

Appearances:

Characters (with figures): Scarlett, Clutch, Breaker, Steeler

Characters (no action figures, or “comic-only” characters): Cobra Commander. Baroness. General Flagg. General Austin. Several unnamed Joint Chiefs.

Vehicles and stuff (toys): MOBAT

Rating: 2 Flag Points