G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #69

“Into the Breach”

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: Tony Salmons

Summary

The Joes are sent into Sierra Gordo to extract an American ambassador. The US-backed Counter-revolutionaries and the Cobra-backed revolutionaries have both lost the country to a third party: the North American Banana Monopoly and General Villavaca. Hawk, Roadblock and Psyche-Out rescue the ambassador, along with some incriminating evidence of the NABM. Before they can reach the C-130, though, the Dreadnoks and a batch of refugees take over the plane and get it to lift-off, early. Hawk and the others escape into the jungle with the counter-revolutionaries.

It’s revealed that a new force has been stirring up all this trouble in Sierra Gordo. The returning Destro plans on selling arms to both sides.

Notes:

• This is basically the big “Return of Destro” and the official beginning of his “Iron Grenadier” faction. They unveil their new uniforms at the end of the issue. I don’t think they ever officially go by the name “MARS”, but that’s what I always called ’em.
• Inside the US Embassy, a Sierra Gordan is attempting to burn a US flag. Roadblock gets him to stop by threatning him with his Browning. 50 cal. The guy asks why Roadblock isn’t concerned about the looters stealing typewriters. Roadblock says: “nobody ever died for a typewriter“. Nice.
   
• Of course, it seems a little weird when, a few panels later, Roadblock wires the entire embassy to blow up. I’m assuming he packed up the flag and took it with him.
• Roadblock isn’t wearing either of his regular uniforms, just a simple white tanktop outfit.
• Rio Lindo, the capital of Sierra Gordo, is mistakenly labelled “Rio Vista” on the splash page.
• Maverick is in the C-130, like he’s just another Joe. This upset me a bit as a kid, because it had been implied that Maverick and BattleForce 2000 were a special unit, not just a buncha’ new guys who would be assimilated into the team. As seen in Frusenland, they had been operating on their own for awhile. So it ruined any possible plot threads by tossing them in as regular guys.

Appearances:

Characters (figures):Hawk, Roadblock, Psyche-Out, Wild Bill, Crazylegs, Marverick, Destro, Monkeywrench, Zarana, Thrasher

Characters (“comic-only”): Gen. Villavaca, US Ambassador Winthrop, Sergeant Major (Destro’s righthand man), NABM officials.

Vehicles and stuff (toys): AWE Striker, Terror Drome, Firebat, Dreadnok Thunder Machine

Vehicles and stuff (not toys): GI Joe C-130, Destro’s MH-6 “little bird” chopper

Firsties:
Characters: Crazylegs, Gen. Villavaca, NABM officials, Ambassador Winthrop

Vehicles and stuff: none

Rating: 3 Flag Points