G.I. Joe European Missions #2

European Missions #2- “Death or Glory”

Writer: Simon Furman
Penciler: Bryan Hitch

Summary

The Dreadnoks (Buzzer, Ripper and Monkeywrench) kidnap Trent’s daughter, Amy in London. They send a letter to Trent, ransoming her for some vital security documents. Trent intentionally sends Action Force on a wild goose chase to the isle of Rhodes (Greek Isles), while Trent himself tries to deal with the Dreadnoks. Reprising his old British army training, Trent meets the Dreadnoks for an exchange and attempts to wipe them out. He gets a few shots on each ‘Nok, but Monkeywrench has a temper tantrum and KILLS Trent.

Still intent on ransoming Amy, the Dreadnoks escape to the countryside, where Flint and special US visitors Hawk and Snake-Eyes track them down. After a run-in with a Rattler (which Flint brings down by killing the pilot with a sniper rifle), Amy is rescued.

Notes:

• Once again, I’m confused, as the intro page (inside cover page) is clearly aimed at UK audiences and talks about “introducing Hawk”.
   
• Hawk is cited as the “North American counterpart to Flint”. Meaning that Flint has been Action Force’s de facto “leader” or field commander. Trent was the team’s “Director” –similar to General Flagg in the original Marvel run.
   
• Action Force’s red herring mission to Rhodes turns out to be a raid on one of their old storage bunkers.
   
• Hawk and Snake-Eyes mention that they were en route to another mission, but got called away to the UK to deal with the Trent situation.
   
• “Mrs. Trent” is never given a first name.
   
• When Trent dons his old miltary togs, we see that he was part of the British Cavalry (Queen’s 17th Lancers), as his beret includes the famous motto of “Mors Vel Gloria”– Latin for “Death or Glory”.
   
• In keeping with his regiment’s motto, Trent’s last words (whispered to Monkeywrench) are “…death”.
• Hawk offers Trent’s position to Flint, but Flint declines, preferring to remain in the field. This sorta’ alludes to Hawk (and the North American GI Joe) having higher authority over Flint and the European branch.
   
• Again, more DEATH, as two issues in and Trent is killed off. Probably a streamlining effect, as “Action Force” (the line) officially merged with “GI Joe” in 1988– in both comic storylines and toy lines.
   
• I usually hate the Dreadnoks, but this is probably my favorite story featuring them. They’re presented as formidable, ruthless, cutthroat terrorists. Not the bumbling comic relief they were in the US.
   
• Buzzer drafts the ransom letter to Trent. He uses regular sentence structure and seems somewhat educated. Worth mentioning, because Buzzer’s file card said that he was once a journalist. Characterization that was completely ignored in the US.
   
• The Dreadnoks mention that Zartan ordered them to kidnap Amy.
   
• Bit of a conundrum in the plot. Sure, Zartan overheard the Crimson Twins scheming to abduct Amy, last issue. But how did he know what she’d look like? No Prize Explanation: Zartan either got a quick look at the photograph and apparently has photographic memory. Or, more likely, Zartan simply heard about it and, knowing that Trent had a wife and daughter, did some research and located them.
   
• Back-up story features Action Force being called into London’s sewers to investigate something creepy– which turns out to be Megatron.
   
• Also in the back-up, Barbeque is on-hand, but he appears to be a flamethrower (think: Blowtorch or Charbroil), rather than a firefighter.

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Flint, Lady Jaye, Roadblock, Leatherneck, Footloose, Quick Kick, Buzzer, Ripper, Monkeywrench

Characters (“comic-only”): Trent, Mrs. Trent, Amy Trent.

Characters in Back-up Story (figures): Flint, Scarlett, Airtight, Barbeque, Bazooka

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Cobra Rattler

Vehicles and stuff (not toys): Generic jeep.

Firsties:
Characters: Mrs. Trent, Amy Trent

Vehicles and stuff: none

Rating: 3 Flag Points