G.I. Joe European Missions #8

European Missions #8- “Nuclear Winter”

Writer: Steve Alan
Penciler: Robin Smith

Summary

Destro organized the hijacking of a scientist working on a new nuclear weapon called “Omega”. But the hijack went awry and the plane crashed in the Arctic Circle. Flint and Destro lead respective Action Force and Cobra teams to find the downed plane along with the plans for Omega. After a firefight at Action Force’s Arctic Apogee Base, Destro and Flint both take Snow Cats to find the plane. One Snow Cat is destroyed and the two are forced to work together to find the plane. When they find it, they discover nothing but dead bodies and “snow” on the scientist’s computer. After sharing the obligatory “Full Body Laugh”, Flint clonks Destro on the head and, presumably, captures him.

European Missions #8b- “Gun Boat (part two)”

Writer: Simon Furman
Penciler: Kev Hopgood

Summary

The team successfully disrupts Destro and Cobra Commander’s arms deal on the luxury liner, thanks to some explosive charges. At the conclusion of the skirmish, Barbeque is shocked when he realizes that he only set the charges… someone else armed and primed them. It’s implied that Storm Shadow was the mysterious helper.

Notes:

• At one point during a fist fight with Flint, Destro’s mask falls off. Readers don’t see his face, but Flint appears astonished.
   
• There’s an Action Force guy at Apogee Base named “Windows”. He’s apparently the tech geek. This story was probably written in 1988 or 1989, so it’s possible that he was named after the Microsoft operating system. Wasn’t as well known back then, as it is today. I’m sure “Windows” had a contemporary named “Mac” who did things completely opposite, acted pretentious, needed his own special equipment, and would occasionally freeze up in certain situations and needed a paper clip stuck into his side.
   
• As Destro’s FANGs attack the base, we get a quick shot of the GI Joe Air Defense. A toy from 1985 that was never seen in the US Marvel Series.
   
• The scientist left one final file on his computer; a typed journal of sorts that explained he was destroying the Omega files and would soon be dead. It was typed while he was in-flight and a captive of Cobra. Kinda’ silly.. but it brings up that old, curious, plot device that was used in “Lords of the Rings”, with the lazy dwarf who refused to help everyone else fight the orcs in the mines of Moria (or the scene with the “Tower of ahhhhhhhh” from Monty Python and the Holy Grail).
   
• This issue begins a Personnel Profile feature. This month’s is Iceberg, with an expanded bio or “file card”. Iceberg’s file is pretty much identical to his US version; he’s still listed as being a native of Brownsville, Texas. That’s another difference between Action Force and GI Joe– Action Force pulled recruits from all over the world, whereas the Joes were strictly an American organization.
   
• With this issue they also begin running a letters page. Nothing of note, other than the fact that “brill” seemed to be Brit slang. I’m still confused on whether or not “GI Joe: European Missions” and “Action Force Monthly” were one and the same; or if the interior was identical, and the cover was the only difference.
   

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Hawk, Flint, Iceberg, Frostbite, Shipwreck, Lady Jaye, Barbeque, Footloose, Cobra Commander, Destro, Storm Shadow

Characters (“comic-only”): Windows, Scientist

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Snow Cat, Air Defense, FANGs
Vehicles and stuff (not toys): None to speak of

Firsties:
Characters: Windows, Scientist (croaks)

Vehicles and stuff: Air Defense

Rating: 3 Flag Points