G.I. Joe Yearbook #3

“Hush Job”

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: Ron Wagner

Summary

In a story with no dialogue, Scarlett enlists the help of Storm Shadow to sneak into the Cobra Consulate Building and resuce Snake-Eyes. Scarlett sneaks in, disguised as a cleaning lady (with Timber inside her vacuum), while Storm Shadow comes in via the sewers. Snake-Eyes is plugged into the Brainwave Scanner, but overloads it with his Amazing Mental Ninja Powers. Stormie and Snakes fight their way out, until it looks like they’re surrounded by Cobra troops. The “Baroness” takes over and leads them out of the Consulate, at gun-point. Once outside, the “Baroness” takes off a wig– it was really Scarlett in disguise.

Yearbook #3B- “My Dinner with Serpentor”

Writer: Larry Hama
Pencilers: Mike Zeck & Dennis Janke

Summary:
Serpentor recounts to Dr. Mindbender how the Roman armies invented pizza during the Gallic Campaigns (specifically the siege of Alesia). Similar to some of the “old war tales” that DC used to run as back-ups in their war comics.

Notes:

• Also includes the annual “Joes on Television”. Mostly information about the second season of the cartoon, which had been running for about two or three months at this point. A few hints about the upcoming “87-88 season”…which became “GI Joe: The Movie”. Specifically, Cobra being a “front for an even more evil and powerful organization”, plus the Rawhides and the Renegades. Important to note that all three of those concepts never made it into the Marvel comics.
• Curious animation picture in the television article: it shows what may have been an original test shot of Snake-Eyes, Scarlett and Hawk in their 1982 looks. It’s not at all similar to the standard Sunbow animation. Looks very cartoony and I don’t recongize it all.
• Annual cover gallery and recap pages are included, as well. Plus pin-ups of Lady Jaye, Dr. Mindbender, Serpentor, Zandar & Zarana, the Dreadnoks, and Hawk.
• Obviously, the lead story is a sequel to the famous issue 21. The roles are reversed, as this time it’s Scarlett rescuing Snake-Eyes. But this story seemed to be trying way too hard to emulate the original and, like most sequels, it’s not as satisfying.
• Storm Shadows breaks into the boiler room of the Consulate…which just happens to be guarded by Red Ninjas. That’s a gigantic stretch. We haven’t seen a single Red Ninja since issue 21, so it’s completely ridiculous to suddenly find them in the ONE area that Storm Shadow sneaks into.
• Dr. Mindbender manags to view a good portion of Snake-Eyes’ past. All the way up to his handshake with Storm Shadow in issue 52.
• On the cover, it’s clearly Scarlett, but she’s drawn in Cover Girl’s fatigues.
• In Serpentor’s flashback, the chief of the Gauls looks like an homage to the cartoon character Asterix the Gaul
• Debut of Ron Wagner on the title, who would eventually settle in as the regular artist.

Appearances:

Characters (figures):Snake-Eyes, Scarlett, Storm Shadow, Slipstream, Timber, Dr. Mindbender, Baroness, Cobra Eels, Serpentor (3B), Torch (3B), Ripper (3B), Buzzer (3B)

Characters (“comic-only”):Red Ninjas

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Conquest X-30

Vehicles and stuff (not toys): Cobra Consulate Building

Firsties:
Characters: none
Vehicles: none

Rating: Rating: 2 Flag Points