G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #316
Writer: Larry Hama
Pencils: Paul Pelletier
Summary:
At Camp Greer (Pit III in Utah), a former Crimson Guard, Steve 241, and his family drive up to the gate, offering information for asylum. The G.I. Joe “Ninja Team” arrives from Fort Wadsworth, as the plan is for them to take the places of Steve’s family and snoop around Springfield. However, in Springfield, Destro’s forces are taking inventory of the damage caused by the recent battle, and are aware that Steve and his family have left town.
Meanwhile in Baton Rouge, Dr. Mindbender drives up to Revanche’s facility, offering his Serpentor clone as part of another deal. Mindbender agrees to subject himself to Revanche’s treatments to erase the mutant virus in him.
As Castle Destro, uneasy conversations are held between Cobra Commander, Destro and the Baroness. Baroness thinks of killing the Commander in his sleep, but reconsiders. On Cobra Island, all the tourists are suckered into walking through a large apparatus to leave thinking they’ve been on the Best Vacation Ever, courtesy of a laser chip being implanted in them.
Back to Camp Greer, once more, as the returning recon team of Wet-Suit, Multo, Helix and Muskrat, are told to head to Cobra Island and gather more intel.
Notes:
- The first two scenes; of the former Cobras driving into Camp Greer, and Mindbender driving into Revanches’ complex; are basically the same, but with opposite sides involved.
- To kinda’ backtrack or correct the “Springfield, OHIO” comment/mistake about 10 issues back, Spirit spots the car entering Camp Greer and says “plates are from the same state as Springfield”. It works better if we (readers) don’t know where Springfield is. Works for The Simpsons, too.
- For the ninja infiltration into Springfield, Snakes-Eyes and Scarlett will be Steve and his wife, Barb. Jinx will be their daughter Nina, and Sean Collins will be the invalid (and non-speaking) granddad, Dan. Storm Shadow and Dawn Moreno will stay hidden and sneak around at night.
- It’s kinda’ weird how Jinx is usually slotted in as being petite or tiny. I don’t recall any particular note or story about this, but it seems to prevail across the entire franchise.
- I guess they’ve given up on calling Sean “Throwdown”?
- I’m probably only mentioning this because I recently worked on some corporate training about bullying and stereotypes, but some unintentional sexist comments are associated with Helix. First, she mentions that she could use a spa weekend. Second, Stalker talks about the “three esses” (sh*t, shower, and shave), but says “only two for you Helix. Ha ha!” This isn’t outright terrible, but it is something that could make someone raise their eyebrow, as it’s calling out Helix’s “protected characteristics”.
- Neither a knock, nor a compliment :the cover looks like something we would’ve seen on the “old” Image/Devils’ Due comics, circa 2003.
Appearances:
Characters (figures): Snake-Eyes, Scarlett, Stalker, Storm Shadow, Jinx, Spirit, Law & Order, Duke, Lift-Ticket, Wild Bill, Muskrat, Helix, Cobra Commander, Dr. Mindbender, Destro, Baroness
Characters (comic-only): Throwdown/Sean Collins, Dawn Moreno, Sherlock, Multo, Alpha-001, Steve-241, Barb, Nina, Dan
Vehicles and Stuff (Toys): Tomahawk, Cobra Stinger
Firsties: Steve-241, Barb, Dan, Nina
