G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #116

“Destro Must Die” (Destro: Search & Destroy: Part 1 of 3)

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: Rod Whigham

Summary:

On the way back from Benzheen, Cobra Commander decides to take out Destro. In what’s basically an upgrade of Fred VII’s attack on Castle Destro (issue 87 or so), they bombard Destro’s home. Chuckles had been working undercover as “Groundskeeper MacHeath” and is able to save Destro and the Baroness. Chuckles and Destro escape on a Cobra gunship, commandeered by Billy and Zartan. But Cobra Commander is partially happy: the Baroness was nicked by a bullet and left behind. Now Cobra can really mess with Destro.

Notes:

• Lots of new uniforms this issue. Cobra Commander appears in his short-lived red and blue “Egyptian Pharoah” armor. Hawk, Snake-Eyes and Low-Light all appear in their 1991 versions. Hawk’s new uniform is his “Flash Gordon” armor. Snake-Eyes has his “BMX Racer” outfit. Low-Light suddenly has black hair and a beard.
• Cobra had been tunneling under Castle Destro and hid the dirt in a “housing complex” that was being built next to Destro’s lands. The Brainwave trailers from issue 100 are seen, so the workers were all 100% American and brainwashed Millville residents.
• The story opens in the buried freighter in Cobra Island. But, all of the bodies are clearly identifiable, as we see Raptor, Dr. Mindbender, Voltar and Firefly. When we first saw the freighter and the corpses in issue 114, all we saw were SKELETONS. Tough time explaining this one.
• Cobra Commander continues his Skeletor (or even Gargamel) impersonation. Sample dialogue: “Meddling Joes!! I’ll show them!!”
• Metal-head returns to Castle Destro and reveals that he had been working undercover as a Cobra operative.
• Billy appears in Storm Shadow’s old uniform, again.
• The Crimson Twins reveal that Cobra gained tons of stock certificates and oil futures when they sold back Benzheen to the Emir.
• As the Tomahawk appears, the occupants shout “Yo Joooooooe!” First time they’ve said that since issue 50. Only second time, overall. Dammit. Again, the DIC cartoon makes me suspicious.
• Big Ben is a curious character. He’s a British SAS offier and talks in stereotypical English “‘ello chap” and all that. It’s never clarified that he’s an offical Joe, so you could fill in the blanks and say he’s “on loan” from the SAS.
• GI Joe Dossier is of Roadblock.
• Rod Whigham returns, after an absence of roughly 60 issues.

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Hawk, Snake-Eyes, Flint, Low-light, Big Ben, Lady Jaye, Lift-ticket, Destro, Baroness, Zartan, Metal-head, Cobra Commander, Tomax, Xamot, Firefly (corpse), Dr. Mindbender (corpse), Raptor (corpse), Voltar (corpse)

Characters (“comic-only”): Billy

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Tomahawk, Hammer, Cobra Paralyzer, Cobra Hurricane, Cobra Fang (!), MARS RAzorback, MARS DEMON, MARS AGP, Destro’s Despoiler

Vehicles and stuff (not toys): Cobra transport/gunship helicopter

Firsties:
Characters: Big Ben

Vehicles and stuff: Cobra Paralyzer

Rating: 2 Flag Points