G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #123

“Shots in the Dark”

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: Andrew Wildman

Summary:

The Joes blast away Cobra Commander’s armored column with the help of a laser spotter. Both the Joes and Cobras head for home. After crossing the border, Wild Bill and Duke are only there to pick-up Flint….who’s been assigned to a new team: “The Eco-Warriors”. Cobra Commander hears from Zarana that there’s trouble on Cobra Island, with the new Cobra CEO, Cesspool. He also hears of trouble in Broca Beach, which has been infested with…. DRUGS (which are bad, kids)

Snake-Eyes and the Ninja Force encounter the “warlord of the Red Ninjas” in the forest below Destro’s Castle.

Notes:

• Ugh, more pain. The whole mission to Trans-Carpathia was a pointless mess.
• Pretty funny when Flint meets his new Eco-Warrior flunkies, Ozone and Clean-Sweep. He asks about the garish costumes they have to wear. Clean-Sweep replies that they’re made from “recycled action figures!” Good joke, since I think the figures actually were re-modeled from older figures.
• Sort of Hama’s way of saying: “yes, we have more stupid stuff we have to work in, but we can still poke fun at it”
• I think Cesspool’s C.E.O title stands for “Chief Environmental Offender” or something equally goofy. His gimmick is that corporations pay him to haul away toxic waste…which he makes even more toxic by re-fitting it as ammo for his weaponry.
• Cesspool looks kinda’ like Cable (X-Force).
• Stalker suddenly switches back to his white “tundra ranger” gear.
• We haven’t seen or heard of Broca Beach, since issue 99 or so. The Head-man and his Headhunters move in there to set up their drug operation because it’s a perfect fit. Since the entire town is illegal, they can’t go running to the feds.
• More of the “drug are bad, mm’kay”: Fred LXV has a son named “Sean” who appears all drugged out, beaten down and worn out…since he’s been taking drugs! He’s been getting them next door to that sleazy convenience store!!
• Might confuse some, but this “Sean” is not “Sean Collins”, the kid who went off to live with Wade Collins. Although it raises the possibility that the boy in a “Fred Household” is always named “Sean”.
• I think we’ve seen Fred LXV before, during the invasion of Millville, when he was wearing his full Crimson Guard suit.
• Fred LXV appears to be watching “The Punisher” on TV.
• GI Joe Dossier is of Hawk. Comparing this issue to Hawk’s lengthy history…well, it seems like two completely different titles.

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Hawk, Snake-Eyes, Storm Shadow, Nunchuk, Tjbang, Dojo, Flint, Lady Jaye, Roadblock, Rock n’ Roll, Dusty, Big Ben, Ambush, Stalker, Wild Bill, Duke, Ozone, Clean-Sweep, Cobra Commander, Cesspool, Zarana, Slice, Dice

Characters (“comic-only”): Red ninjas, Red ninja Warlord, Fred LXV (dies)

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Badger, Battle Wagon, Cobra Paralyzer, Cobra Hammerhead

Vehicles and stuff (not toys): GI Joe C-130, Cobra transport/gun-ship copter

Firsties:
Characters: Clean-Sweep, Ozone, Cesspool, “Red Ninja Warlord”
Vehicles and stuff: none

Rating: 1 Flag Point