G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #185

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: SL Gallant

Summary:

Tunnel Rat calls in to the Pit on an unsecured line, updating the team of the deteriorating situation in Benzheen. As he does, he’s captured by Zartan’s little crew. The Joes at the Pit were able to see it all on satellite imagery, as Scarlett recognizes Pale Peony’s moves have a decidedly Arashikage tint.

Destro’s plan to crash the krytron deal doesn’t go as planned. Destro’s presence means the krytron is legit, and it actually seals the deal for Darklon.

Airtight and Dusty are taken to a Benzheen prison and are placed into a cell with the former Emir.

Rock & Roll and the Third Kid try to rescue their friends in Corba Acres, but get taken out by their respective friends; now re-programmed and loyal to Cobra.

Finally, Hawk orders a rescue operation for the captured Joes in Benzheen. Leatherneck, Spirit Iron-Knife, Lt. Falcon and Zap (ZAP?!!) are the crew. When they leave, they turn to Jinx, who has her own special mission.

Notes:

• First time we’ve seen Hawk in about two years, I believe. Nice to know he’s at the Pit and not stuck in DC
   
• ZAP?! Yeah, I think the last time we saw him in a significant role was the awful “New York Mites” baseball issue of Special Missions.
   
• Ditto for Jinx– I think the last time we saw her with the team was the original Benzheen War, circa issue 122. FWIW, I was always a little surprised that Jinx wasn’t brought into the infamous “Ninja Force” toyline in 1992.
   
• Ghostrider is set to deliver rescue team in his “newly modified ” (five seater) X-19B Stealth Fighter. Yes, people STILL can’t remember Ghostrider’s name!
   
• Airtight and Dusty suspect something’s not quite right at the prison, as standard protocol is not followed and the guards don’t talk to them. Airtight feels that all the guards understand English and are just taking notes of what they say.
   
• Aside from all the appearances and the intrigue stepping up, what made this issue for me was the Darklon/Destro/Faroud scene. For once, somebody’s plan did NOT go as they expected. Too often in the series, it seems plot elements have been using the subterfuge switcheroo. Something like: “Oh yes, it appears we lost that deal, but we expected that because we were really working on something else…” Unless they kill that element by having Destro reveal something next month.
   
• I like how they’re “dusting off the toy shelf” and shuffling the deck by having more old characters appear. Sort of the thing I liked to do in my later years of my little GI Joe Toy Adventures. I had about 7 or 8 years’ worth of characters, so I got a kick out of mixing up my cast often. This is another reason why I liked this issue and gave it such a good ranking.
   
• This is the last issue for 2012. All I can say about 2012 GI Joe Comics: “They were better than 2011”.

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Hawk, Duke, Scarlett, Mainframe, Stalker, Clutch, Rock and Roll, Dusty, Tunnel Rat, Airtight, Leatherneck, Ghostrider, Zap, Jinx, Cobra Commander, Dr. Mindbender, Destro, Baroness, Zartan, Zarana, Road Pig, Darklon

Characters (“comic-only”):Pale Peony, Col. Faroud, Harry, Tom, 3rd Kid.

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Phantom X-19B (cameo), Cobra HISS

Vehicles and stuff (not toys):none to speak of

Firsties:
Characters: none

Vehicles and stuff: none

Rating: 4 Flag Points