G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #268

Writer: Larry Hama
Pencils: Netho Diaz

Summary:

The Joes are quick to recover from last issue’s attack and try to stop the Cobra aerial convoy from making off with Throwdown. Ace, Slipstream and Dogfight are called into action, flying the Skystriker, Conquest and Storm Eagle, respectively. Cobra calls in some Rattlers, along with a Night Raven and a Mamba. An aerial duel occurs over the Goethals Bridge, into New Jersey. The Cobra aerial corps is somewhat capable, for once, as all 3 Joe planes are eventually shot down.

In the HISS containing Throwdown (being transported by an Aspid helicopter), a Night-Viper wants to “get some payback” and begins kicking the captive. Throwdown comes to, fights off several Vipers and gains control of the HISS gun turret, which he uses to blow away several Cobra aircraft. Laura-343 is able to subdue him and continue on to Springfield.

Notes:

• An improvement from last issue, with non-stop action, but something still feels a little “off” to me.
• Nice to see the Joes mobilize quickly and with urgency. Instead of the easy-going sandwich-eaters they were, the last two issues.
• The Joes get aerial suppot from Joe Colton and Jane, who use their orbital laser to take out the Night Raven.
• In a recurring trend, once again a Strato-Viper acts like a complete jerk to his fellow Cobras. “Strato-Vipers are all a-holes” is one of the unwritten rules of Cobra, then.
• We see a Rattler pilot, wearing that distinctive red gear. Sill no way to tell if this is Wild Weasel. Maybe Wild Weasel actually DID die in issue 165?!
• Dawn Moreno picks up Throwdown’s dropped sword and says “it feels like it was made for my hand”. Giving more substance to my prediction that Dawn and Sean, with the help of the Brainwave Scanner, are all going to morph into “the one true Snake-Eyes”.
• Rock & Roll was taken out by an explosion, last issue, but is back no-worse-for-wear this issue. No-Prize/NOH Award: he did a stop/drop/roll. You don’t last long on the team without knowing how to avoid some dangers.
• Think this is the first appearance of the 1992 “Storm Eagle ATF (Advanced Tactical Fighter)”. Dogfight mentions that it only has two missiles…and I think that aligns with the actual toy vehicle.
• Three issues into this and, aside from various Vipers, we haven’t had any really unusual appearances. I’m guessing we’ll get a big “crowd shot” of about 100 Joes, before this arc is over. Similar to the big team salute from the “Snake-Eyes Funeral Issue“
• Once again, just for the record, the cover is an homage to issue 31.
• Forgot to mention this, earlier, but IDW appears to have switched the paper stock for their covers, as they’re not as “glossy” as before. I like it, because it doesn’t pick up fingerprints as much (well, visible fingerprints). This new cover stock seems to give the comic a distinctive smell, as well.

Appearances

Characters (figures):  Scarlett, Rock & Roll, Duke, Mainframe, Hawk, Ace, Slipstream, Dogfight, Bombstrike (cameo), Budo (cameo), Lady Jaye (cameo), Psyche-Out (cameo)

Characters (comic-only): Throwdown, Dawn Moreno, Joe Colton, Jane, Laura 343

Vehicles (toys): Skystriker, Conquest X-30, Storm Eagle ATF, HISS tank, Rattler, Mamba, Night Raven
Vehicles (not toys): Cobra Aspid

Firsties: Storm Eagle ATF

Rating: 3 Flag Points