G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #288

Writer: Larry Hama
Pencils: Kewber Baal

Summary:

Fifteen years ago, a young Vincent Falcone visits the JFK Special Warfare Museum at Fort Bragg and is inspired by a Green Beret exhibit. The tour guide, Sgt. Mendoza, advises him to go through the ROTC program, rather than enlist right out of high school.

Jump to “Seven Years Later”, where the U.N. is intervening on a border dispute between Borovia and Wolkekuckuckland. Lt. Falcon is pegged to drop in, by himself, and rescue three US Military prisoners being held by a “fascist militia”.

The three prisoners are forced to dig their own graves, and one of them (Barkdale) is shot and killed. Right as the other two (and their dog) are about to be executed, Lt. Falcon burst onto the scene to make the save. Falcon and the two (former) prisoners (and their dog) kill the captors and escape in an “Argo” ATV. They’re soon pursued by a HIND helicopter, but one of the ex-prisoners is a an qualified expert with rocket launchers– his nickname is “Fast-Draw”, after all. With the HIND destroyed, the 3 soldiers (and the dog) fight off the remaining militia troopers and capture their leader: Col. Covacevic .

Once back at the U.N. camp, all three (and the dog) are approached by two higher-ups, who want to recruit them to the G.I. Joe team. All 3 (and the dog) are suspicious, but go along with it.

Notes:

• Huh. I did not expect this type of story at all. Not only does it give Lt. Falcon a “bad-*ass moment” and provide some background, but this works as a prelude to issue 60. Even the “un-named Pentagon officials” are there.
• This is another “story I never knew that I always wanted to read”. If the preview for this issue had mentioned it was a prelude to issue 60, I would’ve thought: “meh”. Yet I really liked this story. So good job on Hama’s part, again.
• They’ve been billing these as “Spotlight on…” but this is more of an “Untold Tale”.
• Yup, the two prisoners turn out to be Fast-Draw and Law (and Order…the dog). So this is, retroactively, the first appearance of all 4 characters.
• Unlike the naming mix-up in issue 277, Law is called by his “real name” of “Lavigne”. Fast-Draw is called “Brown”, which I think is “file card accurate”.
• The third guy (who gets shot and killed) is named “Barkdale”. I have no idea if that name is supposed to be a reference to anybody or anything.
• Unless I missed something, the militia isn’t clearly identified as either Borovia or Wolkekuckuckland. However, based on their uniforms and actions, I think it’s safe to assume they’re Borovians.
• It’s mentioned that “Ethnic cleansing” is taking place over the border dispute. Relating to the real-world issues of Eastern Europe in the mid-90’s, likely Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
• The young Falcon mentions that his dad was “Fifth Special Forces at Nha Trang”( Vietnam). He was eventually killed by effects of Agent Orange, 20 years after the war.
• I always felt that Hasbro had big plans for Falcon, as he was sort of the “poster boy” for the sixth (1987) wave of figures. Just like Iceberg had replaced Snow Job, Dial-Tone had replaced Breaker, or Leatherneck had replaced Gung-Ho, it seemed that Falcon was being cycled in as the “new Flint”. He was even given a prime role in “G.I. Joe: The Movie”. Yet his actual comic appearances did very little to establish him as anything special.
• The two executive-types who recruit the Joes seem to have a lot of detail to their faces. I’m wondering if they’re supposed to be “real-life” folks. Maybe some old 80’s Hasbro guys?
• FWIW, I actually picked up the “Retailer Incentive R1” cover, by choice. While the ongoing connecting cover gimmick is neat, I prefer the image of Falcon, since it relates to the story. Even if it does look like something circa 2004. Although why COVER GIRL is on there is anybody’s guess.

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Law, Order, Falcon, Fast-Draw

Characters (comic-only): Sgt. Mendoza, Col. Covacevic, Executive guys

Vehicles & Stuff (toys): Sgt. Mendoza, Col. Covacevic

Vehicles & Stuff (not toys): HIND, Argo ATV, UN Helicopter

Firsties:  Sgt. Mendoza, Col. Covacevic

Rating: 4 Flag Points