G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #291

Writer: Larry Hama
Pencils: S. L. Gallant

Summary:

A small team of Joes are trying to diffuse a hostage situation on a train from Paris to Krogdnz (capital city of Borovia). Led by a guy named Wotan, a group of terrorists known as the “True Blood Front” are holding several hostages.

Problem is, Dawn Moreno is having intense flashbacks to key moments in Snake-Eyes’ life. Such as the famous “LZ extraction” when Storm Shadow ran into fire to hoist Snake-Eyes onto the chopper. Plus the helicopter accident from the early days of the G.I. Joe team, as well as memories of Scarlett on the Staten Island Ferry.

In the present, Dawn, Scarlett and Sean Collins/Throwdown/Snake-Eyes are able to take down the True Blood Front terrorists with slicing ninja moves. After the action is included, a tearful Dawn confesses to Scarlett that the burden of the original Snake-Eyes’ memories are taking a toll on her.

Over on Cobra Island, Dr. Mindbender gives Laura-343 a tour of the casino facilities. Behind the casino, it’s yet another round of Mindbender setting up a Brainwave Scanner. He has a few “DNA regeneration tubes”. One for “Snake-Eyes” and one for a “another side project that is even more interesting”.

Notes:

• Yup… as we’ve mentioned many times on This Crappy Website, it looks like things are heading towards some final Brainwave Shenanigans. Dawn, Sean, and now a regenerated body could all be mixed into the return of the original Snake-Eyes.
• In the Vietnam chopper flashback, the door gunner mentions: “Jeebus! Part of his skull is showing”. Ewww.
• Nice touch that the door gunner looks identical to the way he did in issue 26. They even included his freckles.
• I can’t recall if it’s been specifically mentioned, before, but the LZ scene is confirmed as the pick-up from the mission that lost Dickie Saperstein and Ramon Escobedo. While Wade Collins is mentioned as MIA.
• The “True Blood Front” is demanding the release of bad guys who are being tried for war crimes in Borovia and Darklonia.
• The name “Wotan” is probably (primarily) derived from Wagner’s “Der Ring des Nibelungen” opera. The name was also used for a few radio projects in WWII and a German tank in WWI. Plus, there’s the Dr. Fate villain. I think it’s just one of those recurring names that pops up in various media.
• I like the rare appearances of non-Cobra “sub level bosses”. Kinda’ reminiscent of “Special Missions”.
• For what it’s worth, Wotan is captured alive.
• Laura-343 seems concerned that Snake-Eyes will have to die before being placed in the DNA tube. Kinda’ backs up those fan theories that Laura-343 and Sean Collins will be an item, soon.
• This is supposedly part of another arc: “High Stakes”. Aside from “Snake Hunt” and “Murder by Assassination”, these story arc names don’t really have a clear start and ending. I still think they’re just for “Trade Paperback” or “Collected Edition” purposes.
• I wasn’t wild about this story, at first, but after a second reading I bumped it up to a “4”, as it feels like a “vintage G.I. Joe comic”. The action on the train is also very well done. If G.I. Joe Comics had a smell, this issue would stink of it.
• The only thing that kinda’ peeves me off is the “DNA Regeneration Tube”, as I’m not crazy about what it might foreshadow (see first bullet point, above).
• Oh, and for sh*ts and grins, I picked up the first two issues of “G.I. Joe Saturday Morning Adventures”. I should be adding those, soon, in the “OTHER STUFF” category.

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Scarlett, Stalker, Roadblock, Wild Bill, Lift-ticket, Storm Shadow (flashback), Dr. Mindbender

Characters (comic-only): Sean Collins/Throwdown/Snake-Eyes II, Mongoose, Laura-343, Wotan

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Tomahawk

Vehicles and stuff (comic-only): Helicopters, choo-choo train

Firsties: Wotan and “True Blood Front”.

Rating: 4 Flag Points