G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #320

Writer: Larry Hama
Pencils: Paul Pelletier

Summary

Multo, Helix, Wet-Suit and Muskrat continue their escape from Cobra Island on a captured Cobra Scorpion. After an intense battle and chase, on land, they commandeer a Cobra Moray (Hydrofoil) and continee their getaway. Now pursued by Fangboats and Piranhas, they nearing dire straits, when Ace appears in the Skystriker to save their bacon.

In Springfield, the ninja team continues their escape on a captured Cobra Stinger. They make it to the (supposedly) “hidden air base” on the edge of Springfield and commandeer a Cobra Aspid. Now being pursued by Rattlers, they are nearing dire straits, when Ghostrider appears in the Phantom X-19 to save their bacon.

Back the Pit, Stalker greets Snake-Eyes and Dawn Moreno, telling them that they are to report, in the morning, for some new weapons testing.

Notes:

• Once again, it’s two nearly identical parallel stories. One squad of Joes escapes via sea, while the other escapes via air.
• At the end of last issue, I figured both teams would safely make their way home, “off-screen”. So it was kinda’ fun and unexpected to see a non-stop chase and firefight with all kinds of G.I. Joe and Cobra vehicles. Since the relaunch of issue 156, it seems like the vehicles haven’t gotten much of a spotlight. Like a lot of kids, I felt the vehicles were a huge part of G.I. Joe’s appeal, so I geeked out a little with this issue.
• Jinx flies the stolen Aspid, even though she’s technically not qualified. She mentions that she’s done a bunch of computer simulations though… but only with a keyboard and not a joytstick.
• Maybe it’s making something out of nothing, but it seems like there’s been a mild flirtation between Multo and Helix, over the last two or three issues.
• As far as I can tell, the “Cobra Fangboat” was a modernized and re-colored Water Moccasin from the “Retaliation” era, circa 2013. I think this is its first appearance. I’m glad the characters helpfully narrated what it was. Otherwise, I would’ve scored it as a Water Moccasin.
• Hard to spot Throwdown /Sean Collins, but I think that’s him on the back of the Stinger with a black shirt and green hat.
• Strangely enough, this is one of the few issues without any significant/unique Cobra characters (Cobra Commander, Mindbender, Destro, etc.). The Joes face only Cobra troopers.
• Andy Kubert does the cover, again. I’m curious has he done a cover where one character is not yelling or has their mouth wide open?!
• For what it’s worth: there’s a 4 page silent Transformers back-up promo/story at the end of this issue.

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Snake-Eyes, Storm Shadow, Jinx, Scarlett, Muskrat, Helix, Wet-Suit, Duke, Stalker, Ghostrider, Ace, Mainframe, Keel-Haul

Characters (comic-only): Dawn Moreno, Multo, Throwdown/Sean Collins

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Skystriker, Phantom X-19, USS Flagg, Cobra Stinger, Cobra Scorpion, Cobra Ferret, Cobra Hydrofoil, Cobra Piranha, Cobra Fangboat, Cobra HISS, Cobra HISS II, Destro’s Dominator, Cobra Mamba (cameo), Cobra Hurricane (cameo)

Vehicles and stuff (comic-only): Cobra Aspid

Firsties: Cobra Fangboat

Rating: 4 Flag Points