G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #322

Writer: Larry Hama
Pencils: Paul Pelletier

Summary

In remote areas of Benzheen and Frusenland, small teams of Joes are sent to gather intel on Revanche building Terror Dromes. Lady Jaye, Dusty, Mongoose and Lightfoot are on the Benzheen mission in the Desert Fox in an area called “Satan’s Anvil”. The Frusenland mission includes Snow Job, Frostbite, Iceberg and Sub-Zero in a Snow Cat.

Both Joes observe Cobra and Revanche building what appears to be missile launchers in the Terror Dromes, where the Firebat launch usually is. Each group is then involved in a skirmish with a HISS Tank and a Cobra Wolf, in their respective locations. After a skirmish, the Joes are able to complete their mission, as both discover that Cobra/Revanche was planning on launching aerosols missiles, filled with some sort of chemical or gas.

Notes:

• Once again, Hama uses the same technique of parallel/similar threads. I’m guessing he’ll eventually craft one issue where the two threads intersect at the climax. Sorta’ like the Bluey episode “Alongisde”, where Bluey and Honey start their days, doing their things, then eventually converge.
• To strengthen the parallels, in Sub-Zero single-handedly takes out the Cobra Wolf by jumping on the driver’s canopy. Lady Jaye does the same in Benzheen.
• Sub-Zero actually uses those round snowshoes discs that came with his figure. Nice touch.
• An approaching sandstorm plays a part in the Benzheen segment. Mongoose mentions that the locals believe a djinn inhabits Satan’s Anvil and that things like this are to be expected.
• I’d score this as the first real appearance of Sub-Zero. His first and only appearance, until now, was as a body in a group shot in Snake-Eyes’ funeral in issue 214.
• The story reminds me, a little bit, of issue 36: a small team of Joes is in a new location where Cobra is definitely hinting at a bigger scheme.
• A Revanche Casino BAT seems to be the foreman of the Benzheen site, while a Crimson Guard Immortal heads things up in Frusenland.
• The Joes initially presume the presence of krytron nuclear triggers in the Terror Dromes’ construction. This might tie-in to the whole Benzheen scenario, circa issue 185, with Destro and krytron triggers.
• This feels like a “Special Missions” story, circa 1988. It’s fairly self-contained, full of action, and does a good job of “playing in the sand box” (no pun intended, but appreciated) with G.I. Joe toys (characters and vehicles).

Appearances

Characters (figures): Snow Job, Frostbite, Sub-Zero, Iceberg, Lady Jaye, Dusty, Lighftoot

Characters (comic-only): Mongoose

Firsties: None

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Desert Fox, Snow-Cat, Terror Drome, Cobra HISS

Vehicles and stuff (comic-only): none to speak of

Rating: 4 Flag Points