G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #89

“Mean Dog!”

Writer: Larry Hama
Pencilers: M.D. Bright

Summary:

Clutch and Rock n’ Roll are on leave and roll into one of Clutch’s old Jersey Shore hangouts. But the entire town has been bought up and modified by Cobra, now named Broca Beach. For once, the opposing sides actually RECOGNIZE EACH OTHER. Clutch and Rock n’ Roll split out of town, chased by Dreadnoks, BATs and Cobra Cops. They radio for help and the Joes respond with the the Mean Dog. The Mean Dog successfully blows away the Cobra pursuers… but Clutch and Rock n’ Roll drive right into Road Pig and are captured.

Notes:

• All of the boardwalk rides in Broca Beach are re-painted FANGs, Pogos, Ferrets and other Cobra hardware. While the concept was based off a British idea from WWII, it is a little stupid that Cobra would allow kids and tourists to ride their prized weaponry.
• The Mean Dog was en route to Aberdeen for more testing, as it rolls off its trailer (in traffic), Wild Card remarks: “this thing can take a direct hit from a 120 mike-mike discarding sabot high-explosive anti-tank round… I’m not breaking sweat about getting bumped by a Hyundai”.
• While the Mean Dog first appeared back in issue 72, this is the first time its been involved in a combat situation and gets to cut loose. Hence, the story’s title.
• Clutch’s prized ride is a multi-colored 1975 BTS (Beat-To-Shit) Barracuda, with the license plate “OL-CUDA”. Perfect for him.
• Sorta’ follows up on Clutch and Rock n’ Roll’s earlier road trip from way back in issue 35.
• As usual, the Dreadnoks bring the issue down. Especially when they’re commanding Cobra troops– that doesn’t work for me. They do a lot of stupid “Three Stooges” antics, like smack each other on the head with wrenches and shovels.
• Really, it’s amazing that each side recognizes the other. When the story begins, the reader assumes that, with the recent stupidity in the books, both sides would conveniently not notice the other. Nice switch when Rock n’ Roll instantly recognizes the re-painted FANGs and Pogos.
• Zanzibar is captured by the Mean Dog crew as the story ends.
• This issue begins some of the small subplots that build up to issue 100.
• In the letters column, Hama answers a question from a longtime fan: Brian Hassel (“The Diplomat” from issue #9) simply “does not exist in my universe”. Also, he promises that a Destro origin is STILL on the way.

Appearances:

Characters (figures): Hawk, Scarlett, Clutch, Rock n’ Roll, Repeater, Wild Card, Hardball, Zarana, Torch, Ripper, Buzzer, Road Pig, Zanzibar, Thrasher, Monkeywrench.

Characters (“comic-only”): Cobra cops: Damon and Pythias

Vehicles and stuff (toys): Mean Dog, Cobra FANG, Cobra Ferret, Cobra HISS, Cobra Pogo, Dreadnok Cycle

Vehicles and stuff (not toys): Joes’ transport rig. Clutch’s ‘Cuda

Firsties:
Characters: none

Vehicles and stuff: none

Rating: 2 Flag Points