G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero – Firefly #1
Writer/Pencils: Jorge Fornes
Summary:
Somewhere in (presumably) Russia, Firefly expertly sneaks into a military facility. It is staffed by the (original) Oktober Guard, and Firefly subdues each one of them, individually. Firefly was apparently looking for information from a secure computer. Once he has the info, he is cornered by a wave of Russian troops and appears to surrender… but in actuality, he clicks a detonator and the whole facility is blown apart. Firefly escapes and the Oktober Guard survives.
Later, Firefly sneaks into a prison to see a woman from his past. She has a polaroid of her and Firefly that reads: “Afghanistan, 1984”.
Notes:
- Kinda’ nice to see Firefly not only use his stealthy ninja skills, but also act as an actual SABOTUER. From his file card: “always places his charges in the one place that affords maximum damage”. Combine that with his infiltration skills, and this issue is his file card, come to life. A+, in that regard.
- “1984” is a reference to Firefly’s debut in the G.I. Joe line in, yeah, 1984. FWIW, Firefly and Roadblock were the first two figures I got from the 1984 wave. They both became big favorites.
- Biggest thing in these stories is, one again, continuity. When does this take place? It’s presumably a flashback story, yet with the Oktober Guard coming back as robots, it could be set in the modern run with some explanation.
- Okay, OTHER Biggest Thing is the woman in the military prison. Who is she and what is her connection to Firefly? Like the other Sssilent/Silent Missions, it all depends on if these events are ever referenced in the regula rmonthly title.
- Firefly rides to the facility on a Cobra Ice Snake. It doesn’t really matter, but the Ice Snake didn’t appear until 1993, when Firefly was his green armored fatigues and hanging out with the Red Ninjas on Cobra Island; not in his usual gray camo fatigues. You can No-Prize this however you’d like: the Ice Snake was developed in the “classic 80s” era and Firefly happened to have the prototype, before Cobra mass-produced it; or; this story takes place in modern continuity.
- Also: I’m not sure if this is the first appearance of the Ice Snake. Please lemme’ know.
- First time we’ve seen an actual “base” for the Oktober Guard. It’s nothing too unusual. It’s also debatable if it’s their actual “base”, or just a place they’re temporary guarding.
- The colorist is Dave Stewart. Haven’t thought of him since he pitched for the Blue Jays and A’s in the 90’s. Hey-oh! I know, I know… different Dave Stewart. This is obviously the guy who played with Annie Lennox in the Eurythmics. Hey-oh!
Appearances:
Characters (Figures): Firefly, Colonel Brekhov, Schrage, Stormavik; Daina; Horror Show
Characters (comic only): “Lady in prison”
Vehicles and stuff (toys): Cobra Ice Snake
Vehicles and stuff (comic only): Oktober Guard tanks, personnel carriers and helicopters
