G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero – Zartan #1
Writer: Tom DeFalco
Pencils: Pat Oliffe
Summary
The G.I. Joe team is testing a new weapon/bomb, while being observed by both Zartan and Major Bludd. The Joes pack it up in the Tomahawk, but Zartan is able to acquire it by disguising himself as Wild Bill and gassing the Joes. Zartan then loads it into a truck, but is stopped and captured by Major Bludd and a small squad of Python Vipers.
Bludd and the Vipers load the cargo and the captured Zartan onto a yacht. Zartan escapes captivity and turns the tables on his captors, disguising himself as Major Bludd. The yacht eventually rendezvous with Cobra Commander… but everyone is surprised when they open the cargo to find the real Major Bludd, chained up. The Joes suddenly arrive (on about 100 boats) to seemingly subdue the Cobra contingent.
Zartan then flies away on a jetpack to his truck, where the real stolen cargo is still safely hidden. Zartan drives away with it, having outwitted both the Joes and Cobra.
Notes
- Zartan really gets to use his disguise “powers”, as their front-and-center and play a big part in the plot. This a different handling of Zartan, as Hama usually focuses on his ninja connections and not his “Master of Disguise” moniker.
- It’s also worth noting that I don’t think Zartan has used his color-changing “power” much, if at all, in the ARAH comics. It’s usually just his holographic disguises, right?
- Strangest thing about this story, to me, was the G.I Joe team testing out a bomb-type of weapon on a fake town. That seems something rather sinister. I mean, I wouldn’t expect the Joes to use a devastating bomb to take out their opponents. This opening sequence threw me off, as bomb-testing seems something more suited for the bad guys.
- This appears to be out-of-continuity, for now. Like the other Sssilent Missions (and last year’s Silent Missions), it all depends on if they’re ever referenced in upcoming issues.
- Cobra Commander and his flunkies use a Cobra hovercraft that is very similar to the one seen in 1984’s “Revenge of Cobra” cartoon.
- I think the vehicle that Bludd and the Vipers use is a version of the Cobra Scorpion…but I’m not 100%. It could also be something from the last 20 years, like the “Snake Trax“. If you know, please drop a comment, below.
- I feel like the Shark 9000 made an appearance in the comics, circa 1992 and the DEF story. Still it’s a rarely scene vehicle. To make up for its rarity, that may be why a large amount of them show up in this issue.
- I’m scoring “Zap” as an appearance, since it seems like he’d fit for bomb-testing. Again, please lemme’ know what you think.
Appearances
Characters (figures): Zartan, Major Bludd, Cobra Commander, Duke, Scarlett, Dial-Tone, Wild Bill, Spirit, Muskrat, Lady Jaye, Lift-Ticket, Cutter, Zap (?)
Characters (comic-only): unknown “scientist”
Vehicles and stuff (toys): Tomahawk, Shark 9000, Cobra Scorpion
Vehicles and stuff (comic-only): Cobra hovercraft, Bludd’s yacht
Firsties: Cobra hovercraft, Bludd’s yacht
