G.I. Joe/Tomb Raider #1
Writer: Kyle Higgins
Pencils: Elena Casagrande
Summary:
In a follow-up from issue 33, Lara Croft makes a rendezvous with Shipwreck in London. She’s searching for her late mentor, Emma Fairchild, who was in possession of the mysterious Dial of Aion, which can supposedly manipulate time. Fairchild had been travelling aboard the Arbco Star, when it sank.
Croft then joins a team of Joes en route to Cobra Island. However, Destro and his forces are already on the Island and have entered the Star. The Joes and Croft encounter a scout team of Iron Grenadiers and take them out, but they are able to alert Destro. Since the famous “Tomb Raider” has entered the field-of-play, Destro’s now more intrigued on what she could be after. Destro’s apparently there for a different reason. Hmmm..the thick plottens!
Notes:
- I was pleasantly surprised by this issue. My expectations were low, but it really does flow seamlessly into the current G.I Joe continuity. Characters even mention that the Revanche Blue Ninjas and Dr. Mindbender are on the North side Cobra Island. Thus, the reason why both the Iron Grenadiers and the Joes do not fire off their weapons.
- It also works that Shipwreck has a past affiliation with Croft. His past as a rogue/scoundrel was mainly in the cartoon series, as his official 1985 File Card only mentions his Naval duties around the world. His past is pretty much an open book in the comics, so there’s no issue with delving into it.
- Fairchild was on the Arbco Star before it sank. By my scorecard, the first time we saw the Star was back in issue 40 and we were told that it was especially equipped. I had always assumed it was a planned accident by Cobra, but the fact that a civilian like Fairchild was on it raises more questions that I didn’t know I always had. Nice subplot grab, Kyle Higgins. Unless, of course, Fairchild was secretly involved with Cobra…
- Mainframe is skeptical about the Dial of Aion, which is fair because it’s more of a “cartoon element”. I’m sure a lot of readers, like myself, thought: “oh c’/’mon, time travel?!” So to deliberate include this skepticism in the story is a great move.
- But hey…like a lot of other kids, back-in-the-day, I thought up all kinds of crazy, unrealistic, devices in my little G.I. Joe scenarios.
- While he’s in a London bar in his usual get-up, Shipwreck wears his 2001 and on costume for the mission to Cobra Island. Blue sweater and cap. Has he used this outfit, before, in the relaunched era (post 155.5 and on)? I kinda’ think he did, circa issues 156-180.
- Nice bonus: Croft has her own File Card in the back of the issue!
- Trust me, I’m not trying to be the “cool kid in the room”, but I’ve played the Tomb Raider game maybe once in my life. At a college graduation party in 1997 for about two minutes. At the time, I was deeply rooted in Macintosh Ignorance and was still committed to solving/finishing the “Marathon” game. I don’t think I ever did, though…
- I think I saw the first big-screen movie, circa 2001, so I’m not completely ignorant to the character. Being around comics and stuff as long as I have, you kinda’ get some small amount of osmosis from other franchises and characters.
- You’ll notice I put “Lara Croft” in the “comic only” character category. Sure, she has other action figures, but does she have an official Hasbro G.I. Joe figure? Please let me know. Easy enough to change.
Appearances:
Characters (figures): Shipwreck, Polly, Keel-Haul, Stalker, Helix, Outback, Recondo, Mainframe, Beach-head (cameo), Torpedo (cameo), Wet-Suit (cameo), Gung Ho (cameo), Leatherneck (cameo), Cutter (cameo), Destro, Baroness, Raptor (corpse), Voltar (corpse), Croc Master (corpse)
Characters (comic only): Lara Croft, Black Hat
Vehicles & Stuff (toys): USS Flagg, WHALE, Devilfish, Skystriker
Vehicles & Stuff (comic-only); none
