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[ER]

[ER]

[ER]

#48 (Released March 1986)

A lot of fun reading this today! I'm actually a Dreadnok fan and got a kick out them in this issue. Stealing flowers from corpses for "Zartan" and saying: "The people they were really for won't miss 'em!" Hitting on the waitress for making them Grape Soda floats - "Good looks and talent too! Say now..." Yeah, I like the 'Noks.

I also love that we get some action inside the Pit - first time since #3, unless I'm forgetting something.

The U.S. being muscled by Cobra lawyers into having diplomatic relations with Cobra Island - a great, great plot!

Love the Zartan/Gung-Ho fight - I wonder if they'll ever have a rematch so we can see who would have won

SGT Slaughter decks Zartan, but Zartan will have the last laugh on the sarge in #51...

From Postbox we get letters for #44. One person writes: "...this issue was not too good... And what about Dr. Mindbender? He looks like a reject from Prince's back-up band."
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

At the end of Postbox we get: "NEXT ISSUE: The introduction of a new character who will pose a major threat to the very existence of the Joes. Who is he? You wouldn't believe us if we told you. Suffice it to say he calls himself Serpentor and you'll meet him here next month."
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30 Years of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero! 1982 - 2012

[ER]

[jackharkness]

[shanecdavis]

[Mamu_Nestor]

Well it was there but it was off pannel because the last pannel of 46 and the 1st of 47 are only minutes apart.
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Author: Karate is Self-Defense Available at Amazon.com. Kindle Version Coming Soon.

[shanecdavis]

Marvel #47 - Sea Duel

This issue is one of a few that I have distinct memories about. Even though I had found a comic book store months ago, I was still picking up my Joe comic at our Sev because I specifically remember when I went to get #47 it was the last time I ever saw Delores. I'll never forget that about a week later the Sev was robbed and she was put in the hospital. She recovered but pursued a different vocation. The Sev just wasn't the same. The old fart that replaced her was less than friendly and I started getting into sports more than hanging out playing video games there. This totally fits in with our timeline because I remember my birthday was coming up, and our timeline has #47 coming out February 1986 and my birthday is in March (this Saturday, ugh). You know you're getting old when you start reveling in memories past.

I read the issue the way I usually did, laying on my bed with Slurpee in hand, reading in-between brain freezes. This issue put me on a whirlwind of emotions to say the least. Another titillating cover. I was disappointed with the first few pages. While I understand now that Barbecue was getting his "new guy page time" in, back then I thought it was stupid that Mr. Hama would include him when there were more than 30 other Joes that would have been more appropriate. At least Bazooka and Shipwreck (both I didn't care for back then and still don't) made some kind of sense. Then Dr. Brain-Wave.........errrrrrrr Mindbender made his second appearance. Ugh.

My interest skyrocketed seeing Tommy and Snake Eyes fighting their way to the airfield.....only to have the COBRA Transport wipe out every last aircraft there. Tommy's facial expression on page 6 said it all - "(EXPLETIVE)!!" Inside the WHALE, Doc actually sees Ripcord transform to Zartan, who is a known master of disguise that can make himself appear to look like anyone (like, oh I don't know, maybe RIPCORD????), and dismissed it. Then he told Hawk that he thought something was wrong with Ripcord, to which Hawk says "Oh?", and then nothing else is said or done. That's three times now.

Couldn't think much about that though as Tommy and Snake Eyes made their push to the docks. BTW - Can anyone identify the COBRA on Page 8 that was helping secure the crate? I basically decided it was some kind of worker that Mr. Whigham added. It was also refreshing to get some new Joes on the team that made sense. Another Army Ranger and Navy SEAL. AWESOME!!! Unfortunately for Wet-Suit though, like Torpedo he would typically be depicted in his wet gear.

Tommy and Snake Eyes made short work of the COBRA Troopers and EELs at the dock. Loved the panel where Tommy's arrow penetrated the .50 cal armor plate. Plausible? Don't know but it was freaking cool! The issue then turned into a ummmm *cough cough* sea duel, with Mr. Hama showing off Hasbro's new toys. Is it just me or is Mindbender's track record of inventions in the toilet? So far he introduced the BATs, that were easily defeated, and Destro's creeper vine, which was also easily defeated. This time he introduced the Torpedo Transports. No, wait the Sea-Skimmers. No, no, no, it's the Hydro-Sled right?? Doesn't matter as they proved as effective as giving them a memorable name was. Great moment of Mindbender pontificating and the reaction of the others.

Destro: "Hrmph! This Dr. Mindbender thinks more highly of himself than Major Bludd does!"
Baroness: "Major Bludd's poetry is quite beautiful..."
CC: "Peotry? That idiot Bludd thinks that proust rhymes with faust!"

The stowaway EELs then made their presence known and kicked off a couple amazing panels on page 14. Tommy leaped into a front flip, kneeing them both as he pulled his ninjatos from their sheaths, followed by the trio going overboard with both EELs clinging on to Tommy's wrists. Incredible.

Unfortunately we went back to the new toy face-off for a groaner. Right after Beach Head stated the torpedoes could be detonated by small arms fire and that "the timing has to be perfect", he proceeded to attempt to accurately hit a torpedo traveling at more than 30 knots by firing from the hip. Not to be outdone, Hawk, reminiscent of Duke in #22, somehow also succeeded in detonating the torpedo by using his M1911A1, without bothering aiming no less. Okay, okay. It was a totally cool scene when I read it as a 13-year old. Reading it now though I just shake my head.

From there we saw Tommy fending off the EELs, when some big, hungry sharks decided to crash the party. Reading that, I echoed Tommy's previous reaction at the airfield "(EXPLETIVE)!!" Snake Eyes did his best to help his sword brother, which made me like him more at least. That is when I first thought Mr. Hama might actually kill Tommy off! Wet-Suit's comments though dashed those thoughts as the next panel Tommy was standing there, cut up and bloody, but alive. Then it happened. "BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!" NOOOOOOOO!!!!!! "SPLATT!" I was in shock. I couldn't believe it. My favorite character gone. I was PISSED! Let's just say my original copy of #47 would not be considered "Mint". I don't even think I finished reading the issue.

While this issue wasn't nearly as entertaining as the previous two, it was still an excellent story. It does lose points for Tommy's death, or "death", not because he came back, but how he came back. Didn't like him being part of the Serpentor soup. This also begins the slow downward slide from best Marvel comic to complete crap.

[shanecdavis]

[Mamu_Nestor]

Issue 48 was a fun issue with a lot of stuff going on. Sgt. Slaughter, the best Dreadnoks comic IMO, and furthering the story with Zartan in the pit and Ripcord pretending to be Zartan. Mindbender looked pretty cold on the beach examining SS's body...All wrapped up in his cape. Between QuickKick and Mindbender this was really the start of the bare chested figures...
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Author: Karate is Self-Defense Available at Amazon.com. Kindle Version Coming Soon.

[shanecdavis]

Marvel #48 - Slaughter

Worst. Cover. Ever.

Okay, it's not really, but I certainly didn't like it when I first saw it, nor did I when I posted the image while creating this thread. Zartan besting Gung-Ho?? To quote Emerson Cod - "Ohhhh, HELL no!!"

I have mixed feelings about this issue. I can't help but like any issue that portrays Gung-Ho as the BAMF he is, but there were some scenes that were pretty cringe-worthy. The overall premise of Zartan trying to break out of the PIT was a great idea and Mr. Hama executed it perfectly.........until the end. The entire Joe team scrambled for pages to try to contain Zartan, and then Gung-Ho mixed it up with him for a few more pages, only to have this Slaughter character come in and in one panel take him out? Figures he would be a Marine, but it seemed totally anti-climatic and I couldn't help but feel cheated. I would have much rather Gung-Ho been able to finish what he started. Speaking of Slaughter, I know it's not a big deal in the Army, but in the Marines you never call an E-7 a Sergeant or Sarge. NEVER. You refer to an E-7 as Gunnery Sergeant or Gunny, if he allows it. An E-6 is also not called Sergeant/Sarge, but rather Staff Sergeant or Staff. I don't know anything about the wrestler, but if he truly was a Marine, he wouldn't have been higher than E-5. I know Gunny Slaughter doesn't have the same ring as Sgt. Slaughter, but no self-respecting Gunny in the Marine Corps would accept being referred to as an E-5. That just doesn't happen. I know, I know, it's a comic based on a kid's toy so I should just shut up and enjoy it for what it is. I could as a kid because I didn't know any better, but now that I do I just can't. It also bugs me to see Gung-Ho and the other Marines on the team wearing their covers indoors. The only time that is permitted is when a Marine is under arms, which Gung-Ho was when he was guarding the vent on page 18.

My anal views aside, I did enjoy seeing more of the PIT infrastructure and how the Joes worked together. It was great to see so many Joes given a chance to shine too. Barbecue was actually useful (although ANY Joe could have done that), as was Blowtorch (who once again insisting on suiting up for no reason). Then we got Trip-Wire doing what he does best - make me cringe and wonder, again, aloud, again, what has this character done, ever, in the entire mythos that has made him a worthwhile member of the team, other than slip, fall, trip, get in the way, or be a Negative Nelly? I do have to give Mr. Whigham big props in this issue though, as even though many characters weren't in their usual uniform, you could easily identify them. That is something that is incredibly difficult in the IDWverse, as the artists there (not named Robert Atkins) tend to give their own interpretation of the character instead of drawing the character as they have been established. Now, after saying that, I wouldn't mind that so much if they would then make the characters more identifyable, or if Dixon would identify the characters more effectively, or in some instances at all.

The scenes with Ripcord and the Dreadnoks were actually not that bad. Mr. Hama had them fill their comic relief roles nicely, without going over the top with it, although I have to wonder how they could have been fooled by Ripcord so easily. I guess he was a good voice impersonator too. The scene with the COBRA lawyer putting pressure on SecState to enter into diplomatic relations was pure brilliance, and Hawk meeting the Jugglers for the first time was equally enjoyable. Needless to say I HATED the title page, and the following panels with Tommy's lifeless body being disposed of. Doesn't have the same sting now, thankfully. Even though Baroness was the one that killed him, I couldn't help but like her character more for it. "Even a crippled, blinded, and dying ninja is too dangerous to take prisoner." Too true, sweetheart.

Overall, it was the USMC that took care of business and that alone made this issue a fun read, even though it continued a downward trend from the previous issue.

[Mamu_Nestor]

Issue 49

I know opinions are usually negative about Serpentor, but in the comics I thought he brought a level of respectability, seriousness, and intellect to Cobra, that wasn't fully there before. there has always been internal conflict in Cobra, but now it is personified and as we know lines will be drawn. Again the Dreadnoks were toned down which was nice. The prepping for the raid on the Springfield was awesome. Showing so many Joe's made it feel like it was a huge thing and something big was going to happen. The creation and birth of Serpentor was ominous and intriguing. He was so smart and played the game of war well. With so much going on it did feel a little rushed though.
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Author: Karate is Self-Defense Available at Amazon.com. Kindle Version Coming Soon.

[ER]

[Mamu_Nestor]

ER I have a bunch of collection posters, and promo pieces that I could scan and send to you for your site if you like. What format would you like them in and were should I send them too?

Things like little mail in order forms, 3 trading cards form 1991, Live the adventure assignment I invade cobra island (with secret messages and a map of cobra island) Operation deep six mail order catalog, Official combat pay get tough catalog, the micro figures collector's file, Steel brigade order form, battle ribbions, checklists form 85 87 88 89
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Author: Karate is Self-Defense Available at Amazon.com. Kindle Version Coming Soon.

[ER]

#49 (Released April 1986)

First Joe comic I ever read! Got it for my birthday along with the Battle Platform, Check Point Alpha, Dusty and the Viper! Yeah, that was a good birthday

I remember reading it and being confused about a lot of things, but still enjoying it. I especially remember being shocked that Storm Shadow had been gunned down by the Baroness - huh, weren't they on the same side? And why kill off one of the most popular characters? My only exposure to Joe at that point were the cartoons and toys, but I knew just from those that SS was a huge deal. The Serpentor sci-fi wasn't an issue for me back then, I rolled with it just fine and was excited to see what would happen in the next issue for the big battle. But I guess I wasn't excited enough because I forgot all about it by the time May came along. So I didn't officially start collecting the comic quite yet.

Reading #49 this time around, I have to say that I enjoyed it very much. I know Serpentor doesn't get much love on this forum, and I agree that the sci-fi in #49 is at a higher level than what I like in Joe, but here's why I love #49 anyway:

*Firefly and Scrap-Iron!

*Torch eating the umbrella drink-decorations

*BEST Springfield moment of all time! I mean seriously, the little girl who carries the gun in her handbag How creepy, yet strangely hilarious, is that? "Don't try anything funny. This here is a .357 Magnum loaded with hyper-velocity jacketed hollow-points. They make an enty wound like an extra navel and an exit wound the size of a frozen pot pie!" That dialogue coming from what looks like a nine-year-old girl? Truly bizarre, absolutely horrifying, and at the same time very funny - it's just crazy.

*As Mamu mentioned, seeing so many Joes assembled for such a large scale coordinated attack is so cool!!

*Debut of the Tomahawk - possibly my favorite vehicle from the entire Joe line

*The Joes arriving in Springfield is awesome! Wild Bill and Airborne taking out the ASPs, seeing Hawk commanding the Joes out in the field in such a big-scale operation, etc. Love it!

*And, truth be told, at the end of the day I'm kind of glad that Serpentor came along, regardless of the sci-fi. It sure made for some great story-telling having him around up through the end of the Cobra Civil War.
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30 Years of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero! 1982 - 2012