'NOW YOU KNOW' With Yorktownjoe 

NOW YOU KNOW WITH YORKTOWNJOE – G.I.JOE MARVEL ISSUE #19 REVIEWED!

Background The Cobra courier Scar-Face was captured by the Joes in Issue 18. Prior to his capture, Dr. Venom dosed him with a time-release plague toxin. Seemingly, the goal is to kill the Joes within their own HQ. But Cobra and Destro are not patient enough to let the Joes die from disease. They are looking for the Joes to go into plague quarantine protocols. When they notice where this is, they plan to mount an offensive and wipe out the sick Joes. No mention of rescuing Scar-Face. Also in…

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NOW YOU KNOW WITH YORKTOWNJOE – G.I.JOE MARVEL ISSUE #18 REVIEWED!

Background Many people are looking for Scar-Face, the Cobra courier. He slinked away after the Night Attack when he was betrayed by Dr. Venom, a homicidal maniac of a Cobra Scientist who left him to die in the Treasury building (or the Bureau of Engraving and Printing). The Joes are hunting for him as they think he may lead them to other Cobra members. Destro is looking for him because he believes he is integral to Cobra plans. Kwinn is looking for him because he thinks he can get a…

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NOW YOU KNOW WITH YORKTOWNJOE – G.I.JOE MARVEL ISSUE #17 REVIEWED!

Background In the last issue, the Baroness crashed her HISS tank into a car to throw off Major Bludd’s aim as Cobra Commander ordered Bludd to send Destro into “early retirement.” Despite that her vehicle was armored, the crash left both vehicles destroyed, Bludd fled from her turret leaving her to be blown up as the gas hit the flames and engulfed her in an explosion. Meanwhile, Hawk beat Cobra Commander up, then Destro and Hawk traded a few blows before Cobra Commander shot Hawk in the back. His body…

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NOW YOU KNOW WITH YORKTOWNJOE – G.I.JOE MARVEL ISSUE #16 REVIEWED!

BackgroundA lot of stuff has gone down in the last few issues. I’d read up on them or check out my previous reviews before proceeding. But to each their own!   On to the issue. The issue begins with a training exercise in which the Joes are attacking simulated Cobra vehicles and emplacements. In looking back on this issue, there a number of questions I have that are left unanswered. Rock ‘N Roll is firing a gatling gun on the RAM motorcycle while driving next to the MOBAT firing both…

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NOW YOU KNOW WITH YORKTOWNJOE – G.I.JOE MARVEL ISSUE #15 REVIEWED!

Background First of all, for those not familiar with the term “Red-Eye” in this usage. Back in the day, airlines would refer to flights as a “Red-Eye” if they were scheduled to arrive very late, or the flight would entail flying all through the night. Being a passenger on such a flight would likely result in sleep deprivation, and therefore, red eyes. Hence, the term. This is a continuation of a story arc that began in Issue 12. Snake-Eyes, the Eskimo Kwinn, and the evil Cobra scientist Dr. Venom had…

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NOW YOU KNOW WITH YORKTOWNJOE – G.I.JOE MARVEL ISSUE #14 REVIEWED!

Background This is a continuation of a story arc, specifically carrying over from Issue 12, Three Strikes for Snake-Eyes, and Issue 13, Last Plane From Rio Lindo. If you haven’t read those issues, or my reviews of the issues, I highly suggest you start there before proceeding here. But to each their own! But if you can’t be bothered, read on. Snake-Eyes, the Eskimo Kwinn, and the evil Cobra scientist Dr. Venom walk into a bunker, and, stop me if you’ve heard this one before…Actually a quick recap if you…

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NOW YOU KNOW WITH YORKTOWNJOE – G.I.JOE MARVEL ISSUE #13 REVIEWED!

Background This is a continuation of a story arc, specifically carrying over from Issue 12, Three Strikes for Snake-Eyes. If you haven’t read the issue, or my review of the issue, I highly suggest you start there before proceeding here. But to each their own! On to the issue. The issue begins where issue 12 left off with the aftermath of the Baroness and Scar-Face bombing the little island and bunker into oblivion. This is important because 3 fairly important characters were still on the island at the time:• The…

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NOW YOU KNOW WITH YORKTOWNJOE – G.I.JOE MARVEL ISSUE #12 REVIEWED!

Issue 12 Three Strikes For Snake-Eyes Background It is ironic, that such an iconic character was named after a losing roll of the dice. (When you shake two dice and both are 1’s, it is referred to as “snake-eyes.” Evidently low number loses, and it can’t get lower than two 1’s.) I know, it is probably a reference to his keen eyesight and lightning reflexes, but the guy has nearly the worst luck possibly imagined:• His squad is nearly wiped out in Vietnam, and he is badly injured on the…

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NOW YOU KNOW WITH YORKTOWNJOE – G.I.JOE MARVEL ISSUE #11 REVIEWED!

Background This issue marked an introduction to a new wave of Joe’s, Cobras and vehicles for both. The story stands by itself for the most part, but it foreshadows some intrigue for future stories. And it introduces us to characters and vehicles that Hasbro was getting ready to sell us as toys. The original 3.75” rendition of G.I. Joe arrived in 1982. The first wave is commonly referred to as the originals, or the straight-arms. In early 1983, Hasbro released the same figures with “Swivel-arm battle grip.” This innovation of…

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NOW YOU KNOW WITH YORKTOWNJOE – G.I.JOE MARVEL ISSUE #10 REVIEWED!

Issue 10 “A Nice Little Town Like Ours” Background This issue sets the foundation for a significant insight into the background of the Cobra organization. Larry Hama is back writing and he introduces a few key points and characters. The issue contains Joes getting captured, brainwashing through hallucinogenic drugs, a Nice Little Town of Springfield, and help from an unlikely fellow prisoner: a little boy named Billy.  On to the issue. A three pronged assault on a Cobra facility in Manhattan goes terribly wrong as the roof team of Scarlett,…

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NOW YOU KNOW WITH YORKTOWNJOE – G.I.JOE MARVEL ISSUE #9 REVIEWED!

The Diplomat Background This issue is another stand-alone issue. Steven Grant is credited with the script for this issue. Larry Hama’s name is not attached in the credits. The issue contains plot twists, a diplomat unwillingly under Joe team protection, multiple assassination attempts, car chases, helicopter chases, Cobra Frogmen, and a Hologram (Holographic?) Cobra Commander. On to the issue. We are hopped right into the action. Stalker and Breaker are bursting into a Cobra safe-house where a Cobra is trying to monitor activities outside and delete all the files they…

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NOW YOU KNOW WITH YORKTOWNJOE – G.I.JOE MARVEL ISSUE #8 REVIEWED!

Code Name: Sea-Strike! Background This issue diverges from the developing plot line and is a stand-alone issue. Herb Trimpe, long time Joe artist is credited with the script for this issue. Larry Hama’s name is not attached in the credits. The issue contains plot twists, secret underwater bases, outer space adventures, some vehicles we never saw as toys, along with a few near death experiences for some key members of the cast. On to the issue. As teased above, the story opens with some Latitude and Longitude coordinates. I actually…

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Now You Know with YorktownJoe – G.I.Joe Marvel Issue 7 Reviewed!

In our last issue, Cobra had played the Joe team against their Russian special forces counterparts. While the Oktober Guard and Joes were entangled, Cobra forces set up an ambush and captured them. Near the very end, Cobra Commander instructed a trooper to line them along the ravine. And shoot them! Again, this is a heavy, somber topic for a comic book. Following in a long line of evil masterminds who can’t be bothered by the trivialities of taking two minutes to eliminate the only threat to their plans, Cobra…

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Now You Know With YorktownJoe – G.I.Joe Marvel Comics Issue #6 Reviewed!

BackgroundThis issue of G.I.Joe is a direct echo of the Cold War 1980’s. It surrounds a mission to recover a downed experimental Russian flying vehicle in the Hindu Kush Mountains in Afghanistan. For those a bit fuzzy on their 1980’s history, Russia and other communist countries were conglomerated together as part of something called the “Soviet Union.” Afghanistan is one of the “Stan’s” that was not part of this union. Afghanistan bordered Russia. Border and other disputes resulted in Russian entanglements in Afghanistan. Normally, a world super-power like Russia would trample…

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Now You Know with YorktownJoe – G.I.Joe Marvel Comic Issue 5 Reviewed!

This issue was a stand-alone issue that primarily hyped the G.I. Joe battle tank the M.O.B.A.T. (Motorized Battle Attack Tank). At the time, there was a strong symbiotic relationship between Hasbro (selling action figures, vehicles, and playsets) and Marvel, promoting toys sales, while advancing an ongoing story theme and developing characters. Larry Hama wrote the comics as well as the file-cards on the back of the action figure packaging for Hasbro. Sunbow’s after school cartoons completed the trifecta promoting the toys and the story. Although Larry Hama created the characters,…

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