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, other authors added the story-lines for Sunbow’s cartoons. Larry’s stories were geared towards a teen/young adult audience. Sunbow’s stories could be enjoyed by that audience, but were “sanitized” for younger children, probably ages 8 and up. There were lasers and explosions, but nobody ever died. And commercials during the show had to do with selling Hasbro’s various products (Joes, Transformers, etc.) The sale of merchandise was definitely greasing the wheels for cartoons and comics, and vice versa.
This issue was specifically designed to sell the M.O.B.A.T. the largest Joe vehicle in the original 1982 releases. The toy was motorized, had rubber treads, and came with driver Ralph Pulaski, Code Name: Steeler. It was awesome!
The issue begins with Steeler regaling Scarlett with all the great features of the Joe’s battle tank. This was a clever literary technique by the indubitable Larry Hama to share the details of this tank with the reader. The Joes are scheduled to drive the MOBAT during a parade, to drum up support for the military on Armed Forces Day, and to encourage local patriotism.
But Cobra intercepts the courier information…
…and they get the message to Cobra Commander in his secret Headquarters, through a very circuitous route. (We didn’t have cell phones back then, so there was no way to text the plans to the Commander.)
He hatches an evil plan. They will surprise the Joes at the parade.
General Flagg is with a number of “brass” on a parade platform, a temporary wooden structure with steps, chairs and red/white/blue bunting. They are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the MOBAT, and there is some internal dithering about when it will arrive.
Meanwhile, while Steeler, Breaker and Clutch are stopped along the parade route in the MOBAT, a Springfield marching band moves forward, unfurling long, flowing tapestry banners on the right and the left of the MOBAT. Closing in from behind, a larger float (displaying the Nautilus submarine breaching the surface of the North Pole) is coming up and not slowing down. Doors in the front of the float open and threaten to envelop the MOBAT. The Joes look like they are about to be ambushed!!
The Joes realize the trap just in time and tear off on a wild chase around New York and into Central Park.
The Joes submerge the MOBAT in a pond in the park. Cobra Commander and the Baroness alert the Cobra assault team to the location.
The Joes burst above the surface, and fire a warning shot. Wasn’t the MOBAT weapons free for the parade?!?!
After Steeler announces that was their one and only warning, the Cobra team surrenders, and begin marching in front of the tank.
Clutch figures out the Cobra operational command center has to be within walkie-talkie short range radio range of the assault team. (Remember, we had no cell phones back then, so things were different.)
Clutch tells Steeler and Breaker to get out and secure the Cobras. He drives the MOBAT straight for the parade viewing stand where the joint chiefs are diving out of the way. General Flagg isn’t budging.
Flagg is a bit awesome, since he whips a concealed .45 out of his dress greens. He gives no ground and plans to shoot Clutch if needed. He has to be an amazing pistol expert to think he can hit a driver through a viewing slot a few inches open and hit the driver in the head. (The MOBAT toy had no such driver area, but the later Mauler tank did.)
Anyway, Flagg is drawing down on his own man. Everyone else flees. He stands his ground.
…
After the parade review platform is destroyed, General Flagg is preparing to shoot the tank team. Or at least take them to the brig for psychiatric evaluation. Amid the kerfuffle, blue clad Cobra members are scattering and fleeing.
Cobra Commander himself emerges from the rubble and hides among Girl Scouts, using them as a human shields. Because he’s so close to General Flagg, they immediately are engaged with one another.
Flagg has the Commander in his sights, but the Commander is aiming his pistol at the girls. They engage in witty banter. Flagg hesitates.
The Commander calls him weak and shoots him in the head.
He flees in the aftermath, leaving crying (but relieved) girl scouts. They comment that the soldiers will get the bad man, because they always do. Flagg, somehow still conscious, responds that he wishes that were true. In the luckiest of all moves, Flagg has a superficial grazing wound just along the side of the head. Not familiar with getting shot in the head, but I’m pretty sure it is grim, even for a “flesh wound.” I would imagine at least a concussion, and massive loss of blood. But these are the Joes, and they brush off gun shot wounds like the rest of us dab nicks from shaving.
Flagg gets bandaged up, and asks how the tank crew was able to subdue the Cobras. They described how they cranked up their sound system and amplified the sound of Breaker popping a bubble gum bubble.
Overall, I liked this issue, as it showed Cobra as highly audacious, and “without scruples.” Using girl scouts as human shields would rank as fairly reprehensible or deplorable, unless you are a publishing contributor to a terrorist organization magazine. Again, this is a heavy topic for a comic book.
Clutch even asked Flagg why he didn’t shoot when they were mere feet away from the Commander. We see the clear line drawn between cowardly Cobra and honorable Joes. Even if he killed the Commander and ended the threat, he didn’t want the little girls to have to see the bloody violence and spatter that is sometimes needed to keep the public safe. To be able to do something, and to choose to refrain shows Flagg’s superior control. Feel free to take a different position.
Now You Know…a little more about “Tanks” For the Memories. Did this issue influence your decision to purchase a M.O.B.A.T. vehicle back in the day?? Feel free to leave a comment. (Bonus picture of back cover, since Jedis are always cool too).
Is this one of your favorite G.I.Joe Comic issues? Let us know, and join in the discussion AFTER THE JUMP!
-YorktownJoe
