'NOW YOU KNOW' With Yorktownjoe 

NOW YOU KNOW WITH YORKTOWNJOE – G.I.JOE MARVEL ISSUE #28 REVIEWED!

Background At the end of the 2 part Origin of Snake-Eyes issues, Zartan, the Baroness, Destro, Cobra Commander, Firefly and Wild Weasel are all in pursuit of the Joe recon team who has given them the slip. Larry Hama intertwined the ongoing story developing in the Florida swamps along with the origin story and the exciting ninja chase. Zartan was frustrated and said it was time to call in the Dreadnoks. The tease for Issue 28 on the last page of 27 was “Enter the Tank-Smashers.” On to the issue…

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'NOW YOU KNOW' With Yorktownjoe 

NOW YOU KNOW WITH YORKTOWNJOE – G.I.JOE MARVEL ISSUE #25 REVIEWED!

Background Last issue Cobra Commander escaped due to Storm Shadow’s tenacity and self-sacrifice. During the issue, Major Bludd revealed to Destro and the Baroness that he hid a transmitter in the handle of Storm Shadow’s sword. They were planning to track where Storm Shadow had gone to try and rescue the Commander. They sent Firefly and a man in red known as “the pilot” (Wild Weasel) to the swamps near the Everglades where the transmitter signal was pinging at a shack. As the issue drew to a close, the Commander…

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'NOW YOU KNOW' With Yorktownjoe 

NOW YOU KNOW WITH YORKTOWNJOE – G.I.JOE MARVEL ISSUE #24 REVIEWED!

Background   Last issue Cobra Commander was captured after a series of car chases and international intrigue. Clutch, the Joe’s mechanic and VAMP Driver, as well as Roadblock, the heavy machine gunner capture the Commander. The Baroness, Major Bludd, and Storm Shadow got away in the remains of a parade float. There was also a tease last issue that the Joes might not be able to hold on to their new prisoner. On to the issue On the title page we see some parachutes dropped in a clearing in the…

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'NOW YOU KNOW' With Yorktownjoe 

NOW YOU KNOW WITH YORKTOWNJOE – G.I.JOE MARVEL ISSUE #23 REVIEWED!

Background Last issue teased that Cobra Commander was going to get captured in this issue. This issue will continue to develop the main story plot-line. On to the issue. The cover shows a brilliant portrait of Clutch and Roadblock capturing Cobra Commander. This is actually one of my favorite covers of the whole series. On the title page we see Snow-Job precariously poised on the side of a mountain, using binoculars to keep watch over the Baroness who is recovering from her plastic surgeries. Snow Job is using a s…

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'NOW YOU KNOW' With Yorktownjoe 

NOW YOU KNOW WITH YORKTOWNJOE – G.I.JOE MARVEL ISSUE #20 REVIEWED!

Background In the previous issue, major and important side characters on both sides died. This issue does not address this in any way. It is as if this issue was not part of the main story line at all. More about that in a moment. Clutch was the first Joe I ever owned in the 3 ¾ line. I didn’t own this comic until much later, and was given a copy by a friend who had ruined his after reading it several times. (I might re-take some of the pictures…

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'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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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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