The Way Back Machine To Your Favorite Gen-X Nostalgia and Modern Day Nerd News!
This week’s episode of G.I.Joe Half The Battle marks our 200th episode. Join us as we take a look at the Cobra Character, ‘Crystal Ball‘! Check out this weeks episode below, then MAKE THE JUMP to the forum and join in the conversation!
Read MoreBackgroundA 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…
Read MoreBackground 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…
Read MoreIssue 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…
Read MoreBackground 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…
Read MoreIssue 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,…
Read MoreThe 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…
Read MoreCode 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…
Read MoreThis week on an all new episode of G.I.Joe: Half The Battle, monster month continues as we take a look at another one of Cobra’s creations, ‘Carcass‘. Check out the episode in the player below then MAKE THE JUMP to the forums and join in the conversation!
Read MoreMonster Month continues this week on an all new episode of G.I.Joe: Half The Battle! We take a look at one of the more interesting monsters in the G.I.Joe mythos, ‘Lobotomaxx‘! So check out this week’s episode in the player below, then MAKE THE JUMP to the forums and join in the conversation!
Read MoreBackgroundThis 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…
Read MoreThis 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,…
Read MoreIssue 4: Operation: Wingfield This issue has a really nice cover that has nothing to do with the comic. This is not a bad thing, but the cover shows many Joes running straight forward in a V formation, charging in to save the day. And that is symbolic of what they do in this issue. That and prevent the beginning of World War III. More on that in a bit. The issue begins with the sunglass wearing visage of a man sporting a handle-bar mustache that would make 80’s Milwaukee…
Read MoreA few years ago, when Hasbro pulled out of Joecon and there was nothing for fans to take photos with. like a giant package, I wanted to do something. I had a explosion back backdrop made and brought it to Joecon. Then inspired by the Star Wars set pieces and other backdrops at cons, I felt GIJOE fans needed something also and the Terrordrome concept art backdrop by Dusty was born. Thanks to your funding, that became a reality and is now seen at cons where the Finest appear. Well…
Read MoreThis week on an all new episode of G.I.Joe: Half The Battle we take a look at one of the coolest small G.I.Joe vehicles Hasbro released in the 1980’s, the Cobra Hydro Sled. Check out this week’s episode in the player below, and join in the conversation AFTER THE JUMP!
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