The Way Back Machine To Your Favorite Gen-X Nostalgia and Modern Day Nerd News!
On this week’s exciting new episode of G.I.Joe Half The Battle, we take a look at the classic G.I.Joe Marvel Comic issue #50! Check out the full episode in the player below and then MAKE THE JUMP to the forums and join in the conversation!
Read MoreBackground 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…
Read MoreBackground 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…
Read MoreBackground Major characters (and minor recurring characters) perished in Issue 19. Issue 20 was written by a completely different author and featured a stand-alone story. Issue 21 was the iconic Silent Interlude comic, whose story was told in pictures.This issue will bring us back to the main story plot-line. On to the issue. The cover shows Destro literally playing with toys!! He has a plane and he is strafing Joe figures. Okay, product placement is strong with this one. On the title page we see the Chaplain’s Assistants returning to Fort Wadsworth…
Read MoreBackground This comic by Larry Hama seems to be more iconic than the actual series. It is visually stunning and there are no words. But there is a story. If you don’t own this issue, you should find it and buy it. If you are a G.I. Joe fan, a ninja fan, or a comic connoisseur, you must see this issue. That being said, I’m going to limit the pictures in this review. Find this issue, open it up, and follow along! On to the issue. On the title page…
Read MoreLarry Hama, born June 7th 1949, has done a lot of comic book work but is best know for his work on the G.I. Joe franchise. He spent 3 years in the Army during the Vietnam War as a firearms and explosive ordinance expert. Hama used his military background to create the G.I. Joe comics which was based off characters from the cartoon. He also wrote a majority of the file cards which is a staple to the Action figure and a must for collectors. I loved the file cards as a…
Read MoreBackground 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…
Read MoreBackground 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…
Read MoreBackground 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…
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 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…
Read MoreBackground 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…
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…
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