This issue is entitled Shake Down
You Know It Was The 80’s Quote:
“…This is the Fully Loaded GT!” - Wild Weasel
The Straight Dope:
- A Classic Issue. This issue is one big dogfight between the undisputed ace’s of G.I.Joe and Cobra - Wild Weasel and his Rattler and Ace and his Skystriker - both vehicles were toy grails for children of the 80’s.
- Even while it was a head-to-head battle, it also had a “Sunday Afternoon Drive” feel as each pilot takes on backseat drivers in Lady Jaye and The Baroness* - which now that I’m older, their roles as the nagging wenches that won’t shut the hell up and let the man drive seems at least a tad bit sexist.
- As I have said before, the cartoons (which I enjoyed) paint COBRA as not only losers -but buffoons as well, the comics are much more even, and I dare say even in a less jaded society there are probably more fans of Cobra (a terrorist organization) than their counterparts. At the end here we have a nice show of mutual respect as both pilots salute each other (a Rules of Engagement moment). For their roles in this kick ass issue, the vote is split:
Pimps of the Issue:
What’s Wack -
I know it can be explained away by upgrades on the plane by Cobra, and I’m far from a Military expert, but the latter part of my childhood took place in a time when Red Dawn was still plausable and I still remember always carrying around (when I was in elementary school) a book entitled Soviet Military Power (I was a real serious kid) but I have a hard time believing (at the time) what is essentially an A-10 Thunderbolt (a tank killer) could survive a sustained head-to-head with an F-14 Tomcat. That said, who gives a damn, the Rattler looks damn kewl - and I’m nitpicking here, this is a classic issue in Joe-lore**.
*Joe History Lesson#3 – The Baroness and Lady Jaye were both “intelligence” officers of their respective sides
**Consider that copyrighted biatches
9 responses so far ↓
1 // Feb 26, 2007 at 1:36 pm
< ![CDATA[This is indeed one of the most classic issue of the original GI Joe comics ever. Stands up there with the Silent Issue.]]>
2 jaytomio // Feb 26, 2007 at 1:51 pm
< ![CDATA[I agree.
While the Silent issue is without question the subject of more fame outside of Joe-specific comic fandom - due to the aftermarket value and first appearance of Storm Shadow - but as a pure story this is just as worthy of mention when talking about what made this comic run great.]]>
3 // Feb 26, 2007 at 3:38 pm
< ![CDATA[No argument from me...
I also, even for its absurdity, loved the Cobra Island arc and the arctic issue (13?) is still one of my favorites.]]>
4 jaytomio // Feb 26, 2007 at 3:56 pm
< ![CDATA[I thought the issue with sovereignty made Cobra Island at the very least a stretch, but regardless, one of my favorite arcs of all time is the Cobra Civil War.]]>
5 // Feb 28, 2007 at 6:36 am
< ![CDATA[Heh jay these posts are starting to go up in the likability charts as much as your Top 100 before.
As for GIJoe, I wonder if they would ever come out with compilation series. I'd dearly love to collect those. (Or is there one already?)]]>
6 jaytomio // Feb 28, 2007 at 11:32 am
< ![CDATA[Thanks!
There are at least 5 TPBs that collect the first 50 (Marvel) issues out.]]>
7 HaloJones-Fan // Mar 23, 2007 at 7:39 am
“Wild Weasel”: Wait..his card says that he cut his teeth in the South American BUS wars…?
“Ace”: Good God where did they come up with these names? “Brad Armbruster”. Mary Mother’a God. What’s next, “Bolt Vanderhuge”?
8 Felicity // Apr 5, 2008 at 1:23 am
Another great pilot vs. pilot issue is GI Joe Special Missions #5, where Ace in his Skystriker and Slipstream in his Conquest go up against a Strato-Viper in his Night Raven. Artist Herb Trimpe is an aviation fanatic and loves to draw planes. It’s a cool battle to watch. On top of that, there’s great character stuff where you get to see the difference in how Ace/Slipstream and the Strato-Viper treat their ground crews, and how it has an actual effect on the battle’s outcome. And a Transformer toy makes an appearance!
9 Felicity // Apr 5, 2008 at 1:24 am
I forgot to mention the lettering of Phil Felix, which I consider to be an important part of what made Special Missions enjoyable to me.
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