Comics
FIRST STRIKE #3
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Issue Date: September 2017
Series: Revolution & First Strike Series + One Shots
Issue Number: 3
The G.I. Joe squad and M.A.S.K. team transport themselves to the Transformers’ home-world, along with Soundwave, Stormclash and Skyburst, where they engage the army of Red Ninjas and Destro’s Iron Grenadiers. “Baron Ironblood” is captured, but after he is unmasked the heroes are surprised to find that Dr. Mindbender is the actual person underneath the hood; he is a deceptive lure to draw pursuers away from General Joe Colton’s true objective. The G.I. Joe’s team of villains and he are clandestinely travelling towards Cybertron’s core. Colonel Scarlett and her four other courageous companions are forced to appear before Starscream, but are sentenced to execution because of the Council of World’s newfound mistrust of Mankind.
A backup story tells how Joe Colton convinced Miles Mayhem to join his Red Shadows’ cause against the Transformers.
Alternate Covers
Cover A - D have no designation other then a cover letter.
Notes of Interest
There are two different stories contained within this issue: “First Strike” and a shorter backup tale, “The Origins of Evil, Part Three: A Little Bit of Mayhem.”
Previously, I.R.O.N. Stormtroopers dressed as Destro’s “Iron Grenadiers” have appeared variously in the pages of “Revolutionaries”, and became subject to the bidding of General Blitz and Baron Ironblood (see Revolutionaries #5-6 for origins). With the confirmation of Destro as an ally to Baron Ironblood in the “First Strike” miniseries, it is now verified that some of the Iron Grenadiers on Earth (and Cybertron) are actual flesh-and-blood human members of Destro’s Elite Troopers. The outfits worn by the ground soldiers presented here are loosely based upon the : Iron Grenadiers (v.10)
Dr. Mindbender was shown on two of the covers that could be purchased for the “First Strike” #2 issue (Cover C and Retailer Incentive Cover B). And only appeared in disguised as a decoy “Baron Ironblood” during the whole attack on Cybertron. That fact is initially made clear in this issue.
Readers of the current “G.I. Joe” series will notice that Doc II’s palm device that emits a force-field now has enough energy to discharge unlimited spheres of protection around herself (and any other team members close to it). Before, it could only be counted on for a single use (see “G.I. Joe, Season 5” #2).
Fans of the M.A.S.K. franchise will notice that Aura’s blue Porsche 928 (a.k.a. “Shark”) can now transform into an armed aircraft. This ability is more reminiscent of her second vehicle, the Stiletto, a “Lamborghini Countach race car that can split into a helicopter and an assault plane.”
Though neither mentioned nor seen, Talon (Zilong Qian) and Spike (Steven Witwicky) are inside Ironhide as he rushes through a barricade of robotic Red Ninja Vipers. Along with Flint, the two Joes jumped aboard the Transformer in the last issue.
Sunstreaker, the egotistical Autobot Warrior, is shown leading a troop of fighters against “Baron Ironblood” and aiding Ironhide. He was previously seen on Earth in an injured state within the pages of “Transformers Vol. 2 #57 (“Titans Return”)
The vehicle that the Joe and M.A.S.K. teams appropriate a Cobra Stinger jeep (see /vehicles/84/stinger/). For reasons unknown, it has been common for various artists to depict the vehicle without its missile rack throughout the years, as is the case here.
The identity of the “Mysterious Agent” who rode along with General Mayhem and General Blitz in the cabin of the Outlaw is revealed in this issue. Despite his likeness to the DDP character, Mercenary Wraith (first occurrence: DDP’s “G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero” #31 – “Players and Pawns” Part Four), the masked operative is Joseph “G.I. Joe” Colton, who is using Dr. Mindbender as bait to draw the Joe team away while he completes his mission in Cybertron’s core.
Major Players
G.I. Joe: Roadblock, Doc II (Carla Greer), Lady Jaye, Quick Kick, Scarlett, Flint, Joseph “G.I. Joe” Colton (as “Mysterious Agent”);
In Flashback: Bulletman (Richard Ruby); Mentioned: Major Mike Power (Atomic Man)
Cobra: Dr. Mindbender (as “Baron Ironblood”), Storm Shadow II (female), Destro
Dreadnoks: Buzzer, Ripper
M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand): Spectrum (Matt Trakker), Aura (Gloria Baker)
Transformers: Stormclash, Skyburst, Soundwave, Optimus Prime, Windblade, Starscream, Elita One, Ironhide, Sunstreaker, Strika, Blitzwing; Mentioned: Metroplex
Additional Characters: Iron Grenadiers (human), Red Shadows (Red Ninjas / Red Ninja Vipers), “Iron Grenadiers” (I.R.O.N. Stormtroopers), Shazraella (Micronaut),
"The Origin of Evil Part 3: A Little Bit of Mayhem"
Joe Colton, General Blitz (Garrison Kreiger), Miles “Mayhem” Manheim (a.k.a. Miles “Wolf” Mayhem), Stiletto (Sly “Wrecker” Rax), Blitzwing (Transformer)
Creative Team
"First Strike #3"
Written by: Mairghread Scott and David A. Rodriguezr
Art by: Max Dunbar
Colors by: Ander Zarate
Letters by: Tom B. Long
Editor: David Hedgecock
Assistant Editor: David Mariotte
Publisher: Ted Adams
"The Origin of Evil Part 3: A Little Bit of Mayhem"
Writer: John Barber
Pencils: Nethro Diaz
Inks by: Walden Wong
Colors by: David Garcia Cruz
Cover Credits
Cover A: Art by Freddie E. Williams II, Color by: Jeremy Colwell
Cover Company: IDW
Cover B: Art by Max Dunbar, Colors by Ander Zarate
Cover Company: IDW
Cover C: Art by Alex Ronald
Cover Company: IDW
Cover D: Art by Rob Duenas
Cover Company: IDW
Cover E (Retailer Incentive A): Art by Jay Fosgitt
Cover Company: IDW
Cover F (Retailer Incentive B): Art by Davide Fabbri, Colors by Monica Kubina
Cover Company: IDW
Cover G (Retailer Incentive C): Art by Leonardo Manco
Cover Company: IDW
Cover H (Retailer Incentive D): Art by Whilce Portacio, Colors by Thomas Deer
Cover Company: IDW
Full Details
Editor’s Note = (info in parentheses) is in comic character descriptions; [Info in brackets] are my comments
Two Iron Grenadiers stand guard in the refurbished castle of Destro in Scotland. They discuss the pros and cons of being directly involved with the events on Cybertron. They are interrupted when the ponderous body of Stormclash pushes through the outer wall. He is promptly followed by the rappelling forms of Roadblock and Doc (Carla Greer); the latter is using her upgraded handheld force-field generator. The impact of the explosive entrance hurls the bodies of the elite troopers away, the final retort to their topic of “sentry duty vs. the battlefield.”
Outside Destro’s fortifications, Spectrum (Matt Trakker) and Aura (Gloria Baker) use their airborne vehicles to chew up the Iron Grenadier’s anti-aircraft emplacements. [The Autobot twins have altered Aura’s blue Shark so that it can now fly.] Inside, Skyburst creates a new “door” - where there wasn’t one before - to match that of his brother’s. Brick and mortar are flung haphazardly around the interior of the massive keep, raining down on more of Destro’s specialized soldiers. Lady Jaye and Quick Kick spring to life beneath the safety of their Autobot companion’s bulk and rapidly engage in hand-to-hand combat with their Scottish adversaries.
In a different section of the Enemy Weapon Supplier’s lair, Soundwave sprints methodologically through gunfire. Scarlett nestles confidently on his shoulder, insulated from injury in her secure niche above the trampled blockade. The Decepticon Communicator informs his rider that the Cybertronian twins and their teams have reached the M.A.S.S. (Molecular Assembler Scrambler Sender) chamber, and are being joined by the two M.A.S.K. agents. Entering the deserted laboratory, Scarlett the Joe commander observes that the two Autobot geniuses are already jury-rigging the Cobra transporter for the space jaunt to the Transformers’ home world. Their mind-boggling task is completed in minutes, as they congenially banter back-and-forth with Aura. Soundwave warns that he cannot guarantee the safety of his mortal charges when they beam in outside of Iacon, and Lady Jaye flippantly promises to “protect” him if he doesn’t wander to far from them. Scarlett muses aloud that they have come too far to retreat now, and orders Doc (Carla Greer) and Quick Kick to remain there to safeguard the machine and to provide intelligence to whoever is left in command on Earth if the mission is a failure. She leads with a “Yo, JOE!” and the rest of the group jumps into the crackling portal that will deliver them all to Cybertron in the Lambda Scorpii triple star system.
Instantaneously, Soundwave, Stormclash, Skyburst, Scarlett, Roadblock, Lady Jaye, Spectrum and Aura appear on a rubble strewn platform on the outside perimeter of the burning capital city of Iacon. Fortunately, there placement is still within the cone of artificial oxygen that had been pumped in by command of Starscream for the first Earth-Cybertron diplomatic gathering. Abruptly, the travelers are set upon by a horde of cybernetic Red Shadows ninja, who are quickly dispatched by the heroic fighters. Fully aware that the dying portal behind will implode violently as it closes, the giant Decepticon “SONY Walkman” situates his hulking frame firmly above his smaller comrades, and absorbs the brunt of the shock wave. No one is hurt, and the two red and blue Autobots shift into their helicopter alt-modes and take flight to assess the battlefield.
They notice that Optimus Prime, Windblade (the Camien Cityspeaker), Starscream and Elita One (the military dictator of the Titan prison, Carcer) are secure within the Celestial Spire that houses the Council Chambers. They are unaware of the hovering brothers as they heatedly discuss their options. Below, Ironhide is plowing through a battalion of Red Ninjas in his armored car form, while Flint, Talon and Spike (see note above) inside pick off the stragglers with machine guns they have acquired from fallen enemies.
The siblings’ attention is then drawn to the center of the debacle, as the vain Sunstreaker and a squad of Transformers under his command, are desperately striving to establish a barricade against the advancing “Baron Ironblood” and his pack of Heavy Weapons Iron Grenadiers.
Soundwave then relays the details of their reconnaissance to Scarlett, but is mystified that he cannot “read” the whereabouts of any of the Red Shadows leader’s partners. This is unusual, as his sensitive sensors “can detect even [the] lowest energy radio transmissions.” The G.I. Joe Counter Intelligence officer decides that they should engage and capture “Baron Ironblood / Joe Colton”, and interrogate him for information. The Joe and M.A.S.K. operatives jump onto a couple of abandoned 8-wheeled Razorbacks, and make a beeline to the chief terrorist’s post, with the two Transformer choppers acting as sentries in tandem. As they approach the enemy nexus, Aura is able to ram the Dreadnok Ripper, while his biker mate, Buzzer, dives headfirst to avoid injury. Unable to approach the Iron Grenadiers entrenched among house-sized debris and get at “Joe,” the fighting Americans are assisted by Soundwave, who unleashes an ear-splitting sonic blast that drops all the human combatants to the ground in semi-consciousness. As “Baron Ironblood” writhes in pain, Scarlett tackles him. Screaming “whys?” at the rogue “General,” she deftly yanks his metal helmet free, only to be confronted by the visage of Dr. Mindbender! The cackling mad scientist reveals that he has been a decoy the whole time, to draw their adversaries away from Joe Colton’s true objective [information which was purposefully withheld from the man with the monocle in the event of his capture]. Even Roadblock’s thinly veiled threats cannot bring the Indian physician to divulge what he does not know. Aura fidgets idly by, and sizes up Dr. Mindbender’s ride, a Cobra Stinger jeep which is parked next to the mountain of metallic rubble, with a clear road before it.
Now on track through Cybertron’s central vent that will lead them to the core of the five-billion-year-old planet, Queen Shazraella [a Micronaut and Baron Karza's Wife], Storm Shadow, General Blitz, Miles Mayhem and a squad of Red Shadows are in the process of constructing a string of sound dampeners to mask their presence from the superhuman auditory abilities of Soundwave. Destro and the mysterious masked agent are positioned on watch duty nearby. The Micronaut Empress, now enerchanged with a Transformer shell, always finds the right moment to goad her “inferiors” and insults the V.E.N.O.M. (Vicious Evil Network of Mayhem) boss’ labored huffing, indicating that the creator of the M.A.S.K. Program is so “out of shape” that he would easily be located by the “microcassette recorder” Decepticon. Before the portly villain can retaliate, Blitz reminds him that Shazraella is needed for their excursion to the Cybertronian globe’s center, unless she should choose to stab them in the back. The First Lady of Microspace scoffs at this, and by yanking a cable, a battery of defensive laser cannons begins firing indiscriminately around the cathedral-like chamber. Both Generals flee for their lives as Destro and the white ninja are forced to destroy the firing weapons. The Micro-Queen dispassionately slams a fist into the last cannon, crushing it, convinced that she has proven her point to her allies: she is now powerful enough to kill them all if that was truly her desire. However, the “Mysterious Agent” has had enough. He rips his goggles and baklava from his head, and the serious, hardened features of General Joseph “G.I. Joe” Colton glare balefully at his mismatched compatriots. He is definitely not a fan of such drama, and reiterates to all that he is the only one in charge of this expedition. No one is foolish enough to contradict him.
As the extremists abseil down a deep shaft, a distress signal is sent to Miles Mayhem’s Viper helmet from one of his “Trojan bots” on the surface. The message is clear: Dr. Mindbender has been captured by their foes. Former General Colton grunts with dissatisfaction. He has trained her too well; Scarlett’s band of patriots is moving far more swiftly than he anticipated. The V.E.N.O.M. crime-lord expresses doubt that any “simple woman” could cause them real trouble. Destro rolls his eyes and an offended Storm Shadow slices the chauvinist’s rope, sending him to a harsh landing below. Having served with him for years
Variations
Continued from the Full Details/Long summary section...
Soundwave steps forward, claiming that the diminutive people are his wards, but she does not place any faith in this. She has never met him and warns that any effort made to shelter them will result in immediate retaliation against him. As Strika’s main cannon hums to life in preparation to exterminate the unwanted intruders, the dark blue Decepticon Communicator responds likewise in challenge. His rival throws a punch, but he evades it and slams a left into her midsection which launches her into an airborne arc. Yet, before she can crash to the ground, she is already converting her impressive dimensions into her mobile artillery alt-mode. The Carcerian fires her deadly energy cannon, but the aim is skewed violently to the left by the intervening hand of Ironhide. He is trailed by Sunstreaker, and it takes both of the Autobots to restrain the manly ‘Bot who is still intent on ridding the city of any further encroaching homo-sapiens. Though there is natural distrust against the ‘Con due to their tragic history, the older Security ‘Bot decides that Soundwave’s humans should be heard at the High Council Tower located within the Great Dome. He overrides his associates’ objections, as well as Scarlett’s concern that action must take priority if the saboteurs are to be stopped. “Welcome to politics,” the tough Autobot says apologetically.
The scene shifts to the chambers of the Council of Worlds. Spectrum (Matt Trakker), Lady Jaye, Scarlett, Roadblock and Aura stare upward apprehensively at the quartet of judges towering over them: Starscream, Windblade, Elita One and Optimus Prime. The sentence is swift: “Execute them,” the very pink Carcerian captain pronounces.
Summary by Sean Eley
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Backup Story
The Origins of Evil, Part Three: A Little Bit of Mayhem
Months prior to the events of “First Strike”, Miles Mayhem is happily engaged in his continuous process of dismantling the Decepticon Blitzwing – specifically his detached head - since the Triple Changer’s capture by G.I. Joe (See “Transformers Vol. 2 #57 (“Titans Return”)). Behind him, Stiletto (Sly “Wrecker” Rax) is begging for assistance as he is severely man-handled by General Joseph Colton, who has come for an unexpected visit. When the V.E.N.O.M. boss queries why the Army officer took so long to contact him, the old veteran reminds his long-time associate that he had attempted to kill him before at Dolphin’s Bay. While he smashes the visor of his victim, who is now blind and pleads for his unseen torturer to stop, Miles suggests that his slighted workmate must have forgiven this “indiscretion” at some point, because Joe had contacted him after the “betrayal” and brought him the captured Transformer. Aggravated, the scruffy General elucidates his past friend by explaining that the “G.I. Joe leader” that had delivered Astrotrain to the M.A.S.K. Program was a Dire Wraith in disguise (who is now dead). The sly “Wolf” wants bygones to be bygones, and expresses the opinion that it is only the future that counts now for Joe and himself.
Perhaps appeased, G.I. Joe divulges that General Blitz and he now possess the Talisman from the planet Eukaris. The outlaw General has no fond memories of the alien monolith, as images from the Adventure Team’s Egyptian assignment sift through his mind Revolutionaries #3. He is surprised that his former Commander would have anything to do with Garrison Kreiger, who he believes was responsible for Mike Power’s death. He then viciously proceeds to pull the decapitated Decepticon’s left eye from its socket as the Cybertronian screams in agony. Joe winces, not completely inured to the extraterrestrial’s plight.
Miles saunters over with his grisly trophy to the Switchblade, which rests in its helicopter configuration. He plans on fusing Astrotrain’s oral receptor to the nose of his enhanced vehicle. He also realizes now that General Blitz was blessed with true prophetic intuition when he foresaw the Day of the Machines coming.
This union does not mean that Joe blindly trusts the I.R.O.N. (International Robotic Operations Network) Army warlord beyond anything other than their shared hatred of “Optimus Prime’s Conquerors” and the desire to end the robots’ threat. The three intergalactic xenophobes can all agree on one thing: they need to be the ones to strike first, and they need to work together. G.I. Joe will bring an invading army to Cybertron; General Blitz will bring the means to destroy the Transformers via the Talisman; and General Manheim will bring the “expertise” and the “mayhem.”
Summary by Sean Eley
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