Notes of Interest

This issue is Destro's first full appearance. It also establishes his connection with the Baroness. Springfield, Vermont is suspected by the Joe team to possibly be Cobra's headquarters. They don't know how right they are.

First appearance of Ace.

Major Players

The Joes: Snake Eyes, Hawk, Scarlett, Breaker, Doc, Stalker, Gung-Ho, Grunt, Zap, Clutch, Rock 'n' Roll, Wild Bill, Ace

Cobra: Destro, Baroness, Cobra Commander

Creative Team

Scripter: Larry Hama,
Penciller: Mike Vosburg,
Inker: Jon D'Agostino,
Letterer: J. Rosen,
Colorist: C. Scheele,
Editor: Denny O'Neil,
Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter
Cover Artist: Herb Trimpe

Full Details

Snake Eyes, Kwinn and Dr. Venom are still trapped in the under-water bunker in Sierra Gordo. They soon realize that although they don't trust each other, if they don't work together, none of them will get out alive. In G.I. Joe Headquarters, the Joes have been studying the micro-dot map Stalker found in Sierra Gordo. It turns out to be a map to Springfield, Vermont, a name that keeps popping up in dealings with Cobra. Hawk suspects it could be the Cobra home base.

In Cobra Headquarters, Destro reveals that he had Scar-face make sure that the Joes received the micro-dot map. It is all part of Destro's ploy to have the Commander captured, and then take his place as leader of Cobra.

In Sierra Gordo, Kwinn gets the bunker door open, only to bashed in the head by Dr. Venom and left for dead. Venom and Snake Eyes are soon captured by abandoned Cobra troops. The Joe team jumps into the A.P.C. and heads up to Springfield. Cobra Commander and the Baroness arrive at Arbco Furniture Company, a disguised Cobra laboratory outside of Springfield, to run their tests with Dr. Venom's secret plague toxin. Upon learning the Baroness is with Cobra Commander, Destro panics and realizes that he must save her from the Joes. Much to Scar-face's confusion, he takes a group of Cobra airborne troopers to stop the Joe team before they reach Springfield.

Destro arrives just in time to attack the Joes, Cobra Commander and the Baroness escape in their rocket plane, and Ace destroys Arbco Furniture with his Skystriker. The Joe team didn't accomplish much, and Dr. Venom has a last laugh knowing that the secret toxin Cobra has is worthless to them.

By Jeff Edburg

Variations

The Mark Jeweler jewelry insert was released in many Marvel comics throughout the late 1970s til the late 1980s. What is pictured here is the actual insert included in Marvel #18. To read about the history of the Mark Jeweler insert follow the link - Marvel Mark Jewelers Inserts Part 3 - The Slick Number Era - May 1978 - September 1986

Direct Market

Newsstand

Direct Market 2nd Printing

Mark Jeweler Insert Page 1

Mark Jeweler Insert Page 2

Mark Jeweler Insert Page 3

Mark Jeweler Insert Page 4