Comics
#024 THE COMMANDER ESCAPES

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Issue Date: June 1984
Series: G.I. Joe A Real American Hero
Issue Number: 24
Cobra Commander escapes from a portable fortress in the Rockies, with some help from Storm Shadow ends up getting captured.
Notes of Interest
First appearance of the Firefly and Wild Weasel.
First appearance of Zartan, but only a cameo.
Major Players
The Joes: Duke, Roadblock, Grunt, Gung-Ho, Rock 'n' Roll
Additional Joe appearances: Ace, Airborne, Wild Bill
Cobra: Cobra Commander, Storm Shadow, Destro, Major Bludd, Baroness, Firefly, Wild Weasel, Zartan
Creative Team
Script: Larry Hama,
Art: Russ Heath,
Colors: George
Roussos,
Editor: Denny O'Neil,
Editor in Chief: Jim
Shooter
Cover Artist:
Mike Zeck and John R. Beatty
The art was done by noted military artist Russ Heath, who also did character designs for the animated series.
Full Details
A group of Joes guarding Cobra Commander have
parachuted onto a park range in the Rocky Mountains.
They have their supplies dropped to them from a C-130
cargo plain. These supplies come in large crates, one
marked as the pre-fab fortress, the other unmarked.
Cobra Commander does not see how any sort of
protection can be supplied at this site. Duke
reassures him that after the Commander helps them put
together the fortress, they will be just fine.
Major Bludd and the Baroness return to Cobra's
headquarters. Destro realizes that if they are to
take control of Cobra, both the Commander and the
unquestionably loyal Storm Shadow must die. Major
Bludd reveals that he planted a homing device on Storm
Shadow's sword handle, and the Baroness plans to send
Wild Weasel and Firefly to go kill him. However, the
ninja is already on his way to rescue Cobra Commander.
By calculating the C-130 cargo plane's flight range,
and using Cobra spy satellites, Storm Shadow has found
the Commander in the Rocky Mountains.
At the pre-fab fortress, Cobra Commander reveals some
of his helmet's features. These include an opening
straw hole to drink from, and a lining of plastic
explosive. He does not reveal the short-range radio
receiver built into it, which keeps him in contact
with Storm Shadow. The cobra ninja tells the
Commander that he is on his way, and to have the Joes
take him outside for some "fresh air." The Joes grant
his request, only to be ambushed by Storm Shadow
flying a C.L.A.W. He carries the Commander away, but
the jetpack is damaged by Roadblock's fine shooting.
The Cobras must land, since the C.L.A.W. only has
enough fuel left to carry one person back to the Cobra
cargo plane. Storm Shadow is left to fend for himself.
Duke reveals the unmarked crate to be holding a Sky
Hawk, and takes off after the C.L.A.W. Gung-Ho and
Roadblock go after the ninja, but Gung-Ho gets slashed
in the process. Roadblock manages to beat up Storm
Shadow. Two F.A.N.G. helicopters are launched from
the Cobra cargo plane flying overhead.
They are
easily taken out by the Sky Hawk. However, the
C.L.A.W. makes it back up to the cargo plane, and the
Sky Hawk does not have enough ammo left to stop it.
The Joes find a mailing receipt on Storm Shadow,
addressed to Chokoloskee, Florida. Unknown the Joes,
Wild Weasel and Firefly have followed Storm Shadow's
homing beacon to Chokoloskee, mailed specifically to
the lair of Zartan.
By Jeff Edburg
Variations
Canadian Price is Newsstand Only
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