G.I. JOE #41
Strategic
Diplomacy

Cover Date: November, 1985
Script: Larry Hama
Pencils: Rod Whigham
Inks: Keith Williams
Lettering: Joe Rosen
Colors: George Roussos
Editor: Denny O'Neil
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

Summary:  "Mayday! Mayday!" Cutter calls for help as the Whale hovercraft tries to ride out a huge tidal wave. He explains that the explosion that destroyed Cobra's underwater bunker aggravated a faultline and caused the tidal wave (last issue). Tripwire stops Cutter's explanation. "Don't explain it to 'em! Just tell them to grab hold of something solid and hold their breath!" At the G.I. Joe Tactical Battle Platform, a transmission is coming in from the Whale, but the background noise is too heavy to make out what Cutter's saying. "That's funny -- I can hear it without the radio..." As the breeze picks up, Shipwreck tells everyone to start lashing things down. Doc suspects Shipwreck isn't telling the whole story. Duke shouts that he's trying to keep everyone from panicking. Now, the tidal wave has almost reached the Battle Platform.

"Directly below the epicenter of the tidal wave on the gulf floor" sits the Arbco Star, a sunken freighter that is actually serving as a Cobra base. Tomax and Xamot worry as tremors start and the gulf floor begins to shift, thanks to the aggravated faultline. Crimson Guardsman Jones (aka Professor Appel) calms them, telling them about the tanker's built-in stabilizers, even as they extend and keep the ship upright. The land around the ship rises out of the water, and Cobra Commander is quite pleased. They've created a new landmass in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. It's far outside the three-mile limits of the nearest nations, and since Cobra is the first to occupy it, they can claim it as their own sovereign state. As credit and handshakes are passed out, Zartan tells them to "end this nauseating congratulatory round-robin" until their position is unchallenged. "Don't forget," he reminds the others, "the Joes are still out there!"

Back out in the gulf, the Battle Platform is getting pounded by the tidal wave. Roadblock, Ripcord and the other Joes (tied to the platform to stop from being swept overboard) argue about who's worse off -- those on the Battle Platform, or the Joes on the Whale. Meanwhile, the Whale can't ride out the wave any longer and start to capsize. Back at the U.S.S. Flagg, the crew of the aircraft carrier are preparing for the tidal wave. They turn the ship the facing the direction which will make it least likely that the ship capsizes. One sailor realizes that the Skystriker jets aren't all secured. "That's too bad," another soldier answers, "Everybody's taxes go up next year!"

As the Joes wait out the tidal wave, Cobra "ambassadors" arrive at the U.S. capitol in Washington DC, the United Nations in New York, and government offices in Mexico City and Havana, Cuba. Even as they arrive, the Flagg is being hit by the tidal wave, washing away at least one Skystriker.

On Cobra's new land mass, Professor Appel reports that all seismographic readings are stable and there is only minor volcanic activity on the new island. Cobra Commander is only interested in claiming his new land. A hatch opens and a Cobra officer exits the freighter. He plants a flag in the sand, claiming the island for Cobra. Back at the Pit, Hawk can't establish radio contact with the Battle Platform and the Whale. He's worried, but Scarlett tells him to try the emergency frequencies.

Out in the gulf, the tidal wave has passed and all is quiet on the Tactical Battle Platform. All the Joes onboard are still tied down and are all unconscious. Soon, the Whale drifts towards the Battle Platform, also filled with unconscious Joes. The Whale slowly drifts closer until it clangs against the hull of the Battle Platform, jarring Cutter awake. He's surprised to see they've been adrift. "Cutter, you salty dog," Shipwreck says as he cuts himself free, "You've navigated your way back to the Battle Platform in your sleep!" Duke picks up Hawk's transmission on emergency frequencies. Shortly, Duke gathers the Joes and explains the situation. The destruction of the underwater bunker was part of Cobra's plan all along, helping to create their new island. The others understand without much explanation from Duke. To gain recognition for their new country, Cobra has to occupy the island. The Joes will have to push Cobra off before the island is theirs. Duke says that everyone present goes on this attack. The wounded (Snow Job and Ripcord) will man the machine guns on the Whale. "Oh, by the way," he adds, "the U.S.S. Flagg is listing so severely that she can't launch aircraft. No air support."

On Cobra Island, the Commander and the evil twins are deploying their tanks, jeeps and planes to defend the island. Professor Appel tries to get Zartan into the spirit of things, but the master of disguise is still worried. They'll be vunerable until the slow-to-act bureacracies come through. At the Battle Platform, the Joes display a morbid sense of humor as they board the Whale. Cutter explains the hovercraft's damages to Duke: power is low and radar is out, leaving them unable to know in advance what Cobra's got on the island. Cutter tries to talk Duke out of this mission. "Just get us to the island, Cutter," Duke answers back, "You're in charge until the ramp hits the beach -- then, it's my turn."

Back in the Cobra freighter, the radar systems warn of the Whale's approach. In response, they launch two Rattler jets and FANG 'copter. On the U.S.S. Flagg, the deck has tilted 30 degrees. Against the crew's warnings that he'll never make it, Ace insists on trying to take off in the Skystriker. Out in the gulf, the Rattlers intercept the Whale, firing four missles at the hovercraft. Cutter orders chaff and infra-red flares fired to fool the heat-seekers. Ace barely makes it off of the Flagg's deck and heads out to defend the Joes. The Rattlers circle back and this time the FANG 'copter is using a infra-red spotter beam to allow the Rattlers' missles to lock on and make the Joes counter-measures useless. As the first Rattler is about to fire, it's shot out of the sky when Ace suddenly arrives. Roadblock, atop the Whale's deck, fires at the FANG 'copter, forcing the pilot to veer off. The missles fly harmlessly overhead with the spotter-beam no longer pointed at the hovercraft.

On Cobra Island, the twins order the ASP gun emplacements to fire on the Skystriker, even though the Rattler is close enough to be hit as well. Ace sustains enough damage to have to turn back, while the Cobra jet is destroyed be "friendly" fire. A HISS tank exits the freighter with Cobra Commander in the gunner seat. "Those fools are letting the Joes land on my new beach...Do I have to handle everything myself? As he shouts order to his troops, the Whale reaches the island and the ramp hits the beach. Duke leads the Joes' chargel, trying to push "those sorry snakes" over the hill. As the battle goes on, some of the Cobras are amazed at the Joes' skills. "There's no stopping them! They just keep coming!" Even on foot, the Joes outmatch Cobras forces.

Back in the freighter, Zartan and Professor Appel watch as the Joes overrun their defenses. Cobra Commander walks in, battered and ready to give up. They all arm themselves, ready for the Joes to come through the door. The door explodes inward and a close-quarters firefight begins. The fight is interrupted when Duke gets a transmission from Hawk. Cobra's diplomats have gotten official recognition and Cobra Island is now a sovereign state. All G.I. Joe personnel have been ordered to evacuate the island. The Joes are forced to turn back and Cobra has been saved at the last moment. "What a great system," Cobra Commander gloats, "If you have enough money and you can hire the best lawyers, you can do anything you want!" A sullen group of defeated Joes leave the freighter behind and return home.

Commentary: One of the best issues of the entire series, "Strategic Diplomacy" also introduces a major element to G.I. Joe that will affect much of the later stories -- namely, Cobra Island. A major ingredient in dramatic storytelling is the placing of "our heroes" in dire situations. To see the Joes outgunned and all but defeated shows us how they perform under pressure. Starting with the image of a tidal wave, the story is full of action and packs a lot of story into one issue. It's interesting to note that the series is often at it's best when the bad guys come out on top.

Many find that issue #41 is reminiscent of the cartoon series, and that's true for many reasons. The first is the extensive use of Duke as the mission's leader. Hawk is used sparingly, so Duke seems to be the Joes' leader as he is in the cartoon. Also, Cobras plans are really over-the-top: creating a new island and becoming a sovereign state. Even some of the battle scenes are similar to the cartoon with Joes exchanging quips and having fun while fighting. The story ends up seeming like a combination of the cartoon style of storytelling and the Larry Hama / comic book style. It's fun to see the Joes' seen as unstoppable by Cobra and the heroics like Ace's risky take-off from the U.S.S. Flagg's tilted deck.

Aside from the fact that the story picks up just after the last issue, the story still seems standalone, since there isn't much to connect it to the "big storyline." Snake-Eyes isn't the issues main hero this time around and remains mostly in the background. The biggest link to the other stories is Professor Appel aka Crimson Guardsman Jones, Candy's father. (Yes, that's right. Candy's full name is "Candy Appel.")

This long commentary could try to explain why the issue is so entertaining. You have to read it and see for yourself. And somehow, a story where the heroes com out on the loosing end is much more dramatic than them losing. It's made more painful when they come so close to winning. Only Cobra's exploitation of money and power allows them to win. Even so, it's a fun read, and if you're trying to complete your G.I. Joe collection, start here.
First appearances:
  • Geography: Cobra Island
Reprinted in:
  • Action Force Annual 1987. A Marvel UK series featuring the UK's version of G.I. Joe reprints this story and issue #40, alongside an original prose story. All references to "G.I. Joe" were changed to "Action Force".
  • G.I. JOE: Volume 4 (2002). A trade paperback collection from Marvel. Includes issues #31-41.
  • Classic G.I. JOE: Volume 4 (July 2009). A trade paperback collection from IDW Publishing. Aside from some slight changes made to the cover, this is a reprint of the earlier Marvel collection. Includes issues #31-41.