G.I. JOE #49
Serpentor

Cover Date: July, 1986
Script: Larry Hama
Pencils: Rod Whigham
Inks: Andy Mushynsky
Lettering: Joe Rosen
Colors: George Roussos
Editor: Denny O'Neil
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

Summary:  Somewhere in Middle East, local police officers confront looters in an ancient tomb. Destro and Dr. Mindbender are the looters and they're carrying a mummy. Destro translates, telling Mindbender that they shoot tomb robbers in "this particular backwater," then fires a wrist rocket at them. The two Cobras reach a transport 'copter flown by the Baroness. They've successfully found the remains of ten warriors and Mindbender's project can continue.

On Cobra Island, on a ledge overlooking a massive construction site, Cobra Commander is thrilled that they've located the tombs and that Mindbender can now construct the ultimate soldier from the remains of history's greatest warriors. Tomax and Xamot agree that such a project would be an amazing feat and doubt that even the late Dr. Venom would be able to accomplish it. The Commander mentions that he's giving Mindbender access to Venom's equipment, including the Brain-wave Scanner.

Later, at the Springfield Museum of Antiquities, Dr. Mindbender has set up a laboratory suited for his experiment. Mindbender annoys Cobra troopers has he tells them precisely how to handle the bodies of the dead warriors. Each is placed in a large cylinder-shaped "saline-protein tanks" filled with liquid. Mindbender explains the details of his experiment. Using the genetic material from the bodies to generate nerve tissue through cloning. The computers will combine that tissue to create a working model of a brain, and place it into the faceless body Mindbender has created, giving the soldier the intelligence and mental abilities of the ten warriors. "Memories" are just historical data fed into the computers. Mindbender amends his number of warriors from ten to eleven. He's decided to include Storm Shadow's body, gunned down by the Baroness on Cobra Island not too long before.

In Springfield, the Dreadnoks are enjoying themselves at a local restaurant, but notice Zartan is missing. "Zartan" is actually Ripcord in disguise. He's using a pay phone when Firefly, Scrap-Iron and a group of Cobra troopers barge in, having discovered "Zartan" is making a call to G.I. Joe headquarters. Ripcord hangs up the phone, telling Breaker he has to go. He pulls off his Zartan hood (it "just gets in the way" ) and smashes through a window as the Cobras open fire.

On the staging level of G.I. Joe headquarters, Hawk has assembled dozens of Joes. He announces that Ripcord has revealed the location of Springfield and every Joe that can carry a weapon is in on the invasion, and they'll leave immediately. He reminds them that Ripcord may be dead, or wishing he is, but "he put everything on the line to make this mission possible...let's not let him down." The Joes only answer: "Yo Joe!"

Once outside, he pulls a man out of his car and apologizes at first but realizes, "What am I saying? This guy is probably wearing Cobra underwear!" As Ripcord speeds off he discovers a little girl was in the car, as well. Scrap-Iron almost fires a missle at the car before the man stops him -- his daughter is still inside. Back at the museum, Mindbender has started the process and the large vat in the center of the room begins to glow. Destro watches the computers and  monitors in amazement as the warrior is being given life. Destro then wonders how they can be sure what side he'll be on. Mindbender explains that he'll use the Brain-wave Scanner on himself to impart his loyalties to Cobra into the warrior. He also chooses a fitting name for Cobra's greatest soldier: "Serpentor! I like that. A snake-like ring to it!" The Baroness switches on the Scanner and "Serpentor" continues to take shape. Back outside, Ripcord politely asks the little girl to get out of the car, but changes his mind when she pulls out a .357 Magnum and threatens to blow a hole through his head. The Cobras arrive and capture Ripcord. Torch makes sure he thanks the little girl. "You're welcome, Mr. Dreadnok, sir!"

Meanwhile, two C-130 transport planes, a Tomahawk 'copter and Dragonfly make their way to Springfield, filled with Joes, vehicles and equipment. Three new Joes are in on the mission: Leatherneck, Slipstream and Lift-Ticket.

Back at the museum, Mindbender is in pain as he is subjected to the Brain-wave Scanner. The Baroness considers that they should have warned Mindbender how painful the Scanner can be. "I thought of it, my dear Baroness," Destro replies, "but I didn't see the point in trying to enlighten someone so apparently superior in intelligence!" The Dreadnoks arrive, with Ripcord, unstrap Mindbender from the Scanner and hook Ripcord up to it. A Tele-Viper calls Cobra Commander about the possible intelligence leak. The Commander tells them to confirm the leak and institute the evacuation plan if necessary. Using the Scanner, they sift through Ripcord's recent memories and discover he's revealed Springfield's location to the Joes. As the Cobras review Ripcord's memories on the monitor, a figure begins to rise out of the vat behind them.

At the Springfield Power and Light Company, the Joes' Tomahawk lands and drops off the small assault team. Hidden in the darkness, they take the Cobra guards by surprise. Quick Kick takes them out silently while Scarlett and Snake-Eyes plant explosives in the power plant. Moments later, at the museum, Destro spots the explosion across town, just as the lights go out. "They could be everywhere!" Firefly worries. They are all startled when Serpentor speaks, telling them exactly what the Joes plan to do. Destro lights a match and sees Serpentor. He covers himself with a nearby cape and steals a snake cowl from a nearby museum display case. "Serpentor...is that my name? I seem to remember...others...But 'Serpentor' will do...for now!"

At Springfield Police Headquarters, Stalker and the Joe assault team have captured the local police. Stalker radios to Hawk, flying in one of the C-130s. As the planes come in for a landing, anti-aircraft tracer fire lights up the night sky. Wild Bill and Airborne use the Dragonfly's chin turret machine guns to clear the Cobra ASP emplacements, allowing the C-130s to land safely.

Back in the museum, the Tele-Viper reports what's going on. It's just as Serpentor had predicted! Destro orders the Baroness to lead the evacuation while he leads the troops in a delaying action. Serpentor suggests he should lead the troops. "I have the skills and experience...thousands of years of experience!" Destro would agree, but isn't sure if he can trust him. He decides to send Mindbender, Scrap-Iron and Firefly with him to keep him honest. He says Firefly is the "most ruthless" of the group and that he will decide if Serpentor has betrayed them "and kill you if necessary!"

At the landing field, the Joes rush to unload their vehicles and let the C-130s take off while under heavy fire from Cobra. Stalker radios in to Hawk to report Cobra activity at the museum, which is big enough for a regimental headquarters. He's putting together a recon force, but will need back-up. Hawk agrees and puts together a strike team.

Back at the museum, the Cobra troops have gathered and Serpentor is about to address them:

"I have been entrusted to lead you in what is euphemistically called a 'holding action.' We all know that it is really a suicide mission. But I have no intention of dying. Nor do I intend to spend cheaply the lives of those I lead... Leonidas held Thermopolae against the legions of Xerxes with three hundred Spartans but perished with his men! I intend to hold Springfield against the Joes...and live!"

The troops begin to chant: "Serpentor! Serpentor!" He smiles as they cheer. "Soldiers never change...," he thinks to himself, "they love to hear the same speeches!"

TO BE CONTINUED.

Commentary: Serpentor. One thing that can cause controversy among G.I. Joe fans. Many people are upset by the very notion of Serpentor, believing his very sci-fi origins signal the end to any realism in the cartoon or comics. Even Larry Hama has admitted his dislike for the character. Serpentor also helps emphasize the differences between the cartoon and the comic book. On TV, the search for the DNA of long-dead warriors goes on for almost all of a 5-episode miniseries, while the comic devotes two pages to the search, of which we only see the final part.

All that said, Larry Hama does his best to make Serpentor's character interesting. For one thing, his creation doesn't sound sound totally ludicrous. The DNA from the warriors' remains is combined and then cloned to make a new brain. Fiction like Jurassic Park and even real-life cloning only years ago is similar to this. This wouldn't make Serpentor those men's descendants, Destro actually points this out. So, when Serpentor acts like he remembers being those warriors -- more than would happen if his brain was filled with data. One could only guess that something metaphysical happened to make Serpentor more than the sum of his parts. But, then again, I'm probably over-analyzing this...

Again, Larry Hama does attempt to make Serpentor interesting. As Cobra Commander realizes too late, the greatest soldiers of history were also leaders and conquerors: Julius Caesar, Napoleon, Genghis Khan and others. Serpentor is then portrayed in the comic as one imagines men like Caesar really were. Outwardly, he's charismatic and passionate. Inwardly, he's scheming, calculating and very intelligent. And like the men he was created from, he is ready to usurp command of Cobra with full support of "his people." The scene in which Serpentor's speaks to his troops is designed to look very much like something out of ancient Rome, except there are tanks instead of chariots. The museum they meet outside even has columns like a Roman temple. More will be seen of Serpentor's character in the next issue, but Larry Hama does make the most of a much-maligned character.

The actual plot of the comic is very exciting, mostly in anticipation of the next story is issue #50. It's tough for any fan not to be excited by the Joes acting like a real military unit and having nearly all the Joes invade what has been Cobra's secret headquarters since day one. Ripcord's story continues, and we see his search for Candy lead him to real heroism. It's also nice to see the Joes doing their job so well. There's also funny bit of twisted humor when the little girl in the car Ripcord steals is every bit the Cobra agent her father is when she pulls a gun on Ripcord. The appearance of Storm Shadow's body only two issues after he was supposedly killed pretty obviously telegraphs that he'll live again.

There's on minor mistake in the issue while the Joes flying to Springfield. The character described as Slipstream actually looks like Lift-Ticket. Though they're both there, the artist got a little confused between the two new characters. Strangely, in issue #54, Slipstream will introduce himself to Ace and Wild Bill as if he's never met any of the team before.

So, this was a solid issue and while it may not be appropriate for G.I. Joe, Serpentor's origin is pretty cool.
First appearances:
  • G.I. Joe team: Lift-Ticket, Slipstream, Leatherneck
  • Cobra: Serpentor
  • G.I. Joe vehicles: Tomahawk helicopter
Reprinted in:
  • The Transformers (UK) #157-160 (March 19th - April 9th, 1988). A Marvel UK series that began reprinting Action Force stories after the end of that series. These issues reprint this story in four parts, alongside original stories. All references to "G.I. Joe" were changed to "Action Force".
  • G.I. JOE: Volume 5 (2002). A trade paperback collection from Marvel. Includes issues #42-50.
  • A version of the issue was released by Hasbro in 2005, packaged with action figures of Firefly, Scrap-Iron and Serpentor, as seen in this issue. All references to Marvel Comics were removed.
  • Classic G.I. JOE: Volume 5 (November 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 #42-50.