The Comic Box #44!!!
 

Welcome to The Comic Box. This is a discussion thread for the GI Joe comics. We start at Marvel’s #1 and move thru the series every week. It’s a chance to give your thoughts, opinions and remarks about the comic in question.

#44. Improvisation on a Theme

~Short Summary~
During a training exercise lead by Lady Jaye, a group of new Joe recruits are kidnapped by Dr. Mindbender. They are put up against Mindbender's new BATS and mutant plants called creeper bombs. After a long battle, the new Joes are able to prevail and become full members of the team.

~Notes of Interest~
First Appearance of Heavy Metal, Airtight, Bazooka, Crank-Case.
First Appearance of B.A.T.S. (Battle Android Troopers) & Dr. Mindbender
Dr. Mindbender is initially named as Dr. Brainwave.
-summary courtesy yojoe.com-


http://www.yojoe.com/comics/joe/joe44.shtml



-image courtesy yojoe.com-


Discuss away!!

these issues were always great because they focused on a small group of joes and were stories contained in a single issue plus it was a great story that focused on new team members and made you want to read more about them plus seing how they overcame mindbenders weird growing plants and beating the bats just made me like these characters even more :D

Not one of my favourite issues, it was just a little too far outside the bounds of realism for me. :rolleyes:

The Trooper driving the truck always reminds me of a Techno-Viper.

It seems like BATS went through quite an evolution of technology. But they started out good, then went through some budget cuts to just fodder, then to unstoppable parts and pieces that just kept fighting even after most of them had been shot away.

I'm with Craig, this is not an issue I re-read very often. It was out of the main plot, a stand-alone issue that introduced some new characters.

I wonder if the One-Shot issues like this are what led to make the Special Missions series. There are some great Special Missions issues!

Yay, we've finally gotten to the issues I know well! When I first got into Joes for real, the comic was around issue 120, so I bought a bunch of back issues starting in the 40s, and this was the first one in that group.

First off, I love this cover. No one draws Lady Jaye like Mike Zeck! He and Andrew Wildman are the only artists that can make her look good in a hat. It's really too bad Zeck never did any interior artwork back when he was in his prime in the 80s. His work on the Devil's Due title was okay, but nothing compared to what he could produce 20 years ago.

Second, I liked the training exercise idea to introduce a bunch of new Joes. It's still the best way to bring in new characters, as far as I'm concerned.

I was a little confused when I read this one and Bazooka wasn't the simpleton I know from the cartoon. I realize that portrayal isn't very realistic for a soldier, but it's how I know the character best.

Anyway, I think that's all I've got for this one. I'm happy I can finally start contributing to these things.

I always enjoyed this one. We got Lady Jaye,4 new Joes,2 new Cobras,and 3 of my favorite vehicles-Mauler,AWE Striker,and Silver Mirage! :D

After reading this issue,my Silver Mirage became Lady Jaye's personal property! ;)

Self-Mod,glad you could join in the Comic Box!

Somehow Max, I had not one shred of doubt that you'd love this issue..... :p ;)

Really? ;)

:p

Mmmmm...Special Missions. Now we're talking! :)

Yeah, I really need to break my Special Missions out, I think I've got about half the run. One of my favorites was with Scarlett and Snake Eyes I think it was a two parter, and then the one with Shockwave and the hostage situation. The "preview" story in GI Joe #50 was pretty good too! Can we start aspecial missions thread, Scarlett??? :D

that's a good idea PA!! i never read the special mission comics as a kid and it would be great to find out what the stories were about and why they couldn't take place in the regular series especially during the later issues when the stories kind of suffered :D

I always figured we'd do the Special Missions series when we reached that point in the regular series? And since the preview story was in issue 50, there's not long to go!

DING DING DING!!!!!

Give that man a 'No Prize'!!!!

Keep your eyes peeled folks....... ;) :D

I actually have one already, for naming the letters page of the UK-published "Marvel Heroes Reborn" comic nearly 10 years ago... It reprinted Fantastic Four and Iron Man strips so everyone else tailored their suggestions to those themes; I just went with "'Nuff Said!" :D

Ah, any excuse to show off my geek qualifications...! I just wish I could find the folder I put it in...

Heh heh, I remember having a letter published in the original GI Joe Marvel run! Not too sure now, but I think it was in issue 91. :)

really good one , love to see some new joes in action , well without weapons any way , good story , bazooka as a rookie lol ,some B.A.T s with ak47 s and airtight saves the day , , lady j s helmet is the one from the comic pack right... :cool: