That's all I've grown to do when I see Hasbro execs involving themselves in any form of Comics. They've totalled Transformers and they totalled GI Joe. I can still remember the interviews in trade rags back after Hama was removed from the helm. He was bitter. The Marvel people were in favor of Hama's direction but had to answer to Hasbro because of licensing and an overall cash issue. Hasbro was pushing for a more SciFi feel, with bigger (sic) singular characters (Snake Eyes) and over-the-top equipment. We see that general theme as GI Joe goes into space...gets this huge mobile command center...even the USS Flag. Think about all of those big scale toys we love to play around with, customize, or generally loathe. They were conceived of in a Hasbro design shop, sent through the marble halls, given a thumbs up and then sent to marketing. Marketing then sent them not only to the Ad boys for TV spots and catalogs, but they sent them over to Marvel who in turn forced Hama to come up with some quick plot loop or story idea to involve and showcase this new piece.

I'd like to call attention to two issues.

Issue #40 was the issue when we first meet Shipwreck and Barbecue. It is also when we first see the Mobile Battle Platform and extensive use of Moray hydrofoils. Without over analyzing the rest of the events in this issue I'll say this. Here is a new toy (the platform) use of a couple of toys that were introduced earlier but showcased here (the WHALE and Morays and new figures - Shipwreck and Barbecue as well as the Lampreys) all in time for the Christmas shopping season as #40 was released in Oct. of 1985. Ahead of the big push by a month. Long enough for kids (us) to get a look at the new gizmos and then see their plastic alter egos and tell Mom and Dad (or Santa) what we wanted for Christmas.

The second is Issue #44. In this one we get to see the Mauler, Awe Striker and Silver Mirage Motorcycle. We meet Heavy Metal, Airtight, Bazooka, Crank-Case, B.A.T.S. (Battle Android Troopers) & Dr. Mindbender. While this tended to be a "one off" story, the characters and equipment was showcased in time for the new release of the vehicles and figures due for the late-winter wave. Again the kids see the new stuff and guys and tell Mom and Dad who are alerted for birthday and what ever contrived reason of "perfect" gifts.

Hama is guilty of catering to Hasbro but I think it is more out of self-preservation than because he lacked any kind of direction for the story. He may have limelighted Snake Eyes a bit more than necessary and there were some rather stinky stories that left his pen, but all in all I find my self willing to give him the benefit of doubt before I close the door on the new comics. If he really does have autonomy and creative license, then Yea! If not, well then we at least know not to walk down that road again.

I do realize that I didn't mention Sunbow or DIC earlier. The cartoon was great for afternoons after school. I remember in '84 when I first saw the MASS series and the subsequent cartoon series afterward. But, TV is the fastest way to advertise and without trying to tax the limited attention span of pre-pubescent boys too greatly, the cartoon lacked the great story-arc that comics can have. I also noticed that the cartoon showcased all sorts of things that weren't shown or left in the background in the comic. Skypatrol for example. Hasbro can sell more of the same toy labeled and painted differently with no new molds and tooling to be done. Add a few new figures, some using new molds and others reusing existing ones and an entire new subline is born. Python Patrol, Tiger Force, Night Force, DEF, Eco-Warriors each an additional example of Hasbro creating a way of reusing old molds and still selling more units.

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