G.I. JOE #22
Like Chimney Sweepers Come To Dust...

Cover Date: April, 1984
Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: Mike Vosburg
Inker: Jon D'Agostino
Letterer: Rick Parker
Colorist: George Roussos
Editor: Denny O'Neil
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

Summary (by John S. Rannells):  This issue continues the storyline last followed in issue #19. Clutch and Breaker, returning from parts unknown, explain to a busload of soldiers the reason for the destruction of the motor pool is ''A boiler exploded. All the boilers exploded". They pull up to a spot where Hawk and Scarlett are standing, reviewing plans for a newer and better PIT. Hawk comments that the return of the chaplains' assistants is going to keep the Joes on their toes, keeping them aware of security matters.

Zap, Gung-Ho, Stalker and Rock 'n' Roll are already busy repairing structural damage to the frame of the PIT. Zap, who appears to be overseeing the work from above, urges them on by informing them that the weather forecasts all call for rain the following day, and that they need to hurry to make sure the frame will be able to support the added weight from the water. He is reminded that if the structure does not hold, he will lose the floor out from under him. As poetic justice would have it, no sooner is this stated when the ceiling above Stalker and the others starts to cave in. Acting quickly, Gung-Ho and the others brace it with a wooden beam, with Gung-Ho using nothing but his fists to jam it into place.

Meanwhile Snow Job, Cover Girl and Tripwire are working to restore the living quarters. A worthwhile endeavor no doubt, but Snow Job's motives are less than entirely noble. He tries to impress upon Cover Girl that he does not fit the image of a traditional male, that he supports women lib, and that he sees no reason why she shouldn't, as a liberated female, pick up the tab for their first date. Cover Girl however, refuses his advance. At the same time Torpedo, Short-Fuze and Flash are in the computer bay, repairing the circutry. Despite being waste deep in water (the bay is flooded) Flash comments that he wishes the electricity could be turned on so they could better assess their progress.

And then of course there is Snake-Eyes. His agenda for this day is bury his friend Kwinn in traditional eskimo fashion. He, with the help of Wild Bill, takes the body of his deceased comrade to Montauk Point, on the Eastern tip of Long Island. He takes with him a kayak, Kwinn's weapon (which he lays across his chest), and the weapon of Kwinn's enemy Dr Venom, which he places at Kwinn's feet, to ensure that Venom's soul will serve Kwinn in the next world. "Goodbye Kwinn," says Wild Bill "There will never be another like you."

Hawk informs the G.I. Joe team that the funeral for Gen. Flagg will be held the following day at Arlington Cemetary. At the same time, deep within Cobra Headquarters, Destro is confronting Cobra Commander about his decision to order the prototype of a new aircraft, the Rattler, out on a bombing mission. Cobra Commander reveals to Destro that he has been made aware of the Joes plans to attend the funeral the next day and that the Rattler, although unproven and still in developmental stages, is the best available aircraft for the job. He goes on to ridicule Destro concerning the security of Destro's castle, using the events of issue #21 to change the subject.

Major Bludd all the while has escorted the badly injured Baroness to Switzerland, to employ the services of one Dr. Hundtkinder, a reconstuctive surgeon. After some discussion about discretion, the Baroness insists that Bludd "pay the swine."

The next day at Arlington: The Joes are present and in full military dress, the United States flag draped across the casket being pulled by horse and wagon. And, suddenly, a Cobra Rattler bearing down on the assembly. Cover Girl is first to notice it, but soon it presence is known to all. "We're trapped in the open! No cover!" screams Scarlett. "He'll be in range in seconds," observes Hawk.

Three seconds......two seconds....... one........

And then gunfire. Not form the Rattler, but from two figures standing on a ridge overlooking the scene. The plane takes several hits and crashes to the ground a fiery wreck. The Joes rush up to meet their saviors. "You've got to be the new Joe, 'cause if the bad guys can hand hold a .50 calibur I'm giving up," exclaims Rock-n-Roll. "They call me Roadblock. I'm the new heavy machine gunner on the G.I .Joe team." Roadblock also introduces his compainon. Duke, the new Sergeant.

The issue ends at Potters Field, were some convicts are doing their civic duty, buring derelicts and John Does. One of them, seeing something he thinks is strange considering.... remarks to his co-workers "..why would they do that. Right strange. Burying a Dr. in a place like this." .

Commentary: This issue sort of marks the end of one era of G.I. Joe, and the beginning of a new one. It is the end of a storyline that has continued for quite some time. The end of the strictly khaki green, military realism that defined the G.I. Joe team for it's first couple of years. From here on in, the Joes would become much more specialized.

One interesting note in this story is that several mentions of the events of issue 21 are included, despite the fact that that story (and the one before it) were intended to be sort of "fillers", while the creative team could draw up and acceptable ending to the saga that had played out over the last eight or nine issues. Oddly, no mention is ever given to the events of issue 20, suggesting that either it doesn't fall within the timeline that it appears in, or simply that ther other Joes do not miss Clutch when he is gone as much as they notice the absence of Scarlett.

Snow Job's character is played upon well, with his attempt to con Cover Girl into not only going out with him, but into paying for it as well. That particular scene ends with Tripwire falling down with a armfull of plates. Tripwire's character seems to be included for comedic value more than anything else in his early appearances, displaying Larry Hama's belief in the importance of humor as well as drama.

The only real problem I find with the story, other than the apperent lapse of common sense on Flash's part when he wishes for electricity while standing waist deep in water, is the Joes reaction to the Rattler. The fact that this highly specialized team would allow themselves to be so exposed goes against everything we are lead to believe about their skills as soldiers. But they're almost "damsel in distress" dialog makes them seem more like a Boy/Girl scout troop encountering a wild bear on a hike then a crack commando unit serving in the U.S. military. And of course, the introduction of Duke ushers in the new era of G.I. Joe. Duke will go on to become one of the series most indentifiable characters, both in print and on television, as this is around the time the cartoon started picking up steam.

Overall this issue, although not a masterpiece in any sense of the word, is a crucial one. It dosen't have all the action that some issues have, but it stands on it's own as quite an enjoyable read.

First Appearances:

  • G.I. Joe team: Duke, Roadblock
  • Cobra vehicles: Rattler ground attack jet
Reprinted in:
  • G.I. JOE Comics Magazine #8 (February 1988). Digest format from Marvel Comics. Includes issues #21 and Action Force #10-13.
  • G.I. JOE: Volume 3 (August 2002). A trade paperback collection from Marvel. Includes issues #21-30.
  • Classic G.I. JOE: Volume 3 (May 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 #21-30.
  • G.I. JOE: Best of Duke (June 2009). Part of a series of reprints from IDW. Also includes issues #23, 48-50, 80.