Issue(s): Team America #8
Cover Date: Jan 83
Title: "Trials"
Credits:
Bill Mantlo - Script
Jim Shooter - Plot
Don Perlin - Penciler
Vincent Colletta - Inker
Tom DeFalco - Editor

Review/plot:
Jim Shooter is back behind the wheel plotwise. We're also done with the solo stories, ending them before Wrench gets his time in the spotlight. To compensate for that, this issue introduces some girlfriend trouble for him, depicting him as someone so focused on his work to the exclusion of his social interactions that Reed Richards would be embarrassed for him.

And his girlfriend as being incapable of comprehending that he's doing important work.

The above scene is after Team America flew halfway across the world to Egypt and Wrench now has to quickly assemble their only vehicle, which has to compete against racing teams with corporate sponsors and better funding. Maybe now's not the time to talk about our relationship?

But then Wolf pushes the buggy too hard during the time trials, and the vehicle is busted.

This of course leads to recriminations, but Wrench says he can fix it in time for the actual race.

But then we immediately get this.

Really? Team America's one car is broken, they have flown all the way here to Egypt, and now Wrench is supposed to just abandon his responsibilities to take you on a sightseeing tour? You want to talk about our relationship problems, Georgiana? Well this is the problem! Right here! You have no respect for the work i do and you don't even try to understand!

Sorry. Actually, Wrench doesn't emote at all or try to talk to her. He just stoically goes back to work and sheds a single tear when he hears that Cowboy has gone off to hit on Georgiana now that she's a free agent. Cowboy and Georgiana sneaking off together or having not-so-subtle on panel suggestive moments...

...will be a continuing feature of this book until a convenient surprise twist in the last issue.

But lest you think this really is a Wrench solo story, a quick check in on the other characters. Actually, i don't know why all of Team America (especially Georgiana!) decided to travel to Egypt for this event since they only have one buggy. Wolf is driving it and Wrench is maintaining it. No one else has anything to do.

But when Honcho arrives he gets wrapped up in some spy mission for the CIA. And it turns out the enemy agent he's going up against is also the woman driving the car that is Wolf's main competitor.

And Wolf also sleeps with her.

That's basically the story. Honcho fails to stop the lady, and Team America loses the race, so this isn't a high point for them. The Marauder doesn't even appear this issue. But we do see evidence of the Team's shared mental link. When Honcho is knocked out during his spy mission...

...Reddy wakes up dreaming of the belly dancer (who i think is also the enemy agent/buggy racer).

In summary, this is the greatest comic book ever written.

Quality Rating: D

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: Pushed back in publication time to account for a sober Iron Man's appearance in Team America #9.

References: N/A

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A