1993 Characters, Page 4

Click-to-Reveal Profiles for Mace, Long Arm, Gristle, Headhunter Stormtrooper, and Create-a-Cobra

Click a code name to show the character's profile.

+ Mace

MACE - a short, heavy stick with spikes, used as a weapon; also a brand of pepper spray used to disable criminals or assailants.	Char. #266, 158th Joe Team member
Thomas S. Bowman (American with Saxon English surname) of Denver, CO. Denver, on I-25 and I-70, in north-central CO, is the state's capital and largest city (pop. 588,349). Buckley Air Force Base is in the vicinity. Hawk is also from Denver; no other Joes are from Colorado.
Grades: E-8: 1993	SNs: 463-NH-739D
Comic Notes: Mace did not appear in the comic.
Versions: 1. 1993 (Battle Corps)     Version 1: 1993 Battle Corps Wave 3 carded assortment, #29 Fig. #0412: Undercover Operative MOS 1: Undercover Surveillance MOS 2: Intelligence head: Mace (93) arms: Mace (93) torso: Mace (93), Double Clutch (04), Steeler (04) waist: Mace (93), Double Clutch (04), Steeler (04) legs: Mace (93), Double Clutch (04), Steeler (04) Accessories: yellow helmet (shared with Muskrat, with launcher tab on side); yellow pistol (90 Updraft's); yellow assault rifle (90 Ambush's EM-2 bullpup); yellow machine gun (92 Shockwave's M-33); black spring missile launcher (shared with Muskrat, helmet-mounted, short, and boxy with yellow trigger); two yellow missiles (93 Payload's); yellow knife (91 Low-Light's); yellow figure stand After years of undercover work gaining the trust of high-level criminals, MACE has managed to infiltrate some of the largest crime syndicates in the world. While concealing his true identity, he leaks valuable information to his Battle Corps partners who use the information to raid crime warehouses and bust unsuspecting Cobra villains. Every day Mace stays undercover, his life is in jeopardy. But to him, no risk is too great to continue the war against crime and to protect the innocent. From the Colorado Rockies to the shores of Tripoli, Mace is always ready to fight for what's right! Motto: "I always have the last laugh on Cobra criminals, right after I lock them up!" Toy Notes: Featured in the Shark 9000 commercial. Originally intended as part of 1993's D.E.F. line, but moved into Battle Corps when it was canceled. The Australian release retained the D.E.F. packaging. Item #6758. Re-releases: A slightly different version was released in Brazil as Cerebro.

+ Long Arm

LONG ARM - derived from long arm of the law, the force that inevitably brings criminals to justice.	Char. #267, 159th Joe Team member
Thomas P. Mangiaratti (American with Italian surname) of Boulder Creek, CA. Boulder Creek (pop. 4,081) is a small town in the redwood forests south of the San Francisco area. Dojo, Knockdown, and Psyche-Out are from San Francisco itself, and Starduster's Burlingame is nearby.
Grades: E-4: 1993; E-5: 2008	SNs: 69-428-LIK4
Comic Notes: Long Arm did not appear in the comic.
Versions: 1. 1993 (Battle Corps) 2. 2008 (Convention)   Version 1: 1993 Battle Corps Wave 3 carded assortment, #31 Fig. #0414: First Strike Specialist MOS 1: Initial Assault MOS 2: Offensive Tactician head: Long Arm (93, 08) arms: Long Arm (93, 08) torso: Long Arm (93, 08) waist: Long Arm (93, 08) legs: Long Arm (93, 08) Accessories: orange helmet (new, dome-shaped with clear blue visor); red laser rifle (91 Sci-Fi's); red machine gun (91 Grunt's); black spring missile launcher (shared with Law, with orange trigger) with red shield; two red missiles (93 Payload's); red knife (92 Roadblock's); red figure stand When the time comes to hit the evil Cobra empire and hit them hard, the first strike always comes from LONG ARM. He has a reputation for being the first man in and the last one out. He kicks doors off their hinges and charges right in to capture Headhunters, but he's got to keep a sharp eye out for cross fire because while they're shooting at him from the front, the Battle Corps team is blasting their way in from behind. Talk about being "sandwiched" between a rock and a hard place, if he wasn't so fast, he'd be lunch meat! Motto: "I'm always the first one into the firefight, but I wouldn't have it any other way." Toy Notes: Featured in the Shark 9000 commercial. Originally intended as part of 1993's D.E.F. line, but moved into Battle Corps when it was canceled. The Australian release retained the D.E.F. packaging. Item #6761. Version 2: 2008 S.W.A.T. special three-pack release Fig. #1284: S.W.A.T. Bomb Technician MOS 1: Bomb Disposal Robotic Systems Operator MOS 2: Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist [89D] head: Long Arm (93, 08) arms: Long Arm (93, 08) torso: Long Arm (93, 08) waist: Long Arm (93, 08) legs: Long Arm (93, 08) Accessories: dark green helmet (93 Long Arm's, with black trim and clear visor); grey assault rifle (03 Iron Grenadier's TAR-21); grey briefcase (90 Bullhorn's, with "IED Detector" on side); dark green robot (new, with light green claw and antennas); clear figure stand LONG ARM is responsible for the identification and disposal of enemy munitions and explosive devices. Because of the dangers of this job, he always wears a specialized suit of flexible yet protective body armor, consisting of materials resistant to flame, heat, fragmentation, ballistics, over-pressure and impact, even biological and chemical threats. In short, he wears the most expensive disposable uniform in the G. I. JOE arsenal. He also carries a detection kit with the latest dismantling tools and electronic jammers for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and is well trained in Close Quarter Battle tactics. LONG ARM often employs a bomb disposal robot to protect himself and his teammates. These RCRV, or Remotely Controlled Robotic Vehicles, are outfitted with cameras, microphones, and sensors for detection and avoidance of chemical or biological agents; specialized arms for rapid disablement of IEDs and booby traps; and tactical disrupters to provide minimal risk of collateral damage to innocent civilian as well as the G. I. JOE team. But, can all this high-tech gear protect him from an enemy that IS the explosive device? "If you see me running...something is about to go BOOM!" Toy Notes: Bagged together with Low-Light (08) and Shockblast (08) at the Headhunters-themed 2008 Convention.

+ Gristle

GRISTLE - meat near the bones that is not soft enough to eat.	Char. #268, 26th Cobra individual
Danimal J. Rogers (Jamaican-born with Norman English surname) of Montego Bay, Jamaica. Montego Bay (pop. 120,000) is a duty-free man-made peninsula on the northwest shore of the island, with an extremely high crime rate. The island of Jamaica is directly south of Cuba. The other Caribbean-born characters are Zanzibar of the Cayman Islands, Snow Storm of Havana, Cuba, and Rampage of the US Virgin Islands. The 2008 filecard adds a known alias of Brutus Vandalo.
Comic Notes: Gristle did not appear in the comic.
Versions: 1. 1993 (Battle Corps) 2. 2008 (Convention)   Version 1: 1993 Battle Corps Wave 3 carded assortment, #32 Fig. #0415: Urban Crime Commander head: Gristle (93, 08) arms: Gristle (93, 08) torso: Gristle (93, 08) waist: Gristle (93, 08) legs: Gristle (93, 08) Accessories: dark red sniper rifle (90 Rock-Viper's PSG-1); dark red machine gun (92 Destro's XL-14); yellow spring missile launcher (93 Astro Viper's, with dark red trigger); dark red knife (88 Hit & Run's); two dark red missiles (93 Astro Viper's); dark red figure stand When you think of grease, slime, and dirt, you are basically thinking about GRISTLE. Not only is he a corrupt crime boss, his personal hygiene is absolutely disgusting. During the months he spent training to be in the Headhunters, he didn't bother to shower once! But because he was big and bad, he became the right-hand man to some major crime lords who operated illegal warehouses disguised as legitimate comedy clubs. Eventually Gristle started his own criminal activities and then joined up with Cobra, but even those snakes admit he's just too grungy to deal with. Gristle is easily recognized by his blood-shot eyes, or by the sunglasses he uses to shield them from the daylight. Motto: "I go crazy when those G.I. Joes come after me, they just keep chasing, and chasing, and chasing . . ." Variations: Some missile launchers had a loop for a string. Toy Notes: Originally intended as part of 1993's D.E.F. line, but moved into Battle Corps when it was canceled. The Australian release retained the D.E.F. packaging. Item #6762. Version 2: 2008 Cobra Headhunters boxed set Fig. #1280: Headhunters Commander head: Gristle (93, 08) arms: Gristle (93, 08) torso: Gristle (93, 08) waist: Gristle (93, 08) legs: Gristle (93, 08) Accessories: black shotgun (03 Destro's SPAS-12, with brown trim); black submachine gun (new, with large silver blade on front); clear figure stand When you think of greasy, slime ball types, you are basically thinking about GRISTLE. Like his namesake, he is a disgusting but resilient individual who has evaded capture from civilian authorities for over a decade. Rumored to have relocated to South America, he somehow masterminded the exponential growth of the newly motivated HEADHUNTERS into a powerful worldwide crime organization. Now both respected and feared in the underworld, GRISTLE commands the legions of HEADHUNTERS working as an international syndicate of smugglers for COBRA, specializing in goods deemed too dangerous or questionable for the tastes of his peers. Fearing a fate similar to that of his short-sighted predecessor, GRISTLE personally trained his underlings in rarely-seen street fighting styles to maximize their skills as bodyguards. This protection is especially needed as the HEADHUNTERS ensure the clandestine manufacture of chemical-firing weapon modules for COBRA. The G. I. JOE team will soon discover they have never faced a more ruthless crime boss, or one with a more impressive private army of vicious, highly trained guards. "Don't waste your time...you'll never get your hands on me!" Toy Notes: Boxed in a convention-exclusive set with two copies of Headhunter Guard (08), six copies of Headhunter BAT (08), and six copies of Headhunter Stormtrooper (08).

+ Headhunter Stormtrooper

HEADHUNTER STORMTROOPER - soldier in a private or political army, esp. one with cruel methods.

Char. #269, 56th Cobra troop type

Versions: 1. 1993 (Battle Corps) 2. 2008 (Convention)   Version 1: 1993 Battle Corps Wave 3 carded assortment, #33 Fig. #0416: Elite Urban Crime Guard head: Headhunter Stormtrooper (93, 08) arms: Headhunter Stormtrooper (93, 08) torso: Headhunter Stormtrooper (93, 08) waist: Headhunter Stormtrooper (93, 08) legs: Headhunter Stormtrooper (93, 08) Accessories: black sniper rifle (90 Rock-Viper's PSG-1); black machine gun (92 Destro's XL-14); orange spring missile launcher (93 Astro Viper's, with black trigger); two black missiles (93 Astro Viper's); black figure stand HEADHUNTER STORMTROOPERS are no ordinary Headhunters, they're an elite group of rapid-assault, specially trained urban terrorists who oversee large criminal operations. They're as violent and nasty as they appear, real monsters! Despite their extensive, highly disciplined training background, they are quick tempered and easily lose control. They wear specialized Stormtrooper spiked suits that make them difficult to be restrained: trying to tackle one of them is like wrestling a porcupine! But they do have weak points, they are slow and forgetful, an easy target for G.I. Joe to track down, but NEVER an easy Headhunter to capture. Motto: "We're the baddest of the bad, and when we're mad, we're even worse!" Variations: Some missile launchers had a loop for a string. Toy Notes: Originally intended as part of 1993's D.E.F. line, but moved into Battle Corps when it was canceled. The Australian release retained the D.E.F. packaging. Item #6168. Re-releases: A recolored version was released in Brazil as Asa Negra. Version 2: 2008 Cobra Headhunters boxed set Fig. #1283: Headhunter Elite Troopers head: Headhunter Stormtrooper (93, 08) arms: Headhunter Stormtrooper (93, 08) torso: Headhunter Stormtrooper (93, 08) waist: Headhunter Stormtrooper (93, 08) legs: Headhunter Stormtrooper (93, 08) Accessories: black multi-shot speargun (Depth Charge's, with brown grip); black machine gun (05 Duke's Stoner 63, with brown grip and butt); brown knife (03 Over Kill's, with black blade); clear figure stand HEADHUNTER STORMTROOPERS are no ordinary HEADHUNTERS; they're an elite group of rapid-assault, specially trained urban terrorists who oversee large criminal operations. They're as violent and nasty as they appear—real monsters! Despite their extensive, highly disciplined training background, they are quick tempered and easily lose control. They wear fearsome, specialized Stormtrooper spiked suits, giving them an advantage in close quarters combat, as well as demoralizing anyone who engages them for capture. HEADHUNTER STORMTROOPERS use brute force and heavy firepower to overwhelm their adversaries. They specialize in urban guerrilla warfare to dominate all areas they occupy. In the face of foes of equal skill, they are known to go completely berserk, the onslaught eventually destroying everything in the surrounding area. GRISTLE knows this unstoppable might will ensure that no one discovers their latest project—and lives to tell about it. "You've seen my skull, time to show me yours!" Toy Notes: Six copies were boxed in a convention-exclusive set with Gristle (08), two copies of Headhunter Guard (08), and six copies of Headhunter BAT (08).

+ Create-a-Cobra

CREATE-A-COBRA - name in the official brochure; also listed as Name Your Own Cobra in many fan resources.	Char. #270, 57th Cobra troop type
Code name and other personal information could be chosen by the buyer.
Versions: 1. 1993 (Mail)     Version 1: 1993 special mail-order Fig. #0425 head: Crimson Guard Immortal (91, 03), Create-a-Cobra (93) arms: TARGAT (89, 93), Create-a-Cobra (93), Coil Trooper (06) torso: TARGAT (89, 93), Create-a-Cobra (93), Coil Trooper (06) waist: TARGAT (89, 93), Create-a-Cobra (93), Coil Trooper (06) legs: TARGAT (89, 93), Create-a-Cobra (93), Coil Trooper (06) Accessories: silver photon rifle (87 Dodger's); black figure stand [Personalized filecard. Buyer selected code name, characterization (leader, fighter, or loner), best situation, personality, personality, legion (Alley-Viper, Eco-Warior, BAT, Aero-Viper, Crimson Guard, Eel, Night-Creeper, or Officer), weapons expertise, military specialties, martial arts expertise, and vehicle specialty. Toy Notes: Available by mail in 1993-94, but only through the offer Terrifying Lasers of Destruction included with vehicles. This is considered a hard-to-find, moderately high-demand figure.

Continue to 1993 Characters, Page 5 (Ryu, Ken Masters, Guile, Chun Li, Blanka, and M. Bison)

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