Ripcord
Context
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero was a comic book and cartoon series based off of Hasbro’s 1980’s military action figure toyline. While both series covered the same characters and concepts, they had vastly different continuities. The cartoon’s stories were far more fantastical (and often silly) while the comic was far more realistic and gritty.
G.I. Joe’s story focused on the ongoing struggle between the G.I. Joe Team (a group made up of soldiers hand-picked from the four main branches of the U.S. Armed Forces) and the sinister Cobra organization (who were dedicated to world conquest).
Ripcord was the only member of the G.I. Joes strikeforce that had romantic ties with a civilian. His romance was short lived (as newer characters were rapidly introduced to the series), and had a tragic ending.
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Background
- Real Name: Wallace A. Weems.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: Unrevealed.
- Group Affiliation: United States Armed Forces; G.I. Joe.
- Base of Operations: Mobile.
- Height: 6’0″ Weight: 170 lbs.
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Brown.
Powers & Abilities
Like most members of the G.I. Joe strikeforce, Ripcord is an exceptional soldier. He has received extensive training in Advanced Infantry, Demolitions, Mountaineering and Reconnaissance. However, his primary military specialty is HALO jumping and airborne infantry.
Weapons
Ripcord generally arms himself with a FN FAL (French: Fusil Automatique Léger, English: Light Automatic Rifle), a M1911A1 Auto Pistol and a pack of shaped charges.
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History
Ripcord was assigned to the G.I. Joe as Grunt’s replacement. His assignment caused friction with the older Joes but he found allies in a number of the newer recruits. When Spirit desired natural medicines to treat his wounds, Ripcord offered to take him off-base to acquire it.
Bongo the Balloon Bear
In the process, Ripcord ran afowl of a Crimson Guardsman and his family. While pursuing the Guardsman, Ripcord and the Joes commandeered a van from an entertainer called Bongo the Balloon Bear. As fate would have it, Bongo turned out to be a beautiful young woman named Candy.
The two were instantly attracted to one another, and started to date. However, their relationship was unable to progress very far due to Ripcord’s identity being classified. Ripcord’s refusal to tell Candy the whole truth of his job and identity caused her to end their relationship.
Soon thereafter, Candy was taken into custody by the Joes while Ripcord was on a mission. As coincidence had it, Candy’s father was a high ranking member of Cobra. The Joes suspected that Candy had dated Ripcord in order to further his plans.
Candy remained in the Joes custody for a short time. One of the Joes’ other prisoners, Buzzer, broke out of his cell and took her along as a hostage. When Ripcord returned and discovered Candy’s disappearance, he decided to take matters into his own hands.
I want my Candy
He arranged to be on a standard reconnaissance flight over Cobra Island. When he was over the island, Ripcord ejected from the plane without authorization and attempted to infiltrate Cobra Headquarters. Despite his attempt at stealth, his actions were immediately discovered by the Cobra forces and Zartan set out to intercept him.
The two fought a cat and mouse battle by moonlight. Ripcord came out on the short end and was subdued by Zartan. While the two fought, Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow invaded Cobra Island seeking to kill Zartan.
Zartan, realizing the opportunity he had, switched places with Ripcord and was “rescued” by the Joes. Ripcord (now disguised as Zartan) was recovered by Cobra soldiers. He was taken into the Cobra base where Storm Shadow tried to kill him.
He barely escaped with his life thanks to the help of Candy’s father. Candy’s father helped Ripcord escape with the hope that he would find and save Candy’s life. By the time he regained consciousness, Ripcord had been transported to Cobra’s secret headquarters in Springfield.
Upon waking he continued his charade as Zartan. In Springfield, he made two discoveries. The first was that Buzzer’s kidnapping of Candy had eventually ended with her death. The second was the location of Springfield itself. He then contacted the Joes and gave them Springfield’s location.
The Joes managed to rescue Ripcord during their assault on Springfield, but not before being tortured. After his rescue, Ripcord went on an extended leave from the team to grieve for Candy’s death.
Description
Ripcord is an average looking Caucasian male. He has a trim athletic build, reddish brown hair and bright blue eyes. When not in dress uniform, Ripcord dresses in camouflage fatigues made up of various shades of green.
Personality
Ripcord has the personality one would expect from a typical soldier. Though he is impetuous, Ripcord’s loyalty, bravery and competence cannot be questioned.
Yet, should the need arise, he will quickly abandon the rule book. Whether it is going AWOL or murder, Ripcord will do what he deems necessary to achieve his goal.
Quotes
“What could possibly be bothering me ? My girlfriend Candy gets kidnapped by a Drednok, Candy’s father turns out to be the Cobra Crimson Guardsman who masterminded the creation of Cobra Island and Candy herself may or may not be a Cobra Agent. I’m having a GREAT time !”
“You’re not dealing with a regular Joe ! I’m on my own here ! No rules ! Understand ?”
“Hey Robin Hood ! Why don’t you ditch that toy and fire some jacketed lead at me like the real soldier boys do !”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Ripcord
| Dex: 04 | Str: 03 | Bod: 04 | Motivation: Patriot |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 04 | Min: 04 | Occupation: Commando / HALO Jumper |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 04 | Wealth: 002 |
| Init: 011 | HP: 020 |
Skills:
Acrobatics (Climbing, Athletics): 04, Medicine (First aid): 03, Military science (Camouflage, Cartography, Demolition): 04, Thief (Stealth): 04, Vehicles (Land): 04, Weaponry (Infantry weapons): 04
Advantages:
Expertise (Military equipment and protocols), Rank (Corporal), Scholar (HALO Diving).
Connections:
GI Joe (High), United States Military (Low).
Drawbacks:
Unluck.
Genre:
Action.
Equipment:
- Assault Rifle [BODY 04, Projectile weapons: 06, Ammo: 08, R#02. Advantage : Autofire].
- Grenade (x2) [BODY 02, EV 07 (Area of Effect), R#03].
- Combat knife [BODY 09 , EV 03 (05 w/STR)].
- Parachute [BODY 02, Gliding: 02, R#02].
Source of Character: Marvel Comics Series – G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, written by Larry Hama and illustrated by Herb Trimpe.
Writeup completed on the 9th of July, 2017.